How to Design a Home You’ll Actually Love Living In

10.22.25 11:07 AM - Comment(s) - By accounts

Smart Southern Home Design Tips for Land, Light, and Lifestyle

Design Around the Way You Live

When you’re building a home, the most important question isn’t how big it is—it’s how it feels to live in. The best house designs start with your lifestyle and the characteristics of your property. Every site has its own advantages, and a thoughtful layout can make your home brighter, cooler, and more comfortable all year long.

Start With the Land

Before you pick a floor plan, take time to study your property. Where does the sun rise and set? How much natural shade does the site have? In southern climates like Alabama, these details matter just as much as square footage. Good site design means taking advantage of light, breezes, and views while avoiding heat gain in the wrong places. (1)

Smart Layouts for Southern Homes

If you have land to spread out on, a single-story home with high ceilings and possibly a bonus room is often ideal. High ceilings keep spaces airy and help hot air rise, improving comfort and efficiency. (2)

When planning your layout, try to minimize west-facing glass in living areas. Large windows on a western exposure bring in harsh afternoon sun, which can make a space hard to cool and overly bright. Instead, place your main living spaces on the north or east side of the house. Northern exposure gives you soft, even light all day—perfect for an open living area where you can leave curtains open without glare. (3)

Make Outdoor Spaces Work for You

A north or east-facing porch is one of the best design choices for southern living. It stays shaded through the afternoon, giving you a cool retreat without blocking daylight indoors. (4)

If you’re adding a pool, this orientation works perfectly: the pool and deck get full sun for swimming and sunbathing, while your covered porch stays comfortable and shaded nearby.

Why These Details Matter

Natural light, air circulation, and thermal comfort all have a long-term impact on how much you enjoy your home. Rooms that are difficult to cool or that feel overly bright in summer can become daily frustrations. By planning around your site, you’ll build a home that feels balanced year-round—and that’s what truly makes it great to live in. (5)

Small Lot? Same Principles Apply

If you’re building on a smaller lot in town, you’ll need to think vertically and pay attention to window placement, privacy, and shade. But the same ideas hold true: design around your lifestyle, your orientation, and how light moves across your property.

How Can We Help

Thinking about building a new home?

I help clients across Alabama design homes that are beautiful, functional, and comfortable to live in. Get in touch today to discuss your site and ideas.

Sources:

“Designing a New Old Home: Research, Sketch, Collect,” Undercover Architect blog. map.simonsarris.com
“Architecture and Climate and Region; Some Thoughts on Southern Mansions,” Mark Gerwing Architects blog. M. Gerwing ARCHITECTS
“Energy Series: What About House Design and Room Location?” Virginia Tech Extension. Virginia Tech Publications
“Southern Porches in Contemporary Architecture,” Country Roads Magazine. Country Roads Magazine
“Southern Facing Windows in Passive Solar Houses,” GreenPassiveSolar website. greenpassivesolar.com

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