I can’t believe it’s already time for another home goals update. These posts are some of my favorites because they help me zero in on what matters most and keep projects from wandering all over the house.
Writing down just three or four priorities for the next few months makes a big difference. When I treat home projects the same way I treat my daily planner—choosing a few key tasks and focusing on them—I actually finish more. If you tend to hop from one thing to another and rarely complete anything, try this method. It works.
Last year I planned goals by quarter, but this year I switched to three four-month blocks: January–April, May–August, and September–December. The last few months of the year tend to be taken over by holidays, and some projects simply needed more than three months to wrap up.
What I started in January ended up mostly happening in April: we focused on outdoor projects, mainly repainting the trim and shutters and redoing the front yard. I’m happy to say both are finished, and they made a dramatic difference in curb appeal.
Here’s a closer look at how those goals went and what’s on the list next.
How I Did on My Home Goals for 2021, Part 1
Below I’ll report back on each goal from the last four months. If you want to read the original goals post, it’s available on the blog. Many of these projects wrapped up recently, so I haven’t had a chance to post full before-and-after write-ups yet, but those posts are coming.
January through April
Most of my focus during this period was on the exterior. We neglected the garage and the yard last year, so spring felt like the right time to tackle both.
1. Get an Estimate for Painting the Trim and Shutters
I expected this to be a long process—finding a painter, choosing colors, getting HOA approval, and waiting for good weather—but everything came together much faster than I thought.
The trim, shutters, and front door have been repainted, and I absolutely love the result. Seeing the house with its new colors brings a genuine smile every time I pull into the driveway. I’ll share the full reveal and the steps we took in an upcoming post.
If you want a quick peek, I shared a brief update in a recent painting post.
2. Fix the Grass
Last summer a yard company damaged our front lawn and wouldn’t correct it, so we decided to sod the front yard. It was a big decision, but necessary.
The sod arrived the last weekend of April, and my husband and a team of his wrestlers handled the installation. They did a great job and we’ve been watering diligently while the new turf establishes roots. It’s already greener, but it will be a few weeks before we can start mowing. I’ll document what we learned and share a full update once it’s settled in.
3. Finish the Kitchen Makeover
This was the smallest item on the list, but it turned into the longest mini-makeover. The remaining tasks were simple: install a stair runner and get bar stools for the island.
The stair runner was ordered, but a measurement error meant there wasn’t enough to finish the top steps. The installer reordered and bound the extra piece, so we finally expect it to be installed soon. As for the bar stools, I ordered replacements earlier in the year and they’re scheduled to ship mid-June. Delays are part of the furniture world right now, but I’m excited to celebrate once the kitchen is truly finished.
You can review the original kitchen mood board for context on the direction I chose.
4. Organize the Garage
The garage is mostly organized now. A few final touches remain before I photograph and write the post, but the transformation is already impressive. Simple, smart organization can make a huge difference in a space.
Stay tuned for that reveal.
While I finish photographing and writing up the projects above, I’ll be starting on the next set of goals below.
Home Goals for 2021, Part 2
With most of the earlier tasks completed, I’ve planned a new set of smaller projects for the next four months. I usually aim for three to four updates in a 3–4 month span; that pace fits my time and budget best. Choose a rhythm that works for you and stick with it—comparison rarely helps.
This round I’m focusing on smaller makeovers that should be easier to finish.
May through August
1. More Updates to the Front of the House
Now that the sod and paint are complete, I want to refine the rest of the exterior details to improve curb appeal.
- Landscaping. Our flower beds need a professional touch—planting, mulching, and general design to make them cohesive and low-maintenance.
- Planters. I plan to move the DIY planters I made to the back yard and install new, classic planters at the front door—possibly with faux boxwoods for year-round structure.
- New porch light. I’ve been considering a lantern-style fixture for the stoop and want to pick the right scale.
- Power wash the driveway and sidewalk. I’ve already pressure-washed the front steps and saw a huge improvement; the driveway and sidewalk are next.
I’m picturing a classic look: a well-proportioned lantern, matching planters with boxwood topiaries, a neat welcome mat, and an American flag for a polished, welcoming entrance.
2. Mini Powder Room Makeover
Small rooms are perfect for bold choices, and I love adding big personality to powder rooms or laundry rooms. I’ve collected inspiration and plan to update the lighting, mirror, and wall treatment—probably wallpaper with an accent like board-and-batten.
Plan of action:
- Replace the light fixture.
- Add a wall treatment. Wallpaper is likely, possibly combined with a board-and-batten detail.
- Swap the mirror.
I’m excited to start—small rooms can make a big impact with a few thoughtful changes.
3. Mini Butler’s Pantry Makeover
Another mini makeover: the butler’s pantry sits between the kitchen and laundry room and offers great storage and display opportunities. I plan to make it bold yet coordinated with the adjacent spaces.
What I’ll do here:
- Wallpaper all walls. It should complement the kitchen, dining room, and laundry room from all sightlines.
- Repair the glass in one cabinet. A door was damaged early on and needs new glass.
- Paint the countertops. I’ve never painted counters before, but this small area feels like a good place to try it.
- Replace the light fixture. (Already completed.)
- Update hardware to match the kitchen. (Also completed.)
I’ve started by updating the hardware and lighting, and I love having a spot to display my great-grandmother’s crystal collection.
4. New Window Treatments in the Upstairs Rooms
The girls’ bedroom and the playroom have dormer windows that look cute from the outside but don’t block light. The existing tie-back curtains offer charm but no room-darkening. I swapped one window covering already and it didn’t fit well, so the plan now is to find treatments that look good from the street and provide better light control—likely a well-fitted roman shade or similar solution.
That’s the plan for now. I’ll try to complete these projects over the summer, though family schedules will make timing tight. If the kids are at camp for a few days, I might be surprisingly productive.
Time to start ordering supplies and booking pros. What home projects are you tackling right now? Share in the comments below—I’d love to hear what you’re working on.