Now is the time to set new goals and plan the next home projects. It’s also a good moment to look back at the goals I set four months ago and evaluate progress. Writing down three to four focused goals for the coming months helps me prioritize, budget, and move projects forward without feeling overwhelmed.
A few years ago I used to write annual home goals in January, but they would get lost in the shuffle. Last year I tried quarterly goals and found I needed a refresh every four months instead. This year I planned three smaller goal-setting sessions—and I can’t believe we’re already at the end of the second one!
If you want to catch up, you can here!
- Home Goals 2021, Part 1
- Home Goals Part 1 Update
- Home Goals 2021, Part 2
- One Year: Before & After Home Tour
Below is a look back at the goals I set in April and what I managed to complete.
HOW I DID ON MY HOME GOALS FOR 2021, PART 2
When you renovate or refresh a home, it’s helpful to pause and see how far you’ve come. I started this post thinking I hadn’t accomplished much in the last four months—but I surprised myself. Progress doesn’t always mean big, dramatic changes; small, consistent updates make a big difference over time.
May through August
One of the biggest wins these past few months was finishing our kitchen refresh. It wasn’t a full renovation—mostly cosmetic and functional tweaks—but the project took nearly a year to complete and now the kitchen finally feels finished and useful.
1. MORE UPDATES TO THE FRONT OF THE HOUSE
After having the sod installed and painting the trim, shutters, and doors in spring, I wanted to finish the exterior updates. We focused on creating better curb appeal and making the porch welcoming.
Here’s what we completed:
- Landscaping. We hired a professional to tidy up the beds and prune plants—an affordable refresh that makes the yard look cared for.
- Planters. I added new planters for color and texture on the porch.
- New porch light. Replacing the light updated the look and improved the entryway’s functionality.
- Power washing. We’re holding off on power washing and sealing the driveway for now and will hire a professional when the budget allows.
I now genuinely love the exterior of our home. It brightens my day when I pull into the driveway. Curb appeal isn’t always glamorous, but it’s absolutely worth the investment.
2. MINI POWDER ROOM MAKEOVER
I gave our tiny powder room a bold personality with no structural changes—just paint, wallpaper, and accessories. It was a small project with a big impact, and I absolutely adore how it turned out.
See the full powder room reveal here.
3. MINI BUTLER’S PANTRY MAKEOVER
I had hoped to refresh the butler’s pantry as well, but decided it needs to be done together with the dining room so the spaces coordinate. Read on—there were big changes in the dining room this summer.
4. NEW WINDOW TREATMENTS IN THE UPSTAIRS ROOMS
This goal didn’t move forward because my daughters were still sharing a bedroom while the other room served as a playroom. Now they want separate bedrooms again, so I’m waiting to settle on room themes before ordering treatments.
HOME GOALS FOR 2021, PART 3
For the remainder of the year I’m focusing on planning and budgeting rather than big transformations. Fall and the holiday season are busy—between decorating and my daughters’ birthdays, time is limited—so planning now will let us start major work in January with momentum.
My biggest upcoming project is the dining room, and I’m making detailed plans this fall so the makeover can begin early next year.
September Through December
1. Plan for Dining Room Makeover
I’m excited about transforming the dining room—it’s the first room people see when they enter and the view from my desk. After experimenting outside my comfort zone in the powder room, I feel ready for a bolder approach. I’m even considering hiring a designer for the first time to help execute ideas that feel a little out of reach.
When we moved in, I painted the upper walls Kendall Charcoal, but the old furniture and layout didn’t suit the house. The previous suite was too large and made the room difficult to navigate, so I replaced pieces and started planning a fresh direction.
The dining room suite is an heirloom and will remain, but everything around it will change. My plans include two-toned paint, a large brass mirror, sconces, a new light fixture, custom drapery and chair seat covers, wallpaper, styling the china cabinet, and exploring a new rug.
I kept the round mirror from the earlier setup—it now hangs in the hallway outside the kitchen. Small details like that help keep continuity while the room evolves.
2. Plan the Butler’s Pantry Makeover
The butler’s pantry connects directly to the dining room and is visible from the front door, so I’m planning both spaces together for a cohesive look and function.
3. Plan the Laundry Room Makeover
The laundry room sits beyond the butler’s pantry and still looks like the day we moved in—lots of hunter green and yellow. I’m planning the laundry, pantry, and dining room together since design decisions ripple across adjacent spaces.
It may seem like I’m pausing by focusing on planning, but fall and winter are busy seasons. Being realistic about what I can complete now means we’ll be ready to move quickly on full makeovers in January. My plan is to finalize designs, set budgets, and begin collecting necessary items so work can start as soon as the new year arrives.
What kinds of projects do you like to tackle during the fall and winter months?
Come see the new home goals for the beginning of 2022!