Today I’m finally sharing the home project plans we have for 2026. After a year focused heavily on outdoor projects, this year we’re turning our attention back inside.
Our home has been in a bit of a transition phase for quite awhile now, with several spaces mid-project. Instead of starting something completely new, our focus this year is finishing what we’ve already begun and bringing a few key rooms together so they feel more connected and complete.
I’ve been slowly working toward a more layered and collected feeling throughout our home.
Living in a home that’s constantly in progress can feel a little chaotic at times. Tools are out for easy access and move from room to room as needed. Furniture gets shuffled around making traffic flow a bit crazy. Walls sit blank as we try to finalize the design plan.
So let’s dive right on in. Here are the home project plans guiding our year ahead and spaces we’re prioritizing this year.
Hallway and Stairway Moulding
Our upstairs hallway and stairway have been slowly evolving over the past few years and I shared a recent update on the space here. This is the space I’m most excited to finish this year. Adding wall moulding has already added so much character, but there are still several details left before the space is complete.
This year we need to finish installing the last 2 doors and casing for the guest bedroom and office. Once that is complete, we will need to adjust some of the wall moulding we installed so everything lines up as planned.
Also, we need to figure out how to build the hidden doors for the linen closet. This small space feels visually busy with all the bedroom and bathroom doors. My hope with building hidden doors for the linen closet is to reduce some of that noise and give the space room to breathe.
Once complete, we’ll be able to paint and add the finishing touches like art work. I would also love to add a runner back into this space. When we moved in 15 years ago, we removed an old shaggy green runner that appeared to have been there since the house was built. Adding a runner up the stairs and down the hallway will give us some much need sound dampening.
Family Room
The family room is another space that’s very close to being finished, but still needs a few final layers. The walls need their final coat of paint and a bit of patching. We’re also planning to update the door and window trim that got a bit damaged when the new windows and door were installed. We also want to stain the top of the new wood stair we built that leads up to the kitchen.
Once those details are complete, the focus will shift to furnishing and styling the room with a rug, chairs, coffee table or ottoman, and the lighting and artwork that will help the space feel fully pulled together.
We haven’t waited to use this space though, and have add a few decor pieces to help make the room feel more finished while in transition. I’ve styled our built-ins and we recently added a new loveseat we had reupholstered in a pretty floral last summer. These small touches have helped make the family room more enjoyable even while unfinished.
Living Room Refresh
Our living room is due for a bit of a refresh this year. The biggest change will be repainting the walls and trim and replacing our old sectional so the layout works better with the English rolled arm sofa we added last year.
From there we’ll slowly add some additional layers to help the room feel more complete. Additional seating for guests and a rug for softness. We also need to replace our ottoman and upgrade our side tables. Additional lighting, artwork, and accessories will give the space a breath of fresh air.
Guest Bedroom
The guest bedroom is one of the rooms I’m hoping to finally complete this year. Most of the big decisions have already been made, but there are still several finishing details left.
I’m planning to install wallpaper, finalize the bedding and curtains, update the ceiling light, and finish hanging artwork so the room feels ready for guests. This room also needs a rug, carpet, or both to amp up the cozy factor even more but most importantly add some sound proofing.
Kitchen Refresh (While Planning a Future Renovation)
The kitchen is one of the last major renovations we want to do in our home and a big part of our long-term home project plans. We’ve talked about incorporating the dining room footprint to create a larger kitchen with more storage and a better layout. This would be amazing and would really help eliminate some of the areas that tend to collect everyday items that don’t quite have a home.
There’s a very small chance that we could move forward with this project this year, but we do not want to rush it. I want to take my time to really think through the different types of storage we need/want.
While we’re still thinking through those larger plans, we have a couple of smaller updates in the kitchen to tie us over. We removed the old dated backsplash and added painted tongue and groove that we need to finish installing. Also, I would love to finally add a roman shade for the window over the sink. There are a few small styling moments I want to finish that will give the space a bit of personality.
Smaller Projects Along the Way
Alongside these larger priorities, there are also several smaller refresh projects we’d like to tackle around the house. For example, adding plants and flowers back into the yard after last year’s renovation work. This will really help the spaces to feel complete and soften all the hardscape while also adding some color.
There are some small changes I want to make in the in the upstairs bathroom like add a roman shade, swap the vanity hardware, and add some artwork. Improving storage in Mike’s office and in our garage are also top priorities for us.
Looking Ahead
While starting a new project is always exciting, it’s not our focus this year. These home project plans are really about finishing what we’ve already begun and slowly shaping the spaces we live in every day so they feel more settled, layered, and like us.
Sometimes the most satisfying progress comes from simply finishing what’s already in motion.
Leave a Reply