Did you know that working off of a written to-do list makes you 92% more likely to complete the tasks on that list? I completely made that up, but that’s generally how I feel about them. I write lists for everything, and our house is no exception. And, since this house will truly be a work-in-progress over our entire occupation of it (i.e. I’ll probably still be installing some hardware or something on move-OUT day), a list will help me keep track of what we’re completing over time.

Honestly, this pretty much sums up how I look when I see a comprehensive to-do list:

So, without further ado, a pretty-difinitive list of things we want to accomplish in our house:

 

INTERIOR

FIRST LEVEL

Foyer

• Paint walls in Edgecomb Gray
• Paint baseboards and door jambs
• Paint front door
• Spray paint handle hardware
• Install chandelier
• Trim out opening to study (Phase 2)
• Add crown molding to wall ledges
• Find larger buffet for better storage
• Add decorations and wall art
• Update wall hooks

Study

• Paint walls in Revere Pewter
• Paint baseboards
• Add more wall art
• Build a dog feeding station (raised bowls for Mika)
• Create a fabric cover and faux “counter” for the top of Mika’s kennel
• Install new curtain rod
• Install white faux-wood blinds
• Add two small armchairs
• Add a small coffee table
• Find and update a large filing cabinet for storage
• Build bookcase wall (Phase 2)

Living Room

• Paint walls in Revere Pewter
• Paint baseboards
• Add new coffee table
• Built-in shelves flanking the fireplace
• Add wall art (gallery wall?)
• Add window treatment to window wall
• Replace couch with a leather sectional
• Add large overhanging floor lamp
• Build long console table behind couch
• Spray paint gold accents on fireplace to black

Laundry Room

• Paint walls in ???
• Accent wall in stencil/fabric?
• Paint baseboards and door jambs
• Trim out door and paint white
• Spray paint door hardware
• Install new washer/dryer
• Lay new cost-effective flooring (stick tiles)
• Install hanging rod for clothes
• Add wall art
• Build butcher-block counter (Phase 2)
• Install upper cabinets for storage (Phase 2)

Kitchen

• Paint walls in Revere Pewter
• Paint baseboards and door jambs
• Trim out pantry door and paint white
• Spray paint pantry door hardware
• Paint cabinets and install hardware
• Add crown moulding on upper cabinets
• Install chandelier over kitchen table
• Install can lighting
• Install new appliances
• Replace/spray paint ceiling lights
• Add crown molding to cabinet tops
• Strip kitchen table varnish and stain or gray-wash
• Add new kitchen chairs
• Add a colorful roman shade
• Install an island and add barstools (Phase 2)

Bathroom

• Paint walls in ???
• Paint baseboards and door jambs
• Trim out door and paint white
• Remove towel rod and add art or storage solution
• Replace toilet seat
• Stain cabinetry and install hardware
• Replace faucet with ORB version
• Trim out mirror in a bold color

Garage

• Install wall storage solutions
• Resolve hanging fluorescent lights with permanent fixtures
• Install drywall and paint white (Phase 2)

Flooring

• Replace carpet and linoleum with laminate wood

SECOND LEVEL

Hallway

• Paint walls in Edgecomb Gray
• Paint baseboards and door jambs
• Replace/spray paint ceiling lights
• Add wall art

South Bedroom

• Paint walls in ???
• Paint baseboards and door jambs
• Trim out door and paint white
• Trim out sliding closet doors in barn-style and paint white
• Install new window treatment
• Refinish and stain two twin bed frames
• Add guest bedding
• Add dresser
• Add wall art

Northeast Bedroom

• Paint walls in a bright, fun shade (turquoise, yellow, blue, mint?)
• Paint baseboards and door jambs
• Trim out doors and paint white
• Add guest bedding
• Add dresser
• Install new window treatment
• Add wall art

North Bedroom

• Paint walls in ???
• Paint baseboards and door jambs
• Trim out doors and paint white
• Turn into nursery when needed?
• Install new window treatment
• Add wall art

Master Bedroom

• Paint walls in Benjamin Moore In the Midnight Hour
• Paint baseboards, door jambs, and doors
• Trim out doors and sliding doors
• Fix doors that won’t shut — plane the tops
• Fix light switches
• Add additional storage furniture — dresser, wardrobe, buffet
• Install new window treatment
• Install sconces flanking bed
• Install stained wood accent wall behind bed
• Replace comforter and add throw pillows/blanket
• Add other decor to fill out the room (floor lamps, shelves, etc.)
• Add wall art (gallery wall?)
• Improve closet storage (Phase 2)

Master Bathroom

• Paint walls in ???
• Paint baseboards, door jambs, and doors
• Trim out doors
• Trim out mirror
• Paint cabinets and install hardware
• Install stick tile flooring
• Replace/spray paint lighting
• Replace/spray paint towel rods
• Replace faucets for ORB versions
• Install wall shelving
• Replace toilet seat
• Add wall art
• Reno tub/shower (Phase 2)

Guest Bathroom

• Paint walls in a light neutral (lavender, peach, blue?)
• Paint baseboards and door jambs
• Trim out doors and paint white
• Stain cabinets and install hardware
• Replace faucet with ORB version
• Spray paint wall lighting
• Add bright shower curtain
• Add floor mats
• Install stick tile flooring
• Add wall art

Flooring

• Replace carpet across second level

BASEMENT LEVEL

Rec Room

• Paint walls in ???
• Clean and bring in new small sofa and coffee table
• Add wall art
• Set up exercise area

EXTERIOR

Roof

• Re-shingle the roof

Porch

• Replace light fixture and set on timer
• Add large planters
• Paint front door and shutters

Garage

• Replace light fixtures and set on timer
• Install new house number
• Add black metal trimmings to front of garage door for curb appeal

Deck

• Sand and stain
• Replace light fixture
• Set up outdoor table seating
• Install overhead globe lighting
• Transform east half into three-season porch (Phase 2)

Landscaping

• Install backyard fence
• Mulch around back tree and bushes, front trees
• Mulch landscaping around sides of the house

Where it’s noted as Phase 2, those are projects that are sitting more within a “wish list” than a planned project. These would cost way more than most of the other updates, which mostly revolve around painting (cheap) or adding in window treatments (fairly cheap) or new furniture (not cheap, but we can’t ignore furniture). But, you never know what we’ll get to and it can’t hurt to have a couple of loftier projects up our sleeves.

I have plans to check in on this list each year and update as we go. Until then, I hope I can slowly chug through everything and still have a few free weekends in my life! Or at least I’ll be channeling Laurie and whispering “I got this” to myself all the time.