Should I Buy A House With An East Facing Garden?

An east-facing garden gets the morning sun and loses it after lunch. Whether that is a drawback depends entirely on when you are at home.

It suits early risers, anyone who works from home in the morning, and people who would rather sit outside with a coffee at eight than a drink at eight. It suits gardeners too — morning sun dries the dew without scorching, and shade planting does well through the afternoon.

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Key Takeaways

• An east-facing garden welcomes the day with gentle morning sunlight, creating a tranquil haven.
• Ideal for early risers, it's perfect for morning activities like gardening or enjoying a quiet breakfast.
• East-facing gardens provide shade in the hot afternoons, potentially reducing energy costs.
• While they may not command high prices like south-facing gardens in some markets, their unique charm lies in peaceful mornings and cooler outdoor experiences.

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Should I Buy A House With An East Facing Garden?

Choosing a home with an east-facing garden can be great if you like morning sunlight and want a cool spot in the afternoons and evenings. It's all about what suits your lifestyle and what you enjoy.

An east-facing garden gets the morning sunlight, perfect for early birds and breakfast lovers. The front of the house gets the sun in the morning, giving a nice start to your day.

If you prefer a cooler outdoor space later in the day, an east-facing garden might be just right for you. While it may not have the warm evening sun, it offers a calm and comfy place as the day goes on.

Deciding on a house with an east-facing garden depends on what you like. If you enjoy mornings and a more comfortable outdoor experience later in the day, an east-facing garden could be the perfect fit for you.

East-facing gardens bring their own unique qualities to gardening and outdoor living. Here are some important things to think about:

Sunlight Exposure

Unlike west-facing gardens that get afternoon and evening sunlight, an east-facing garden gets the morning sun. This makes it perfect for those who love a bright start to the day.

If you're someone who works during the day and wants to unwind in the garden after work, an east-facing garden might be just what you're looking for.

Plant Selection

The direction your garden faces affects the kinds of plants that will thrive there. In an east-facing garden, you'll want to pick plants that do well in the morning sun. Think about flowers, vegetables, and herbs that love a good dose of sunlight to grow and bloom.

Outdoor Living

If you enjoy spending time in your garden, an east-facing one offers a cool and pleasant space in the afternoon and evening. While you might not get the warmth of the setting sun, you can create cosy spots for relaxing, have outdoor dinners, or simply enjoy the peacefulness of your garden during the later part of the day.

Energy Efficiency Considerations

In homes, having an east-facing garden can impact energy efficiency differently. While it may not lead to overheating rooms during the summer, it can offer a gentle warming effect in the winter when the sun is lower in the sky.

This can be a natural way to add warmth to your home during colder months without relying solely on heating systems. For more ways to cut running costs, see how to future-proof your home.

Garden Design

The orientation of a garden can influence its design. Gardeners may choose to create features like pergolas or trellises to provide shade during the hottest part of the day and to enhance the garden's aesthetics.

These design elements can also be used to grow climbing plants, which can provide additional shade.

Living with an East Facing Garden

If you use your garden for outdoor living and entertaining, an east-facing garden offers a cool and inviting space, especially in the morning and early afternoon. While it might not provide the warm glow of a sunset, there are still plenty of ways to make the most of your outdoor space.

Morning Serenity Start your day with the calming atmosphere of a morning garden. An east-facing garden allows you to enjoy breakfast in the gentle sunlight or create a peaceful spot for morning activities. It's a refreshing way to kickstart your day.

Cosy Evenings While you might miss out on the warmth of the setting sun, an east-facing garden remains comfortable in the later part of the day.

Create cosy seating areas, enjoy evening dinners, or simply unwind in the calm ambience of your garden as the day winds down.

What Is An East Facing Garden?

An east-facing garden is simply a garden that faces east. The direction your garden faces matters because it affects how much sunlight it gets throughout the day, which is an important consideration when buying a house.

Figuring out the direction of your garden is quite straightforward. You can use a compass or a compass app on your phone, stand against your house wall, and point towards the bottom of your garden.

The compass will show you the direction your garden faces. Alternatively, you can use Google Maps, enter the property address you're interested in, go to street view, and determine the direction of the garden from there.

When Does An East Facing Garden Get Sun?

An east-facing garden gets sunlight in the morning, starting from sunrise until around midday.

This is because the sun rises in the east and moves across the sky. During the sunnier months, you may experience sunlight even earlier, as the sun is higher.

However, it's essential to consider factors like nearby trees or neighbouring houses that might cast shadows and affect the overall sunlight exposure in your garden.

Additionally, in the winter months, the amount of sunlight an east-facing garden receives may be less compared to other seasons.

Pros and Cons of An East Facing Garden

Pros of an East Facing Garden:

• Morning Sunlight: East-facing gardens receive the gentle morning sunlight, providing a bright and refreshing start to the day.

• Cooler Afternoons: In the afternoons and evenings, an east-facing garden tends to be cooler, offering a comfortable outdoor environment.

• Ideal for Breakfast: If you enjoy breakfast outdoors, an east-facing garden is perfect for morning activities and early meals.

• Energy Efficiency in Summer: During the summer, the morning sun may not excessively heat up your home, potentially reducing the need for air conditioning.

• Serenity: The orientation may create a peaceful and calming atmosphere, especially during the quieter mornings.

Cons of an East Facing Garden:

• Limited Evening Sun: If you prefer the warmth of the evening sun or outdoor activities in the late afternoon, an east-facing garden may not provide that setting.

• Plant Selection: Some plants that require more sunlight may not thrive as well in an east-facing garden compared to gardens with more prolonged sunlight exposure.

• Less Desirable for Evening Entertaining: If you enjoy outdoor gatherings and entertaining in the evening, an east-facing garden might not be as well-lit or warm as a west-facing garden.

• Winter Sun Exposure: In the winter months, the reduced angle of the sun may result in less sunlight reaching the garden compared to other seasons.

• Potential for Cooler Temperatures: The cooler afternoon and evening temperatures might be a drawback if you prefer a warmer outdoor experience later in the day.

Is An East Facing Garden Better Than a West Facing Garden?

The choice between an east-facing and west-facing garden boils down to personal preferences. An east-facing garden offers serene mornings, ideal for early risers and energy efficiency in warmer months.

However, it may lack the warmth of the evening sun, limiting outdoor activities later in the day.

Conversely, a west-facing garden bathes in afternoon and evening sunlight, perfect for evening gatherings and warmth. Yet, it may lead to warmer indoor temperatures in summer.

Frequently asked questions

Is an east-facing garden bad?

No, but it is specific. It gets direct sun from sunrise until roughly midday and is in shade for the afternoon and evening. That is poor for evening entertaining and good for anyone who uses the garden in the morning or wants a cooler space in high summer.

How much sun does an east-facing garden get?

About the same total as a west-facing garden — roughly eight hours at midsummer in London — but the hours fall in the morning, ending around 1pm. In midwinter it is under four hours, finishing around noon.

Is an east-facing garden cheaper?

Usually slightly. South-facing commands a premium and east and west sit below it, which can make an east-facing garden good value if the morning-sun pattern suits how you live.

What grows well in an east-facing garden?

Plants that prefer gentler light — ferns, hostas, hydrangeas, camellias and most woodland species. Morning sun followed by afternoon shade avoids the scorching that can affect delicate leaves in a south-facing plot.

Which way does my garden face?

Stand with your back to the house looking down the garden and check the compass on your phone. The direction you face is the orientation. If the morning sun hits the garden and the house casts a shadow over it after lunch, it faces east.

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Sun hours are calculated from solar position for the city you select and assume a clear horizon — neighbouring buildings, fences and trees will reduce them, and can remove winter sun altogether. General information, not financial advice.