At last—I’m taking a moment to lay out my plans and goals for the house this year. Writing them down helps me focus, so here’s what I’m tackling over the next several months.
When I moved into this home last year, there were a lot of things that needed attention. I spent months fixing the most glaring issues: removing dated paint colors, updating light fixtures, and addressing the things that immediately made the house feel like someone else’s. Those big, quick wins made the home feel livable, but there’s still plenty left to do.
Many rooms still need attention: the master bathroom (beyond a fresh coat of paint), the laundry room, guest bedroom, dining room (aside from paint), and the playroom. The powder bathroom received a new mirror and light, but other than that, most spaces await their turn. I’ll be working steadily to update each area, one project at a time.
I admire people who begin large-scale renovations right after moving in—those transformations are exciting to follow. My approach is different: first I make the house comfortable and appealing, then I plan the major renovations. Time, family responsibilities, and budget shape this pace. It’s mostly me doing the work while balancing motherhood, household management, and daily routines. With family visiting much of last year, some projects were put on hold.
Budget matters too. I don’t have an unlimited renovation fund, so I aim to balance affordable updates with investment pieces that will last. We plan to stay in this house for years, so I’m selective about splurges that will stand the test of time.
Last year I reviewed my goals quarterly. Because the holidays are chaotic and it’s already February, this year I’ll revisit goals every four months: January–April, May–August, and September–December. That gives structure while allowing flexibility.
How I Did on My Home Goals for 2020
I summarized most of last year’s progress in a before-and-after home tour, which documents the major changes I completed. If you want a full view of last year’s updates, that tour shows how much the house has changed in twelve months.
For reference, I divided last year’s goals into a series of posts that cover different projects and priorities.
My Home Goals for 2021, part 1
January through April
My priorities for the next four months focus heavily on exterior work and the garage. We mostly neglected the outside last year, so with warmer weather approaching, I’m ready to improve curb appeal and tidy the outdoor spaces.
1. Get an Estimate for Painting the Trim & Shutters
This is my first serious look at the home’s exterior. The house is a Cape Cod-style with genuine shutters and detailed trim, but much of the trim is painted a pale yellow that doesn’t reflect my style. I plan to obtain estimates to repaint the trim and shutters to freshen the exterior.
A power washer would do wonders for the front steps, so that’s on the short list too. Even the back porch trim is a light yellow at the moment, which I’d like to change.
I’m considering painting the porch ceiling a traditional “haint blue,” a light blue commonly used in Southern homes. For trim, I lean toward a crisp white, and for shutters and the front door I’m considering a soft charcoal. Before committing, I’ll test paint samples on poster board outside to view them in various light conditions.
Phase 1 will be updating the shutters, trim, and front light. Phase 2, further down the road, would be a full brick makeover with a limewash finish to lighten the brick. That is an ambition for a future budget cycle, and I’ve made mock-ups to visualize it.
2. Fix the Grass
Last summer a lawn service attempted weed control and ended up damaging our turf. The company failed to remedy the problem, leaving us with a brown, burned-looking yard and no immediate budget to resurrect it. We’ve since hired a new lawn care provider who recommends waiting until spring for repairs. Restoring the grass will dramatically improve curb appeal and make me much happier pulling into the driveway.
I’ll document the process and share what worked and how we restored healthy green lawn from the damage.
3. Finish the Kitchen Makeover
This kitchen refresh has taken longer than anticipated. The plan leans toward a traditional coastal style with neutral tones and soft blue-green accents. Progress is visible—holiday photos showed improvements—but a few finishing touches remain.
My biggest roadblock has been selecting counter stools that meet several requirements: swivel function, a supportive back, a weight capacity over 250 pounds, not upholstered, and visually appealing. After searching, I decided to save and purchase quality stools that meet all those criteria. They recently went on sale and I ordered them—shipping is slow these days, but they should arrive well before spring.
Another essential item is a stair runner that ties the entry and kitchen together. I plan to visit showrooms for samples this week and place an order soon so the overall flow of the main level feels cohesive.
Once the stools and runner are in place, the kitchen will be essentially complete for now. I’m considering replacing the faucet before a final reveal, but the faucet I want is pricey and could delay other projects, so I’ll weigh priorities before deciding.
4. Organize the Garage
I can’t tolerate the chaotic garage any longer. I typically plan projects the husband can help with in spring when his schedule is more flexible. We’ve organized a garage before, and it’s time to apply those lessons here with a mix of cabinets, open shelving, and wall storage to make the space functional.
We have a generous two-car garage but initially dumped everything in there when we moved. With proper organization, we should be able to park a vehicle inside again and keep the tools, seasonal items, and outdoor gear neatly stored.
What’s Missing?
You may notice the master bedroom refresh didn’t make this short-term list. It’s at a comfortable stopping point and I prioritized outdoor spring projects first. The bedroom may resume later this summer when I have more time.
Putting these goals into words immediately pushed me into action: I’ve already requested an estimate for exterior painting and begun garage-planning. Writing goals down matters—when you commit them to paper, momentum follows.
What are your home goals this year? I’d love to hear what you plan to tackle—share your priorities and projects in the comments.