Some questions to get you thinking...

1.) How many people are there living in your home?
What are their ages?
Is anyone physically disabled in any way?
Do you foresee any changes, e.g.
New baby, elderly parents moving in, etc.?
Do you anticipate a need for a "barrier free home?"

2.) Is your "beef" with the size of the house,the number of rooms, size of rooms, layout, traffic patterns....what bugs you most about your current home?

3.) What do you like (or even love) about your current home and would like to replicate in a new home?

4.) Which room is your favorite and why? Which do you dislike,and why?

5.) Do you do a lot of entertaining? Are your guests mostly family, friends, or business associates? Is your entertaining formal or informal? Is there a particular area that your guests tend to congregate? 

6.) Is your kitchen easy or difficult to work in? Do you have adequate work spaces and countertops? Is there adequate cabinet space? Does the general layout work or is it a continual hassle? how important is the kitchen space to you? Do you love to cook and bake? How many people typically "hover" in your kitchen area? how often do you (or would you like to)enjoy your meals in your kitchen space? Is your kitchen bright enough?

7.) If you have a family room, is it large enough to fit everyone comfortably? Is it the centre of family life? Do you entertain in your family room? Does it have a fireplace, would you like one? Do you have enough storage space for books, photos, trophies, etc.? Does your family room need to incorporate multi media such as movies, sound system, gaming systems? Do you want to in install a disco ball?

8.) Do you have any need or desire for an in home office/study/studio? Would this space be used for personal or professional use? Would you need it accessible for clients? Would this space need any extra in terms of storage or utility(countertops, sink or lighting?)

9.) Are there any other specific spaces you would want to incorporate unto your home, for example: library, home gym, wine cellar, sacred spaces, music studio, media room, etc...?

10.) Do you have (or simply long for) a "sexy" master suite? What would your ideal master bedroom look like? Would you want to incorporate a sitting area? What size of bed would you be using? What about closets, think about what is adequate, how many pairs of shoes do you own? How about your ensuite, what would your ideal master bathroom look like?

11.) How adequate are your other bedrooms in terms of size, storage, location, sound proofing, windows, and wiring? What sorts of things would you want to incorporate or eliminate?

12.) Where are your washer and dryer located? How's that working for you?

13.) Are there enough electrical, cable, telephone, computer/internet outlets throughout the house? Would you want to wire in for sound systems? If you have children, will you ever want them to have tv/computer/phone in their rooms?

14.) Would you want to increase windows (size and or numbers)? Do you like to let the light in, or shut the world out?

15.) How are your entrances? What sort of storage do you need at each entrance? Is a closet sufficient, or would you prefer a mud room for stowing away backpacks, briefcases, and winter gear? Is your front entrance your main access or is it only for heads of state? 

16.) Do you have any significant pieces of art or furniture that you want to  keep in mind when designing? You'd hate to have a brand new space and nowhere to showcase those treasured pieces!

17.) What sort of image do you want your house to project, both from the street and once inside? Is there a particular look or feel that you are going for? What types of exterior finishes do you love or detest? Are you inclined to be more formal, or more laid back?

18.) Supposing you have a perfect home, how long are you likely to live in it? How important is future marketability? If this house is a "lifer", are there any things you would want to incorporate now that would make your life easier in the future?

19.) What kind of special consideration does your piece of paradise require? How would you like your house oriented, are there views you want to capitalize on or any specific ideas around landscaping that you want to incorporate?

20.) Do you consider yourself to be "eco friendly" to some extent? How important is sustainability? Energy efficiency? How far are you willing to take your convictions?