Preparing Our Home for Baby: A Heartfelt Renovation Journey to a Fresh Start

As the joyous anticipation of a new arrival fills our home, our focus has naturally shifted towards nesting and preparing our living space. This isn’t our first rodeo; with our daughter Clara, we embarked on a similar journey, meticulously updating key areas of our first house. Back then, much of the heavy lifting, like a full kitchen renovation, hardwood floor refinishing, and significant structural changes such as opening and closing off doorways, was already behind us. Our pre-Clara projects primarily centered on refining the remaining spaces, including a complete bathroom overhaul and the nursery creation, transforming a nearly finished house into a perfect sanctuary.

This time, our renovation narrative is distinctly different. Our current home, while brimming with potential, is far from the polished state our first house was in. Our goals for this pregnancy period are less about adding the final decorative touches and more about establishing a clean, neutral foundation – a true “blank slate” – before our second baby makes their grand entrance. This means tackling some significant aesthetic challenges that, for too long, have lingered on our never-ending to-do list.

Our Pre-Baby Renovation Blueprint: Clearing the Old to Welcome the New

There’s a unique kind of motivation that comes with expecting a baby – a powerful nesting instinct that transforms a homeowner into a mom (or dad) on a mission. My current mission is clear and resolute: to systematically eliminate all vestiges of dated décor. This includes shedding old wallpaper, ripping up worn carpeting, and painting over the pervasive blue trim that currently defines too many of our spaces. Over the next six months, as we count down to baby’s arrival, our focus will be on these core transformations across seven distinct areas of our home.

The vision is simple: out with the old, in with the new. We aim to create a calming, cohesive backdrop that will feel fresh and inviting for our growing family. Here’s a detailed look at the battlefronts:

• Dining Room Transformation: This space is a double challenge. We plan to “de-blue-trim-ify” it, bidding farewell to the outdated blue accents, and embarking on a full wallpaper removal to reveal the true character of the walls beneath. Our goal is to infuse the dining room with a more contemporary and sophisticated ambiance, making it perfect for family meals and future entertaining.
• Kitchen Wallpaper Conquest: Known internally as “Project No More Graph Paper,” this mission involved stripping the very distinctive wallpaper that adorned our kitchen walls. This was a high-priority task, and I’m thrilled to report it’s already complete! More on this triumph below.
• Bathroom Wallpaper Battle: Our bathroom’s sink/tub area is currently clad in a bold blue wallpaper that needs to go. This project promises to be a refreshing change, creating a cleaner and more spa-like environment for daily routines.
• Stair Runner Upgrade: The old carpet runner on our main stairs has seen better days. After a lengthy wait due to backorder, our new runners have finally arrived! This will not only improve the aesthetics but also enhance safety and comfort on our staircase. We’re eager to install these modern replacements.
• Office Trim Makeover: The office, a space dedicated to productivity and creativity, currently features the same pervasive blue trim. Painting over this will instantly update the room, preparing it for a more inspiring and focused atmosphere.
• Garage Entryway Refresh: You might not even know about these steps, but the area leading from our garage into the kitchen is currently covered in old carpeting. This practical but often overlooked space will receive a much-needed facelift, contributing to a seamless and welcoming flow throughout the house.

Beyond these immediate “blank slate” projects, our radar is filled with other exciting updates, as we shared in our last post. These include adding elegant built-ins to the bedroom for enhanced storage and style, amplifying the functionality and design of the office, making a few guest room updates to ensure comfort for visitors, and, of course, designing a beautiful and serene nursery for our newest family member. But truly, I will be a happy momma once the blue trim, the peeling wallpaper, and those worn stair runners are finally sent packing. It’s a literal manifestation of “out with the old and in with the new,” and in our case, it also very fittingly means “in with the new baby!” The double meaning resonates deeply with our current journey.

Conquering the Kitchen: The Epic Wallpaper Removal Saga

Among our list of pre-baby renovations, the kitchen wallpaper removal was a project I was particularly eager to tackle. I’m thrilled to announce that we can already cross off “finish Project No More Graph Paper in the kitchen” from our list! This monumental task was completed thanks to a few days of intense wallpaper warfare, and the results are incredibly satisfying. Just look at that clean, wallpaper-less wall, proudly displaying its big old intercom – a testament to a hard-won battle. Can I get a hootie hoo for progress?

Investigating Wallpaper Removal Methods: My DIY Experiments

Each time I face a wallpaper removal challenge, I embrace my inner Anderson Cooper, conducting thorough investigative journalism by trying out a different wallpaper removal method. This ongoing experimentation allows me to discover what truly works best under varying conditions. I’ve documented my findings along the way: you can read about how boiling water performed here, and the efficacy of a steamer here. (Spoiler alert: the steamer has consistently proven to be the most efficient method so far).

For this latest kitchen endeavor, my chosen method involved a combination of warm tap water and Dr. Bronner’s soap. I had heard whispers in the DIY community that soap can be instrumental in cutting through the wallpaper glue more effectively than plain water. While some swear by a Downy fabric softener and water mixture, my current pregnancy-induced “bloodhound mode” nose and rebellious stomach (morning sickness often extends well into my pregnancy) led me to opt for a less fragrant, yet equally potent, degreasing solution: Dr. Bronner’s soap. Its gentle aroma but powerful cleaning action made it the perfect choice for a sensitive expectant mom.

The preparation was straightforward. I added approximately seven generous squirts of Dr. Bronner’s soap to my trusty (albeit slightly wonky after a near-melting incident with boiling water, which you can read about here) spray bottle. I then filled the remainder of the bottle with hot water directly from the tap – ensuring it wasn’t scalding like boiling water, but certainly not lukewarm either, to maximize its glue-softening potential. With my solution ready, I thoroughly sprayed down the entire kitchen wall, allowing the mixture to penetrate and loosen the adhesive for about three minutes. Once the waiting period was over, I commenced peeling with the relentless determination of a madwoman.

Peeling Without a Scoring Tool: My Strategy and Why It Works

This kitchen project marked my third significant wallpaper removal attempt, and notably, my third attempt without the aid of a scoring tool. Initially, I anticipated trying one out at some point, perhaps believing it to be an essential step. However, my experiences have actually made me wary of them. The consistent success of removing large, satisfying sheets of wallpaper in one go has convinced me that a scoring tool could potentially create more work, leading to the tedious task of peeling off countless small, perforated pieces instead of gratifying large sections.

Ultimately, the most effective wallpaper removal methods appear to hinge on a myriad of factors. These include how firmly the wallpaper is adhered to the wall, the specific type of glue originally used, the quality of any preparatory work (such as priming) done to the wall before papering, the age of the wallpaper, and even the number of layers present. My personal recommendation, based on my trials, is to always attempt peeling without scoring first. If the wallpaper stubbornly refuses to budge, then – and only then – consider resorting to a scoring tool to perforate the paper and allow your solution to penetrate more deeply. This approach minimizes the potential for creating unnecessary extra work, especially if your wallpaper, like ours, tends to come off in large, satisfying sheets. For those wondering, this particular kitchen wallpaper was, to our knowledge, applied approximately 30 years ago, and we believe the walls were properly prepped with primer beneath it, which undoubtedly contributes to easier removal.

Having successfully tackled the large wall adjacent to the kitchen table, I methodically worked my way around the room. The process became a rhythmic cycle: spray, wait three minutes for the solution to soak in, and then peel. This patient, section-by-section approach proved to be incredibly effective.

Once again, this method yielded some wonderfully large sections that detached cleanly from the wall, offering immense satisfaction with each pull.

However, as these piles of removed wallpaper attest, there were inevitably smaller, more stubborn sections that required a bit more persistence after the initial large chunks came down. For these areas, I simply re-sprayed with my Dr. Bronner’s solution and gently picked at them with my fingernail until they released their grip. I also briefly experimented with a spackle knife, having heard it can be a helpful tool. However, I quickly abandoned it after discovering it caused small dents in the wall. My priority is to achieve pristine walls in the end, even if it means taking a little more time to remove the paper. I’d rather avoid the additional step of spackling and smoothing out imperfections caused by aggressive removal techniques.

Approximately three hours into the removal process, I made my way to the other side of the kitchen, near the built-in desk. By this point, this determined momma was in dire need of a break. The physical exertion and focused concentration required for wallpaper removal can be surprisingly draining, especially while pregnant.

After posting this Instagram picture of the glorious mess I had created, I permitted myself to curl up in the fetal position for a much-needed respite. Wallpaper removal has a way of doing that to you; it’s a truly immersive and sometimes exhausting DIY experience.

The Second Attack: Tackling the Other Side and Stubborn Backing

Roughly four days later, I experienced a burst of what I affectionately call “prego gusto” – those intermittent surges of energy that expectant mothers sometimes get. And when these moments strike, I make sure to capitalize on them! With a battle cry of “Arrrggggghhh!” (which may or may not have startled our dog), I charged back into the kitchen, ready to resume spraying and peeling. This time, my focus was on the remaining sections of the kitchen, an area that presented its own unique set of challenges and advantages. For instance, the backsplash area was a considerably smaller space to peel, offering a slight reprieve from large wall sections.

However, despite the smaller surface areas, this side of the kitchen seemed to have a more tenacious grip on its wallpaper, possibly due to a different type or application of adhesive. This meant the removal process took a while longer, requiring extra patience and persistence to make my way around every corner and crevice.

The increased amount of glue in certain areas resulted in more of the paper backing stubbornly clinging to the walls. These remnants created what looked like intriguing “white tiger stripes” wherever they adhered, a visual reminder of the underlying challenge. This was more than just aesthetic; it meant the walls weren’t truly bare and ready for primer and paint, requiring yet another removal step.

The Game-Changer: A New Technique for Removing Paper Backing

It was at this point, faced with the persistent paper backing, that I decided to try an entirely new method – and it worked like gangbusters! If you find yourself in a similar predicament, with that mocking paper backing silently staring back at you from your freshly peeled walls, I highly recommend giving this a try. Fill a bowl with the hottest tap water you can comfortably handle and add a few pumps of Dr. Bronner’s soap (while I had success with DBs, I imagine other effective degreasing soaps could work too). Then, simply dip a paper towel or a clean rag into the solution and dab it generously over the paper backing directly on the wall. This technique saturates the backing far more thoroughly than a spray bottle ever could, and it also spares your hand from the cramps of constant squeezing.

The result? Even giant chunks of that incredibly stubborn backing should peel right off in one gratifying, enormous piece. At least, that’s precisely what happened for me this time around, turning a frustrating task into a surprisingly satisfying one. Just look at the progress, it’s incredibly empowering to find a method that truly works!

In certain parts of the room, it truly felt as though I was peeling wallpaper twice – first the decorative layer, followed by several more hours dedicated solely to removing the tenacious paper backing. But when the dust finally cleared, the reward was immense: a completely wallpaper-less kitchen! Hurrah! The sense of accomplishment was palpable, and the transformation was dramatic.

The Grand Reveal: A Blank Canvas Kitchen Awaits Its New Chapter

While our kitchen still presents a few aesthetic challenges – it’s quite dark with its faux brick linoleum and a somewhat industrial, garage-looking light fixture on the ceiling – the successful removal of the wallpaper is undeniably a huge step in the right direction. It marks a crucial milestone in our journey toward a more modern and welcoming home. As for the total time invested, I’d estimate that the entire wallpaper removal process, from initial spray to final backing removal, spanned approximately 8 hours of dedicated work. It was a labor of love, but one that was absolutely worth every minute.

Those blank walls, now smooth and unadorned, feel incredibly liberating. They represent a fresh start, a blank canvas awaiting our creative vision. Our next step is to meticulously wipe them down with a simple yet effective vinegar and water spray. This solution has proven its worth in our past projects, successfully dissolving any lingering glue residue and ensuring a perfectly clean surface. Once the walls are pristine, we can finally unleash our inner artists and paint our little hearts out, transforming this space into something truly special.

With the wallpaper gone, the kitchen already feels brighter and more spacious, a testament to the power of a good renovation. The subtle sheen on the walls will soon be replaced by a fresh coat of paint, further brightening and modernizing the space. It’s exciting to envision the next phase of this kitchen’s transformation.

Progress Report: Ticking Off the To-Do List and Looking Ahead

And, just because I derive immense satisfaction from crossing items off a well-curated list, here’s an updated look at our pre-baby renovation blueprint:

• de-blue-trim-ify and de-wallpaper the dining room
• finish Project No More Graph Paper in the kitchen
• strip the bold blue wallpaper in our bathroom
• rip up the old carpet runner on the stairs (our new runners finally came after being on backorder, woot!)
• paint the blue trim in the office
• remove the old carpeting on the steps that lead from the garage into the kitchen

For those wondering about the various methods, the steamer still holds the crown as the easiest and fastest wallpaper removal technique. However, neither the boiling water method nor the hot tap water plus soap approach were particularly difficult to implement. They offer a 100% free alternative and serve as excellent backup options, definitely worth trying before investing in specialized equipment. Up next on my radar is the bathroom wallpaper – I think I’ll appreciate working in a smaller space to give my arms a much-needed break. Concurrently, the days of the carpet runner on the stairs are certainly numbered. To our old carpet runner and bathroom wallpaper, I say: be afraid, be very afraid! For everyone else, rest assured, there’s no need for alarm.

Is there anyone else out there with a ticking deadline and a list of non-negotiable house projects they’re determined to accomplish? Honestly, my excitement for designing the nursery is so profound that I’m hoping to power through all these other bullet points as quickly as possible so we can dive into the truly fun stuff. Creating that special space for our new baby is the ultimate motivation driving every swing of the hammer and every peel of wallpaper.

Psst- Clara’s having conversations again. And as usual, she’s cracking us up.