Your water softener comes in a box that looks intimidating, but it’s just a metal tank and a plastic brine tank. Don’t panic—you’re not rebuilding a spaceship. The main tank contains resin beads that trap calcium and magnesium (the villains). The brine tank holds salt that regenerates those beads. That’s it: the whole magic show.
Find a spot near your main water line, ideally where you have access to a drain for backwash. Basements and garages are prime real estate. Measure your space, because a softener that’s wedged in a corner is a softener that’s hard to service. You want easy access for refilling salt every month.