Reflecting on 2025, I couldn’t help but get giddy with excitement about what’s coming next. Last year didn’t go exactly according to plan but I have zero regrets. What I learned is the balance of projects felt manageable, attainable, and most importantly, fun. That’s why my DIY home renovation project plans for 2026 are following a similar rhythm… with one major shift.
Instead of only asking what rooms do I want to renovate, I’m asking something deeper: What skills do I want to learn in 2026?
The Home Office was my last project of 2025: Catch up on all the 2025 projects | Shop the Office
DIY Home Renovation Project Plans for 2026: A Skill-First Approach
When I look at my DIY home renovation project plans for 2026, two skills stand out above everything else:
- Building cabinets
- Installing tile
I have zero experience with either which is exactly why they’re at the top of the list. The goal this year isn’t perfection. It’s momentum. Starting small before going big, learning through doing, and letting each project build confidence for the next.
Spring DIY Projects in 2026
Pantry Renovation
A project I’d love to knockout sooner rather than later is the pantry: a small space that’s been quietly driving me insane.
Right now, it’s functional but chaotic. It’s like no matter how organized it starts, it eventually evolves into constant clutter. And the wasted storage space at the top and bottom are borderline heartbreaking.

Shop Pantry Organization
Pantry Plan Overview:
- Remove all existing shelving
- Install a lower cabinet for concealed storage
- Build open side cubbies on either side of the new base cabinet (beginner-friendly woodworking)
- Add a stone remnant countertop (marble or soapstone if I get lucky)
- Potentially add a tile backsplash above the new cabinet and below the first shelf
This project could potentially knock out two new skills at once:
- Cabinet building (without doors or drawers, so beginner friendly)
- Tile installation above the base cabinet for a little sparkle (if I can find the right thing)
I envision adding some paneling (like this) on the side walls and behind the upper shelves, repurposing my existing shelves but adding corbels for a vintage touch, and painting everything in a full gloss for an extra wow factor.
It’s all living in my head right now, but as we get closer I’ll build a mood board so you can see what we’re in store for!
Living Room Refresh: Trim, Paint & Architectural Drama
The living room is where I get to play.
It’s already decorated which means the transformation will come purely from trim, paint, and architectural details. I think this will be a really impactful before and after which will show you how much trim and paint can change a space.

Chandelier | Mantel Artwork | Coffee Table (similar) | Mirror | White Shell Jar | Pink Cherry Blossoms | Curtains | Blue pillows | Peacock Fireplace Fan | Design Coffee Table Books | Rose Candle Cloche | Marble Ribbon Bowl
Living Room Project Goals:
- Box molding (possibly double box for extra depth)
- Dentil molding under crown (or full replacement) similar to what I used in my home office
- Adding molding to the ceiling + a large medallion
- New mantel built around the existing fireplace
- Soft, warm neutral paint (thinking about Stirabout which I used on the ceiling in the primary bathroom)
This will (hopefully) be my Spring One Room Challenge project, and I’m determined to finish on time. Fourth time’s the charm… right?

Shop the Living Room
Summer DIY Projects: Finishing the Last 5%
Instead of a massive renovation, summer will be about something different this year: Finishing the last 5%.
Every room has a detail left undone, whether it’s touch-ups, missing trim (so many spots without crown molding), and so many other tiny pesky things. We might try to make this fun and turn it into a series, or put an educational spin on it. DIY summer school anyone?

The Powder Room will be part of the DIY Summer School: I’ll add crown molding here and paint the front of the door (which I should’ve done in the first place!)
Expect to see debuts in the cozy tv room, kitchen, primary bathroom, bedroom, back entry, powder room and probably somewhere else I’m forgetting.
Fall 2026 Renovation Ideas: Laundry Room, Bathroom, or Dressing Room?
Fall is where things get flexible. Depending on how confident I feel with tile and cabinets after the pantry, one of these spaces may take center stage for the grand finale of the year:
Option 1: Laundry Room Overhaul
I’ve been teasing the laundry room for years now. It’s not that I’m procrastinating it, but I know it’s going to be the biggest project I’ve ever done (yet).

The Laundry Room: aka ugliest room in my house
The room is essentially a command center for the home. It’s where laundry gets done yes, but it’s where cleaning supplies, tools, wrapping paper, beach towels, packages and so many other random things live. This space needs to be ultra custom so I’ll need to make sure my skills are ready to handle it. Here’s what I’m thinking:
- Total gut
- New tile flooring
- Custom cabinetry
- Storage designed for real life
- Wallpaper (I really want to do something fun!)
- Paint
- New lighting
- Window Treatments
And if I don’t get to a full scale laundry renovation this year I’d at least like to paint it at minimum. Every time I open the door I hear a record screech.
Option 2: Upstairs Middle Bathroom
One of my favorite things about renovating the home office last year was having the mess contained on another floor. This was key especially right before the holidays, and I remember patting myself on the back for the timing. The upstairs middle bath will keep all the plumbing fixtures in the same spots so essentially it could be “easy” right? Here’s what I’d do:
- Full gut renovation
- Remove the sad bathfitter bathtub and install a porcelain bathtub
- Tile surrounding the tub, but maybe also on all the walls? It’s a smaller bathroom so maybe?
- New tile flooring
- Updated baseboards and crown molding
- Updated vanity, lighting, and toilet
- Paint or wallpaper, pending what I decide with how far the tile goes

The Upstairs Middle Bathroom: I scraped popcorn ceilings and added a fresh coat of paint 5 years ago
Option 3: Dressing Room

Read more about how I turned an extra bedroom into a dressing room
Do I think this is the year for the dressing room? Probably not. Can a girl dream? YES. I keep going back and forth on exactly what I want to do here but at the minimum I know:
- Added cabinetry on top of existing closets
- Color everywhere
- Wallpapered ceiling
- Possibly a pocket door
- Rolling Library Ladder
- New window treatments
- Large rug
- Vintage tete-a-tete in the center if I’m lucky
Or I’ll get a wild hair and build a completely custom new space. I have some seriously wild concepts that race through my mind on repeat. Some of them require some engineering, so stay tuned on this room. But wow will it be good when I get my hands on it!
My 2026 Plans In Closing
This year isn’t about checking boxes, it’s about becoming more capable.
My DIY home renovation project plans for 2026 are rooted in learning, experimenting, and letting curiosity lead the way. Some projects will go exactly as planned. Others will surprise me entirely.
And honestly? That’s the fun part. Which is why this year we’re going to keep things loose, and follow the design ideas that bring excitement.
If you love following along with real-time renovations, skill-building, and the occasional design pivot stick around. You never know what space I’ll decide to tackle next!


























































































































