Last Friday onthis postwe received a comment that sparked a fun idea: “I love your videos and it’s crazy to see the difference in YHL style from the first house to this house! If you wanted to do a side-by-side of rooms past and present, I wouldn’t hate it :)” – Sarah
We thought it sounded like a great idea too. So here it is: a room-by-room face-off — First house vs. Current house. Fair warning: the comparison is a bit uneven since we spent four and a half years finishing the first house and have only been in the current one for eight months. Think finished vs. in-progress — so give the new place a little slack. Most of the current house photos come from our House Tour page, which is why they have a “progress” feel. Ready? Cue the dramatic soundtrack.
The Front Yard, First House:
The Front Yard, Current House:
Winner: The first house. That one was a long-term project to transform from an earlier eyesore, and our current front yard still needs several seasons of work before it reaches the same charm. From some angles it still looks rough, so the edge goes to the first home for now.
The Front Porch, First House:
The Front Porch, Current House:
Winner: The first house. While we adore the current house’s yellow door, the first house had painted porch stripes and hanging ferns that we still miss. We have plans to refine the new porch, but for now the vintage porch details win.
The Living Room, First House:
The Living Room, Current House:
Winner: Our current house. Although it’s still a work in progress, we use this room daily. It’s comfortable and family-friendly — the big sofa, the rug, and the little pedestal table by the window make it our go-to room for lounging, playing, and even casual meals.
The Kitchen, First House:
The Kitchen, Current House:
Winner: Tie. The first kitchen charmed us with granite counters, white cabinets, and stainless steel appliances, but it was compact. The new kitchen is much more spacious and full of potential — a fireplace and room for an eat-in area — and once we open it up to the dining room, upgrade appliances and cabinets, it could easily take the lead. For now, beauty vs. space results in a tie.
The Hallway, First House:
The Hallway, Current House:
Winner: Current house. We love the light and width of the new hallway and the family gallery wall of frames that adds warmth and personality to the space.
The Spare Bedroom, First House:
The Spare Bedroom, Current House:
Winner: The first house. The spare room in the first house was tidy and calm — a daybed and desk made it functional without feeling chaotic. The current one still needs more organizing to reach that same tranquility.
The Nursery (Formerly The Third Bedroom), First House:
The Nursery, Current House:
Winner: Current house (narrowly). We were deeply sentimental about the nursery where we brought Clara home in the first house, but the current room benefits from a larger closet that’s been turned into a cozy reading nook — a practical win that tips the scales.
The Master Bedroom, First House:
The Master Bedroom, Current House:
Winner: Current house. Even at about 20% finished, the master feels special. Sleeping under the chandelier and having a connected master bath and a walk-in closet are major upgrades. We’ll always cherish the built-ins from the first house, but the current master wins for comfort and layout.
The Master Bathroom (located in the hall), First House:
The Master Bathroom (actually attached to our bedroom this time), Current House:
Winner: First house. The renovated hall bathroom in the first house was a complete gut-and-redo we adored. The new en-suite is promising but untouched, so the craftsmanship and charm of the earlier renovation hold the edge for now.
The Office/Guest Bedroom/Playroom, First House:
The Office & Guest Bedroom (now separate rooms), Current House:
Winner: Current house. The first house’s multifunctional office was charming but tiny and awkward when guests stayed over. Having separate, dedicated spaces for an office and a cheerful guest room (with its own bath) in the current house is far more practical for everyday life.
The Den, First House:
Winner: The first house. Our den there was one of our favorite rooms — cozy and intimate. The current house combines many functions into a single large living space, which works for us, but we still miss that second, separate den.
Dining Room, Current House:
Winner: Current house. The built-ins painted a moody dark teal and the curtains are favorites — plus the first house never really had a proper dining room after we converted a space into a bedroom. A real dining room is a clear win.
The Laundry Area, First House:
Laundry Area, Current House:
Winner: Current house. The new laundry area feels brighter and cheerier, and we’ve avoided turning it into a clutter station. It’s narrow but functional, and folding laundry in the living room is oddly more pleasant than at a long counter by the door.
The Hall Bathroom, First House:
Hall Bathroom, Current House:
Winner: First house (style) — Current house (function). The striped wallpaper and glass chandelier in the old hall bath were delightful, but the new hall bath includes a tub, which is essential for Clara’s baths. For now we give style points to the first house and practicality to the current one.
The Sunroom, First House:
The Sunroom, Current House:
Winner: First house. The original sunroom still feels more finished and inviting. The new one has potential and a long list of improvements, so it may catch up in time.
The Patio, First House:
The Patio, Current House:
Winner: Current house. The new patio is more spacious and shaded, and we built it ourselves — that DIY pride gives it the nod over the first house’s professionally installed patio.
The Basement, First House:
The Basement, Current House:
Winner: First house. We’ve invested more time finishing the first basement, so it feels more complete. The current basement holds promise, but it’s still waiting for us to tackle it.
The Backyard, First House:
The Backyard, Current House:
Winner: First house. We miss the flat grassy area surrounded by woods in the first yard. With time and landscaping, we hope to create a similar play space at the current house.
So that’s our run-through. The final tally lands close — roughly 9 to 8 in favor of the first house — but many rooms in the current home are still evolving. Comparing rooms side-by-side was a fun way to see how our style has shifted over time: some spaces favor the warm, tone-on-tone look we developed in our first house, while others reflect the new home’s layout and future plans. Thanks for the suggestion, Sarah — it was an entertaining exercise. Have you ever compared photos of an old house next to your current one? It’s surprising how much your aesthetic can change while still carrying echoes of earlier choices.
Psst — a full source list for nearly every item and paint color from our first house can be found on our room-by-room source page (we’re still compiling the same for our current house).