A well functioning home is a truly relaxing place to be. It’s somewhere you can take a seat and just relax, knowing you’ve got a comfortable and convenient place to live. It’s why we have all the mod-cons on the market at the moment, and why smart home technology is getting more and more popular. 

Is There a Build Up Somewhere?

A build up, despite the name, can be small enough to go unrecognized in the modern home. Indeed, build ups can fit themselves into the smallest of nooks and crannies, or only be affecting hidden systems, such as the insides of pipes or behind the vents in the bathroom. 

Because of this, watch out for build ups and do a little proactive maintenance. If there’s too much grease in the kitchen, for example, you’re much more likely to experience a fire. Be sure to prevent this from happening by cleaning down both your surfaces and your backsplash, and don’t let grease splatterings soak into the walls. 

You should also check behind things more often, such as your refrigerator and/or freezer, to double check nothing is collecting behind there. Both grease and dust are common here, and who knows how much that could contribute to a disaster?

Is There Something Wrong with Your Pipes?

Pipes can be hard to assess, seeing as most of them are hidden underneath something else. However, be sure to check on them at least once a year - you don’t want them getting blocked or going pop without you knowing about it!

This is especially true when it comes to your wastage pipes. Being connected to a sewer is essential, but having that back up into the house or bursting and flooding the garden is a nasty and disgusting ordeal! Don’t let weird noises, smells, or a poor flow sit unassessed for too long!  

To prevent these things from becoming full blown problems you have to deal with, any time you suspect a pipe issue, call in an expert. 

Services like trenchless sewer plumbing will make drainage problems a thing of the past, and even go the extra mile to replace old, rusting, or poorly performing pipes. This could even reduce the amount of work your pipes will need in future, which is more than worth the cost of maintenance in this area. 

Are You Getting Enough Natural Light?

Natural light is good for the body and soul! So, is there enough of it in your home? Any and all homes should come with at least one window in each room, but is that enough for you? 

Depending on the size of the room in question, what you use it for, and what’s placed in front of the windows, it might not be! As such, clear the window bays and give them a clean once a month. 

Is There Room for Family Time?

Family time is what the home is really for. However, if you don’t have the room for all the family to get together, you’re not going to have much family time at all! 

You’ll be spending time in separate rooms, and when you’re trying to have game nights, a lot of furniture will need to be moved around or removed entirely. 

Don’t let this become the narrative of your life in your home. A functional home leaves space, so be OK with large amounts of ‘negative’ space taking up the backs/corners of rooms. 

Are There Enough Places to Sit?

Following on from the point above, every functioning home should have plenty of usable seating. This seating should be comfortable and ergonomic, meaning anyone using it isn’t at risk of straining a muscle, putting their back out, or being left with aches and pains once they’re done. 

If you don’t have a desk to do your work on, whether you’re writing something out by hand or using a laptop, clear some room for one and buy yourself a proper working set up. Similarly, if you don’t have a proper dining table, and you want more family dinners together, make sure there's a dining set in the back of the kitchen or sharing a space in the living room. 

Do You Have the Appliances You Need?

This is very much dependent on your overall budget, of course. However, if you’ve been complaining for a long time now about having to wash a ton of crockery after meals, and you’ve got enough savings to comfortably afford a dishwasher, now’s the time to buy one. 

The more appliances you have, the more likely your home is going to function like clockwork. And remember, the appliances in question don’t even need to be all that expensive. They just need to add a bit more usefulness to the space around you. 

It’s why so many homes now have portable AC units, rather than in-built ones - you still get the cooling you need, you just don't need an expensive version plugged into the walls. 

A well functioning home is a happy one! And sure, many households can be happy without the points above, but it’s always better to have a few luxuries on your side! As such, make sure you keep the tips in mind and apply them to your home situation. 

Remember, convenience is king, and the more convenient your home is, the more cozy you’re going to end up in the end!