This has been spinning in my head for months, but I’ve finally taken the time to put pen to paper, and think about my 2025 project list. I also went back and reviewed my 2024 project list, did an assessment of dreaming vs reality, and publicly checked myself with my 2024 project recap. There’s nothing like the internet to keep you honest, right?
With all that said, I’m deciding to break my 2025 project list into “big priorities” and “nice to have’s.” Will I do more than two projects this year? I would like to think so! But organizing everything this way will help me stay focused on what’s going to make me happiest to look back on when the end of the year rolls around.
My Big Priorities For The 2025 Project List
Exterior Makeover Phase 2:
Last year one of my larger projects was updating the exterior trim and door color to my colonial brick house as well as installing a new garage door. I’ve always been drawn to brick houses with darker trim colors…something about them always has me do a double take. So I was really excited to finally work up the nerve to do this to my own house! I shared all about that process here, and also revealed this was phase one of a multi-phase exterior upgrade I’d be making.
With that said, this year I’m tackling phase 2 of the exterior upgrade, and I must say I’m quite excited about it! This will include new copper lanterns flanking the front door, as well as the side man door. They arrived in December and spoiler alert: they are SO beautiful. I’m using this protective coating to make sure they’re sealed and don’t oxidize (and turn green!), then I’ll have them installed. So hopefully I’ll have something to share with you in February!
The other big update for the exterior will be new landscaping. While there’s a lot of things about my current landscaping I like, one of the things I don’t like is how unmanageable it is to maintain. Some of the bushes have died off, and others haven’t been cared for properly and are too leggy. I plan to keep some things intact (like the pink magnolia trees) but for the most part I’m planning for a fresh start. There will be a lot more to come on this, and I’ll be sharing updates along the way!
The Laundry Room:
Alright I’m literally airing my dirty laundry here. This is my most embarrassing room in the house. It was the last popcorn ceiling I scraped off, and I left the ceiling raw. Not that you asked for my excuses, but really it was because I didn’t know whether to prime it light or dark because I didn’t know what the overall room design was going to be. At one point I decided to put lipstick on a pig and laid these black & white peel & stick checkered tiles down over the existing linoleum. I will say I really like them, but they were never intended to be a forever decision.
The big update with the laundry room is that it’s going to be a utility room. Its function has always been more than just laundry, so I want to design it in a functional way. This is the part that I want to really spend time with and map out, and to be honest, I’m still catching my breath from last year’s kitchen renovation. When I get my excitement back, this project will be so fun to design, but it may be one for later in the spring or even in the fall. But it’s happening.
The Projects Next in Line
Primary Closet:
Did this surprise you? Technically I’ve considered the primary closet to be a finished space, but after the primary bedroom transformation last year, I’ve changed my tune a bit. I’ve been imagining a color drenched space, with high gloss paint. Wallpapering on the ceiling? I think this would be the room for that.
I’m dreaming up taking the existing built-in’s to the ceiling and adding crown molding to them (think of little boxes or cupboards on top). And the library ladder in my kitchen has me wanting more…how amazing would a rolling ladder be in this room?!?
There’s a lot more to flush out, but I can’t think of a more fun space in the house to daydream about.
Home Office:
Ah the home office. This room is the smallest room in the entire house but it has my favorite view. It sits high up on the backside of the house and overlooks the entire backyard, which includes the pool, and at certain times in the year I can also see the giant meadow that sits beyond my property.
At one point, I decided it would be fun to have an accent wall, so I installed peel & stick wallpaper to the wall behind my desk. I’m so thankful it was peel & stick because I quickly lost interest in the design (and the concept of an accent wall). Right now, I’m trying to decide if I want to install a mural in my house because if I do, this would be the room for it. Otherwise, I’ll repaint everything and add some fun vintage pieces to warm it up.
This is a space that doesn’t necessarily need to be done this year, but I think I would flourish more creatively if it was finished. No matter what way the design ends up leaning, I know I want swap out my existing white desk for a vintage wood one. I’m hunting for something specific and lately I’ve been on marketplace daily hoping to find the perfect desk. I’ll be sure to keep you posted on socials once I find the one!
Pantry:
If we’re being honest, I’m dying to do the pantry yesterday. I don’t have a walk-in pantry, but I do have a nice size wall pantry that’s more than enough on top of the kitchen storage I have. Unfortunately, it’s been a casualty of the kitchen renovation, especially when I was moving everything out of the kitchen. And it’s never quite bounced back. I’m of the mindset of if I’m pulling everything out to reorganize it, I at least want to make it prettier.
Everything is painted a basic cream and I think this could be a really beautiful and functional space. I’m currently trying to decide if I want to paint everything the same color, or paint the shelves and wall brackets one color and wallpaper behind them. I also think I’ll switch up my storage with more glass containers (like these) and perhaps some baskets (I’m liking these ones).
Cozy TV Room:
Don’t worry! I’m not renovating the cozy tv room but I am prioritizing it from a decor standpoint. I’d like to be more intentional about my bookshelf styling this year, and given how much fun I’ve been having at estate sales over the past year, I think this could be a fun project to start collecting for. I ordered a Ralph Lauren coffee table book over the holidays and am using it for inspiration as I build my wish list for estate sale hunting. I think something like this will be a nice reprieve from some of the projects that are going to require a bit more labor.
Shop the Cozy TV Room
Stay tuned throughout the year and follow along on socials to see all the action unfold. And if you’re not already, be sure to subscribe to my monthly newsletter for more sneak peeks, behind the scenes and candid thoughts. I fell a bit off schedule with the newsletter during the fall one room challenge, but plan to get things back on track in the coming month.
V e r y ambiguous!!