Home Assessment Checklist: What's Working, What's Not, and What's Driving You Nuts

Before you dive into floor plans or renovation inspiration, take a good, honest look at where you live right now. Odds are, some things are working fine and others are quietly or not so quietly driving you up the wall.

We’ve all been there - feeling frustrated with our homes, but not knowing where to start. That’s why I’ve created this checklist to help you spot what supports your everyday life and what’s ready for a rethink. Use it to make smarter choices when it’s time to renovate, rebuild, or reimagine your space.

Layout and Function

• Are there spots that always feel cramped or cluttered?
• Are there dead zones you rarely use?
• Do room sizes match how you actually live?
• Does your layout support your daily routines laundry, meals, getting out the door?
• Are there rooms you avoid because they just feel off?

Flow and Movement

• Can you move easily between the kitchen, dining, and living areas?
• Are doorways and hallways wide enough for your household?
• Do you have to walk through one room to get to another and does that help or annoy you?
• Are there spots where people or furniture always seem to pile up?

Light, Ventilation, and Views

• Which rooms get the best natural light?
• Are there spaces that feel like caves, even mid-day?
• Can you see outside from the kitchen, workspace, or living area?
• Is airflow decent, or do some rooms feel stuffy while others are breezy?

Orientation and Energy Use

• Do certain rooms overheat or freeze depending on the time of day?
• Are your energy bills high thanks to old windows or poor insulation?
• Can you control light, heat, and shade easily in each area?
• Would solar, new windows, or better insulation make a big difference?

Accessibility and Safety

• Are there steps or barriers that make it tough to move around?
• Is the front door easy to navigate with groceries, strollers, or mobility aids?
• Are light switches, outlets, and handles in the right places and easy to use?
• Can you move around safely at night?

Flexibility

• Can a guest room double as an office, hobby space, or workout zone?
• Does your home adjust to changing needs like growing kids, remote work, or aging parents?
• Is there room to reconfigure or expand later if needed?

Storage

• Do you have enough storage where you actually need it like the kitchen, entry, or bathroom?
• Are the garage, attic, or closets working for you or just packed with forgotten stuff?
• Is storage easy to access, or do you need a ladder and a little luck?

Light and Comfort

• Do you have enough natural light where you need it?
• Are there rooms that feel too hot, cold, or drafty?
• Do you have glare issuesExcessive brightness or reflection that causes visual discomfort, often from direct sunlight on screens or surfaces on screens or work surfaces?
• Are there spaces that feel too dark or too bright?
• Is your home comfortable year-round or just in certain seasons?

Storage and Organization

• Do you have enough storage where you actually need it?
• Are there items that never seem to have a proper home?
• Is your drop zoneA designated area near an entrance where everyday items like keys, mail, and bags can be placed when entering the home for mail, keys, and bags working?
• Can you access what you need without a major excavation project?
• Are there storage spaces you can’t reach or use effectively?

Accessibility and Aging

• Could someone with mobility issues navigate your home?
• Are there trip hazardsFeatures that could cause someone to stumble or fall, such as uneven flooring, loose rugs, or unexpected steps or awkward level changes?
• Would your bathroom work if you or someone you love needed extra support?
• Could you live primarily on one floor if needed?
• Are your doorways wide enough for a walker or wheelchair?

Energy and Efficiency

• Are there drafts or cold spots near windows and doors?
• Do certain rooms always feel too hot or too cold?
• Is your HVAC systemHeating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning - the system that controls temperature and air quality in your home keeping up with your needs?
• Are your utility bills higher than they should be?
• Do you have adequate insulationMaterial that reduces heat transfer between inside and outside, keeping homes warmer in winter and cooler in summer in walls, floors, and ceilings?

Final Step: Capture What You Notice

Take a few photos. Jot down what works and what doesn’t. Mark the spaces with hidden potential.

This isn’t about starting over. It’s about learning from what you have so the next version of your home fits better and works harder for the way you live.

Want a Fresh Perspective?

Sometimes it helps to bring in a second set of eyes. I offer one-on-one coaching calls to help assess your space, identify what’s holding you back, and spot opportunities you might be missing.

Get in touch or join the HouseChalk community for more tools, checklists, and real-world advice from homeowners who’ve been right where you are.