If you’re looking to buy, there’s a lot to think about. Among other things, you’re thinking about how long you plan to stay in the house, how much it’s going to cost you, and how much space you’ll have. As important as those things are, there are other things to think about if you’re planning on do-it-yourself décor.
Looking at a house through the eyes of an interior designer won’t alter the decision of whether you buy or rent, but it can alter whether you buy or rent this house. The one with the big backyard and extra bathroom, but random column in the middle of the living room? These are some things interior designers recommend you look at when selecting a house:
Windows: How many are there? Are they big enough? Are they going to pose a problem when it’s time for window treatments?
It’s important to question how much natural light will enter a room through your windows. Think about the direction the window is facing. Is it awkwardly shaped? Will you be able to put up a curtain rod where you need one without having to destroy existing structures? It’s good to try and visualize what you’ll be doing with each room, and think about the kind of window treatments you’ll need in that room. Even before you buy. Awkwardly shaped windows can be really hard (or really expensive) to cover. And not enough natural light in a room can really kill the atmosphere, not to mention add onto your electric bills.
Interior spaces: Before you buy a house, it’s a good idea to find out what you can’t change. A single column could destroy your dream of opening up the space between two rooms. Think about the structural elements of the house. Where are they visible? Where can’t I change them? And how much is this going to bother me?
Public versus private: Here’s something a lot of people may not think about that an interior decorator might alert you to. Imagine that you’re entertaining guests. Picture your prospective home. How much of the house will the guests have access to? And how much of it will seem more off limits? You want to be able to have your own space, even while you have friends over. Many homes have interconnected spaces with kitchens that open into family rooms and family rooms that openly connect to dining rooms. If you’re a person (or family) that likes to have private space, this question is for you. Many spaces can of course be segmented, by inserting sliding doors or drapes, but again this will have to do with the structure of the house. Will you be able to the divide the space you want to? Or is there not enough structure to do it?
Materials: Another thing you might want to look at is materials. What are the existing materials in the house? Do I want to change any of them? Can I change any of them? And, of course, how much is it going to cost me? Materials and textures are a big part of what we see when we imagine what a space might look like. Going into buying a house, you’ll be expecting to make changes with things like carpets, flooring, window treatments etc, so it’s a good idea to list these things.
It’s also a good idea to ask around and make sure you can change a certain material. Another question to ask yourself is whether existing materials, that you’re unwilling or unable to change, will clash any furniture pieces you’re planning to bring in.
For more on the buying topic, check out our recent post on buy versus rent: To Buy or Not to Buy, that is the Question
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