Hello again! It’s been a long time since my last post – more than six months, to be specific. 2021 was a tough one and with everything going on it was time to take a break from the blog. Things are looking up in 2022 though, and I’m excited to get back to my favorite creative outlet! I thought it would be fun to kick the year off by sharing my goals for our home in 2022. Most of these projects have been in my head for a while, but I thought the new year would be a good opportunity to actually write them down and make a plan. I’m sharing them here mostly to hold myself accountable! Keep reading for a list of my 2022 home goals.
Main Bedroom Feature Wall
* Install beadboard & trim
* Install sconces
* Hang gallery wall
We made a lot of progress in the main bedroom in 2021 with new flooring, new nightstands, and a styling refresh of the dresser and nightstands. But the one thing that’s still driving me crazy is the huge blank wall next to the bed. After months of weighing my options, I’ve finally decided that it’s the perfect spot for a gallery wall! We already have one gallery wall in the kitchen, but that one is symmetrical and black and white. I’m picturing the bedroom gallery wall as more organic, with mixed frames and some pretty vintage prints. I also plan to accent the gallery wall with some beadboard and trim on the lower half of the wall. The finishing touch will be sconces flanking either side of the gallery wall to bring the blank wall from blah to beautiful!
Finish Pantry
* Install new tile
* Purchase baskets for organization
* Mount vacuum on wall
* Replace light fixture
2021 saw pretty much no progress for the pantry. I painted the whole thing white when we first moved in and we’ve kept it super organized, but it’s pretty much the ugliest space in the house right now. Since it’s a smaller space, I want to do something a little more adventurous than my usual neutrals. I found some gorgeous blue and white tile that reminds me of Greece (where we honeymooned) I know will completely transform this space and I’m so excited about it! Although the pantry is already organized, I’d also like to add some baskets to corral snacks and add some texture to the space. We keep our vacuum in the pantry because it’s the only place it fits, so I’m planning to mount it on the side wall so it’s up and out of the way. Lastly, I’d like to switch out the light fixture for something more fun – I have my heart set on a basket light and I think it’ll be the perfect way to achieve the Mediterranean vibe I’m going for in the pantry.
Office Closet Upgrade
* Paint Closet
* Clear out & organize storage bins
* Purchase new storage bins
* Install brass hanging hooks
While we’ve been able to keep the office looking great over the past year and a half, the office closet is a different story. It holds all of our important documents, office supplies, and my craft supplies, and it’s honestly kind of a disaster right now. It’s also unpainted so it feels choppy and disconnected from the rest of the office. My biggest priority is to paint it the pretty blue-green-grey color we chose for the rest of the office. Once it’s painted, it’ll be time to organize! My plan is to empty all of the storage bins, go through them, and reorganize everything. I’d also like to purchase some new storage bins that pack more of a punch than the plain grey ones in there now. Finally, I plan to install some pretty brass hooks for hanging backpacks and other supplies on the back wall of the closet.
Refinish Office Desk
* Remove paint
* Sand
* Stain or paint
* Clean up hardware
Last spring Darian and I were at our favorite antique barn in Frederick and I stumbled upon the most beautiful desk for a steal (it was only $69)! It was in pretty rough shape but it was exactly the style of desk I had been looking for, so I couldn’t say no! I spent hours last summer scraping paint off of it, but once it got cold I put the project on hold. In 2022 I’m determined to finish it! I’m not a fan of paint stripper, so my plan is to scrape the paint off as much as I can and then give it a good sand using our mouse sander. Depending on the condition of the wood underneath the paint, I’ll either stain it or paint it. I actually really like the hardware on it now, so my plan is to clean it up and reattach it to finish the desk!
Organize Garage
* Organize Darian’s tools
* Donate & sell unused items
* Epoxy floors
* Install new shelving as needed
Last summer’s project was furnishing the deck, but I’m honestly just as excited about this summer’s project – organizing the garage! The garage is definitely the most unkempt part of our home, but Darian uses it constantly during the warmer months as his makeshift workshop. This summer I want to work on clearing it out, organizing his tools, and creating a relaxing workspace for him so he can focus on enjoying his projects! The floor is also covered in paint from my kitchen cabinet painting project, so I’m planning to purchase an epoxy kit to refinish the floors, which I think will really transform the garage. Finally, I’m also ready to invest in some new shelving once we’ve sorted through everything and figured out what we’re actually keeping.
Guest Bathroom Phase 2 Makeover
* Paint floor tile
* Replace toilet
* Install new vanity + sink
* Purchase new guest towels
* Organize new vanity
Last fall we completed a Phase 1 makeover of the guest bathroom that included paint, beadboard, new lighting, a new mirror, and some pretty decor. Since it will be a long time before we’re in the place financially to do a complete renovation, I’m planning a Phase 2 makeover for 2022! The biggest project of phase 2 will be painting the tile floors. Ever since Casey from DIY Playbook painted her bathroom floors, I’ve been dying to try this project and the guest bathroom is the perfect place to start. I’m planning to follow her tutorial to give the floors an inexpensive update. I’m also planning to replace the pedestal sink with a vanity so we can actually have some storage in the bathroom! Once we replace the vanity, the toilet will also need to be replaced. Since I’m planning on purchasing a white vanity, our almond-colored toilet will stick out like a sore thumb! It’s also quite old (do they even make almond toilets anymore?) so I think an upgrade is due anyways. The last step will be organizing the vanity and purchasing some new guest towels to complete the look!
Guest Room Refresh
* Install shiplap on back wall
* Paint walls medium green color
* Install brass sconces on back wall
* New curtains
* Hang art on wall next to window
* Install ceiling light
* Replace flooring
* Purchase new queen bed frame and mattress
Our biggest project for 2022 is also the one I’m most excited about! While our guest room now is ok, my obsession with going dark in the office has me itching to add more color to our home. This room feels a bit blah as is, so I’m planning to add some interest with some vertical shiplap and pretty brass sconces on the wall behind the bed. I’ve been saving so many pretty green rooms lately, so I’m excited to find the perfect medium green to cover the walls. The biggest task in the guest room refresh, though, will definitely be replacing the floors! When we replaced the office and bedroom floors last spring, we couldn’t afford to do the guest room as well. Almost a year later, the guest room carpet still has a strange smell and we can’t get rid of it soon enough. We’re planning to use the same flooring we used in the other upstairs rooms and hope to extend it to the hallway as well so everything flows nicely. This is also the only room upstairs without a ceiling light, so I’m planning to have our electrician install one so we can get rid of our cheap ugly floor lamp. In terms of furniture, most of what’s in this room will stay, but we’ve decided it’s finally time to upgrade the full bed in this room to a queen. I actually love the bed we already have, so I’m just planning to purchase it in a bigger size. The last step will be adding some new curtains and art on the walls to finish out the room and add some much-needed personality!
So, there you have it! It’s still amazing to see how far this house has come in the past one and a half years, and I’m so excited about the progress we’ll make in 2022. This is an ambitious list, but I think it’s all pretty achievable (as long as we can find the motivation)! I’m hoping to be better about sharing house updates on the blog, but if all else fails I’ll certainly be documenting all our projects in Instagram stories. Hope your 2022 is off to a great start!
Thanks