Many readers already know that Sherry and I launched Young House Love as a way to keep family and friends updated on our kitchen renovation. The idea came to us while walking our dog Burger one evening last September, and we even agreed on the name before we finished circling the block. That spontaneous decision turned into a creative outlet that documented every step of our home improvement journey and evolved into a blog that reflects our design tastes and DIY learning curve.
On that same night I created a free WordPress account, chose a simple template that appealed to me, and typed a short introductory post announcing the blog and the renovation project. That first post set the tone: honest, practical, and focused on the realities of renovating a kitchen while balancing life. The original site looked modest but sincere, and it captured the beginning of a process that would teach us a lot about design, project management, and documenting progress for an audience who genuinely cared.
Looking back, the original steely blue template feels quaint compared to the cleaner aesthetic we use now, but it served its purpose. For the first several months, that template was our online identity while we focused on finishing the kitchen and sharing updates. Once the renovation dust settled, we realized the blog itself deserved a refresh to better match our evolving home style.
To redesign the site, I learned foundational web coding techniques and applied those skills to create a new homepage that better reflected the neutral palette and clean lines present throughout our house. The redesign process was deliberate: we prioritized usability, readability, and a visual tone consistent with the projects we post about. On February 16 we launched the updated design, and the site’s clearer layout and accessible navigation made it easier for readers to follow ongoing projects, find DIY tutorials, and explore before-and-after photos of the renovation.
Beyond aesthetics, the redesign was an opportunity to sharpen the blog’s focus on practical home improvement advice. We organized content so visitors could quickly locate kitchen renovation posts, product choices, budget breakdowns, and step-by-step guides. That structure supports search engine visibility for common queries related to kitchen renovation, DIY projects, and home design tips, helping new readers discover the blog when they’re searching for inspiration or instruction.
Throughout the process we stayed true to our original mission: to document our home improvements in a way that felt personal and useful. We continue to share candid updates about design decisions, hiccups that happen during a renovation, and lessons learned along the way. The blog has become a record of our renovation journey and a resource for others tackling similar projects in their own homes.
Given how quickly tastes and technology evolve, it wouldn’t be surprising if Young House Love receives another refresh in the future. For now, we’re enjoying the current layout and the way the homepage reflects our home’s personality. We’re always open to reader feedback and suggestions for improving site navigation, content categories, or the clarity of our tutorials. Ultimately, the goal is to keep the blog welcoming, informative, and true to the original spirit that sparked it one evening during a walk with Burger.