I’ve shared this update the last two years as a way to stay accountable and to collect the progress we’ve made on our 1930s fixer-upper in one place. The past few years brought unexpected challenges, but we still completed many projects and adapted plans when life demanded it. Our last major renovation wrapped up differently than expected, and now only smaller decor and organizational tasks remain.
Below is a summary of the projects we’ve finished, those currently in progress, and the remaining work we hope to tackle. I’ve removed repetitive details and kept the highlights so you can get a clear view of what’s done and what’s next.
Home Renovation Projects We’ve Completed
New or Refinished Floors, Roof, Air Conditioning, and Interior Paint
Completed: July 2017
Arlo’s Room (First Nursery)
Completed: January 2018
Converted Kitchenette into Master Closet and Laundry Room
Completed: February 2018
Dining Room
Completed: April 2018
Exterior Paint
Completed: June 2018
Master Bedroom
Completed: September 2018
Master Bathroom
Completed: February 2019
Kitchen
Completed: May 2019
Backyard
Completed: October 2019
Nursery Closet (now a craft closet)
Completed: October 2019 — updated to craft closet summer 2020
Entry Closet
Completed: November 2019
Kids Bathroom
Completed: December 2019
Living Room
Completed: September 2020
Arlo’s Closet Fort
Completed: December 2020
Front Yard
Completed: December 2020
We finally updated the front yard with a simple, cohesive design to complement the rest of our outdoor makeovers. We kept costs modest because this update was intended to add curb appeal without a major investment, and we’re pleased with how clean and finished it feels now.
Home Projects In Progress
Garage to Playroom Conversion (now a garage update)
New Goal: February 2021
This project shifted dramatically when we discovered inspection issues from prior work. Fixing those problems consumed time and budget, so the full conversion to a playroom was paused. The garage now has a new floor and door, and we added robust shelving to replace lost overhead storage. For now it functions well as organized garage space.
Hallway and Hall Closet
New Goal: Summer 2021
We made meaningful progress in late 2020: the hall closet was reorganized using an over-the-door organizer for cleaning supplies, and sun tunnels added to the hallway increased natural light dramatically. Next, I plan to create a portrait gallery at the end of the hall to personalize that space.
Big Kid Room Update
New Goal: March 2021
We’ve done a simple, practical update to Arlo’s room: swapped the crib for a daybed, installed closet storage to free up floor space, and improved the rainbow bookshelves to hold more titles. It’s a modest refresh that meets our needs while we anticipate moving within a few years.
Projects We Still Want To Do
Kitchen Pantry and Cabinets
New Goal: Spring 2021
After the kitchen renovation we were eager to get cooking again and ended up stashing items wherever they fit. A full cabinet clean-out and reorganization to maximize function is long overdue. I’ve started collecting organizers and drawer inserts, but the next step is a focused purge and layout that makes sense for daily use.
Guest Bedroom and Craft Room
New Goal: Summer 2021
This large room spent years as a catchall. With nursery plans on hold, we want to turn it into a useful guest-and-craft space so I have a dedicated area for creative projects away from the dining table. We added a daybed already, and next steps will focus on storage and a layout that balances overnight guests with workspace and supplies.
That’s the current state of our home projects. It’s surreal to be nearing the end of major renovations on this house, but there are still a handful of meaningful improvements left to make.
Are you planning any big renovations or redecorating in the coming year?