Catch up on future home stories in 5 minutes.

Finished lower levels change what counts as an occupied room, so testing belongs before the space gets furnished.

The main decision is no longer “which gadget looks cool,” but which ecosystem the next family member, renter, or house sitter can understand without a tour.

Read the pattern first: weather, envelope, habits, and appliances all show up before the shopping list should.

In narrow homes, storage starts behaving like furniture. The better question is whether the hallway still works after it lands.