We thought it was time to update our home project to-do list (originally shared here), now that we’ve lived in the house for five months and crossed off several items—while inevitably adding many more. Below is a cleaned-up, organized version of our list: small, medium, and big projects, plus longer-term plans and furnishings we’re slowly saving for.
How we stay organized: we write everything on one big list, circle the quick wins, underline long-term investments, and cross things off as we finish them. Tackling bite-sized projects keeps momentum, while the underlined goals help us save up and stay excited about bigger changes. We don’t follow a strict order—usually we work on what we’re in the mood for unless there’s a safety or urgent priority.
To Do (But Not All At Once):
- Find saturated or patterned fabrics and DIY no-sew curtains for the living room, future dining room, office, playroom, hall sliders, etc. (may sew some later; method linked here).
- Paint: dining room, office, small hallway, kitchen, playroom, sunroom, hall bathroom, guest bathroom — and continue painting rooms gradually as funds and inspiration allow (colors referenced in a whole-house color scheme post here).
- Gray-wash or paint dark wood trim and beams where appropriate (we gray-washed the living room beams and like the balance it creates with the sectional).
- Remove unnecessary bi-fold doors.
- Frost the side door that looks into the kitchen.
- Remove built-in shelves next to the living room fireplace where they don’t fit the plan.
- Prime and paint the kitchen paneling using this kitchen-paneling method: how to paint wood paneling.
- Redo the kitchen backsplash (research tile options including overstock and local clearance).
- Replace kitchen hardware; scout local, online, and big-box stores for deals.
- Prime and paint oak kitchen cabinets using this cabinet method: how to paint your kitchen cabinets.
- Refinish and reupholster the Craigslist rocker we’ve been saving.
- Replace light fixtures throughout the house (we’ve already updated the master bedroom and nursery fixtures and removed a few awkward ceiling fans).
- Refinish door hardware (handles, hinges, knobs) in oil-rubbed bronze.
- Frame out the mirror and paint the vanity in the hall bathroom.
- Install a drapey curtain at the walk-in closet entrance and better organize the closet and dresser (we finally tackled this).
- Paint or stencil the master sink nook so it blends with the bedroom (we painted it to match for now).
- Frost or add window treatments to the master bathroom and other bathroom windows (we added a mirror above the bedroom sink to help block the view for now).
- Create an outdoor cutting garden/alfresco dining area near the sliders off the addition; use potted herbs and planters where light allows.
- Build built-ins around the washer and dryer to add mudroom function and swap upper cabinet doors for pull-out baskets or drop-down blinds.
- Paint the front door.
- Refinish sectional legs (we used oil-rubbed bronze spray paint for a subtle metallic look).
- Frame porch columns to make them chunkier and cleaner-looking.
- Plant evergreen trees around the property for privacy and enhance curb appeal with additional landscaping.
- “Wallpaper” the big hallway with a mixed grid of white frames for a gallery effect.
- Paint the back of the future dining room built-ins a fun accent color and add new hardware to the bottom cabinets.
- Replace the guest bathroom medicine cabinet with a decorative mirror.
- Remove the off-centered towel bar in the hall bathroom and frame out the window base to conceal damage.
- Hang a grid of Ribba-style frames above the living room sectional and create an affordable art solution.
- Hang a ceiling medallion in Clara’s nursery to hide cracks.
- Further update the master bathroom vanity base (we removed the chunky granite lip, hung a quatrefoil mirror, and painted the walls).
- Paint the dark kitchen brick fireplace following this method: how to paint a brick fireplace.
- Add crown molding to the guest room, playroom, and nursery.
- Stencil or wallpaper a subtle, tone-on-tone pattern in places like the office, hall bathroom, or playroom.
- Paint a chalkboard surface somewhere the kids can use—too much fun to pass up.
- Stencil the inside of Clara’s closet and her ceiling for a playful surprise.
- DIY a sandbox or baby pool for Clara.
- Add organization in the laundry room entry area—hooks for dog leashes, shoe storage, and a wall calendar painted on the wall.
- Make or buy a longer bench for the foot of the master bed; ours is too small.
- Find a vintage hanging chair for the sunroom and hang lanterns or paper pendants from the ceiling for atmosphere.
- Build a more formal compost bin and paint or camouflage the rain barrel with plants in front of it.
- Create raised beds for an edible herb, veggie, and fruit garden.
- Make a beanbag and a little reading nook in Clara’s closet.
- Frame the mirrored bathroom door for a more polished look.
- Install string lights on the patio and over the future deck; hang a backyard swing from a sturdy tree.
- Retrofit the playroom daybed to accommodate a pull-out trundle for sleepovers.
- Build a play kitchen for Clara.
- Paint large canvases to add color to the dining room, office, or playroom.
- Hunt thrifted or Craigslist bedside tables to refinish for the master, ideally with drawers for hidden storage.
- Recover the leather Parsons chair at the white desk with a bright, fun slipcover.
- Add patio lighting (large clear bulbs and path lights) and install a clothesline for that fresh-dried smell.
Long-term Projects (underlined on our list):
- Create a 300 sq. ft. paver patio on the side of the house.
- Refinish all wood floors to a single cohesive stain (mocha, dark brown, ebony, or charcoal).
- Convert the kitchen fireplace into a double-sided fireplace that opens to the living room (consult a mason and get estimates).
- Create a large opening between the kitchen and future dining room aligned with the dining room picture window.
- Design and build a custom island for the eat-in area of the kitchen.
- Convert the carport into an enclosed garage and pick a stylish garage door to add architectural interest.
- Install French doors between the future dining room and the office for privacy and charm.
- Replace flooring in the kitchen and mudroom/laundry (consider cork).
- Add a trellis arch around the new garage door and build a deck, ideally with help from family.
- Build a swingset for Clara and consider roofline adjustments out front to add peaks and better balance the house’s profile.
- Dream projects: a DIY pool and a sunken, flush-to-ground trampoline (far away from a pool) — ambitious but noted for future consideration.
Furnishings to Save For:
- A queen-sized bed for the master (we currently sleep on a mattress on the floor).
- A large charcoal gray U-shaped sectional for the living room (a long-time dream).
- Dressers for the master—ideally thrifted pieces we can refinish; we ultimately kept just one dresser and inherited a hand-me-down.
- A long console to sit behind the sectional—we built a 12′ console when we couldn’t find the right piece.
- A larger TV stand or media center for the living room (thrifted, Craigslist, or DIY).
- Large rugs to define seating areas in the living room and master bedroom (8×10 or 9×11).
- Stools for the future kitchen island (refinish or reupholster budget finds).
- A round wooden pedestal table for the future dining room.
- Upholstered parsons-style dining chairs for a library-casual look (we found inexpensive Craigslist chairs that still need upholstery).
- New shower curtains, towels, and accessories for the hall bath.
- Energy-efficient kitchen appliances (and possibly laundry appliances), watching Craigslist, scratch-and-dent, and sales for deals.
- Guest room furnishings including a full-sized bed, mattress, and box spring.
- A new console table for the entryway (we repurposed our old one into the hallway off the kitchen).
- Two statement chairs for the office (we found chairs at an antique shop that still need paint and upholstery).
- Patio furniture, planters, and outdoor cushions.
- A tall cabinet or armoire for the awkward nook left of the bed.
- The West Elm capiz-style chandelier for the future kitchen island and a large wooden table for the future deck (DIY possibility).
We’ll tackle this list over the next few years—our first house took 4½ years to finish—so we’re in no rush. We enjoy the process: alternating between big projects and small wins keeps things fun, and crossing things off the list is always satisfying. For a layout reference that clarifies some of the major changes and renovations above, see the floor plan post linked here. To view photos of many completed projects, visit our Current House gallery here.
P.S. — Adorable “I heart lists” stationery used for the list was found on Etsy.