2017 House Goals

Every year I make a list of what I want to accomplish in my home for the year.  It helps me to be more intentional about the design of our home.  Creating a yearly house goals list also helps me to budget accordingly and plan wisely.  It forces me to prioritize projects accordingly so that house expenditures and improvements are well thought out rather than frivolous.  Maybe it’s the house mover and shaker in me, but I can’t help but to always think of home improvements in terms of return on investment.  Projects not only take money but time, so by creating a list I’m able to better focus my energy.  I do, however, also let creativity drive me; so I’ve been known to veer off course just a bit.  😉   The list does help to keep me in check though……for the most part.  😉

How did I do last year?

There were 7 projects on my list in 2016 .  That list consisted of projects in the following spaces: the master bedroom, entry foyer, kitchen, screen porch, backyard,  landing spot and my girl’s bedroom.  Four of the seven got checked off the list with one project being added on in the first quarter of last year.  The entry foyer, screen porch, girl’s bedroom and kitchen all saw some major progress………even if the girl’s room isn’t totally “finished” yet.

(entry foyer)

(screen porch)

(girl’s bedroom)

(pendants over the kitchen island)

(new kitchen faucet)

I decided to add the powder room makeover to my list last February since it was such a small space and in rather desperate need of some style.  This project ended up being a readers favorite of 2016 and was just recently published in Essential Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom magazine!  Kind of amazing what some paint, tile and a can-do diy attitude can do for a space!

(powder bathroom makeover)

I had lofty plans to whip our master bedroom into shape, but I just kept waffling on the design plan.  I don’t know why I’ve had such a hard time making up my mind on what I want design-wise in this space.  Though I’ve recently, as in just before Christmas, made some major strides in here and am planning to finish her up this year!

Our backyard is still in somewhat of a sad state.  The hubs and I have been thinking of adding in a small pool.  We’ve yet to reach a decision on that, and so I never did anything with the patio area or landscaping.  We’ve decided to put a pin in the pool discussion for now, to be revisited in a year or so.  More than likely the backyard will remain a blank slate this year.  Though I may add in a few trees near the fence line.

This Year’s Goals

1.  My Home Office 

You may remember that I created a design plan a few months ago.  Well, best laid plans.

There was some trouble with the desk I ordered, so I had to change things up a bit.  I’m doing some course correcting now and am excited to share more very soon!

2.  The Hubs Workspace

There’s a landing spot at the top of the stairs that was initially going to be my office space.  But after living here for over year we realized that he’d do much better in this quieter spot with access to the top front porch when he’s working from home.  A design plan that calls for built-in bookshelves around the door is underway!  I’m excited to see this one come together as this spot has always felt like an architectural afterthought with no real purpose.  I think bookshelves and a desk will give the space much more definition plus make it functional.

3.  The Guest Bedroom 

You may recall my first endeavor to take on the One Room Challenge ended in flames…..or should I say a failed wallpaper attempt.  😉  This year I plan to finish her up once and for all.  She’s mostly done as is, so this reveal should be coming to the blog real soon.

4. Master Bedroom 

As I mentioned earlier our master was on the list last year, but it sadly never got the love it deserves.  I’m declaring this year to be it’s year!  😉   Progress has already been made!  And since one of my New Year’s Resolution action plan items is to routinely get to bed at an earlier time, setting the mood in this space is high on my priority list.

5.  The Girl’s/Guest Bathroom 

Regular readers of Our Fifth House may remember when I started working on the guest bedroom design last year I mentioned that I swapped my son’s room for the guest room.  He now has his own bathroom and my girl shares the jack-and-jill bathroom with guests when they’re staying with us.  This bathroom could really use a little love.  It’s not ugly or dated, but it lacks personality and style.  The plan is to create a bathroom space that works for both my pre-teen girl and our guests.

6.  The Boy’s Room 

Since the boy got moved down the hall his room is looking kind of boring.  I’ve yet to paint the walls or really do anything significant in there aside from just moving in his furniture.  So this year I plan to add some teenage boy style (I can’t believe he’ll be 13 this year!!!! CRAZY!) to his room.

Here’s the only before picture I could find.  It’s from the MLS listing of the house.

7.  My Closet 

I would really love to revamp my closet this year.  A new shelving system would be really great.   I’m not a huge fan of wire shelving in a closet, especially a master closet.  But this is last on my list because it’s the lowest priority.  I would however love to replace the ugly fluorescent ceiling fixture that is in here with something a bit snazzier.  Would be fun to paint the ceiling or even the walls too!

(my organized closet)

I’m going with a list of 7 once again.  Slightly lofty, but also achievable I think.  Or at least I hope.  😉  Making a list really does help me to stay more focused as well as keep me motivated!

Do you make a house goals list for the year?  Or do you prefer to just fly by the seat of your pants?  I have such bad design ADD that without a list I end up floundering and not really finishing anything.  The best thing about growing older is that you learn more about what does and doesn’t work for you.  I have found for myself that writing down goals/lists really helps me to prioritize things much more effectively.  What works for you?