The right replacement fits the life you have, not only the space the old object occupied.

Replacing something invites you to match the thing that broke, since its dimensions and habits are the ones you know. But it entered your life at a different time, when the household, the work or the body it served was different. Matching the old object faithfully imports decisions made by a person who is no longer quite you.

When something needs replacing, describe what you actually do with it now before you shop. Buy for the current use rather than the old shape, even where that means something smaller, plainer, or a different thing entirely.