Wahoo! A list post — my favorite. I do love lists.
Alright, now that I’ve gotten that out of my system, I’ll continue without the excessive exclamation points and stretched-out vowels.
People have been asking what we’ll tackle next and in what order. The truth is: it depends on our mood and what supplies we have on hand. For big projects we save up and plan carefully, but for smaller changes (which we recommend doing first so you can live with the house a bit before making big choices you might regret) we usually dive in and learn as we go. That approach has kept us from being paralyzed by indecision. We’ll hang frames and move them if we don’t like the placement. We’ll pick paint colors and rearrange furniture until it feels right. We’ll post photos and details as things happen. For fun — and because I’m a list-making fiend — here are the scattered bullet points from my notebook by the bed.
My method: write everything down in list form, circle the small tasks we can do right away, cross them off as they’re completed, and underline the long-term projects we’ll save for. Checking the underlined items keeps us motivated to set money aside, and seeing crossed-off tasks reminds us that small steps keep momentum going. Bite-sized projects add up, and before you know it your house can become the home you love. Here’s the list:
To Do (But Not All At Once…):
- Make no-sew curtains from bold, saturated or patterned fabric for various rooms (living room, future dining room, office, guest bedroom, playroom, bedroom, hall sliders, etc.).
- Paint every room over time — we’re considering a coordinated whole-house color scheme.
- Paint dark wood trim (beams, baseboards, crown molding) in the living room and kitchen; we prefer glossy white to natural wood.
- Remove unnecessary bi-fold doors (already completed).
- Frost the side door window that looks into the kitchen (completed; details coming soon).
- Take down the shelves next to the fireplace (project completed; will share soon).
- Prime and paint the kitchen paneling (still deciding on a color).
- Redo the kitchen backsplash — looking for good tile deals and clearance finds.
- Replace kitchen hardware — checking local and online options for the best price.
- Prime and paint oak kitchen cabinets (color TBD).
- Refinish and reupholster a Craigslist rocker and find a cozy spot for it.
- Recover the leather Parsons chair near the white desk with a bright fabric slipcover.
- Replace several light fixtures throughout the house.
- Remove door handles, hinges, and knobs and spray them with oil-rubbed bronze finish.
- Frame the mirror in the hall bathroom.
- Paint the vanity in the hall bathroom.
- Hang a thick velvet curtain in front of the walk-in closet.
- Wallpaper or stencil the sink nook in the master bedroom.
- Frost or add curtains to the master bathroom window (and possibly the other bathroom windows).
- Turn the area between the addition and the old house (near the kitchen sliders) into an outdoor cutting garden — share planting details in spring.
- Build built-ins around the washer and dryer to add mudroom functionality; replace upper cabinet doors with pull-out baskets or drop-fronts.
- Paint the front door.
- Frame porch columns so they’re chunky and square instead of ornate.
- Plant evergreen trees around the property edge for privacy; choose smaller, affordable plants and be patient while they fill in.
- Improve curb appeal with landscaping upgrades.
These ones are circled:
- Paint the backs of the future dining room built-ins in a fun, bright color.
- Update and paint the master bathroom vanity.
- Replace the guest bathroom’s medicine cabinet with a charming mirror.
- Paint the kitchen’s dark brick fireplace.
- Paint the master bedroom.
These ones are underlined:
- Refinish the home’s wood floors in a single cohesive shade (consider dark brown, ebony, or light gray).
- Explore converting the kitchen fireplace to a double-sided unit that opens into the living room — consult a mason for feasibility and an estimate.
- Widen the doorway between the kitchen and living room.
- Create a large opening between the kitchen and future dining room aligned with the widened kitchen-to-living-room entrance.
- Build or adapt a custom island for the eat-in area near the fireplace.
- Convert the carport into a garage and choose a striking garage door to add architectural interest.
- Add French doors between the future dining room and office for privacy and charm.
- Replace flooring in the kitchen and mudroom/laundry room (consider cork).
Furnishings To Slowly Save Up For:
- Queen-sized bed for the master (so we don’t sleep on a mattress on the floor anymore).
- Large charcoal gray U-shaped sectional for the living room once space allows.
- Bigger TV stand/media center for the living room — likely thrifted or DIY to save money.
- A large rug to define the living room seating area (sizes under consideration).
- Stylish stools for the future kitchen island, possibly reupholstered for a custom look.
- Large round wooden pedestal table for the dining room with an expandable leaf to seat many guests.
- Comfortable, upholstered chairs for the dining table (leaning toward parsons-style for a relaxed, library-like vibe).
- New shower curtains, towels, and accessories for the hall and guest bathrooms.
- Energy-efficient appliances for the kitchen and laundry — waiting for seasonal deals or scratch-and-dent finds.
- A full-size bed frame, mattress, and box spring for the guest room, plus a DIY headboard.
- A large cabinet or console for the hallway off the kitchen — thrifted and refinished if possible.
- A better-sized console table for the front entryway to define the space.
- His-and-hers dressers for the master that we can refinish — hunting for great thrift or Craigslist finds.
In short: we write everything down, handle the approachable tasks first, and save for the larger projects. Priorities usually follow our current mood unless safety or urgent needs require otherwise. We jump between rooms to stay inspired instead of feeling forced into a strict order.
You’ll see projects ranging from DIY curtains and paint jobs to larger renovations and small decorative updates. We’ll share details as each project unfolds over the next few years — our last house took 4.5 years to feel “finished,” and there are always tweaks to be made. Off to the home improvement store again for supplies — there’s no place like Home Depot. Sometimes I wish I had red sparkly shoes to click three times and be transported straight to the hardware aisle.
Psst — adorable “I heart lists” stationery was spotted on Etsy.
Pssst — we’ve also shared a floor plan post that helps make some of the major layout changes and renovation ideas clearer.