When you walk through the door of a new house, there’s a lot competing for your attention, and it all seems important. But here’s a little secret: Any house can be completely customized for your needs. What’s important is finding a house with good bones that can serve as a canvas to design your ideal home.
The two things standing between you and that perfect house? A plan to keep you focused during open houses and walk-throughs, and some imagination so you can envision what’s possible. Read ahead for a complete list of things to look at when buying a new home.
There are plenty of resources on the internet to walk you through getting financially prepared, separating your “Nice-to-Have” list from your “Must-Have” list, structural considerations, and more. Our guess is that you’ve probably read them all. What those resources won’t tell you is that no matter the house you tour, there will always be a need to customize your storage options. That’s where we come in.
Take a good, hard look at the features of your current home and survey which areas could be more functional with customization. Is your laundry or mudroom a constant pain point? Could you get more use out of your garage? Does your master closet streamline your busy schedule or add to the stress?
Most times, you’ll find a house with great bones, but the storage and organizational spaces aren’t exactly what you need. That’s okay! Seeing the potential for customization is actually a silver lining because it offers you the opportunity to create a space that is perfect for your needs, lifestyle, and future plans.
You’re not just buying a home, you’re bringing your whole life with you. From clothes and shoes to bags and accessories, everything you own needs a place. Below are the spaces that offer up the biggest opportunities for customization so you get the most out of your new home.
Your day starts and ends with your closet. Having an efficient custom closet design for all your clothes, shoes, and accessories is not only vital for a tidy and organized bedroom, but also to get a good start to your day. Digging through overstuffed drawers and trying to track down your second shoe is no way to get into a good headspace as your day begins.
Additionally, investing in custom closet organization—with room for everything and everything in its place—makes for a relaxed and calm space to come home to after a long day. Keep all your clothes, shoes, and accessories looking brand new with our thoughtful storage solutions, including:
Your bedroom should be a place of personal refuge and peace, free of clutter and piles of clothes. From cabinets and finishes, to the exact type of closet you’re looking for, our custom closets will fit seamlessly into your space, complement your décor, and be the right size for your storage needs.
The laundry room is a dynamic space that changes with your household; the more your household grows, the more your laundry loads grow as well. Bulky things like sports uniforms, pet supplies, and linens can quickly fill what little space you have. Without a thoughtfully designed laundry room organization solution, the stress can add up, too.
Investing in a custom laundry room that’s tailored to your life and laundry routine will give you the space you need to get this daily chore done in no time at all. Our custom laundry room designs offer smart solutions to help keep laundry day stress-free and efficient. These include:
The laundry room is often overlooked, but it’s important that this room can work as hard as possible for you, no matter the size. From small-space laundry closets to full-sized laundry rooms, the key is designing the right solution for your space and needs.
The entryway bookends schooldays and workdays. When you’re touring new houses, as you walk through each front door, imagine that you’re coming home at the end of a long day. Take a second to visualize what that looks like for you and compare it to the entryway you’re standing in. What does the space need to make that moment as easy as possible?
Chances are, it’s proper entryway storage. Building out your entryway with custom storage, like hooks, lockers, and cubbies, keeps all your essentials organized and right where you can grab them on your way out, saving you time and energy throughout your busy days.
For a functional entryway that flows for the whole family, our design experts recommend:
With an array of entryway organization options, it’s easy to create a custom solution that works for you.
We offer different garage storage options and inspiration to build out the most useful space for your needs, including:
Personalized organization allows your needs to grow with you, never holding you back.
As you tour potential homes, it’s easy to start thinking about décor and housewarming parties. But what matters most is how each space will function for you and your family now and in the years to come.
The layout of your home supports how you live. Pay attention to how the spaces feel. Do the rooms connect naturally? Do you prefer an open-floor layout or a separate space for privacy? Answering these questions will help you find the best housing option for your needs.
Whether you’re planning for a growing family, hosting guests, or needing a home office, choose a home with flexible bathroom and bedroom layouts that suit your current and future lifestyle.
The most important thing to take note of in the kitchen is storage. Even though you cook in the kitchen, the pantry stores all the magic that makes it happen. On your home tour, pay attention to how much pantry space there is and how much more functionality you could get out of the kitchen with a little more pantry customization.
With our vertical dividers to store items like cutting boards and baking trays, pantry organization is a breeze. Pull-out pantry drawers and shelves hide those small appliances like your favorite mixer, food processor, or smoothie machine. And of course, stemware storage keeps your fine glassware safely out of the way.
All that said, take a minute to envision yourself living in your new kitchen. If you can see the space best serving you, then you’ve found a kitchen with potential.
You know that feeling of stepping into a room and everything just feels right? Think about a room that feels fresh and airy. Now imagine that same room feeling warm and cozy. The difference there was lighting, and the same room can be completely transformed by adjusting how it’s incorporated into the space.
Aside from the look and feel of a space, poor lighting has been linked to headaches, neck soreness, and eye fatigue, whereas proper lighting is one of the unsung heroes in home design. Having the right lighting paired with your custom organization can significantly improve your mood and energy level by helping you navigate your surroundings and creating a welcoming ambiance any time of day.
When looking for a new home, the small details matter, but so does the big picture. Here are a few custom home design features to look out for:
Sufficient floor space in your new home is essential for both your current and future needs. Look for a floor plan layout that can evolve with you, like:
Smart technology makes everyday routines easier and gives you peace of mind, especially on those nights when you’re home alone. Look for custom home features like:
A home with space to grow gives you possibilities. With enough room to expand, you can:
Outdoor living spaces offer a chance to connect with nature and unwind after a stressful day. Look for exterior custom home features like:
Having these possibilities in mind can help you see not just what a home is but what it could become.
When considering your next move, think beyond square footage and resale value and consider how a space will support your lifestyle. Whether you’re buying an existing home, building new, or upgrading your current space, you should focus on these three factors:
No matter what direction you choose, your home should feel calm, not chaotic. And with custom design solutions in every room, it absolutely can.
Buying a home can be stressful, but with these considerations in mind, you can calm the chaos and see each home’s true potential by customizing your space. Take as much time as you need to decide on what to look for when buying a house and ask as many questions as you want—the more information you have, the better.
When you’re ready to personalize your new home, schedule a free in-home design consultation with Inspired Closets.
Talk to an Inspired Closet design expert about your project today.

Our designers are great listeners, and fabulous at what they do, too, so let’s talk. Oh, the best part? Our in-home design consultations are free. Yep. FREE! Let’s get started.
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