Do you set goals for your home each year? I love creating goals for both personal and professional life, and treating our home with the same intentionality has become a priority for me. In past years I made long lists and then tried to tackle them haphazardly. This year I’m changing my approach.
I’ve learned that I function best with a small number of focused priorities: three top goals each day, and only three top goals each month. So for the house, I’m choosing three main projects to focus on each quarter, then re-evaluating every three months. It may seem slow on paper, but this focused rhythm helps me avoid overwhelm, stay accountable, and complete projects more efficiently.
Reflections on the Old House and Why I Delayed Projects
Looking back at goals I set in 2019 helps explain why some projects never moved forward. Two big reasons held me back from major renovations.
First: I was hesitant to invest in large-scale updates when I knew we might not stay long. I was watching the housing market and searching for a long-term home, so I avoided pouring money into the house.
Second: I worried about over-improving for the neighborhood. At the time I feared I wouldn’t recoup the cost if we sold, so I left many changes undone. In hindsight, I probably could have made some improvements without over-building, but I prioritized financial prudence over immediate enjoyment.
Now that we’re settled in a house we plan to stay in for decades, I feel comfortable making larger investments. We’re surrounded by higher-end homes, so upgrades are less likely to be over-improvements and more likely to add lasting value.
Reviewing 2019 Home Goals
Below are the goals I set in 2019 along with the grade I gave myself and brief notes about the outcome.
1. Living Room. Grade: D-
Plans included updating the rug, adding chairs around the fireplace, and building a coffee table and end table. I bought a table saw but didn’t unbox it that year. We did, however, purchase a new couch that was delivered later in the year.
2. Fireplace. Grade: F
I wanted to add a reclaimed beam mantel, architectural detail, and address the beige tile. In the end I left the fireplace alone because we were planning to sell; I preferred to let the next owners personalize it.
3. Girls’ Bathroom. Grade: A+
This was a highlight project: I painted the cabinets, updated décor, and created a fun, pink, girly space for the girls. It became one of my favorite transformations of the year.
4. Guest Bedroom & Office. Grade: F
This room moved slowly. I eventually secured a desk and a comfortable chair but lacked built-in storage and never replaced the bed with a daybed and trundle as planned. The room ended up functioning mainly as an office until we bought a new house with a dedicated office and guest room.
5. Master Bedroom.
I planned a refresh: new bed, different lamps, painted furniture. We did replace the beds and change the lamps and rug, but many items on the list remain.
Home Goals for 2020
Moving into a new house makes it tempting to list dozens of projects, but I’m committing to focusing on three areas each quarter and reassessing at the end of each period. For the first 12 weeks, my priorities are paint, lighting, and the office—plus one urgent bonus project.
1. Paint
Nearly every room will need new paint over time. My immediate plan covers connected main spaces that should be consistent: the kitchen, entryway, hallways, butler’s pantry, a hall closet alcove, stairwell, upstairs loft, and upstairs hallway. I also want to paint the dining room and my office. The living room is undecided yet and may wait. Painting these zones will transform the feel of the house quickly.
2. Light Fixtures
Updating lighting is high on the list because new fixtures change a room’s style and function. Early targets include:
- Reinstalling and upgrading the hallway light—adding a brass sconce.
- Choosing a statement fixture for the entry.
- Adding an overhead light in the office for better task lighting.
3. The Office
I prioritized the office because it’s where I work and plan projects for the rest of the house. A functional, beautiful office boosts creativity and makes it easier to tackle other updates. My office goals include finishing organization, painting the walls Shoji White (Sherwin Williams), adding an overhead light, installing blinds on the French doors, replacing old curtains, styling built-ins, and hanging art and a calendar behind the desk.
Bonus: DIY Dishwasher Panel
A bonus priority is building a custom panel for the new dishwasher. The original unit in the house failed on first use, so replacing it and crafting a matching panel will be one of the first practical updates.
Focusing on just these three (plus the urgent panel) items for the next 12 weeks feels manageable and motivating. Instead of trying to tackle every single project at once, concentrating on a few priorities helps me move forward with clarity and purpose.
What are your home goals this year? I’d love to hear what you plan to accomplish in the comments.