Take a look at the before-and-after photos from our traditional Cape Cod-style home makeover. We focused on mostly cosmetic improvements that deliver big impact.
Our anniversary of moving into this house passed in December, and although the busy holiday season makes tracking progress tricky, I wanted to pause and share the improvements we completed over the past year.
I prefer to renovate slowly and deliberately—choosing pieces as the budget allows and making thoughtful decisions. That method means projects take longer, but the results feel more intentional and lasting.
To stay focused, I set quarterly goals for home projects. Many of the changes this year were cosmetic—paint, lighting, organization—while we save for a larger full bathroom renovation in the coming years.
When we bought the house (built in 1996), most rooms were painted in bold yellows and a strong hunter green. The previous owners had updated the kitchen counters and refinished the original hardwood floors, but many finishes still felt dated.
My priorities were simple: paint most surfaces and update the lighting. Replacing dated fixtures and changing wall colors made the biggest visible difference for the least expense, so those projects came first.
Life at home changed last year for many of us, and while I hoped more time inside would equal more progress, working around family schedules and product lead times slowed some updates. That said, several rooms received meaningful refreshes—let’s walk through them.
2020 House Projects | Before & After
Most changes were cosmetic but carefully planned. Click any room heading below to read the full room reveal in its dedicated post.
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1. The Pantry Makeover
I started the year by fully organizing the pantry, and it was one of the most impactful updates. Instead of quick fixes, I emptied the space, measured, and ordered baskets, bins, and turntables to maximize function. Clear labeling keeps the family returning items to their proper place, and the system has held up beautifully.
Organize once and maintain easily—labels make a huge difference.
If you struggle with a cluttered pantry, investing time to measure and select storage solutions will reward you daily with faster meal prep and easier grocery put-away.
2. My Office
The office became a priority because it’s the hub for both family life and business. A functional, inspiring workspace was essential. The makeover incorporated a softer color palette and brass accents to create a feminine but practical environment. Some items were back-ordered, so the project unfolded over time, but the finished room is a space I enjoy working in every day.
I even decorated the office for the holidays, which made the room feel extra cozy during the winter months.
More Office Content
- Blush & Brass Feminine Office Mood Board
- Floral Curtains in the Office
- Simple Formulas for Styling Bookshelf Decor
3. The Living Room
The living room is currently my favorite space. Originally painted a deep yellow, it felt heavy and dated. Reworking the color palette, adding long curtains, and updating furnishings transformed the room. The large sectional and the TV integrate well with the new look, and once the curtain decision was made, the rest of the styling fell into place.
A few details remain, such as replacing an old ceiling fan, but phase one of the living room refresh is complete and feels warm and inviting.
More Living Room Content
- Navy Living Room Mood Board
- Simple Formulas for Styling Bookshelf Decor
- How to Find and Hang an Extra-Long Curtain Rod
- How to Choose and Style Sofa Pillows
- How to Style a Console Table Behind a Couch
- How to Hide TV Cords Behind the Wall
- End Table Decorating Tips
4. Girls’ Bedroom & Bathroom
Midyear the girls asked for a room refresh and new loft beds. We painted the bedroom a soft pink and installed the loft to maximize floor space and play areas. The adjoining bathroom was an ideal spot to try wallpaper. The pattern added character and has worn well, and both spaces now reflect the girls’ style instead of the former lime green.
More Girls’ Room Content
- White & Blush Girls’ Bedroom Mood Board
- Best Bedding for Loft and Bunk Beds
- Wallpapering Tips for Beginners
- Creative Bookshelf Ideas Using Ikea Spice Racks
Other projects started last year include the kitchen and master bedroom makeovers. The kitchen will move toward a traditional coastal look, and the master bedroom is planned as a restful retreat. I’ll share more goals and timelines in an upcoming home goals post.
Honorable Mentions for 2020
Two of the most efficient ways to refresh a home are paint and updated lighting. Lighting fixtures can be a modest investment compared with larger renovations, yet they dramatically change a room’s character.
What I Painted in 2020
Last year we painted almost every wall in the house to replace the original green and yellow tones with a more cohesive palette. Below are several of the colors used throughout the home.
Paint colors used in 2020 include:
- Edgecomb Gray – kitchen, powder room, main hallways, stairwell, upstairs hallway
- Shoji White – office
- Kendall Charcoal – dining room
- Revere Pewter – master bedroom
- Sea Salt – master bathroom
- Pink Ground – girls’ bedroom
- Baby Aqua – girls’ toilet room
Updated Lighting
I committed to replacing outdated light fixtures throughout the house. We updated fixtures in the kitchen, entryway, stairwell, powder room, girls’ bedroom and bathroom, and the butler’s pantry. New lighting refreshed the look and improved functionality in each space.
Custom Dishwasher Panel
A small but satisfying detail was building a custom cabinet panel to match our new Bosch dishwasher. Custom cabinetry details like this help the kitchen feel cohesive and tailored.
Thanks for joining this look back at the year’s updates. I’m excited to continue sharing progress as we tackle the kitchen, master bedroom, and other projects in the coming months—there’s more ahead!
More posts you may enjoy:
- How to Hang Plates on a Wall
- Cheap Flooring Ideas: Update Your Floors on a Budget
- Trash to Treasure: Peacock Framed Art
- Love One Another Free Valentine’s Day Printable
- Benjamin Moore Classic Gray