The backyard details most homeowners miss
Two homes can sit on the same street, with similar square footage and similar budgets, and end up with completely different outdoor results. The difference often is not the plants, pavers, or pool finishes. It’s sun direction.
In Florida, the sun can be relentless, and the way it moves across your property shapes everything: what thrives, what struggles, where you naturally want to sit, and how often you actually use the space. Once you understand whether your yard’s mostly east facing or west facing, you can design around the reality of your microclimate instead of fighting it.
Think of sun direction as the foundation. You can still build something beautiful on either exposure, but the strategy should change.
What an east facing backyard feels like
East facing backyards tend to get gentler morning sun and more shade as the afternoon goes on. In Florida, that often means the yard feels more comfortable earlier in the day, and plants in key areas may experience less late day heat stress.
This exposure can be ideal for homeowners who use their outdoor space for breakfast, morning workouts, or early pool time. It can also support a calmer planting palette in certain zones because the harshest part of the day isn’t always blasting the same beds and borders.
An east facing yard can still have hot spots. Hardscape that reflects heat, pool decks, and areas with limited airflow can feel warmer than expected. The goal isn’t to assume it’s easy. The goal’s to plan for comfort and performance based on how the space gets used.
A few design considerations can make a noticeable difference:
- Place primary seating where it benefits from afternoon shade
- Use layered planting to soften hard edges without overcrowding
- Prioritize airflow in lounge zones, especially near walls or screens
- Choose plants for the actual light in each area, not the label on the pot
What a west facing backyard feels like
West facing yards are the ones that look dreamy at sunset and feel intense at 4 pm. That late day sun hits when temperatures are already at their peak, which can make patios, pool decks, and turf areas feel hotter and harder to maintain.
That doesn’t mean west facing yards are a problem. It means west facing yards need smarter shade planning and more intentional material choices. When done right, they can become the most dramatic, resort style spaces because the evening light’s beautiful and the vibe feels naturally elevated.
A thoughtful approach to west facing yards often includes:
- Build a shade plan first, then design everything else around it
- Create at least one “cool zone” where you can step out of the sun quickly
- Use planting and structure to break up long stretches of direct exposure
- Keep high use areas comfortable, not just visually impressive
Designing spaces using sun direction
Most homeowners aren’t asking for an “east facing yard design.” They’re asking for a backyard that feels good and looks finished. Coastal Landscapes designs with sun direction in mind because it impacts everything: where outdoor living works, how plant groupings behave, how materials hold up, and how comfortable the space feels in the months you actually want to be outside.
If you’re deciding what to change, expand, or invest in, start with the simplest question: where does the afternoon sun land, and what do you want to be doing there. Coastal Landscapes can help you translate that reality into a landscape that looks polished and functions like a true extension of your home.