This year I changed my approach to home projects. Instead of setting a long list of ten or so goals for the entire year and then losing track by midyear, I broke my plans into three focused goals each quarter. Revisiting goals every three months has kept me engaged and accountable, and it’s helped prevent leaving rooms only partially finished.
I tend to jump from room to room, leaving small unfinished tasks behind. With quarterly goals, I remember the last 20% needed to complete a room and usually finish those tasks first. Sometimes I intentionally pause a project to wait for inspiration or to save up for a larger purchase, and that’s okay—planning with shorter timelines makes those decisions easier to manage.
This year has been more challenging because lead times for home furnishings have been unusually long. Some deliveries are taking three to six months, which tests my patience. I’m hopeful delivery times will return to normal and make future makeovers move more quickly.
I’ve been about half a month behind on posting updates, but that small lag hasn’t affected the benefits of checking in on these goals consistently. My aim was to complete one room makeover per quarter; I didn’t quite hit that target, but I expect to have three rooms finished by year’s end and a fourth nearly completed in the first quarter of next year.
I hadn’t planned much seasonal decorating this year, but my love of autumn decor led me straight into Christmas decorating—proof that a little inspiration can change plans in the best way.
Revisit my Previous Home Goals & Topics:
Below are the major goal groupings I worked on this year, with the main focus areas listed under each.
- Home Goals 2020, Part 1
- Paint
- Light fixtures
- The office
- Home Goals 2020, Part 2
- Girls’ bedroom & bathroom
- The office
- The living room
- Kitchen chandelier
- Home Goals 2020, Part 3
- Girls’ bedroom & bathroom
- Kitchen makeover
- Office reveal
The office took most of the year to complete because I was waiting on back-ordered window shades. I’m in a similar wait for some kitchen pieces, so more updates on that are below.
How did I do with my Home Goals from July to September?
Here’s a look back at the specific goals I set for that quarter and the progress I made on each.
1. Finish the girls’ bedroom and bathroom makeover
I wrapped up most of the planned updates in this space, though it’s not completely finalized. We made big improvements—new paint, coordinating hardware, and wallpaper in the sink area—but I’m still deciding between hemmed curtains or a roman shade for the window, and I may rearrange a few pieces or add a mural or additional decor.
- Finish decorating with items we already have – done.
- Paint the window seat (Simply White) – done.
- Hem the curtains – not yet; leaning toward a roman shade instead.
- Paint the bathroom/shower room (Baby Aqua) – done; the color ties into the wallpaper in the sink area.
- Replace the old toilet paper holder and other bathroom hardware – done.
Most of the functional updates are in place and the girls love the space. Since it still needs small finishing touches, I’m leaving it on the back burner until I find the right shade or artwork to complete the look. Functionally it’s great; now it’s a matter of finishing details to make it feel complete.
2. Add personality to the kitchen
The kitchen didn’t require a full renovation, but it needed more color and character. I created a mood board and tackled several updates to bring the design to life.
- Custom window treatment for the sink window – ordered and awaiting delivery; timing has been slow on this item.
- Install the kitchen light over the table – done.
- Replace all kitchen knobs – done; new brass knobs made a big visual difference.
- Add a pendant over the island – undecided; concerned about grease build-up without a vent hood.
- Add more wall decor – on hold; many windows limit wall space and an art piece I purchased didn’t fit as planned.
- Add a runner in front of the stove – done; I chose a washable runner for easy maintenance.
- Rug under the kitchen table – still considering, but concerned about crumbs with kids.
- Bamboo blinds for the French doors – installed and adding warmth to the room.
- Replace counter stools – waiting for a sale to order swivel rattan stools I like.
- Additional possibilities – a tile backsplash, curtains, or painting the pantry door or island for a pop of color remain options; the pantry door has already been painted a neutral Comfort Gray.
Small changes like new hardware, lighting, and window treatments have refreshed the kitchen. I’ll keep refining the space as pieces arrive and as I decide on the final accents.
3. Finally share the office reveal
The office reveal is complete. After months of waiting on a back-ordered shade and finishing details, the space came together with a feminine, polished look that I’m proud to share.
Home Goals for 2020: October – December
With the holidays approaching, this quarter’s goals are modest and practical. Since the season is already underway, I set achievable, realistic targets to finish the year strong.
1. Finish the kitchen update
- Order a lamp for the counter – lamps add a warm glow in the evenings and create a cozy atmosphere after dishes are done.
- Receive and install the roman shade for the sink window – pending delivery.
- Find a cute soap dispenser – a small detail that elevates the sink area.
- Order counter stools – waiting for a sale to finalize swivel rattan stools for the bar area.
2. Add a runner to the stairs
Adding a runner is a project that can be completed quickly once I choose a style. I need to order carpet samples and place the order, so I’m prioritizing this to avoid long lead times.
I’ve been collecting inspiration for stair runners, favoring patterns and textures that bring warmth and durability to a high-traffic area.
3. Create a design vision board for our master bedroom
Though the full bedroom makeover won’t be finished immediately—furniture orders can take months—I can assemble a clear vision board this quarter. Creating a focused plan helps prioritize purchases and pacing so the makeover progresses efficiently over the coming months.
We recently painted the bedroom and bathroom to replace the old pistachio green walls, which made the space feel much more livable while we plan a full renovation. Collecting inspiration images and deciding on a cohesive color palette and furniture layout will be my main tasks this quarter.
Thanks for following along on this home journey. Breaking projects into quarterly goals has kept momentum, focus, and enjoyment in the process, and I’m excited to see these spaces come together over the next few months.
xo, Laura