Everybody lives differently. Of course they do. But when viewing properties, seeing past how someone else lives can be vital in terms of establishing whether the property is the one for you. It’s all too easy to get sidetracked by the ‘stuff’ rather than the ‘space’ that a property offers.
Concentrate on the structure of a property. How does it flow? Is it easy to move from one room to another, or does it feel like you’re having to navigate carefully? If a room feels too big, could a simple piece of furniture, or even a change of colour scheme, break things up a bit and make the place more cosy? And if it’s not big enough, is it the room itself that’s a bit on the small side or is it just cluttered, or painted in dark colours? It’s amazing how a fresh lick of paint can transform the feel of a room.
Bathrooms and kitchens can present the biggest challenge, as things like kitchen units or bathroom suites can seem like immovable objects. But sometimes losing a cupboard can free up so much space (and do you really need that many cupboards anyway?). And if there’s only a shower but you wanted a bath, could a smaller tub be fitted where the shower is now, with a new shower being fitted over? The point is everything’s changeable. All this sounds like simple stuff but it’s amazing how many times a property is perceived differently to its potential because of how it has been used, rather than how it will be used.
Most importantly, how does the house feel? Emotional connections to properties are easy to ignore but are perhaps the best way of determining whether this is a place you could happily live in. Maybe there’s a bit of work that needs doing but you’ve told yourself you didn’t want a project. And yet, the house itself is giving you good vibes. Don’t question them, embrace them! Because sometimes, our ideal home can be found in the unlikeliest of places…
