Wahoo! A list post — and yes, I love lists. Now that I’ve got that out of my system, this post continues without the excessive exclamation points and drawn-out vowels.

Lots of readers have asked what we’ll tackle next and in what order. The short answer: it depends on our mood and what supplies we have on hand.

For big projects we save, plan, and think things through, but for smaller updates we jump in and learn as we go. That approach has kept us from freezing up with indecision and allowed us to make steady progress. We hang frames, live with them, and move them if they don’t feel right. We test paint colors one room at a time and rearrange furniture until it clicks. We share photos and project notes as they happen. For fun — and because I’m a habitual list-maker — here’s the notebook list sitting by the bed, edited down and organized for clarity.

To Do (But Not All At Once…):

• Find bold, saturated or patterned fabric and DIY no-sew curtains for the living room, dining area, office, guest room, playroom, bedrooms, and hall sliders.
• Paint every room over time, experimenting with tones and a cohesive whole-house palette.
• Paint the dark wood trim — beams, baseboards, and crown — in the living room and kitchen to a glossy white finish if we decide to go that direction.
• Remove unnecessary bi-fold doors.
• Frost the side door that looks into the kitchen.
• Remove the shelves next to the fireplace.
• Prime and paint the kitchen paneling using a proven method for painted wood paneling; color TBD.
• Redo the kitchen backsplash, shopping sales, clearance tile, and local outlets for good deals.
• Replace all kitchen hardware after comparing local, online, and big-box options for the best value.
• Prime and paint the oak kitchen cabinets with a cabinet-specific approach; final cabinet color undecided.
• Refinish and reupholster the Craigslist rocker and give it a permanent, well-used spot in the living area.
• Recover the leather Parsons chair at the white desk with a bright fabric slipcover.
• Replace multiple light fixtures throughout the house for updated style and function.
• Remove door handles, hinges, and doorknobs and refinish them in an oil-rubbed bronze finish.
• Frame out the mirror in the hall bathroom and paint the hall bathroom vanity.
• Hang a thick velvet curtain to conceal the walk-in closet for a cozier entry to the master bedroom suite.
• Wallpaper or stencil the sink nook in the master bedroom for a focal point.
• Frost or curtain the master bathroom window and possibly the windows in the other bathrooms for privacy.
• Create a cutting garden between the addition and the old house near the kitchen — planting plans to come in spring when we start prepping beds.
• Build built-ins around the washer and dryer to create a mini mudroom, and replace upper cabinet doors with pull-out baskets or drop-down solutions.
• Paint the front door a welcoming color.
• Frame the porch columns so they read as chunky, square posts rather than ornate curves.
• Plant evergreen trees around the property perimeter for privacy, choosing smaller specimens to save money and exercise patience while they mature.
• Boost curb appeal with incremental landscaping upgrades that make a big visual difference over time.

Priority Circle (small projects we plan to start soon):

• Paint the back of the future dining room built-ins a bright, fun color to add depth.
• Update and paint the master bathroom vanity.
• Replace the guest bathroom’s medicine cabinet with a charming framed mirror.
• Paint the dark brick fireplace in the kitchen to freshen and lighten the space.
• Paint the master bedroom to create a calm, welcoming retreat.

Long-Term, Underlined Projects (saving and planning required):

• Refinish wood floors throughout the house to a consistent shade for cohesion — considering options from dark brown to ebony to light gray.
• Explore turning the kitchen fireplace into a double-sided fireplace that opens into the living room; consult a mason for feasibility and cost estimates.
• Widen the doorway between the kitchen and living room for better flow.
• Create a large opening between the kitchen and the future dining room that aligns with the widened kitchen-living doorway.
• Build or adapt a custom island for the eat-in kitchen area near the fireplace.
• Convert the carport into an enclosed garage and choose a garage door that adds architectural interest to the ranch-style exterior.
• Add French doors between the future dining room and the office for light control and charm.
• Replace flooring in the kitchen, mudroom, and laundry room — evaluating options such as cork for durability and comfort.

Furnishings to Save For:

• A queen-sized bed for the master.
• A large charcoal-gray U-shaped sectional for the living room to define a roomy seating area.
• A larger TV stand or media center that suits the scale of the space — ideally thrifted, DIY, or refinished.
• A generously sized area rug to anchor the living room seating (considering sizes like 8×10 or 9×11).
• Stools for the future island that can be refreshed with new upholstery.
• A large round pedestal dining table with an expandable leaf to seat 10–12 for family gatherings.
• Upholstered Parsons-style dining chairs for comfortable, casual seating.
• Updated shower curtains, towels, and accessories for the hall and guest bathrooms.
• Energy-efficient kitchen and laundry appliances purchased during sales, and watching classifieds for scratch-and-dent bargains.
• A full-sized bed frame, mattress, and box spring for the guest room, plus a DIY headboard.
• A large cabinet or console for the kitchen hallway — preferably thrifted and refinished.
• A new console table to better define the front entryway.
• His-and-hers dressers for the master bedroom that can be refinished on a budget.

In short, our strategy is simple: write everything down, prioritize small and manageable projects that we can complete quickly, and save for larger renovations that need more planning. We jump between rooms to stay inspired rather than forcing a strict, linear schedule. Over the next few years we’ll tackle a mix of DIY curtains, paint updates, major renovations, and subtle styling choices, sharing details as each project progresses. Our last house took several years to feel “finished,” and we expect a similar, enjoyable pace this time around. Off to the home improvement store again — there’s really no place like Home Depot for project inspiration.

Psst — adorable “I heart lists” stationery inspired this list.

Pssst — we also have a floor plan post that helps clarify some of the major layout changes and renovation ideas on this list.