When in Doubt, Make a List

I am a big fan of making lists! One of the first things I do whenever I start organizing (paper especially), is to keep a notepad handy for all the tasks that undoubtedly pop up. One of my favorite organizing books, Getting Things Done, is basically about perfecting the art of list making. It’s a bit dense in parts, but I definitely gained loads of wisdom from all of David Allen’s pearls of wisdom.

For anyone who has tackled renovations before, it will surely come as no surprise that as overwhelming as whole house renovation is, I turn to lists to bring the project back into check. I rely on lists to break projects into bite sized pieces. I set aside the very first section in my Home Reno Binder for the many lists I refer to constantly.

I thought I’d share my current lists since I know I love peeking into other people’s to-do’s. (Is that just another form of procrastination? Hmmmmm).

Front Yard

• paint and remove shutters
• replace aluminum windows with double pane windows
• change the size of small rectangle bathroom window to make it look more updated
• make driveway smaller and replace with greenery on both sides
• take down chain link fence and gate
• build retaining wall to expand front yard
• add planter to the top of the driveway in front of the house to soften the house and add privacy
• add exterior lighting
• remove old, random cable wires
• repair rain gutters
• plant shade tree in front yard

Kitchen

• demolish old kitchen
• install new white cabinets and appliances
• install cork floors
• decide on material for countertops and get installed
• add counter supports for breakfast bar on the island
• install under cabinet lights
• hire electrician to install outlet for microwave cord
• add quarter round at the base of cabinets to cover space between cork floors
• install cabinet hardware
• install light above sink
• reinstall crown molding above garage door
• figure out a curtain solution for sink window
• buy bar stools

Dining Room

• DIY some type light for above dining table
• chalk baseboards, actually we have to do this in all the rooms
• maybe add rug under the table or not? (keep it sweep-able)
• hang curtains

Living Room

• remove wall to open up living space
• replace sliders with French door
• add new crown molding and baseboards
• scrap and re-texture popcorn ceilings
• add door for utility crawl space in skylight
• paint upper part of skylight
• clean fireplace and figure out how to dress up the mantle
• paint french door, it is just primed right now
• hang art
• figure out a good layout for the furniture, maybe a new couch
• have large carpet cut and edges bound so it looks like a real rug
• maybe add shelves or a bookshelf somewhere in the room

Hall

• take out hall closet to expand girls’ bedroom
• install cork floors
• install baseboards around AC intake vent
• add art or a gallery wall
• paint door frames
• change out bedroom doors for 6 panel doors
• upgrade light
• build a book shelf in random open space of hall closet
• put up carbon monoxide
• upgrade bedroom doors and hardware

Hall Bathroom

• tile bathtub
• install new vanity
• tile floor
• expand narrow door way
• install upgraded sink and counters
• get tub overflow repaired
• take out crazy octopus light and install new lights flanking the mirror
• upgrade bathroom fixtures
• paint
• paint medicine cabinet
• add baseboards
• hang up and frame mirror
• install glass doors or curtain rod
• install vanity hardware

Master Bedroom

• paint and install carpet
• paint and install closet doors
• remove random cable lines
• shorten ceiling fan
• DIY some type of headboard
• hang up curtains and replace paper blinds
• hang art
• build small desk to replace the large armoire

Master Bath

• replace shower pan with tiled shower
• extend the size of the shower
• install new vanity
• tile floor
• expand narrow door way
• install upgraded sink and counter
• update lighting
• update and frame mirror
• upgrade bathroom fixtures
• paint
• install sliding barn door for master bath
• eventually install glass shower door
• install vanity hardware

Girls’ Bedroom

• install carpet
• paint and install baseboards
• paint closet
• paint and install closet doors or explore different options
• fix ceiling fan
• hang curtains
• hang art
• install shelf above girls’ beds
• fix drywall repair above bunk bed

Third Bedroom

• replace wood siding with drywall
• replace carpet
• paint and install baseboards
• paint closet
• finish unpacking the rest of the boxes
• paint and install closet doors
• fix ceiling fan
• come up with a general plan for the room overall

Backyard

• remove palm tree and plant small fruit trees on small slope
• take down antenna
• create proper drainage for the east side of house
• repair support for neighbor’s fence
• build new fence on west side of the yard
• take out old tree roots
• install sprinkler system and grass
• build patio cover one day

Garage

• recycle or dump demo trash
• get new water heater and platform
• craigslist a few items still left over from demo
• paint doors
• figure out solution for lighting, a light switch by the garage door
• get new garage door opener
• install drywall
• create a laundry space and move washer and dryer next to each other

I’ll be honest that in a few of the pictures (mainly the last couple) it was hard to write “progress” on the pictures. We still have so far to go!

But writing the list is a start. I am surprised that a few rooms only have a few things left on the to-do list. It certainly helps me to feel less overwhelmed since I can take on one thing at a time. Deep breaths, right?

Any big projects on your to-do list this summer?