Warning: this post is longer than a simple recap, so feel free to skim or read it in small bites. People kept asking how we manage our long to-do list, and we explained that we basically keep one evolving, running document. After many requests to share and update it, we finally tidied it up and organized the items by room. For each area we separated what’s finished from what remains to be done and added a rough percent-complete estimate for quick reference. Here’s our updated, room-by-room home project list.
-The Front Yard (25% complete)-
Done:
- Pruned the magnolia and lifted lower branches.
- Removed overgrown shrubs that obscured the house.
- Refreshed several garden beds and added new landscaping.
To do:
- Transplant and plant in several remaining beds; we’ve addressed only a few of the beds so far.
- Alter the front roofline to add peaks for visual interest and better alignment with the house’s overall shape.
-The Front Porch and House Facade (35% complete)-
Done:
- Furnished the porch with pieces from our previous home.
- Planted shrubs and seasonal flowers.
- Painted the front door a cheerful yellow.
To do:
- Frame the porch columns to make them square and substantial rather than ornate.
- Stain the concrete porch floor for a polished look.
- Paint the siding a deep gray with crisp white trim.
- Add window boxes and install shutters on side and back windows to match the front.
-The Carport / Garage (0% complete)-
Done:
- None yet.
To do:
- Convert the carport into a functional garage once we finalize window and door designs.
- Add a trellis arch around the new garage door for a lush, welcoming look.
- Replace the light fixture with something large and lantern-like.
-The Living Room (70% complete)-
Done:
- Painted the walls and gray-washed the ceiling beams.
- Installed curtains and added a large sectional and an appropriately sized rug.
- Built a console and upgraded the TV.
To do:
- Add artwork and corner furniture near the kitchen.
- Create or upcycle a larger media cabinet for the TV.
- Place a tall armoire or bookcase on the sofa wall.
- Install French doors (including a hallway door to the deck) — three total.
- Convert the kitchen fireplace into a double-sided unit shared with the living room.
- Transform beam lines into a coffered ceiling for a more finished look.
- Refinish the floors in the future.
-The Office (85% complete)-
Done:
- Built an integrated desk and added functional storage.
- Painted and stenciled the walls; reupholstered secondhand chairs.
- Updated the chandelier with new color, bulbs, and a large shade.
To do:
- Fill some bare wall space and add window treatments.
- Install French doors between the dining room and office for privacy and architectural interest.
- Refinish the floors eventually.
-The Hall Bathroom (5% complete)-
Done:
- Raised the shower curtain rod and added window trim to balance the space.
- Installed a new light fixture above the mirror.
To do:
- Paint walls and frame the mirror.
- Add art, update the vanity with new paint and hardware, and install a window treatment.
- Replace or paint dated door hardware and style the room with accessories.
-The Big Hallway (90% complete)-
Done:
- Completed a gallery frame collage and placed a console table, which we’re very happy with.
To do:
- Add a patterned runner and refinish the floors later on.
-The Small Hallway (0% complete)-
Done:
- None yet.
To do:
- Install wainscoting and crown molding; decide between paint or wallpaper above the wainscoting.
- Hang art, update the light fixture, and replace hollow-core doors with paneled solid doors.
- Refinish the floors and refresh door hardware.
-The Dining Room (70% complete)-
Done:
- Painted walls and the back of built-ins a deep teal; made curtains and added a large round table.
- Displayed art and added a vintage buffet with complementary pieces.
To do:
- Finish defining the entryway area with art and accessories.
- Personalize the art over the buffet and install a statement light fixture above the table.
- Resolve chair styling or upgrade to dream chairs and build a large lazy susan for the table.
- Refinish the floors in time.
-The Laundry Room (95% complete)-
Done:
- Painted, removed shutters, frosted the side door, painted cabinets, replaced hardware, and upgraded appliances.
- Added built-ins, replaced flooring with cork, hung art, created a clothespin chandelier, and wall-mounted the ironing board.
To do:
- Consider adding a window treatment for a finishing touch.
-The Kitchen (85% complete)-
Done:
- Painted paneling, painted the brick fireplace, and replaced mismatched appliances with stainless models.
- Opened the kitchen to the dining room, updated lighting, rearranged cabinets, painted cabinetry, and installed new counters.
- Tiled a backsplash to the ceiling on one wall, added floating shelves, built a microwave cabinet, installed a range hood with a custom cover, and replaced flooring with dark cork.
To do:
- Finish the back of the peninsula, add window treatments, and consider a message board.
- Beef up crown molding and cabinet trim, refine the fireplace mantel and surround, and continue layering coziness in the sitting area.
- Decide on potential repainting of walls and finalize hood detailing.
-The Playroom (0% complete)-
Done:
- None for now; the room currently stores book project materials and other items.
To do:
- Clear the space, then paint, furnish, and style it as a playroom that could double as Clara’s future big-girl room.
- Retrofit the daybed to look built-in with a trundle for sleepovers, refresh hardware, and refinish floors later.
-Clara’s Room (80% complete)-
Done:
- Painted, added curtains, moved in furniture, hung art, installed a sentimental capiz chandelier, and built a play kitchen.
- Reworked the closet into a cozy reading nook with stamped walls and a sewn beanbag.
To do:
- Hang more art, add crown molding, consider a painted or stenciled ceiling, and refinish the floors.
- Update door hardware and adapt the room layout if a second child requires a nursery transition.
-The Sunroom (0% complete)-
Done:
- Temporarily furnished with pieces from our previous home and currently used to store book project materials.
To do:
- Paint the lofted walls, whitewash the brick, add purposeful furnishings and window treatments, and upgrade the ceiling fan.
- Install French doors, add shelving or a built-in, hang artwork, create an interesting ceiling detail, and replace the flooring down the line.
-Our Bedroom (60% complete)-
Done:
- Removed dated bifold doors, styled the sink nook with a mirror, replaced the bed, repainted, added a playful chandelier, and created an upholstered headboard.
To do:
- Convert a window to a French door to the deck, add furniture for a bare wall, possibly raise the ceiling for a peaked effect, and update the sink vanity.
- Consider tiling the sink nook, add a longer bench at the foot of the bed, install French doors, refresh hardware, dress the closet with paint or wallpaper and molding, and refinish floors.
-Our Bathroom (75% complete)-
Done:
- Raised the shower curtain, painted walls, hung art, updated trim to glossy white, frosted the window, replaced the toilet, and installed a glass pendant light.
- Updated the tile with white glass subway tile in place of a dated border.
To do:
- In a second phase we’ll retile the floor (considering gray hex tiles) and possibly reglaze existing beige tile, plus refresh hardware.
-The Guest Bedroom (60% complete)-
Done:
- Painted, furnished with spare pieces, and added curtains and a mirror.
To do:
- Add crown molding, hang more art, refine the mirror finish, and replace older furniture items.
- Refresh door hardware and refinish the floors.
-The Guest Bathroom (5% complete)-
Done:
- Removed an awkward mirror, added a new shower curtain and bath mat, hung art, replaced the sink mirror, and updated the light fixture.
To do:
- Paint the space, possibly replace or update tile, install a glass shower door, frost the window, refresh hardware, and add more artwork.
-The Basement Workshop (0% complete)-
Done:
- None so far.
To do:
- Clear the clutter, organize tools and materials, and create a functional workshop with painted concrete floors and purposeful storage.
-The Side Lot (10% complete)-
Done:
- Planted two trees to start defining the space.
To do:
- Plant many more trees to naturalize the area and begin an informal orchard; control weeds and improve the groundcover.
-The Deck (60% complete)-
Done:
- Cleared obstructing shrubs, planned and permitted the deck, removed the old balcony, dug post holes, framed the deck, and installed decking boards.
To do:
- Finish railings and steps, furnish with a dining set and planters, add a pergola or string lights, landscape for privacy, and create a paver patio beyond the deck for the grill.
-The Patio (70% complete)-
Done:
- Cleared the area, purchased materials, leveled, laid gravel and sand, installed pavers, shaped a curved edge, landscaped around the patio, and built a rock box for play with a rain barrel for collection.
To do:
- Furnish the patio with comfortable seating, add lighting, and include outdoor activities like a large chalkboard or a small slide for the kids.
-The Backyard (0% complete)-
Done:
- Built a compost bin.
To do:
- Remove invasive ivy, clear overgrown beds, replace obscure brick paths with lawn, plant trees for privacy, add raised beds for vegetables and herbs, reposition shrubs, reseed lawn areas, repair a basement door, build a swingset and a storage shed, and consider a modest in-ground saltwater pool in the long term.
We expect to tackle many of these projects over the coming years — our first house took roughly 4.5 years to feel finished — so we try to enjoy the process and celebrate small victories along the way. We don’t strictly follow a single project order; we often pick projects based on mood, urgency, and budget. Bigger projects sit on the back burner until we’ve saved enough and feel confident about design choices, while smaller tasks help keep momentum and motivation high. How do you manage your home to-dos? Digital lists, paper notebooks, or another approach entirely? What helps you decide the next project?