What Home Really Means

Buying a Home
Written By Amanda Nolen

How to Choose Based on Lifestyle, Not Trends

It’s easy to get swept up in popular design trends, buzzword features, or what everyone else says you “should” want. But the truth is — the best homes aren’t the trendiest ones. They’re the ones that support who you are, how you live, and the life you’re building. Let’s talk about how to choose a home that fits you, not the algorithm.

Start With Your Real Life (Not Instagram)

Ask yourself:

  • How do I spend mornings, evenings, weekends?

  • What brings me joy at home?

  • What spaces do I use most?

  • What feels grounding or overwhelming?

Lifestyle tells you more about what you need than any trend ever could.

Location Shapes Your Experience

The right neighborhood feels like a match.

Consider:

  • Commute time

  • School district

  • Walkability

  • Community vibe

  • Nearby parks, trails, and shops

Where you live impacts your daily peace just as much as the home itself.

Function > Features

Trends fade — function lasts.

Choose a home that supports:

  • Your routines

  • Your storage needs

  • Your work/life balance

  • Your family or future plans

  • Your quiet spaces and gathering spaces

A well-functioning home will always feel more luxurious than a trendy one.

Choose a Home That Lets You Grow

You don’t need to predict the future — just consider:

  • Will this home support you for the next 3–5 years?

  • Does it offer room for change?

  • Does it feel like a place where your life can expand?

Growth matters more than perfection.

Listen to Your Gut

Your body often knows before your brain catches up.
Pay attention to:

  • How you feel when you step inside

  • Whether the space feels peaceful or stressful

  • If you can picture your routines unfolding naturally

“Home” is a feeling — and you deserve one that feels right.

Choose Based on Lifestyle:

  • Your daily routines matter

  • The right neighborhood feels like alignment

  • Function matters more than trends

  • Look for a home that supports your next chapter

  • Trust your intuition

Related Posts

Ready to Find Home?

If you’re ready to find a home that truly fits your life, I’d love to guide you.

→ Schedule a buyer consultation
→ Join the Home in Mid Michigan newsletter

Amanda Nolen
Next

The Power of Community