Psst — For everyone asking what we did for Easter and what Clara found in her basket, check out the details on Young House Life.
Warning: this post is wordy. Feel free to skim or come back to it in small bites. This article grew out of repeated questions about how we manage our long list of home projects. We keep one running document that lists everything we want to do, and since readers asked to see it (and for us to update it), we finally refreshed and shared it. You first saw it months ago, and since then we’ve crossed quite a few things off. We even added rough percentage estimates to show how complete each room or space feels right now.
Our basic approach is simple: write everything down, circle the small tasks we want to tackle right away, cross things off as they’re finished, and keep a separate section for long-term projects and larger purchases. That helps us focus on bite-sized projects that don’t feel overwhelming while we save for bigger renovations. Looking at long-term goals keeps us motivated to put money aside, while seeing small wins keeps momentum going. We usually work on what we feel like doing, unless something urgent or safety-related moves to the top of the list.
To Do (But Not All At Once…):
- Find bold or patterned fabric and DIY curtains using no-sew or simple sewing methods for the living room, future dining room, office, playroom, bedroom, hall sliders, guest room, and other spaces.
- Paint rooms gradually: small hallway, playroom, sunroom, hall bathroom, guest bathroom, and other areas as needed. We’re considering a cohesive whole-house color scheme and picking tones slowly over time.
- Stencil and refresh accents in the office and other rooms where subtle pattern would help.
- Paint or refinish dark wood trim and beams in key spaces to better balance furnishings and artwork.
- Remove unnecessary bi-fold doors, frost certain exterior-facing doors or windows for privacy, and remove dated shelves and trim that clutter sightlines.
- Prime and paint kitchen paneling, refinish or paint oak cabinets, update backsplash tile, and install new kitchen hardware.
- Refinish and reupholster an old rocker found used online, and transform miscellaneous secondhand finds into functional furniture.
- Hang mirrors in the office to create dry-erase message boards for projects and planning.
- Replace a number of light fixtures throughout the house to improve layering and mood lighting; add recessed lights where needed and update chandelier and pendants.
- Refinish exterior sliders and front door hardware in oil-rubbed bronze; plan to update interior hardware when time allows.
- Frame mirrors and paint bathroom vanities, add window treatments for privacy, and thoughtfully organize closet spaces.
- Create a charming outdoor area between the addition and the original house with a cutting garden and an alfresco dining deck—research, plan, and obtain permits before building.
- Install built-ins around laundry appliances to add mudroom functionality and storage.
- Frame porch columns for a simpler, chunkier look, paint exterior siding a moody gray with crisp white trim, and stain the porch floor for a finished look.
- Improve curb appeal with new landscaping: evergreen privacy plantings, curved garden beds, hydrangeas, and transplanted shrubs as needed.
- Update built-ins, add hardware, hang art grids, and install a ceiling medallion or other finishing touches in select rooms.
- Paint or update main bathroom features, add crown molding in select bedrooms and play areas, and experiment with wallpaper or subtle stenciling for accent walls.
- Chalkboard-paint a wall for kid-friendly creativity, build or buy a sandbox or baby pool for Clara, and add organizational hooks and storage near the laundry entry.
- Create a long bench for the foot of the bed, find vintage or thrifted hanging chairs for the sunroom, and hang lanterns or pendants to make the sunroom cozy.
- Build a more formal compost bin, refresh the rain barrel with paint and plantings, and create raised beds for an edible garden.
- Install string lights, a backyard swing, retrofit the playroom daybed with a trundle for sleepovers, and build a dollhouse and other play features for Clara.
- Hunt thrift or craigslist finds for bedside tables, replace or reupholster worn chairs, and acquire outdoor furniture and planters for patios and decks.
Long-Term Projects:
- Create a sizable paver patio on the side yard.
- Refinish wood floors throughout the house in a consistent shade for cohesion.
- Explore converting the kitchen fireplace into a double-sided unit that opens to the living room—get a mason’s opinion and estimates.
- Create a large opening between kitchen and dining areas, add a peninsula for eat-in seating and storage, and replace the carport with a garage that adds architectural interest.
- Add French doors where appropriate, build a deck, construct a swingset, consider roofline changes for curb appeal, and discuss a pool or sunken trampoline as long-term outdoor goals.
- Eventually transition Clara into a larger room if the nursery remains needed for a future sibling.
Furnishings To Save For:
- A proper queen bed for the main bedroom, a large sectional for the living room, and matching or refinished dressers found affordably.
- A longer media console or custom-built solution, larger rugs to anchor seating areas, and stools for the future kitchen peninsula.
- A round dining table, comfortable upholstered dining chairs, new textiles and accessories for bathrooms, and energy-efficient appliances when deals are available.
- New entry console furniture, statement chairs for the office (to repaint and reupholster), large outdoor dining furniture for a future deck, and a standout chandelier for the dining area.
Room-by-Room Progress (Estimated):
- Front Yard: 15% complete — basic pruning and plant removal done; much planting and shaping left.
- Carport: 0% complete — conversion to a garage is planned but pending design choices.
- Living Room: 70% complete — major pieces are in place; still want a larger media cabinet and some wall attention.
- Office: 75% complete — functional and styled, but could use a rug and window treatments.
- Hall Bathroom: 5% complete — small updates made but painting, mirror framing, and styling remain.
- Big Hallway: 90% complete — frame collage and console are finished; a runner and refinished floors are future ideas.
- Small Hallway: 0% complete — plans include wainscoting, crown molding, and lighting updates.
- Dining Room: 50% complete — furniture is mostly there; lighting and floor refinishing remain undone.
- Laundry Room: 90% complete — nearly finished and highly functional.
- Kitchen: 85% complete — many big items done; a few trim and finishing touches remain.
- Playroom and Sunroom: essentially starting from scratch — both need thorough clearing and planning.
- Clara’s Room: 80% complete — mostly done but can evolve over time.
- Master Bedroom: 35% complete — awaiting inspiration for paint, layout, and finishes.
- Master Bathroom: 80% complete — updated but phase-two improvements are planned.
- Guest Rooms and Bathrooms: 60% and 5% respectively — finishing, hardware, and styling remain.
- Basement Workshop: 0% complete — needs major decluttering and organization.
- Side Lot, Deck, Patio, Backyard: small steps taken on the patio; other outdoor areas require extensive work and design.
We’ll tackle much of this over the next few years — our first house took several years to feel truly finished — and we enjoy making progress one project at a time. Crossing items off the list is motivating, and mixing small wins with bigger projects keeps things fun and flexible.
Psst — check out the floor plan post for clarity on some of the layout ideas and visit the Current House page to see many of the completed projects mentioned above.
Psssst — adorable “I heart lists” stationery was found on Etsy.