We figured it was time to refresh our to-do list (first shared here) now that we’ve lived in the house for five months. We’ve crossed off quite a few items and added plenty more — the usual when you move into a place.
To stay organized we keep one master list. We circle smaller tasks we want to tackle right away, underline long-term projects we’re saving for, and cross things off as they’re completed. Seeing underlined items keeps us motivated to save for bigger changes, while checking off small wins helps us stay energized and makes the whole process feel manageable. Our approach is simple: write everything down, pick doable projects first, and save the costly or complex jobs for later.
We mostly work based on what we’re in the mood to do, unless something is urgent or a safety concern. Below is the updated list (updates and recently added projects are marked in red):
To Do (But Not All At Once…):
- Find saturated or patterned fabric and DIY no-sew curtains (using the method we used before) for the living room, future dining room, office, playroom, hall sliders, etc. — maybe sew some now.
- Paint several rooms over time: dining room, office, small hallway, kitchen, playroom, sunroom, hall bathroom, guest bathroom, and others. We’re still considering tones and an overall color scheme.
- Prime and paint the kitchen paneling (undecided on color).
- Redo the kitchen backsplash and shop around for tile and clearance options.
- Replace kitchen hardware, searching local stores, online options, and big-box sales.
- Prime and paint the oak kitchen cabinets using our tried method (color TBD).
- Refinish and reupholster the Craigslist rocker we picked up.
- Replace several light fixtures around the house (we’ve already changed a few, like the master bedroom and nursery fixtures, and removed some awkward ones).
- Refinish all door handles, hinges, and doorknobs in oil-rubbed bronze.
- Frame out the hall bathroom mirror and paint the vanity.
- Add curtains or frosting to the master bathroom window and possibly other bathroom windows; we added a large mirror above the sink to block the view for now.
- Create a cutting garden/alfresco dining area outside the sliders near the kitchen for potted herbs and casual dining.
- Build built-ins around the washer and dryer to create a mini mudroom function and replace cabinet doors with pull-out baskets or drop-down blinds.
- Paint the front door.
- Spray paint or stain the sectional legs for a more cohesive look — we used oil-rubbed bronze spray paint for a subtle finish.
- Frame porch columns to make them chunky and square instead of ornate.
- Plant evergreen trees around the perimeter for privacy and plan slower, budget-friendly plantings to allow time for them to fill in.
- Improve curb appeal with additional landscaping upgrades.
- Paint the back of the future dining room built-ins a fun, bright color and add new hardware to lower cabinet doors.
- Replace the guest bathroom medicine cabinet with a charming mirror.
- Remove the off-centered towel bar in the hall bathroom and repair or frame out the window base to hide damage.
- Hang a grid of frames above the sectional and work on affordable art solutions.
- Update and paint the base of the master bathroom vanity (we’ve already removed a chunky granite lip around the backsplash, hung a quatrefoil mirror, and painted the walls).
- Paint the dark brick fireplace in the kitchen using the method we used before.
- Add crown molding to the guest room, playroom, and nursery.
- Stencil or wallpaper a few areas (tone-on-tone patterns are appealing for spaces like the office, hall bathroom, or playroom).
- Chalkboard paint something for Clara — it’s too much fun to pass up.
- Stencil the inside of Clara’s closet and her ceiling for a subtle surprise.
- DIY a sandbox or baby pool for Clara.
- Add organizational features to the laundry room wall near the door: hooks for leashes, shoe storage, and maybe a painted wall calendar.
- Make or find a longer bench for the foot of the bed.
- Hunt for a vintage hanging chair for the sunroom and hang lanterns or paper pendants from the ceiling.
- Build a more formal compost bin and spray-paint or disguise the rain barrel with plantings.
- Create raised beds for an edible herb, veggie, and fruit garden.
- Make a beanbag for Clara’s closet reading nook.
- Frame out the mirrored bathroom door for a polished look.
- Install outdoor string lights on the patio and over the future deck, and hang a backyard swing from a tree.
- Retrofit the playroom daybed with a trundle for guest sleepovers.
- Build a play kitchen for Clara and paint large canvases to bring color to unfinished rooms like the dining room, office, and playroom.
- Search thrift stores and Craigslist for bedside tables to refinish for the master, and recover a leather Parsons chair with a fun slipcover.
- Add patio lighting and consider installing a clothesline for that fresh-line smell.
Long-term Projects (saving and planning):
- Refinish the house’s wood floors to one cohesive shade — considering mocha, dark brown, ebony, or charcoal.
- Explore converting the kitchen fireplace into a double-sided feature that opens to the living room and consult a mason for feasibility and cost.
- Create a large doorway between the kitchen and future dining room aligned with the dining room’s picture window.
- Design and build a custom island for the eat-in kitchen area near the fireplace.
- Convert the carport into a garage and choose a compelling garage door to add architectural interest to the ranch-style facade.
- Add French doors between the future dining room and the office for charm and privacy.
- Replace flooring in the kitchen and mudroom, possibly using cork.
- Build a deck, hopefully with help from family, and add a trellis arch around the new garage door with lush plantings.
- Install a swingset for Clara and maybe, someday, a DIY pool (a wild idea John questions).
- Consider a sunken trampoline flush with the ground for safety and aesthetics.
Furnishings to Save For:
- A queen-sized bed for the master (so we’re not sleeping on a mattress on the floor).
- A large charcoal gray U-shaped sectional for the living room.
- His-and-hers dressers or one larger dresser for the master — we ultimately decided one dresser was enough and inherited a family piece.
- A long console between the back wall and the sectional — we built a 12′ console table when we couldn’t find the right piece.
- A larger TV stand or media center that fits the space better, ideally thrifted or DIY.
- Rugs to define areas: a large rug for the living room and one for the master bedroom.
- Stools for a future kitchen island, potentially inexpensive options to reupholster.
- Dining room pieces: a round wooden table and comfy upholstered chairs for a casual, library-like feel (we already found chairs on Craigslist that still need refinishing).
- New shower curtains, towels, and accessories for bathrooms, and energy-efficient appliances when good deals appear.
- A new console for the entryway (we moved the previous one into the hallway off the kitchen).
- Patio furniture, planters, pillows, and a large wooden table for the deck, possibly built by us.
- A leggy armoire or tall cabinet for a weird nook near the bed and that West Elm capiz chandelier I’ve had my eye on for the island area.
We’ll tackle most of these over the next few years — our first house took about 4.5 years to complete — so there’s no rush. We’ve learned to enjoy the process and take things one project at a time. Crossing items off the list is energizing, and occasionally making text red for emphasis is pretty satisfying too. We don’t follow a strict order; we jump between rooms to stay excited and avoid feeling forced. After big projects we often take a breather and focus on smaller tasks, and sometimes we ride the momentum into the next big build. Whatever comes next, we’ll share it — whether it’s interesting, boring, comical, or a little disastrous.
Psst — see the floor plan post that clarifies some of the major layout plans we’ve listed, and check our Current House page to view many of the completed projects mentioned above.