Assisting Transitioning Military and the
Family Members Who Support Them
WATCHRelocation
BUYING A HOME - EVALUATING SPACE NEEDS
How Does the Space in Your House Rate?
The way that families live, work, and play is different today than it was 10 years ago. Families also have many more possessions. Not only is space expensive, but it also must be insured, heated, cooled, taxed, furnished, and cleaned. You need to take time to analyze carefully the space your family needs as you look at buying or renting various houses. Use the following checklist as a guide to help you evaluate any house or house plan so that you can select one that includes those features important to you and your family.
Interior
Traffic
- Family members are able to move freely through the house without getting in each other's way or intruding upon each person's privacy.
- At least one entry is located to allow the greatest convenience when unloading supplies from the car.
- Hall space has been kept to a minimum.
- Halls are wide enough to allow ease in passage and moving furniture.
- The size of social, work, and private areas fits your family activities and needs.
- The public, private, and work areas are adequately separated for your family.
- Rooms with multiple use (e.g., master bedroom/sitting; living/dining; dining/study; or guest/study/sewing) are adaptable to your family's changing needs.
- Should an extended illness of a family member occur, house meets these needs:
- At least one bedroom on the entry level.
- Doors, especially into one bedroom and bathroom, are at least two feet eight inches wide. There is at least one walk-in shower.
- Windows in the bedroom are low enough to see out when lying down.
- House suits your family's activities and needs.
- Space is adequate for the family to be together and for all the different activities in which your family participates.
- Eating space is adequate for your family and usual guests.
- There is space to accommodate an occasional larger group.
- Location of the eating space is convenient to the kitchen.
- Planned outdoor living area:
- Is easily accessible from the kitchen.
- Offers some degree of privacy and protection.
- Has some protection from sun and wind.
- Rooms that are to be shared are large enough so that each occupant can have a private area.
- Bed (or beds) can be located in at least two places in each bedroom.
- All bedrooms are large enough to accommodate at least a double-sized bed.
- There is enough room for other necessary pieces of furniture.
- Each bedroom can be reached without going through another.
- Closets are located to provide sound buffers between bedrooms.
- All bedrooms have reasonably private access to a bathroom.
- Each bathroom is large enough to accommodate the number of people who will use it.
- Adequate storage is provided for towels and grooming aids.
- Plumbing fixtures are located on inside wall to prevent freezing.
- Lighting is acceptable for grooming.
- There is enough space for each person in family to have his own study area/table/desk.
- Space is available for books, references, supplies, and private "treasures."
- Adequate space is allowed for the kinds of food preparation you and your family do.
- Work area is out of the family traffic path.
- Space is adequate for the types of appliances used (microwave oven, food processor, etc.).
- Storage cabinets and drawers are of various sizes and adjustable to adapt to changing uses.
- Laundry equipment or area is convenient to the source of the soiled laundry.
- Floor space in the utility area is adequate for the appliances you use and the work you do.
- Food freezer location is convenient to the kitchen.
- Closets are near both public and service entries for coats and boots.
- Storage space is located where it will be needed.
- Storage space is flexible enough to meet changing family needs.
- There is suitable and adequate outside storage.
- Adequate amount of storage is available for:
- Bed linens.
- Cleaning equipment.
- Out-of-season clothes.
- Seasonal items.
- Hobbies.
- All doors are located to avoid diagonal traffic paths across rooms.
- Outside doors are protected from rain and snow.
- Doors are wide enough to allow furniture to be carried through.
- Doors open into rooms they serve.
- Outside doors are solid and hinged rather than hollow core or sliding (to conserve energy and provide more safety).
- Outside doors have sturdy locks and peepholes.
- All windows can be opened for natural ventilation.
- All windows have locks and/or other safety measures.
- Larger windows are located on the south to take advantage of the sun and wind.
- Windows are large enough and low enough to allow easy escape in case of fire.
- All glassed areas are double-glazed to save energy.
- Front entry is easy to locate and reach from the street.
- Public entrance allows access without overexposure of the family within.
- There is a door to the utility area from outside (helpful when hanging clothes outside to dry).
- House looks beautiful to your family.
- Style of architecture is suitable for the lot and neighborhood.
- Roof style allows for adequate attic ventilation.
- Roof overhang is adequate.
- House is oriented on the lot to take advantage of the sun and wind.
- Exterior siding materials coordinate with the style of the house.
- No more than two types of siding materials have been used on the house (three or more exterior materials creates a busy, cluttered appearance).
- Windows, doors, shutters, and trim are in scale to the overall design of the house.
- Three or fewer colors are used on exterior.