It’s time to set a few new goals for upcoming home projects and to reflect on the work completed over the last four months. Sharing this recap helps me stay organized with planning and budgeting, and writing down my top three or four priorities for the coming months always makes projects feel more achievable.
A few years ago I began listing annual home goals each January, but I’d often forget them as the year went on. Last year I tried quarterly goals, but found a four‑month rhythm works better for keeping priorities fresh. This year I planned three small planning sessions, and already we’re at the end of the second period—time to review!
If you want to catch up, you can here:
- Home Goals 2021, Part 1
- Home Goals Part 1 Update
- Home Goals 2021, Part 2
- One Year: Before & After Home Tour
Let’s take a look back at the goals I set in April and what I accomplished.
HOW I DID ON MY HOME GOALS FOR 2021, PART 2
When you’re renovating or updating a home, it’s important to pause occasionally and recognize progress. Coming into this review I felt like I hadn’t done much over the past four months—but that wasn’t true. Looking back made me appreciate the small wins and the momentum they build.
May through August
The big milestone for this period was finishing my kitchen refresh. It wasn’t a full remodel—mostly cosmetic and functional updates—but it took nearly a year to complete and I’m thrilled to have it off the list. The kitchen now feels bright, organized, and complete.
1. More Updates to the Front of the House
After installing new sod and painting the trim, shutters, and doors in the spring, I was eager to complete a few finishing touches on the exterior.
We made several improvements to the curb appeal that really elevated the look:
- Landscaping: We hired a professional to tidy up the beds and prune plants. The cleanup made a noticeable difference.
- Planters: I added new planters to the front porch and shared them in a mini‑makeover post.
- New porch light: We replaced the porch light to coordinate with the refreshed trim and hardware.
- Driveway and sidewalk power wash: This is still on the to‑do list; we’ll likely hire a professional to power wash and seal the driveway later.
I absolutely love how the exterior looks now—it’s the first impression for guests and it brightens my day every time I pull into the driveway. While curb appeal may not feel glamorous, it’s one of the best investments for enjoyment and resale value.
2. Mini Powder Room Makeover
I wanted the tiny powder room to have big personality, so I focused on decor and finishing touches rather than structural changes. The result is dramatic and cheerful—I’m obsessed with how it turned out.
See the full powder room reveal here.
That wraps up the progress I made this season—small projects, thoughtful updates, and a finished kitchen to enjoy.
3. Mini Butler’s Pantry Makeover
I had hoped to tackle the butler’s pantry too, but decided it makes more sense to update it alongside the dining room so the spaces flow together. You’ll see more about the dining room plans below.
4. New Window Treatments in the Upstairs Rooms
This goal was postponed while my daughters shared a bedroom and used the adjacent room as a playroom. Now they want separate rooms again, so I’ll finalize window treatment choices after we settle on each room’s decor.
HOME GOALS FOR 2021, PART 3
For the September–December stretch I’m setting practical planning goals so we can move quickly on larger projects in January. Fall and early winter are busy with holidays and birthdays, so now is the time to plan, budget, and source items rather than start big renovations.
I have big plans for the dining room and adjacent spaces, so this season is all about design work and preparation.
September Through December
1. Plan for Dining Room Makeover
I’m really excited about transforming the dining room since it’s visible from the entry and from my desk. After experimenting with bolder decor in the powder room, I’m ready to push myself further—so much so that I’m considering hiring a designer for the first time to help bring the vision to life.
Shortly after we moved in I’d painted the upper walls Kendall Charcoal, but the furniture and layout weren’t right for this space. The family dining suite stays (it’s been in my family for generations), so I’m designing around the antiques and planning a layered, elegant update.
Planned elements for the dining room makeover include:
- Two‑tone paint
- Large brass mirror
- Wall sconces
- New light fixture
- Custom draperies
- Custom chair seat covers
- Wallpaper accent
- Styled china cabinet decor
- New rug consideration
I’m designing around the antique furniture, and I can’t wait to share the full before‑and‑after story when work begins.
P.S. The round mirror that used to hang in the dining room is safe—I now have it in the hallway outside the kitchen where it still gets plenty of love.
2. Plan the Butler’s Pantry Makeover
The butler’s pantry sits between the entry and dining room and is visible from the front door, so it needs to coordinate with the dining room overhaul. I’ll plan finishes and storage solutions so the two spaces read as one cohesive design.
3. Plan the Laundry Room Makeover
The laundry room connects to the butler’s pantry, so aesthetic and functional choices there will affect the adjacent spaces. Right now it still looks like the day we moved in, so I’ll plan updates that harmonize with the dining area and pantry.
I know this looks like a quiet period since I’m focusing on planning rather than major installs, but fall and early winter are hectic—and sensible planning now means a faster, smoother start on renovations in January.
My goals for the next four months are to finalize designs, set budgets, and begin sourcing pieces so we can launch the makeovers in the new year. I’m excited to get started!
What projects do you like to tackle during the fall and winter months?
See the new home goals for the beginning of 2022