Warning: this is longer than the Oscars, so feel free to fast forward to the parts you care about. This post began because readers kept asking how we manage our long to-do list. We explained that it’s basically one ongoing master document. When people asked us to share it and update it, we decided to publish it—especially since it’s been ten months since the last update. Time for a refresh.
To make the list easier to read, we separated completed items from remaining tasks for each area. You’ll also see an estimated completion percentage at the top of each section so you can quickly gauge progress.
Let’s get into it.
-The Front Yard (40% complete)-
Done:
- limbed up the magnolia so it no longer blocks the house
- removed bushes that hid the house
- planted grass in the bare patches where we removed shrubs
- updated garden beds and added landscaping
To Do:
- transplant, plant, trim, and refine the remaining garden beds (we tackled three of about ten)
-The Front Porch/House Facade (35% complete)-
Done:
- furnished the porch with items from our previous home
- planted shrubs and flowers
- painted the front door yellow
To Do:
- frame out the porch columns to make them chunky and square
- stain the concrete porch floor
- add window boxes around the house
- install shutters on side and back windows (currently only on the front)
-The Carport/Garage (5% complete)-
Done:
- replaced the tiny light fixture with a large black lantern
To Do:
- decide whether to convert the space into a closed garage or keep it as an open, upgraded carport with beefed-up columns and a trellis-style pergola to let in light
-The Living Room (85% complete)-
Done:
- painted the walls
- painted the dark wood trim white
- gray-washed the ceiling beams
- added a new sectional that we love
- built a console behind the sectional
- hung subtle patterned curtains
- bought a new rug, ottoman, and desk chair
- acquired a larger secondhand media cabinet
- built a leaning chalkboard to balance the tall slider
To Do:
- add overhead lighting (pendant over the table and possibly recessed cans)
- create a double-sided fireplace shared with the kitchen
- refinish the floors at a later date
-The Office (85% complete)-
Done:
- built a custom double desk
- painted and reupholstered secondhand chairs
- painted and stenciled the walls
- added sentimental artwork
- updated the chandelier with paint, new bulbs, and a large shade
- added an old chair and a file cabinet for function
To Do:
- add window treatments (possibly bamboo blinds for texture)
- consider adding French doors between the dining room and office for privacy
- refinish the floors eventually
-The Hall Bathroom (100% complete)-
Done:
- hung the shower curtain higher
- added window trim to balance the space and cover a demo hole
- installed a new light fixture above the mirror
- painted the walls
- framed the mirror
- hung art and built a chunky shelf
- updated vanity knobs
- made a homemade window shade
To Do:
- none for now
-The Big Hallway (90% complete)-
Done:
- installed a frame collage and console table we love, so no major changes planned
To Do:
- add a patterned runner rug
- refinish the floors eventually
-The Small Hallway (5% complete)
Done:
- spray-painted the old door knobs oil-rubbed bronze; they’re holding up well
To Do:
- add board and batten
- paint the walls
- add crown molding
- hang art
- replace the old light and remove the gaudy doorbell chime
- refinish the floors someday
-The Dining Room (95% complete)-
Done:
- painted the walls
- painted the back wall of the built-ins dark teal
- hung homemade curtains
- bought a large round dining table and chairs
- rescued a chippy painted buffet
- personalized yard-sale art with painted lettering
- installed a show-stopping light fixture over the table
To Do:
- build a giant lazy Susan for the table
- refinish the floors eventually
-The Laundry Room (98% complete)-
Done:
- painted the walls
- removed old shutters from the window
- frosted the large glass side door
- painted the cabinets and replaced hardware
- replaced washer and dryer with energy-efficient models and sold the old ones
- built custom shelves next to the machines
- replaced laminate with cork flooring
- hung art
- constructed a clothespin chandelier
- mounted the ironing board to save space
To Do:
- add a window treatment possibly
-The Kitchen (85% complete)-
Done:
- painted the brick fireplace
- primed and painted the paneling
- upgraded to energy-efficient stainless appliances and sold the old ones
- opened a large pass-through to connect the kitchen and dining room
- redid the lighting with cans and glass pendants
- reconfigured cabinets, added a peninsula, and moved the pantry and fridge
- primed and painted cabinets and added new hardware
- replaced granite counters with white Corian
- tiled the backsplash up to the ceiling on one wall
- installed open shelving
- built a ventilated microwave cabinet
- installed a new range hood and built a cover
- replaced laminate with dark cork flooring
- added stools at the peninsula
- placed a rug to define the sitting area by the fireplace
- made a fabric window shade for over the sink
To Do:
- finish the back of the peninsula with trim
- consider adding a message board to the pantry side (not chalk)
- decide whether to add trim to the top of the cabinets
- debate repainting the walls
- eventually reface the fireplace with a chunky mantel and a stone or tile surround
-The Playroom/Big Girl Room (75% complete)-
Done:
- cleared clutter via yard sale, charity auction, and donations
- painted the walls
- made and hung curtains
- added a rug
- brought in a kid-sized table and chairs and painted the chair backs
- bought a secondhand dresser with nine drawers for storage
- replaced the ceiling fan with a pendant
- created a meaningful frame collage
- hung birdcages to balance the wall
- cleared the closet for toy and clothing storage
- prepared the daybed with a mattress pad, sheets, and personalized storage
To Do:
- paint the ceiling
- add crown molding
- paint or refinish the dresser
- refinish the floors later
-Nursery (90% complete)-
Done:
- painted the walls
- hung curtains
- moved in furniture
- hung art and added storage baskets and toys
- installed a capiz chandelier retained from our previous home
- built a play kitchen and play fridge
- redid the closet with stamped walls and a sewing-made beanbag reading nook
To Do:
- hang more art on bare walls
- add crown molding
- refinish the floors eventually
- the room may evolve if a future baby uses it and Clara moves to the big girl room (not pregnant)
-The Sunroom (60% complete)-
Done:
- spray-painted slider handles and knobs oil-rubbed bronze
- painted the walls and an awkward brick box
- furnished most of the room using existing pieces
- hung artwork to make it feel homier
- added a bookcase for storage
To Do:
- furnish a few bare corners
- add window treatments
- eventually replace the beige tile flooring
-Our Bedroom (80% complete)-
Done:
- removed dated bifold doors between the sink nook and bedroom
- hung a mirror over the sink window and removed an off-center medicine cabinet
- removed the granite backsplash to make the sink nook feel like furniture
- bought a new bed
- painted and repainted the walls
- replaced a heavy brown fan with a light Ikea chandelier
- hung art and curtains
- rearranged furniture so the room works
- made an upholstered headboard
- added furniture across from the bed (TV still not hooked up)
To Do:
- possibly convert the window to a French door to the deck
- consider tiling the sink nook back wall with a glossy, dreamy material
- refinish the floors eventually
-Our Bathroom (75% complete)-
Done:
- hung the shower curtain at ceiling height
- painted the walls
- hung art
- painted trim and door glossy white
- added window privacy with frosting film
- replaced the toilet and sold the old one
- replaced a dated ceiling light with a centered glass pendant
- replaced the tile border with white frosted glass subway tile
To Do:
- phase two: retile the floor (possibly gray hex tiles) and either reglaze beige wall tile to white or add beadboard
-The Guest Bedroom (70% complete)-
Done:
- primed and painted the walls
- furnished mostly with leftover pieces
- hung curtains and a mirror
To Do:
- hang art on bare walls
- add crown molding
- paint or replace the round mirror so it stands out more
- replace worn furnishings like an old Ikea dresser
- refinish the floors eventually
-The Guest Bathroom (10% complete)-
Done:
- removed an awkward door-mounted mirror
- hung a new shower curtain and added a bath mat
- hung art and replaced the sink mirror
- replaced the light fixture
To Do:
- paint the walls
- decide which tile to update or replace
- install a glass shower door instead of a curtained cubby
- frost the window for privacy
- hang more art on bare walls
-The Basement Workshop (85% complete)-
Done:
- cleaned and donated items to Goodwill and used a Bagster for debris
- organized tools on framed and painted pegboards and stored paint in a built-in cabinet
- sorted screws and nails in labeled jars on shelving
- added sawdust-proof art and functional shelving above the main workspace
To Do:
- paint the basement back door
- stain the floors and wood counters
-The Side Lot (10% complete)-
Done:
- planted two trees
To Do:
- plant many more trees to naturalize the lot and create an orchard-like feel
-The Deck (80% complete)-
Done:
- cleared and transplanted obstructing bushes and shrubs
- mapped a deck plan and got county approval
- demoed the old balcony and dug post holes
- framed and installed deck boards, railings, and steps
- furnished the deck with a dining table and chairs
- installed a new French door to access the deck
To Do:
- stain and seal the deck to complete the build and finalize the budget breakdown
- hang large-bulb string lights
- hide the utility box with paint or a small cabinet
- add plantings to screen steps and the AC unit
-The Patio (85% complete)-
Done:
- cleared weeds, bushes, and dead trees to make room for the patio
- planned and purchased materials
- leveled the ground, laid gravel and sand, and installed pavers
- created a custom curved edge and landscaped around the patio
- built a rock box for Clara and added a rain barrel
To Do:
- furnish the patio beyond two Adirondack chairs
- add lighting such as string lights
-The Backyard (90% complete)-
Done:
- built a compost bin
- cleared overgrown beds to make more lawn for play
- removed invading monkey grass from brick paths
- transplanted misplaced bushes to better locations
- reseeding the lawn
To Do:
- remove ivy choking large trees
- plant trees in the back to naturalize for privacy
- add raised beds for vegetables, fruits, and herbs where there’s enough sun
- consider building a swingset (there’s a nearby public playground, so undecided)
Looking back on the completed items is encouraging, but there’s still a long to-do list. We try to enjoy the process and take projects one at a time. We don’t follow a strict order—usually we work on what we’re excited about unless something urgent requires immediate attention. We save the bigger projects in the back of our minds until we feel confident about the approach and the budget. Smaller, bite-sized tasks keep momentum and motivation between large projects.
Next up on our list:
- add crown molding to three bedrooms that don’t have it
- box in the porch columns
- redo the carport
- renovate the untouched guest bathroom
Those projects are “on deck.” How do you manage your home to-do lists? Do you keep them on your phone, on Post-its, in a big online document, or handwritten in a notebook? How do you decide what to tackle next?