Memorable Home Goals of 2022: Part 1

Setting home goals is something I do every three to four months to keep projects moving and on track.

I planned to publish this goals update a month ago, but between virtual school, the kids being sick, and the usual January chaos, it took longer than expected. That’s why I shifted to reviewing goals every four months — if I fall a month behind, I still have three months to make progress.

I used to set goals once a year, but by year’s end they were easy to forget. Revisiting goals periodically keeps them active and achievable, so this is the cadence that works for me.

How I Did On My Home Goals for 2021

If you want to see everything we completed last year, I shared a full home tour with before-and-after photos. Breaking a big year into a single post makes it easier to appreciate how much was accomplished — twelve months can feel short until you line up all the changes.

Highlights from last year included:

Brick house exterior makeover with white trim and black shutters
Blue and green traditional powder room reveal
Several curb appeal improvements
Kitchen refresh ideas and a small kitchen makeover
Installing a new stair runner

This post contains affiliate links for convenience. See my full disclosure policy on the site.

My Home Goals for 2022, Part 1

I learned that big projects during the holidays don’t work well for me, so I kept my year-end goals very simple: come up with design plans for the dining room, butler’s pantry, and laundry room. I didn’t need to execute — just plan — and I finished those design concepts.

1. Complete the Dining Room Makeover

I shared the bulk of the dining room plans in a dedicated design post, including inspiration for the adjacent spaces. Since then I’ve tweaked a few items — wallpaper and trim color choices shifted slightly — but the overall direction remains the same: a traditional blue/green palette with classic details.

Traditional Blue and Green Dining Room Makeover — Traditional Dining Room Design Plans

I originally considered a darker trim color, but opted for something slightly lighter so the room feels brighter while still grounded. I also chose a toile wallpaper that pulls the same green tones as my first pick but reads more classic and less modern.

Countryside Morning Wallpaper — I love the little deer in this Countryside Morning pattern — it nods to our wooded backyard and the deer that visit.

Progress update: the trim (wainscoting and crown moulding) is painted and the large brass mirror is hung. Next up is wallpaper installation and final styling. I’m debating whether to paint the wall color behind the paper to prevent any gray showing through at seams; a simpler option might be to paint subtle stripes where seams fall and call it finished.

Dining Room with painted green trim — The wainscoting and crown moulding are painted Oyster Bay.

Remaining tasks to finish the dining room:

~~Paint trim~~
Hang wallpaper (already purchased)
~~Hang large brass mirror~~
~~Sconces~~ (I chose antique brass candelabras for the wall beside the china cabinet)
Install new light fixture (ordered but currently on backorder)
Add trim tape to the drapes (ordered)
Hang curtain rods and drapes (on hand)
Paint outlet covers
Replace seat covers (fabric on order)
Order new rug
Order new lamps and lamp shades

I’m waiting for the budget to align so I can buy the rug and lamps I really want, but I’m optimistic the room will be wrapped up before April.

2. Start on the Butler’s Pantry Makeover

The butler’s pantry is a small pass-through next to the dining room, but a few focused changes will make a big difference: replace the countertop, paint the cabinets, hang wallpaper, and fix a broken glass pane.

Planned updates:

Replace the countertop—ideally with marble
Paint cabinets Benjamin Moore Little Falls (a pretty blue)
Hang wallpaper (already purchased)
Replace a broken glass pane in a cabinet door

The countertop is small, so this feels like a manageable first contractor job; I’ll be asking around locally for recommendations. The glass replacement should be straightforward with a local glass shop.

Traditional Dining Room Concept Board | Sydney Collins Interiors — Some dining room concept ideas show how the butler’s pantry and laundry room will flow into the adjacent spaces.

3. Prep for the Laundry Room Makeover

The laundry room won’t be a full renovation in phase one, but I’m preparing by purchasing decor, ordering materials for DIY projects, and finalizing the first steps.

Laundry room with lots of storage, hunter green tiles on the floor and hunter green countertops. — The laundry room looked like this when we moved in — and it still looks similar today.

Phase 1 plans include installing beadboard on the walls and painting either the beadboard or the upper wall a soft gray (Comfort Gray) with the trim or the alternate surface in Shoji White. I’d love to eventually gut and renovate the space, but for now I’m giving it a simple, high-impact refresh: new lighting, countertop and floor DIY options, and thoughtful styling.

I hope to have a more concrete plan for the laundry room by the end of April.

Wish me luck!

Once these three spaces are complete, I’ll move on to bedrooms and other rooms that have been waiting. I work slowly — two years into living here I’m still gradually updating rooms one at a time. That pace is slower than what you might see on social media, but being deliberate has allowed me to live with each space and make choices I truly love.

I’m grateful for the time and budget constraints that force me to slow down — many of the decisions I’m making now came from living in the spaces for a while and understanding what they needed.

What are some of your home goals this year? What do you hope to finish? Share your plans in the comments below.

How I Did On My Home Goals for 2021

My Home Goals for 2022, Part 1

1. Complete the Dining Room Makeover

2. Start on the Butler’s Pantry Makeover

3. Prep for the Laundry Room Makeover

More posts you will love