By Leslie Linsley

Author of “Nantucket Island Living” (Stewart, Tabori & Chang)

April 2026

Everyone who lives on Nantucket hears stories that start with, “When I first visited the island, I got off the ferry, walked around town and knew right away, this is where I belong.” 

I write newspaper columns that have appeared in many desirable places throughout the country, where people first went to vacation and later bought homes there, much like in this community. I don’t think there are too many places that have this effect on one’s psyche. Is it fate or destiny to find the place where we feel a connection? It’s a big decision to buy a home on Nantucket, the strongest being a desire to be part of the community. Every homeowner I’ve interviewed for my magazine articles and books about this island said the same thing when asked why they chose Nantucket. “This is a community like no other, I just related to it.” They swear they were destined to be here.  After renting for a season or two, many buy a vacation home on the island.

Once that decision has become a reality, it’s a commitment to keep that home in good working order. As families grow and lifestyles change, our homes become part of our island experience. Sometimes we settle in and overlook opportunities to upgrade our houses to keep pace with the way they are used for our changing lifestyles. Now and then it’s a good idea to check out new materials and products that can improve our houses. For example, toilets. A few years ago, I replaced the toilets in my bathrooms with the sleeker, and higher versions. Everyone has something in their home that is dated or slightly annoying and could use an improvement. It might be the addition of a bedroom to meet the needs of a growing family. Or, something simple like replacing shower heads or kitchen cabinets. And, after this nasty winter, it might be time for new garbage receptacles. 

What makes these projects worthwhile is not just efficiency, but the sense of order they create. The most satisfying home improvements are often the smallest ones. They quietly refine the way a house works—and when a home works well, it feels calmer, more gracious, and far more enjoyable to live in.



A well-lit kitchen, a graceful entryway, shades that glide open at the touch of a button—these are the small enhancements that quietly elevate everyday living. Vacation homes benefit most from improvements that make a house feel effortless the moment you arrive. You want to walk in, unpack and begin enjoying your time on the island the minute you arrive. You want to share your home with guests. You want everything to be in working order. Small upgrades can dramatically improve comfort for you and guests without requiring a major renovation. Replace old blinds with clean, modern shades. Automated window treatments from Hunter Douglas are especially useful in vacation homes. Cordless or remote shades instantly elevate a room and add to the convenience of coming and going. Vacation homes are about living outside whenever possible. Small improvements include:

1. Outdoor lights along your entry walkway
2. A portable fire pit
3. Comfortable outdoor cushions
4. A weatherproof storage bin
5. A signature scent: Many beautiful homes have a subtle scent that  becomes part of their identity. Check out the diffusers and candles in Housewares.
6. A tiny, shingled shed—just large enough for tools, pots, and a worktable—feels perfectly at home on a Nantucket property and keeps garden life organized.
7. Cedar-lined closets keep clothes fresh when the house is closed for the off-season.
8. Zillow reports that 50% of today’s home seekers are asking for a home library. It’s an easy building project to createsimple floor-to-ceiling bookcases in a living room or hallway to showcase books, shells, and art. Add beadboard backing and soft lighting for that classic Nantucket feel.
9. Celebrate the arrival of spring with a vase (Housewares) filled with daffodils.