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What I look for when Buying a House
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What to Look For When Buying a House

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.

What Do I Need to Know Before Shopping for a House?

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.

What Should I Focus on During Each Home Tour?

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.

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Discover custom closet solutions from Inspired Closets

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.

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Shoe Shrine® adjustable shelving for storing all your shoes

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Hideaway jewelry solutions from Inspired Closets

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Custom floating islands from Inspired Closets

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:

  • The Shoe Shrine® to keep all your shoes together and in perfect condition
  • Pull-out jewelry dividers to keep your necklaces and bracelets tangle-free
  • Velvet-lined drawers for a sleek, elevated look

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.

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Custom laundry room cabinet solutions from Inspired Closets

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.

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Laundry room storage solutions with hanging rod from Inspired closets

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hanging storage for a custom laundry room from Inspired Closets

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Pull out ironing board and hamper solutions from Inspired Closets

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:

  • Custom shelving, drawers, and cabinets to organize your detergents and dryer sheets
  • Hanging rods for air-drying delicate items
  • A pull-out ironing board that pulls out when you need it and tucks away when you don’t

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.

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Customer entryways solutions created by Inspired Closets

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?

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Hooks to keep you from losing your keys

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Easy go to drawer storage for custom entryway from Inspired Closets

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Shoe Shrine® custom shelving in an Inspired Closets entryway

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:

  • Installing hooks to easily spot your keys, handbags, and scarves at the last minute
  • Pull-out baskets to keep mittens, hats, and dog toys organized and out of sight
  • The Shoe Shrine® to prevent tripping over shoes on the floor
  • An integrated bench to give you a place to sit while getting all your gear on before taking on the day

With an array of entryway organization options, it’s easy to create a custom solution that works for you.

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Custom garage solutions for entryways from Inspired Closets
One of the most neglected opportunities for custom storage is in the garage. Beyond knowing how much space you’ll need for your vehicle, the garage has excellent potential for building out additional storage for things like sporting equipment, surplus groceries and home goods, tools, and seasonal décor.

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Garage slatwall and cubie storage for sporting equipment by Inspired Closets

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Slat wall store for garage gym

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Garage work out stations designed by Inspired Closets

We offer different garage storage options and inspiration to build out the most useful space for your needs, including:

  • Durable cabinets to withstand harsh garage temperatures
  • Heavy-duty shelves to hold all your gear
  • Customizable slatwall for easy storage access
  • Bright interiors to finish the look

Personalized organization allows your needs to grow with you, never holding you back.

Inspired Tip: In addition to storing your vehicles and tools, make the most of this square footage by turning it into a home gym. Having a garage home gym offers the benefits of privacy as well as saving you time and money (and you won’t have to fight rush hour traffic to get there).

 

Explore Garage Organization Ideas

What Interior Features Should I Prioritize in a New Home?

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.

Layout and Flow of the Home

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.

Number of Bedrooms and Bathrooms

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.

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Custom Pantry from Inspired Closets Learning Center

Kitchen Design & Storage

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. 

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Custom Shelving and sheet pan storage from Inspired Closets

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.

Inspired Tip: A functional pantry makes a huge difference. Pull-out drawers, vertical dividers, and hidden shelves make your kitchen less cluttered and more enjoyable.

 

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Custom lighting for your custom organization from Inspired Closets

Natural Light and Ceiling Height

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.

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Custom lighting solutions for a boutique closet from Inspired Closets

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Custom overhead lighting for custom hutch

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Shoe Shrine® adjustable shelves for women's shoes

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.

What Custom Home Features Should I Look For?

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:

Floor Plan Flexibility

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:

  • Convertible rooms that can turn into a guest room or home office
  • Expendable spaces, like unfinished basements, attics, or bonus rooms
  • Multi-use areas that combine storage, function, and comfort

Smart Home Features

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:

  • Security systems with cameras and motion sensors
  • Built-in speakers and lighting systems
  • Pre-wired outlets for future tech upgrades

Room to Expand or Upgrade Higher

A home with space to grow gives you possibilities. With enough room to expand, you can:

  • Add a deck for outdoor entertainment and everyday relaxation
  • Finish a basement to create a home gym, playroom, or guest suite to rent out
  • Convert the attic space into a quiet office or reading nook

Outdoor Living Space

Outdoor living spaces offer a chance to connect with nature and unwind after a stressful day. Look for exterior custom home features like:

  • Patios or decks to enjoy the sunshine by yourself or with guests
  • Fencing for privacy and space for your pets
  • Shade structures to keep you protected from the sun

Having these possibilities in mind can help you see not just what a home is but what it could become. 

Should I Buy Property, Build, or Upscale?

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:

  • Interior customization: Custom storage can transform your interior space and the feel of your home. From maximizing small laundry rooms to designing a primary closet that saves you time, personalized organization creates a calm space where you can feel relaxed. 
  • External market: In a competitive housing market, it might be more cost-effective to upscale your current home than to move. Our design experts can customize what you already have without the stress of listing your home, waiting for buyers, and taking on a new mortgage. 
  • Inspired spaces, your way: Building a new home gives you complete control over the layout, finishes, and built-in storage from the start. But even if you buy an existing home, our design experts can transform your space with a customized solution that fits your space and lifestyle.

No matter what direction you choose, your home should feel calm, not chaotic. And with custom design solutions in every room, it absolutely can.

Final Tips for Homebuyers

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.

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