HGTV and Instagram have done a masterful job of making a lot of us focus on fancy refrigerators, invisible edge pools, or sexy retractable doors.

But if I were given a choice between shiny features and smart details that we would enjoy every day? Give me smart details every time, hard stop.

Here are a few smart details in a house that you will enjoy every single day:

1. A great laundry room or mudroom

   Give me a window, a sink to hand wash, a surface on which to fold, a place to hang dry…

   Now THAT is legit a space you will LOVE every day!

2. An even better garage

   We just renovated our garage with SWISS TRAX flooring and some really jazzy and super functional Ferrari red cabinets and wall racks.

   Here’s what I have to say about that: What the FLIP took us so long!? Looks fabulous and is even more functional. 

   Whether you have a basement or not, a good garage is a GOOD THING and its investment holds its value. 

   Want to take it over the top? Add a mini split to climate control the space!

3. Lots of natural light

   Good light is literally irreplaceable. LED lights are great but do not compare.

   Good light adds vibe and mood throughout the day, reduces the time you rely on electricity and just adds a certain je ne sai qua to any space.

   And a transom – a smaller window above a window or door? Even better! More light and makes the glass proportional to the wall.

4. A backyard with green space and a view

   Green space is just good for the soul. Plants, flowers, maybe some water in a pool or a fountain – bring a sense of outdoors that is great for a feeling of spaciousness, privacy and daily enjoyment.

   No matter your yard size, you can create green and a view – even if potted gardens on your condo terrace.

   One of the best things about living in Vero Beach, Florida is the green and blossoming flowers all year round – truly! Add some ambient night lighting and whammo that space is transformed from a black hole at night to a very different vibe from the same space in the daylight. 

5. A great closet

   This is a true story: several years ago when gutting our home, we intended to leave the crappy original wire rack closets we inherited with the house. We did not convey this to our contracts, who summarily ripped them all out. WHOOPS! Reno budget went up.  

   But guess what my favorite part of the inside reno was? You know the answer. My closet!

   Whether DIY with good closet systems or installed by the pros, a good closet keeps you more organized, looks better, and – at the risk of sounding like Marie Kondo – brings joy when you enter the space.

   And like the garage reno holding its value – ditto with closets! Don’t underestimate the importance of a good closet on a future buyer. 

   (P.S. Ditch the crappy original bi-fold doors! It always boggles my mind when I see a renovation and the sellers pinch pennies by leaving the crummy original door. That $100 savings makes a buyer think “Hmm…what else didn’t get gone that should have?” Change the door.)

Interested in more ways to boost your home’s value – or just your love for your home? Follow us on Instagram and Facebook to catch all our insights and join in on the conversation!