Why I'd never choose a south-facing kitchen as a Kitchen Editor – the alternative orientations that will deliver a sunny, but cool cooking space

The term 'south-facing' holds a huge amount of prestige when it comes to our homes. 'It has a south-facing garden' is brandished around by eager estate agents while we dream of lazy afternoons spent languishing under the sun - but as this week's heatwave has shown us, this old adage might not hold much value anymore in 2026.

A south-facing kitchen is viewed just as highly as our outdoor spaces - as the heart of the home, a bright, light-filled kitchen might be just enough for you to say 'we'll take it'.

I can see the allure; natural light is imperative to our wellbeing and when house hunting, you only see a home at one time of day, in a single season, so it's important to understand the direction a room faces. However, a south-facing kitchen might not be quite as elusive as it once was.

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Here's why you shouldn't rule out a west, east, or even north-facing kitchen - and why you shouldn't jump when you hear south.

When dreaming of my ultimate kitchen, sun-dappled morning light and sunny evenings with French doors thrown open come immediately to mind. A dark, dreary cooking space is not, on the other hand, what comes to mind. And it feels like the aforementioned dream is one that has become closely associated with the term 'south-facing'.

In the UK, a south-facing kitchen feels like a way to guarantee some much-needed vitamin D even in the depths of winter, but it isn't the only solution.

'A south-facing kitchen is often treated as the gold standard, but it’s far from the be-all and end-all,' explains Tom Howley, Creative Design Director at the eponymous kitchen brand.

While a south-facing kitchen increases the chance of natural light throughout the winter months, in the summer it becomes a greenhouse.

'Although a kitchen bathed in sunlight can look beautiful and create a lovely setting for evening entertaining, it isn't everyone's preference. Kitchens naturally hold heat due to the appliances and cooking that take place within them, so a north-facing kitchen that stays cooler throughout the day can be just as appealing,' Al Bruce, founder of Olive & Barr, explains.

'While it brings plenty of natural light, that can also mean glare, overheating in summer, and fading of materials over time,' Tom adds.

How to maximise light in non-south facing kitchens

A south-facing kitchen certainly guarantees more sunlight overall, but this also has some serious downsides. And in a room with a different orientation, it's possible to maximise light so that you still get the benefits of a sun-filled room.

'The reality is that the ‘best’ kitchen orientation depends on how the space is used – an east-facing kitchen can be wonderful for morning light, while a west-facing one may be ideal for evening cooking and entertaining,' Al continues.

In short, it's not about the specific orientation of the room, but rather how you design the kitchen to maximise light where needed. Colour also plays a huge part, and there are many ways to incorporate paint shades to make the most of a south-facing kitchen.

'Ultimately, it comes down to how you use the room and what matters most to you. Once you've worked that out, you can make the most of the natural light available and create a kitchen that works for your lifestyle,' Al continues.

If you prefer a cosy space, leaning into task lighting in corners of the kitchen will add an ambient glow. For more of a natural stream of light, you'll want to focus on window treatments that avoid covering the top third of the window, as this is where the majority of sunlight comes through. A cafe curtain is the perfect choice for this as it leaves the top half of the window open.

Planning a kitchen layout around windows will also help them to remain a focus in a north, east or west facing kitchen. A sink beneath a window will make the most of a view, while adding French doors to the back of a kitchen will enhance the amount of light that enters.

'If you have a darker kitchen, the focus should be on creating warmth and balance rather than trying to replicate a sun-drenched room. Layered lighting is key: combine ceiling lights with under-cabinet ones and feature pendants to avoid shadowy corners,' Tom adds.

You can't replicate the true appearance of natural light, and cold-toned bulbs will make a kitchen look unwelcoming, so instead, aim for warmth and glow.

Ultimately, as Tom Howley explains, 'A well-designed north-facing kitchen can feel just as stylish and practical as a south-facing one – and often more cocooning and sophisticated.'

It's all about how you design a space to maximise light. You can make the best of any situation. If you're on the hunt for ways to cool down your south-facing kitchen during this heatwave, our live guide to the last remaining in-stock fans and ACs is the place to start.