Warning: this is longer than the Oscars, so feel free to fast forward to the good parts. This post grew out of questions about how we organize our long to-do list. We explained that we basically keep one long running document, and when readers asked to see it (and for us to update it), we decided to share. It had been ten months since the last update, so here we go.

To keep things readable we separated completed tasks from what’s still on the list for each area, and we added an estimated completion percentage by the title of each space. Below is an updated, cleaner version of that running list.

-The Front Yard (40% complete)-

Done:

• Pruned the magnolia so it no longer blocks the house.
• Removed hedges that hid the house and opened up sightlines.
• Planted grass in the bare patches left after removing shrubs.
• Refreshed some garden beds and added new landscaping.

To Do:

• Transplant, plant, and trim more—three of roughly ten garden beds were addressed so far.

-The Front Porch / House Facade (35% complete)-

Done:

• Furnished the porch with pieces from our previous home.
• Planted shrubs and flowers for curb appeal.
• Painted the front door a cheerful yellow.

To Do:

• Frame the porch columns to make them chunky and square.
• Stain the concrete porch floor for a finished look.
• Add window boxes and shutters to side and back windows.

-The Carport / Garage (5% complete)-

Done:

• Replaced a tiny light with a large black lantern.

To Do:

• Decide whether to close it in as a garage or enhance it as a covered, pergola-like carport while preserving light for adjacent rooms.

-The Living Room (85% complete)-

Done:

• Painted the walls and brightened the trim that was dark wood.
• Gray-washed the ceiling beams.
• Added a new sectional (we love it), a built console behind it, patterned curtains, a rug, an ottoman, and a desk chair.
• Upgraded to a larger, secondhand media cabinet and built a leaning chalkboard to balance the tall slider.

To Do:

• Add overhead lighting—pendant over the table and possibly recessed cans.
• Convert the kitchen fireplace into a double-sided unit to open it into the living room.
• Refinish the floors down the line.

-The Office (85% complete)-

Done:

• Built a long built-in double desk and added functional storage such as a file cabinet.
• Painted and upholstered secondhand chairs, stenciled the walls, and added sentimental art.
• Updated the chandelier with new color, bulbs, and a large shade.

To Do:

• Consider window treatments like bamboo shades for texture.
• Possible addition of French doors for privacy and architectural interest.
• Refinish floors eventually.

-The Hall Bathroom (100% complete)-

Done:

• Hung the shower curtain higher and added new window trim.
• Installed a new light above the mirror, painted the walls, framed the mirror, hung art, and built a chunky shelf.
• Updated vanity hardware and made a homemade window shade.

To Do:

• None for now—we’re calling this one done.

-The Big Hallway (90% complete)-

Done:

• Created a frame collage and placed a console table; we’re happy with how this area feels.

To Do:

• Install a patterned runner and, someday, refinish the floors.

-The Small Hallway (5% complete)

Done:

• Spray painted the old door knobs in an oil-rubbed bronze finish; they’ve held up well.

To Do:

• Add board and batten, paint the walls, install crown molding, hang art, replace the dated light and doorbell chime, and eventually refinish the floors.

-The Dining Room (95% complete)-

Done:

• Painted the walls, painted the back of the built-ins dark teal, hung homemade curtains, and added a large round table with chairs.
• Brought in a chippy painted buffet, personalized yard-sale art, and installed a show-stopping light over the table.

To Do:

• Build a large lazy Susan for the table center and refinish the floors eventually.

-The Laundry Room (98% complete)-

Done:

• Painted the walls, removed old shutters, frosted the side door glass, painted cabinets, updated hardware, and replaced appliances with energy-efficient models.
• Built custom shelves, replaced flooring with cork, hung art, made a clothespin chandelier, and mounted the ironing board for space savings.

To Do:

• Possibly add a window treatment. This space is nearly finished.

-The Kitchen (85% complete)-

Done:

• Painted the brick fireplace and paneling, replaced appliances with stainless energy-efficient units, and created a large opening to the dining room.
• Updated lighting, rearranged cabinetry to add a peninsula, painted cabinets and added hardware, and replaced counters with white Corian.
• Tiled the backsplash to the ceiling on one wall, added open shelving, built a microwave cabinet with ventilation, installed a range hood and cover, and laid dark cork flooring.
• Added stools for the peninsula and a rug to define the sitting area; we also made a fabric shade for the sink window.

To Do:

• Finish the back of the peninsula with trim, consider adding a message board or trim to the top of cabinets, and decide whether to repaint the walls. Long term we may reface the fireplace surround.

-The Playroom / Big Girl Room (75% complete)-

Done:

• Cleared clutter via sale and donations, painted the walls, hung curtains, added a rug, and created a kids’ table and storage with a nine-drawer dresser.
• Swapped the ceiling fan for a pendant, made a frame collage of meaningful objects, hung birdcages for balance, and opened closet storage for play use.

To Do:

• Paint the ceiling, add crown molding, refinish or refinish the dresser, and refinish floors later.

-Nursery (90% complete)-

Done:

• Painted the walls, hung curtains, moved in furniture, added art and baskets, and installed a sentimental capiz chandelier.
• Built a play kitchen and play fridge, and reworked the closet into a cozy reading nook with stamped walls and a beanbag.

To Do:

• Hang more art, add crown molding, eventually refinish the floors, and adapt the room as needed if family needs change.

-The Sunroom (60% complete)-

Done:

• Spray painted slider handles in oil-rubbed bronze, painted walls and an odd brick box, furnished most of the room with existing pieces, hung art, and added a bookcase for storage.

To Do:

• Fill a few bare corners, add window treatments, and eventually replace the beige tile flooring.

-Our Bedroom (80% complete)-

Done:

• Removed dated bifold doors, added a mirror over the sink nook, removed a granite backsplash to make it feel more like furniture, and bought a new bed.
• Painted (and repainted) the walls, swapped the fan for a playful chandelier, hung art and curtains, rearranged furniture, and made an upholstered headboard.

To Do:

• Possibly convert a window to a French door, tile the sink nook back wall, and refinish the floors later.

-Our Bathroom (75% complete)-

Done:

• Raised the shower curtain to the ceiling, painted walls, hung art, painted trim glossy white, frosted the window, replaced the toilet, installed a centered glass pendant, and replaced old border tile with white frosted glass subway tile.

To Do:

• Phase two could include retiled floors in gray hex and possibly reglazing or covering the beige wall tile.

-The Guest Bedroom (70% complete)-

Done:

• Primed and painted the walls, furnished the room with leftover pieces, and hung curtains and a mirror.

To Do:

• Hang art, add crown molding, update the mirror, replace worn furnishings, and eventually refinish the floors.

-The Guest Bathroom (10% complete)-

Done:

• Removed an awkward door-mounted mirror, added a new shower curtain and bath mat, replaced the sink mirror and light fixture, and hung art.

To Do:

• Paint the walls, decide on tile upgrades, install a glass shower door, frost the window, and add more art.

-The Basement Workshop (85% complete)-

Done:

• Decluttered the mess, donated items, organized tools on pegboards, framed and painted those pegboards, stored paint in built-in cabinets, and sorted screws and nails into jars on shelving.
• Created sawdust-proof art and installed a functional shelf above the main workspace counter.

To Do:

• Paint the basement back door and consider staining the floors and wood counters.

-The Side Lot (10% complete)-

Done:

• Planted two trees to start.

To Do:

• Plant more trees to naturalize the area into an orchard-like space and tame weeds.

-The Deck (80% complete)-

Done:

• Cleared invasive shrubs, finalized a deck plan approved by the county, demolished an old balcony, dug post holes, framed the deck, installed deck boards, railings, and steps, and furnished the space. We also replaced a rotten door with a new French door.

To Do:

• Stain and seal the deck, hang string lights, hide the utility box, and add plantings for screening.

-The Patio (85% complete)-

Done:

• Cleared weeds and dead trees, planned and built the patio by laying gravel, sand, and pavers, created a custom curved edge, landscaped around it, built a rock box for Clara, and added a rain barrel.

To Do:

• Furnish the patio beyond a couple of Adirondack chairs and consider adding lighting such as string lights.

-The Backyard (90% complete)-

Done:

• Built a compost bin, cleared overgrown beds to expand lawn space, removed invasive ground cover from brick paths, transplanted misplaced shrubs, and reseeded the grass.

To Do:

• Remove ivy choking trees, plant privacy trees at the rear, add raised beds for vegetables and herbs, and consider a swingset versus using the nearby public playground.

In summary, it’s satisfying to look back at all the completed items, but the to-do list is still long. We’ve learned to enjoy the process and take projects one at a time. We typically do projects we’re in the mood for unless something becomes urgent; jumping around keeps things fun and avoids burnout. Bigger projects stay in the back of our minds while we save and plan, and smaller wins keep momentum going.

Next up on our immediate list are:

• Adding crown molding in three bedrooms.
• Boxing in the porch columns.
• Redoing the carport.
• Renovating the untouched guest bathroom.

That’s what’s on deck for us. How do you keep your house to-do lists—phone, post-its, a big online doc, or a handwritten notebook? How do you choose what to tackle next?