Our Home To-Do List and Progress Report

Note: This is our working document for home projects — a running list of small tasks and big plans that helps us decide what to tackle next.

How We Keep Track

We manage everything in a single long document: small items get circled to tackle right away, completed items are crossed off, and long-term projects live in their own section until we have the time and budget to move forward. Seeing little wins—those crossed-off items—keeps us motivated, while the longer-term goals remind us what we’re saving for. We usually pick projects based on mood and momentum rather than a strict order, and we alternate big projects with smaller ones so we don’t burn out.

To Do (But Not All At Once…)

• Find saturated or patterned fabric and DIY curtains (no-sew or simple sewing methods) for various rooms, including the office and playroom.
• Paint multiple rooms over time: small hallway, sunroom, hall bathroom, guest bathroom, and other spaces as needed. We’re gradually testing tones for a cohesive whole-house palette.
• Stencil the office walls
• Paint the dark wood trim in the living room — we gray-washed the beams instead to balance the sectional and prevent too much white.
• Remove unnecessary bi-fold doors
• Frost the kitchen side door window
• Remove shelves next to the living room fireplace
• Prime and paint the kitchen paneling
• Redo the kitchen backsplash
• Replace kitchen hardware
• Prime and paint the oak kitchen cabinets
• Refinish and reupholster a rescued rocker
• Hang mirrors in the office to use as dry-erase/message boards
• Replace numerous light fixtures throughout the house and add recessed lighting and pendants in the kitchen.
• Refinish exterior door hardware in oil-rubbed bronze; interior hardware is still pending.
• Frame out the mirror and paint the vanity in the hall bathroom.
• Hang a curtain in front of the walk-in closet
• Organize closet and dresser storage
• Paint the sink nook in the main bedroom to help it blend
• Frost or add curtains to the bathroom window
• Turn the area between the addition and the old house into an outdoor cutting garden and alfresco dining spot with a deck; research and permitting are next steps.
• Build built-ins around the washer and dryer for mudroom function
• Paint the front door
• Remove an awkward mirror in the guest bathroom
• Spray paint or stain sectional legs for a more finished look
• Frame porch columns to make them chunkier and more substantial.
• Paint the exterior siding a moody gray and trim a crisp white; stain the porch concrete for a cleaner look.
• Plant evergreens around the property for privacy and improve curb appeal with new landscaping (curved beds, plantings, hydrangeas, etc.).
• Trim the magnolia that blocked much of the front of the house
• Gallery wall the big hallway with mixed white frames
• Paint the back of the future dining room built-ins a fun color
• Update built-in cabinet hardware
• Replace the guest bathroom medicine cabinet with a mirror
• Remove an off-center towel bar and repair the window base
• Hang a grid of frames above the living room sectional
• Install a ceiling medallion in Clara’s nursery to hide cracks
• Update and paint the main bathroom vanity as a phased project; remaining trim and tiling will be Phase 2.
• Paint the dark brick fireplace in the kitchen
• Add crown molding to the guest room, playroom, and nursery.
• Try wallpaper or stencil (maybe tone-on-tone in the hall bathroom or playroom).
• Paint a chalkboard surface somewhere for family use.
• Stencil the inside of Clara’s closet and her ceiling
• DIY a sandbox or baby pool for Clara.
• Add organization to the laundry room wall (hooks, shoe storage, ironing board storage)
• Acquire or build a longer bench for the foot of our bed.
• Find a vintage hanging chair for the sunroom and hang lanterns or paper pendants from the ceiling.
• Build a more formal compost bin
• Paint the rain barrel to help it blend and plant around it.
• Create raised beds for herbs, vegetables, and fruit.
• Make a beanbag and cozy reading nook in Clara’s closet
• Frame out the mirrored bathroom door for a polished look
• Install string lights on the patio and over a future deck; hang a backyard swing from a tree.
• Retrofit the playroom daybed with a trundle for sleepovers.
• Build a play kitchen for Clara
• Build a dollhouse for Clara.
• Paint large canvases to add color to rooms like the dining room, office, and playroom.
• Hunt thrifted bedside tables and recover or replace an oversized leather chair
• Add pathway and patio lighting and install a clothesline for fresh-air laundry.

Long-Term Projects

• Create a 300 sq. ft. paver patio
• Refinish wood floors throughout the house in a consistent tone (options: mocha, dark brown, charcoal).
• Explore converting the kitchen fireplace to a double-sided fireplace that opens into the living room.
• Create a large doorway between the kitchen and future dining room
• Build a kitchen peninsula for an eat-in area and extra storage
• Convert the carport into a garage and choose an appropriate door to add architectural interest.
• Add French doors between the future dining room and the office.
• Replace kitchen and mudroom flooring with cork
• Add a trellis arch around the new garage door for curb appeal.
• Plan and build a deck, hopefully with family help this spring.
• Build a swingset for Clara and consider changing the front roofline for better curb presence.
• Some day (if we’re brave) DIY a pool; a sunken trampoline is another future idea.
• Eventually transition Clara to the playroom as her big-girl room if our family grows.

Furnishings to Save For

• A queen bed for the main bedroom (we’re still sleeping on a mattress on the floor).
• A large charcoal gray U-shaped sectional for the living room.
• Dressers we can refinish, ideally thrifted or found on classifieds.
• A long console or media cabinet suitable for the living room; we may build one ourselves.
• A larger TV/media center to replace a too-small current stand.
• Large rugs to define the living and bedroom seating areas.
• Stools for a future kitchen peninsula and a giant round wooden table for the dining room.
• New shower curtains, towels, and bathroom accessories.
• Energy-efficient appliances when we find good deals on scratch-and-dent or classifieds.
• Patio furniture, planters, and a large dining table for the deck.
• A statement chandelier for over the dining table that we might DIY.

Room-by-Room Progress

• Front yard: 15% complete — front door painted, magnolia trimmed, some shrubs removed; more planting and shaping to do.
• Carport: 0% complete — waiting on design decisions for a garage conversion.
• Living room: 70% complete — major pieces in place but walls and media storage still need attention.
• Office: 75% complete — built-in desk and seating make it functional; windows and a rug remain.
• Hall bathroom: 5% complete — small improvements done; a full update is planned.
• Big hallway: 90% complete — happy with the gallery and console; possibly add a runner later.
• Small hallway: 0% complete — thinking wainscoting, crown molding, lighting, and floor refinishing.
• Dining room: 50% complete — table and built-ins are in place; entrance area and light fixture remain.
• Laundry room: 90% complete — one of the most finished spaces.
• Kitchen: 85% complete — painted cabinets and new flooring are in; finishing touches and rugs are next.
• Playroom: 0% complete — currently needs a lot of clearing and planning.
• Clara’s room: 80% complete — mostly finished with a few decorative and trim updates left.
• Sunroom: 0% complete — clutter needs clearing before design can begin.
• Our bedroom: 35% complete — waiting for inspiration and some furniture/finish updates.
• Our bathroom: 80% complete — nearer to finished but a Phase 2 is planned for floor tile and trim.
• Guest bedroom: 60% complete — painted and furnished with leftover pieces; more decorating and refinishing planned.
• Guest bathroom: 5% complete — just the basics done; much more to do.
• Basement workshop: 0% complete — currently a storage and scrap situation that needs organization.
• Side lot: 2% complete — plan is to naturalize and create a small orchard-style area.
• Deck: 2% complete — research and permits are the current focus.
• Patio: 60% complete — hardscape is done but plantings and finishing touches remain.
• Backyard: 0% complete — a big project in the future.

We expect to complete much of this over the next few years. Our first house took 4.5 years, so we’re comfortable taking the time. The list keeps us organized and excited: we jump between projects to keep things fun, and celebrate the small wins along the way.