BUILDING BASE STRUCTURES—WHAT IF YOU HAD TO START OVER?
Deep window sills are underrated, honestly... My partner’s plants have basically taken over ours and it just brings the whole place to life. Funny how those little details end up mattering more than you think.
Couldn’t agree more on the deep window sills. It’s one of those things that never shows up on a spreadsheet but makes a space feel so much more inviting. I’ve seen people get obsessed with technical specs—R-values, triple glazing, all that jazz—and then end up with a place that feels like a bunker. Sure, you want efficiency, but if you don’t actually enjoy being inside, what’s the point?
I do think there’s a sweet spot with insulation, though. I’ve seen folks skimp and regret it when their heating bills come in. But yeah, ventilation is huge and often overlooked. I’ve worked on a few retrofits where the air just felt stale no matter what we did with the windows. Good mechanical ventilation (ideally with heat recovery) changes everything. Especially in winter when you can’t just crack a window without freezing.
One thing I’d add—if I were starting from scratch again, I’d pay way more attention to natural light throughout the day. Not just big windows, but how the sun moves around the house and where you actually spend your time. I once had a client who insisted on massive south-facing glass for “passive solar,” but then realized their living room was blindingly bright for half the year and they never used it.
Little stuff like built-in storage or even where outlets go ends up making daily life easier too. You can always upgrade insulation or windows later, but moving a wall or changing window placement is a pain.
Funny how it’s always the “invisible” things—fresh air, daylight, a spot for your plants—that end up making a house feel like home.
BUILDING BASE STRUCTURES—WHAT IF YOU HAD TO START OVER?
Deep window sills are great, but honestly, I’d trade them for a proper mudroom if I had to pick just one “invisible” feature. Nothing kills the vibe faster than tracking dirt through the whole house. I get the obsession with insulation and windows, but if you’re living with a layout that doesn’t fit your actual life, it’s just frustrating. Curious—has anyone regretted NOT putting in something basic like a pantry or laundry room? Those seem like afterthoughts until you’re stuck without them.
BUILDING BASE STRUCTURES—WHAT IF YOU HAD TO START OVER?
I hear you on the mudroom, but honestly, I’d put a second bathroom ahead of almost anything else. We skipped it thinking we could “make do,” and now it’s just a daily annoyance. As for pantries, I always thought they were a luxury, but after years of cramming groceries into random cabinets, I get the hype. Deep window sills are nice, but I’d trade them for more storage in a heartbeat. Funny how what seems “extra” at first becomes essential once you’re living without it...
SECOND BATHROOM VS. PANTRY—PRIORITIES SHIFT FAST
- Second bathroom really is a game-changer, especially if you’ve got more than two people under one roof. It’s wild how quickly “making do” turns into “why did we do this to ourselves?”
- Pantries get underrated until you’re playing Tetris with cereal boxes and canned goods. Even a shallow pantry beats the chaos of overstuffed cabinets.
- Deep window sills look gorgeous, but I’ve seen clients regret giving up storage for them. Maybe a compromise—window seats with built-in storage?
- Mudrooms are great for containing mess, but if space is tight, I’d vote for a second bath or proper pantry first.
- One thing I always ask: what’s your daily pain point? If it’s fighting over bathroom time, that’s your answer. If it’s clutter and nowhere to stash stuff, storage wins.
Funny how the “nice-to-haves” become “must-haves” after living without them for a while... It’s all about what makes your day-to-day smoother.
One thing I always ask: what’s your daily pain point? If it’s fighting over bathroom time, that’s your answer. If it’s clutter and nowhere to stash stuff, storage wins.
Interesting take, but I’d push back a bit—do we ever factor in how much space and resources a second bathroom actually eats up? Plumbing, water use, heating... it adds up, especially if you’re trying to build green or keep energy bills down. A well-designed pantry or even multi-use storage can sometimes solve more problems with less footprint. Anyone else ever regret adding a second bath when they could’ve used that square footage for something more flexible?
