Q: I just read an old post of yours where you compared your last house to your current one – and it looks like you preferred the old one in some ways because you had done more renovation, etc. I think it would be awesome if you did a do-over of that post now that it has been so long and you’ve done so much to improve your new house! – Thanks for all the inspiration, Sarah
A: You’re right — it’s long past time to revisit this comparison of our first house and our current house, so here we go. This whole idea started when a reader named Sarah suggested a side-by-side look at rooms from both houses. We had fun with it the first time and thought it was worth doing again now that more time has passed and we’ve made additional changes. We should note that the comparison isn’t perfectly even: we spent more than four years renovating the first house, and we’ve only been in the current house about twenty months. Still, after years of figuring out what we love and learning from our mistakes, we’re more confident with our choices now, which has helped speed some decisions along.
The Front Yard, First House:
The Front Yard, Current House:
Winner: The first house. Our current yard has improved drastically from the overgrown lot we inherited, but our first house’s yard benefited from years of gradual upgrades. We still plan more work at the new place, so we think it will catch up in time.
The Front Porch, First House:
The Front Porch, Current House:
Winner: Tie. We loved the painted red door of the first house and we adore the yellow door of the current house. The first porch’s striped floor and hanging ferns were favorites, while the new porch still has big plans ahead, including boxed columns and stained concrete. For now, they’re even.
The Living Room, First House:
The Living Room, Current House:
Winner: The current house. Our first house had a formal living room we rarely used, while the current living room is the room we gather in most: big sofa, open layout, and easy sightlines to where the family spends time. It feels more lived-in and comfortable.
The Kitchen, First House:
The Kitchen, Current House:
Winner: The current house. The older kitchen felt closed off and small. Our new kitchen is the true heart of the home with multiple openings to adjacent rooms, making it easy to cook while staying connected with everything else that’s going on.
The Hallway, First House:
The Hallway, Current House:
Winner: The current house. We appreciate the wide, light-filled hallway and the family gallery wall we created — it makes the transition between rooms feel warm and personal.
The Spare Bedroom, First House:
The Spare Bedroom, Current House:
Winner: The first house. The clean, organized spare room in our first house was simpler and easier to keep tidy. Our current spare room has collected more furniture and projects, so it feels busier. One day we’ll tame it, but for now we give the edge to the first house.
The Nursery (Formerly The Third Bedroom), First House:
The Nursery, Current House:
Winner: The current house (narrow call). We were very attached to the nursery where we first brought our daughter home; it was sentimental and special. Still, the current nursery benefits from a larger closet that now doubles as a cozy reading nook, so the newer room takes a slight lead for function and future potential.
Our Bedroom, First House:
Our Bedroom, Current House:
Winner: The current house. We’ll always love the built-ins we made in the first house, but the new bedroom is the coziest we’ve had. Darker paint, a better layout, a walk-in closet, and an attached bathroom make it more comfortable and practical.
The Main Bathroom (located in the hall), First House:
Our Bathroom (attached to our bedroom), Current House:
Winner: The first house. The full gut renovation we completed there still makes us proud — the finishes and details felt so rewarding. The current bathroom is attached and practical, but it hasn’t had the same transformative moment (yet).
The Office/Guest Bedroom/Playroom, First House:
The Office & Guest Bedroom (now separate rooms), Current House:
Winner: The current house. The first house’s multi-use office was lovely but small and often crowded when guests visited. Having a dedicated office and a separate cheerful guest room with its own bath in the current house is far more functional for our lifestyle.
The Den, First House:
Winner: The first house. We miss the cozy den — one of our favorite rooms ever. The current house lacks a dedicated den, and although the living room fills many roles, we have a special place in our hearts for that snug space where we made many memories.
Dining Room, Current House:
Winner: The current house. We love the built-ins, the bold colors, and having a proper dining room. Our first house didn’t have a true dining room after we reconfigured the layout, so the new home wins here for form and function.
The Laundry Area, First House:
Laundry Area, Current House:
Winner: The current house. Our new laundry space feels brighter and happier, even without much folding surface. It’s more pleasant overall, and we find folding on the sofa in the living room more appealing than piling things on a long counter by the door.
The Hall Bathroom, First House:
Hall Bathroom, Current House:
Winner: The first house. The striped walls, glass chandelier, and charming sink made that bathroom special. The new hall bath is more functional with a tub for our daughter, but the first still wins on personality until we give the new one some TLC.
The Sunroom, First House:
The Sunroom, Current House:
Winner: The first house. The sunroom in our first house was irresistible. Our current one has potential and a long list of planned improvements, so it may be a closer contest in the future.
The Patio, First House:
The Patio, Current House:
Winner: The current house. The patio at the new place is more spacious, shaded, and cozy. We also did much of the work ourselves and enjoy that sense of accomplishment.
The Deck, Current House:
Winner: The current house. We didn’t have a deck at the first house. The new deck was built by John and is already a favorite outdoor spot; there are more finishing touches to come, but it’s a big win.
The Basement, First House:
The Basement, Current House:
Winner: The first house. We’ve spent more time renovating and finishing the basement at the first house, so it feels more complete. The current basement will get attention when we can clear out the clutter and tackle a plan.
The Backyard, First House:
The Backyard, Current House:
Winner: The first house. We still miss the flat, grassy yard surrounded by trees. We hope to create a similar grassy area at the new house once we complete landscaping and transplanting work.
Final tally: the current house edges out the first by a narrow margin. The score reflects changes over time and how our priorities and style have evolved — we’re taking more risks with color and contrast, but we still love the quiet, tone-on-tone feel of our first home. There are plenty of projects still on the list for the current house, and comparing photos from different houses is a helpful way to see what you value and how your style grows. Have you ever compared photos from different homes to notice what carries over and what changes? It’s funny how a new house offers a chance to reinvent, yet familiar furniture and habits often travel with you.
Psst — we keep room-by-room source lists and paint colors for both houses, which can be useful if you’re curious about details and inspiration.