I haven’t been terribly happy with our house since we bought it — I hope that doesn’t sound terribly discontent. We were rushed the weekend we were house-hunting and just didn’t see or realize some of the problems with this one. At the time it was the only one with the room we were looking for, so it won out over houses that I liked better. And circumstances haven’t been conducive to buying a different home yet. But when we do, these are features I’d like:
1. Some distance between neighbors. I really don’t like these new subdivisions that are so close together that it looks like you could borrow a cup of sugar from each other’s kitchen windows without ever leaving your house. Our subdivision is 30+ years old and not quite that crowded, but houses are close enough that it’s awkward to me. From my kitchen window I cam see right into the family room of the house behind us, where someone’s easy chair sits whose occupant looks like he’s looking back into my window. I put a sun-catcher right at that spot, which helps. But I’d rather have a different view and not feel self-conscious there on my patio when the neighbors driveway is right there a few feet away.
2. At least 2 full bathrooms. We have 1 1/2 right now, which works out ok most of the time. But an extra shower would be helpful.
3. Our last two homes have been split-levels, and I’d prefer next time to have just one level. I could live with a two-story, though, where I didn’t have to go up and down stairs just to use a restroom or bring groceries in.
4. Speaking of groceries, I’d love to have the kitchen right next to the driveway or garage door. Right now I have to cart groceries in across two rooms and up seven steps. It gets exhausting after hiking across Super Wal-Mart.
5. A pantry. I sorely miss the one from our old house. Our kitchen is seriously short of storage space.
6. A more efficiently laid-out kitchen.
7. Some larger or more open area for when company comes. Our house now is small compartments of rooms. so when family comes to visit or we have anyone over, it’s crowded.
8. A craft/sewing room where I can put all of my ‘stuff” where it’s accessible and where I can leave projects-in-progress out and shut the door so I don’t feel like there’s a mess in the living area or bedroom. I’d also like to put a day bed in there and have it double as a guest room.
9. I’d love to have an office for my husband, if he’d like one, so that he’d have a place for his technical books and microscopes and a quiet space when he’s working from home.
10. A ‘mudroom” or little space when you first come in from outside to take off jackets and shoes, hang up wet jackets to dry, etc., without that being a corner of a living area.
11. A garage (preferably) or carport.
12. A fence around the back yard.
13. I’m not sure about this one, but I’ve thought about a screen-in porch area in the back where you can go out when the weather’s nice but not be bothered by bugs (the South is very buggy) and even maybe have a ceiling fan. But — that’s iffy. I’m not outdoors much as it is.
Bonus: At one time we wanted a log cabin, but now I am leaning more toward something Victorian or very Southern-looking with white columns.
Now — I know I should be content with such things as I have (and I try. 🙂 ). And I know that in many parts of the world, what I have now would be considered luxurious. I try to keep it in perspective. But…..if we ever do buy another house, these are some of the things I’d look for.
(House graphic courtesy of Graphic Garden.)
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Stray Thoughts 