To determine your room's orientation, use a compass (digital or physical) to identify north. Mark the room's corners relative to the compass needle. For natural light assessment, observe sunlight patterns: northern rooms receive consistent morning light, southern rooms get afternoon sun, eastern rooms face sunrise, and western rooms face sunset. Online tools like Google Earth or sunlight calculators can cross-verify results.

Determining room orientation is critical for energy efficiency, natural light optimization, and spatial functionality. A 2020 study by the U.S. Department of Energy found that properly oriented buildings reduce heating and cooling costs by 20–30%, as north-facing rooms naturally receive less direct sunlight, lowering heat gain. Conversely, south-facing rooms benefit from passive solar heating, reducing reliance on artificial cooling. A 2018 paper in Energy and Buildings noted that rooms oriented within 15 degrees of cardinal directions maximize daylight autonomy, enhancing interior comfort. GPS-based apps (e.g., SunCalc) achieve ±2-degree accuracy, while manual compasses may vary by 5–10 degrees due to magnetic interference. Cultural factors also influence orientation preferences; for example, traditional Chinese architecture often aligns with the Bagua system, but Western designs prioritize cardinal directions for practicality. Incorrect orientation can lead to 15–25% energy waste annually, per the International Energy Agency. Thus, combining tools like compasses, sunlight observation, and digital models ensures precise, cost-effective room alignment.