The right space supports how you want to live. Whether you’re working from home, raising a family, or planning your next chapter, your surroundings make a difference. It’s not only about location or square footage; it’s about how the space works for your pace, your routines, and your goals. Making smart choices now can bring more balance later. You don’t need to rush or follow trends; you just need a space that fits your life today with room to grow.
Here are five key things to think about when choosing your next home and how to make it more than just a place to live.
1. Think About How You Use Your Time
Start with your daily routine. Do you spend more mornings in the kitchen? Need quiet for remote work? Want a living area for guests? You’ll have to shape your needs. Many people focus on size, but layout often matters more. A small space that is well-designed can feel better than a large one with awkward corners. One of the things I miss most about our last house is the large kitchen and island. Nigel and I are constantly bumping into each other, and neither of us likes to cook! Our kitchen is probably well planned. Everything is close at hand, but that may be the problem. It’s too close! Look at natural light, sound levels, and storage. I’ve said it before, I think, I really miss the natural light in this house. We have seven (yes, you read that right) windows in this house. Our last house had 17! And, storage is a real problem in this house. We don’t have the large basement in which to store things. We have an attic…tricky to get things up and down. And, we have the crawl space…easier to get things up and down, but it’s claustrophobic! Think about where you will sit with a coffee, take a Zoom call, or relax after dinner. The best homes feel good because they fit how you move through the day. When you understand your rhythm, you can spot homes that truly support your lifestyle.
2. Location Affects More Than Just Commute
Where you live impacts more than just travel time; it affects your energy, your social life, and your connection to the community. A walkable area might mean more outdoor time. A quiet street might give you the rest you need. Visit neighborhoods at different times. Are there green spaces? Local cafes? Grocery shops within reach? Make a list of what matters most, such as access to good schools or quiet corners for weekend walks. Don’t just think about today; consider what you may want in two or three years. Your location should match both your current pace and your future plans. Our town is a bedroom community in that people, for the most part, live here and work some place else. I remember, when we first looked at the town, wondering where the rest of it was. The town, literally, consists of two streets that intersect. There is very minimal shopping for clothes, but we have lots of different restaurants. I miss my hometown which had a town square and shopping. But, this town has what the other didn’t…proximity to my kids and grands!
3. Scout There Before You Commit
You don’t need to make decisions blindly. Start by browsing what’s available in your area. That gives you a realistic sense of price, condition, and layout for your budget. If you are looking in Edinburgh, you can view Harper Macleod Edinburgh stock. Their listings cover a range of properties suited to different needs, from city flats to family homes. Use filters to narrow your search. Look beyond the photos; check floor plans, nearby transport links, and local services. Knowing what’s out there keeps you grounded, helps you avoid rushed choices, and puts you in a better position when you’re ready to act. When I got back from Ireland and Scotland last summer, I told Nigel we needed to move to Ireland. I was only partially kidding! I do love to look at homes in different countries. It’s fun to look at the possibilities around the world.
4. Plan for Comfort, Not Just Style
It’s easy to get drawn in by sleek interiors or trendy finishes, but style fades; comfort lasts. Think about what will make you feel at ease long term. Is the heating reliable? Are the walls easy to clean? Can you live in the space without constantly adjusting? Comfort comes from practicality: good storage, quiet bedrooms, and a kitchen that suits how you cook. Don’t overlook details like window size, ceiling height, or airflow. A place can look great in photos and still feel wrong in person. Trust how the space makes you feel when you walk in; that feeling matters more than polished design.
5. Your Home Should Support the Life You Want
Your home should reflect your priorities. Do you want more space to entertain, room for hobbies, or a place to recharge after work? Your answers should shape your choices. Too often, people choose based on what they expect: a bigger place, a better postcode, or a layout that impresses others. But your space should work for you, not anyone else. List what you want more of in your life—more time outdoors, more calm, more connection—then choose a home that gives you that. Your home is your foundation; when it fits your values and routines, everything else becomes easier to manage. When we first moved to the ‘Burg, Nigel said he only wanted to live in the neighborhood where we ended up. I wish I’d done my homework. There were much nicer neighborhoods that would have fit our needs better. Our last neighborhood seemed to be geared toward young couples and their starter homes (man, I wish I could have afforded that when I was starting out). There were few people our age. Our new neighborhood is just the opposite. Most of the people are older than we are. In fact, the nickname for our neighborhood is “Widow Grove (not promising for Nigel)!”
Choose with Clarity – Live with Ease
There’s no perfect home, but there is a space that’s right for you right now. The process doesn’t have to be stressful. It starts with paying attention to how you live, not just what someone offers. It means asking the right questions and listening to your own answers. What do you need each day? What kind of space helps you feel calm, focused, or connected? Taking time to explore your options, like those from Harbourne’s stock, puts you in control. You see what’s possible, and you choose from a place of clarity. A good home supports your habits, goals, and peace of mind. Choose one that does just that.
Wrap it up, Marsha!
As you all know, I’m not one to take my own advice! I wish I’d had this checklist when we moved to the ‘Burg ten years ago. It would have been even better when we were planning our new home. Part of the problem was how impulsive I can be. The bigger problem, though, was knowing there were six other couples just waiting to pounce on our lot should we decide not to build. I wish I’d walked through some homes as our neighbors told us they did before deciding on their floorplan. That never occurred to me. What would I change? I’d definitely add more windows. I’d also try to add space to the kitchen, one way or the other. Our sink is in the island which, basically, makes it unusable for baking. I think, if I had it to do over again, I’d reverse the kitchen and the dining area. The sink could face the window, and the door from the primary bedroom wouldn’t look directly out the patio door onto the patio! Yes, that’s the way it is right now…you can tell a dude definitely designed this house. So, can we talk? How did you decide where to live? Are there decisions you’d change now? What is the biggest change you would make? Please leave me a comment or two, and we can talk. I promise to respond as quickly as I can.
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Our choices were limited by what we were able to pay as we are in the area of our state’s capital.
The flat had been an office for years, first as the agency of a tax accountant, than an insurance agency. So it didn’t have a bathroom or kitchen per se, there were shelves everywhere.
We fell in love with the rooms, especially the “living room” which had been their meeting room with a long table and which we wanted for our bedroom, so we could have our Steiffs there the same way we did it in the old flat. I still love that.
Oh, that sounds really interesting. I love to DIY things so I’ve always thought buying something like this would be lots of fun…and hard work! Thanks, Cat!
What a great post! I so agree with you, with the caveat that finances can dictate options too. I moved over 2 years ago to be closer to family, once I retired, from inner city to outer suburbs. Its been a big adjustment but I have gradually made a new life, even though I really miss being able to walk to cafes and concerts and galleries.
Thanks, Jenny! When we moved ten years ago, it was from a fairly rural area to a definite suburban area (like less than 10 miles from Indianapolis). I miss the open fields and just driving down country roads. But, it’s wonderful to be able to see my kids and grands so much more often.
These are all really good points to think about! Thanks for sharing!
Many of them are things I wish I’d thought of when we built our condo! Thanks, Laura!
Last to the post, Marsha, but this is really a terrific list. Sure wish I had it back in 2011 when we moved to our current house!! lol Not that we don’t love it, but it is an old house and perhaps we would have considered the “aging” process a little more. I am going to print this and review to see if I can use it to make some changes in how I’ve arranged things in the house. Thank you!
I agree, Beth! I wish I had had this when we built our current home. It just needs some tweaks to be a better home, but it’s the home we have.
Thanks for coming by!
I agree with all of these points! There are many things to consider when deciding where to live!
Jill – Doused in Pink
I wish I’d had this to refer to when we built this house. I know I would have had far more windows! Thanks, Jill!
Interesting points Marsha! You’ve covered lots of issues and it’s always good having hindsight isn’t it?
Thanks, Debbie! I was just chatting with my daughter about that hindsight. They’ve just moved into a different, more established neighborhood. If the houses weren’t so big, I’d look there myself and use this post to help me!
Hi, Marsha – This is a lot to think about. You can’t always predict how everything will feel, but I suppose you can change things that aren’t ideal after you realize that. We’ve been in the house we bought from my aunt when we got married for four decades now. My husband finished off the attic for our bedroom with a walk-in closet and it’s big enough to give me “a room of my own” with extra office space and my home altar. I’ve been wondering if I could have all these benefits for myself in a new home. I should heed your comment on researching neighborhoods before buying. Thanks for an article I didn’t know I needed (lol)! – Angie, http://www.yourtrueselfblog.com
Thanks, Angie! I have to admit I really miss my last two homes just for the space component alone. We have a huge attic, and Mike talked to the builder about converting it into at least one extra room. He said it would be extremely expensive and might not even work. I miss having an “escape” place. We are on top of each other all the time! We thought this neighborhood would be perfect as the people are older. In fact, the builder said people were always out and walking around. I think Covid did a lot to change that because most people’s garage doors are down all the time…that says to me, “Please don’t bother me.” But, that could just be me!