New Year, New Home Projects

As the calendar flips to a new year, it inevitably brings a fresh wave of inspiration for home improvement. For me, 2024 is not just another year of projects; it’s a landmark year, brimming with unprecedented excitement and transformative plans for our living space. I’m thrilled to finally pull back the curtain on these ambitious undertakings, including revealing a significant secret I’ve been keeping! We’ll journey through a diverse range of projects, starting with smaller, impactful updates and gradually building up to the grandest reveal of all. Prepare to be inspired as we dive into a year of home evolution!

When embarking on any home project, whether a minor refresh or a major overhaul, my first destination for sourcing furniture and decor is invariably Wayfair. Their extensive and diverse selection consistently offers exactly what I need to bring my vision to life. Beyond the sheer variety, I deeply appreciate the convenience and reliability of their service—most items ship for free, arrive swiftly, and the hassle-free return policy provides immense peace of mind. This partnership ensures that every step of my home transformation journey is smooth and enjoyable.

So, let’s unveil the details of my top six home plans and projects for 2024. My hope is that sharing these aspirations and the progress we make will ignite your own creative sparks and encourage you to embark on some exciting home endeavors of your own! (This post includes affiliate links and is proudly sponsored by Wayfair; for more information regarding our partnerships, please see my disclosure statement {here})

1. Cultivating a Greener Thumb: Elevating Our Plant & Garden Game

For far too long, my relationship with indoor and outdoor plants has been, to put it mildly, complicated. The concept of a “green thumb” has always felt like an unattainable superpower for me. In all honesty, I’ve been a rather pathetic plant parent, often finding success only with resilient varieties that seem to thrive on minimal attention, much like my trusty snake plant. This hardy companion, pictured here in its stylish planter on our back porch, has been a testament to survival, requiring little more than occasional remembrance to water.

Sources for a Stylish Outdoor Oasis: Chic Colorblock Basket | Durable Outdoor Rug | Comfortable Outdoor Loveseat | Designer Outdoor Pillows

However, the past year has marked a turning point in my horticultural journey. I’ve celebrated a few more plant victories, most notably with a beautiful peace lily that has thrived in {this charming raised dot planter} on our family room shelves. Reaching its one-year “plant-iversary” in my care is a milestone I genuinely didn’t anticipate, and it has bolstered my confidence significantly!

My success extended outdoors as well, as I managed to keep a vibrant array of plants alive on the wall of our back porch throughout the entire spring and summer seasons. While I’d love to attribute this entirely to my newfound skill, I must give credit where it’s due: {these ingenious self-watering hanging planters} from Wayfair played a crucial role. Still, I’m happily claiming a portion of that success for myself! 😂

Furthermore, my small garden, established just last spring, yielded an impressive bounty of peppers, tomatoes, lettuce, and herbs. This unexpected harvest was incredibly rewarding and has fueled my enthusiasm for expanding our green endeavors.

For 2024, my overarching goals include (1) significantly expanding the footprint of my garden to increase our vegetable and herb yield, transforming it into a more robust edible landscape, and (2) introducing more live plants into our home, with a steadfast commitment to successfully keeping them alive and thriving. This year, I am determined to truly earn that “green thumb” title.

Currently, our sunroom hosts {this magnificent 84″ faux palm}, which is remarkably realistic and often mistaken for the real thing. I believe this sun-drenched space, with its abundant natural light, offers the perfect environment for a real plant to flourish.

My plan involves relocating this faux palm to one of our shadier bedrooms, making way for a living Monstera or a fiddle leaf fig in its prime spot. These iconic plants will not only add a touch of natural elegance but also benefit immensely from the sunroom’s bright conditions. One element that will absolutely remain is {this absolutely fabulous ball planter} from Wayfair. I am completely smitten with its design and presence (and it’s currently on a fantastic sale!). I chose the largest size to ensure it made a significant statement, but it’s available in several different dimensions to suit various spaces and plant sizes.

Beyond indoor greenery, I’m also on the hunt for new outdoor planters to adorn our front porch. My vision is to fill them with seasonal plants and vibrant flowers, creating a welcoming and ever-changing display. In my extensive search for the perfect vessels, I’ve curated a selection of my favorite pots and planters, suitable for both indoor and outdoor use, balancing aesthetics with functionality:

Sources for Perfect Planters: 1. Striking Black & White Planter | 2. Charming White Dot Planter | 3. Modern Gray Striped Planter | 4. Elegant Gray Urn Planter | 5. Versatile Set of 3 Woven Planters | 6. Iconic White Ball Planter | 7. Unique White Knobby Planter | 8. Practical Self-Watering Wall Planter | 9. Stylish White Ribbed Planter | 10. Textured Set of 3 White Planters | 11. Sleek Gray Tapered Planter | 12. Contemporary Striped Planter on Wood Stand

As an essential component of my front porch refresh, I also needed a new doormat that could accommodate our double doors. I was delighted to find {this elegant black bordered doormat} on Wayfair, available in that often hard-to-find size for wider entryways. It’s also offered in five different size options, ensuring a perfect fit for any home. This simple change has made such a remarkable improvement, instantly elevating our home’s curb appeal and making a welcoming first impression.

3. Bringing Cohesion: Finalizing the Decor in Our Sun Room (A.K.A. The “Circus Room”)

Our sunroom, affectionately (or perhaps despairingly) dubbed the “Circus Room” due to its somewhat mismatched collection of transitional pieces, has been a gradual work in progress over the past few years. While it offers abundant natural light and a pleasant ambiance, it’s always felt like a temporary holding space rather than a fully realized, cohesive retreat. One of its most recent and successful additions is {this plush patterned rug} (in the light gray/ivory option), a fantastic find from Wayfair that truly grounded the space and introduced a much-needed layer of softness and texture. Its subtle pattern and neutral tones provided an excellent foundation for the room’s evolving design.

Despite this excellent starting point, the sunroom is still very much in need of those critical final touches that will transform it from a “circus” to a sanctuary. The most significant missing piece is undoubtedly a new coffee table. The small, round coffee table currently occupying the space is a hand-me-down from our family room (before we introduced our acrylic table there), and its scale and style are entirely ill-suited for the sunroom’s expansive layout and the larger furniture pieces it contains. It neither provides adequate surface area nor complements the desired aesthetic.

After an extensive search for a rectangular coffee table that measures over 40 inches long – a crucial dimension to properly fill the space and serve the seating arrangement – I’ve narrowed down my choices to these exceptional Wayfair favorites. Each option balances functionality with design, offering a variety of materials and styles that could perfectly complete our sunroom’s look. My aim is to select a piece that not only serves as a central hub for drinks and decor but also enhances the room’s flow and aesthetic coherence, finally letting the “circus” retire:

Sources for Stylish & Spacious Coffee Tables: 1. Contemporary X-Shaped Base Coffee Table | 2. Airy Natural White Open Coffee Table | 3. Luxurious Marble Top Coffee Table | 4. Textured Woven Coffee Table | 5. Warm Beech Wood Coffee Table | 6. Chic White + Cane Coffee Table | 7. Modern Curved Glass Coffee Table | 8. Stylish Gray Oak Open Coffee Table | 9. Boho Rattan Coffee Table | 10. Versatile Indoor/Outdoor White Coffee Table

Beyond the coffee table, other key needs for this room include selecting a round side or end table to sit gracefully between our swivel chairs, providing a convenient spot for drinks and books. Additionally, the bare walls are calling for new wall art that will introduce color, character, and a sense of completeness, finally transforming the sunroom into a thoughtfully designed and inviting space for relaxation and enjoyment.

4. Maximizing Space and Comfort: Transforming a Twin Bedroom into a Versatile King Guest Room

For the initial three years of owning our current home, it served as a cherished second home, a retreat for vacations and extended weekends. During this period, our girls happily shared this twin bedroom, a practical arrangement as we frequently hosted guests, most often Jeff’s father, in our third bedroom. This setup worked perfectly for our family’s needs at the time, prioritizing guest comfort while ensuring the girls had a cozy space.

However, life evolves, and so do our living requirements. With the heartfelt loss of Jeff’s dad and our youngest daughter now pursuing her college education, our need for a dedicated third guest room has shifted. This transition presented an exciting opportunity to optimize our space. We’ve since removed the twin beds and are in the process of replacing them with a luxurious king-sized bed. This strategic change means each of our daughters will now have their own dedicated room when they visit, while the king bedroom will elegantly do double duty as a comfortable and inviting guest room for future visitors, offering unparalleled comfort and style.

Beyond the new king bed, I’ve thoughtfully selected and ordered a pair of {these sophisticated nightstands} in a beautiful antique taupe color. These pieces are expected to arrive in just a few weeks and will provide both functionality and a touch of refined elegance to the transformed space. What made these nightstands an irresistible choice was their striking resemblance to a much pricier pair I had been admiring for some time, yet the Wayfair option came in at approximately one-third of the cost. This incredible value allows us to achieve a high-end look without compromising our budget, proving that style and affordability can indeed go hand-in-hand.

Ensuring the perfect lighting scheme is crucial for creating a welcoming and functional guest room. For overhead illumination, I’m keeping {this globe ceiling fan}, which offers both a contemporary aesthetic and the practical benefit of air circulation—an essential feature for guest comfort. Its modern design integrates seamlessly with the room’s evolving style.

Complementing the overhead light, {this large rattan lamp} will remain on the chest of drawers. Its natural texture and warm glow contribute to a relaxed, inviting atmosphere, perfect for a guest bedroom. This piece adds an organic touch and provides ambient lighting that can be adjusted to suit various needs.

To provide individual task lighting and complete the bedside ensemble, I’ve discovered a pair of {these exquisite concrete lamps}, a recent and exciting find from Wayfair. I conducted a “test run” by placing them in our other bedroom, and this confirmed they are the absolute perfect size for bedside lamps. Their beautiful, organic shape offers a timeless appeal that will effortlessly complement any design style, adding a touch of modern sophistication to each nightstand.

These stunning lamps are perfectly complemented by {these chic white nightstands}, another recent Wayfair discovery, which provide a clean and bright foundation. The subtle texture and minimalist design of the nightstands allow the lamps to truly shine. To add a touch of coastal charm and organic detail, {this decorative coral piece}, also from Wayfair, provides a beautiful sculptural element, completing the serene and inviting bedside vignette.

The transformation of this guest bedroom also includes re-wallpapering the accent wall, a crucial step in defining the room’s new character. I am currently deliberating over new bedding options, seeking textiles that will enhance both comfort and the overall aesthetic. With a number of guests scheduled to visit this spring, this project has been elevated to the very top of this month’s to-do list, ensuring a beautifully finished and welcoming space for all our visitors!

Update! Explore the stunning transformation of our new light blue guest bedroom in its full glory!

5. The Heart of the Home: Embarking on Our Full Kitchen Remodel

Undoubtedly, 2024 stands as the pivotal year for our long-awaited kitchen remodel! Since moving into our current home, we’ve implemented numerous inexpensive, temporary changes to our kitchen to make it more functional and aesthetically tolerable. These efforts have certainly helped tide us over, but the reality is, our kitchen has reached a critical point. Our cabinets are literally showing signs of falling apart, our oven unpredictably switches off mid-cooking cycle, the stovetop vent is completely broken, and the laminate countertops have started to come unglued in several spots. It’s unequivocally time for a comprehensive overhaul.

While this isn’t our “forever home” (more on that exciting development shortly!), homes in our neighborhood consistently sell exceptionally well when they are move-in ready and updated. This market trend provides us with confidence that any significant upgrades we invest in, particularly a kitchen remodel, will not only be recouped financially but will also expedite the selling process when the time comes. This renovation is a strategic investment in both our current quality of life and our future real estate plans.

As this extensive project begins to take shape, I promise to share every detail of the journey, from the critical decisions on cabinets, countertops, and appliances to the selection of finishes and fixtures. To provide a glimpse into my vision, I’ve gathered some inspiring kitchen ideas and decor finds from Wayfair that have significantly influenced my remodel moodboard. My goal is to create a kitchen that is not only highly functional and durable but also aesthetically serene and inviting, blending modern amenities with timeless design elements. This curated selection represents the coastal-inspired, elegant, and efficient space I envision as the new heart of our home:

Sources for Our Dream Coastal Kitchen: 1. Stylish Cone Pendant Light | 2. Elegant Patterned Marble Tile | 3. Chic Woven Counter Stool | 4. Modern Cabinet Knob | 5. Sleek Cabinet Pull | 6. Vibrant Blue Dutch Oven | 7. Convenient Pot Filler Faucet | 8. Functional Workstation Undermount Sink | 9. Contemporary Kitchen Faucet | 10. Space-Saving Pull-Out Spice Rack | 11. Efficient Induction Range Cooktop

6. The Ultimate Dream: Laying the Foundation for Our Forever Home

And now, for the big reveal—the little secret I’ve been so eager to share! Last year, after years of searching, we made a monumental decision: we bought a vacant lot with the dream of building our forever home. We’re incredibly excited to finally be getting the ball rolling on this deeply personal and significant project. Our vision for this “forever home” includes a long list of specific must-haves, carefully refined over years of contemplation. Initially, we were convinced we would find an existing home that met our needs. However, after several years of diligent searching, touring countless properties, and even considering extensive remodeling projects, we came to the undeniable conclusion: the home we envisioned simply doesn’t exist on the market. Our unique blend of desired features, layout, and aesthetic preferences proved to be impossible to find in a pre-existing structure.

This realization, while initially daunting, ultimately paved the way for an even more exciting opportunity. So, when a fantastic lot became available on a quiet cul-de-sac, ideally situated just a few blocks from our current home, we didn’t hesitate. We seized the opportunity and snagged it on its very first day on the market. The location is perfect, offering the tranquility of a cul-de-sac while maintaining close proximity to amenities and our familiar neighborhood. This blank canvas represents the ultimate opportunity to bring our meticulously crafted vision to life, creating a home that is truly tailored to our family’s lifestyle and aspirations.

As excited as we are about the prospect of building our new home, we are even more committed to approaching this process with thoughtful deliberation. Our priority is to take our time and ensure every detail is perfectly right, rather than rushing through the design phase to expedite construction. We understand that a “forever home” warrants meticulous planning and patience. Currently, we are in the initial stages of assembling our dream team—selecting a builder and an architect whose vision aligns with ours and who can translate our ideas into a tangible design. Our plan for 2024 is dedicated entirely to the design phase: refining blueprints, making crucial material selections, navigating our neighborhood’s stringent architectural review committee, and proactively ordering any custom elements or specialized materials that are known to have long lead times. This careful groundwork will ensure a smooth and efficient construction process once it begins. Therefore, we anticipate commencing actual construction in 2025, allowing us ample time to create a home that truly reflects our dreams and will serve our family for generations to come. This journey of creation is one we are embracing wholeheartedly, step by thoughtful step.

Thank you, as always, for stopping by and sharing in my home decor adventures! I sincerely hope you found something new and inspiring for your own home that you truly love.

For more frequent updates, behind-the-scenes glimpses, and daily inspiration, I’ll be sharing a lot more on Instagram. Be sure to check in over there too for continuous decor insights! 😊