i wouldn't have the bedrooms on the west side of the house and would flip the plan and limit all windows on the western side and you need to add a sink to the powder room

So basically leave it as it is as the bedrooms are on the north west. I like the idea of adding a sink to the powder room - not sure if there is enough room to do this though

Ok that’s what I was thinking also. Will it be too hot in the living areas and alfresco during summer though?

I’d leave as is. just need to provide shade to the western windows. house next door will provide some shade. Triple glazing or external races or shutters. Or plants

If you need heat in winter, maximise northern windows which work with the movement of the sun, as the equator is to the north. East and west windows are useful, think about where you most want morning sun and afternoon sun, but remember you need provision for external shading in the warmer months. Also think about landscaping, greenery cools the surrounds through transpiration while exposed paving heats the surrounds and increases glare.

If you are located further north then you are closer to the equator and have less need for winter heating. It's useful to mention where you are building to get the best advice specific to that location.

I would leave the orientation as is. When building my first house, my husband and I wanted to flip it, it was the same orientation as yours and similar floor plan. The builder talked us out of it. I’m glad he did. We used to get lovely morning sun in our living areas, nice to wake up to. Your alfresco part was actually a bedroom which was great in winter. It was the nicest room in the house in wintertime. So you could enjoy your alfresco all year round. We only had one bedroom window and a bathroom window on the west side which blockout blinds helped to control heat. We lived there for 13 years quite comfortably.

Actually we did have a small ensuite window and small laundry window plus door on the west side as well, the eastern and north had large windows. So minimal small windows were on the west side, larger windows were on the north east side.

Thank you everyone. I am located in Western Australia. Still unsure which orientation would be best.

Just an idea for the powder room, you could have a sliding door to the bathroom and powder from the hallway eliminating the need for the entry . This would give you enough room for powder sink. If you have kids, adding even a small vanity or mirror storage is gold as it provides another area to get ready in.

I would flip the full design putting living areas on the west side. In Perth the hot low afternoon sun is the problem. I would rather have cooler bedrooms to sleep in. Having the windows in your living areas on the west side is easier to keep cool with external shading. Using planting and external blinds. You have a good ground space between wall and fencing to plant large shading plants.

Install highlight windows in the dining and pantry instead of the windows that are showing on plan. This will also give room for furniture and shelving. I have shown by red arrow the windows I would reduce to highlight windows. I suggest to have highlight window no more than 500mm in height by the existing measurement length. As per photo example.

If you don’t have a large block, one thing to bear in mind is the location of your neighbour’s outdoor space. It might reduce privacy of you have yours one direction and theirs is opposite, facing yours. I hope that makes sense!