2024 Home Goals: Embracing a Decade of Living and Loving Our Cottage Bungalow

Happy 2024, dear friends! I hope your year is off to a wonderful start. It feels like only yesterday we were ringing in 2023, and yet, here we are, already well into the new year. Time, as they say, flies when you’re having fun – or, in my case, when you’re literally flying! 2023 was undoubtedly my year of extensive travel, balancing both professional commitments and personal adventures. It was a whirlwind, making the past twelve months feel almost like a blur. One moment, I was packing my bags; the next, the year was over.

As we transition into 2024, a significant milestone has dawned on us: we are approaching a full decade in our beloved home. A decade. It truly feels unbelievable that so much time has passed since we first received the keys. When we initially purchased this house, our plan was quite specific: we envisioned living here for approximately ten years, just long enough for our children to complete high school. As someone with a naturally nomadic spirit, I honestly couldn’t picture anything beyond that initial timeframe. Yet, here we are, on the cusp of that ten-year mark, and surprisingly, we have absolutely no plans to sell or move on in the foreseeable future.

This realization has sparked numerous conversations within our family about what the future holds for us and our cherished property. The questions are endless and varied: Will we eventually sell? Should we consider moving out of state, or perhaps simply to a different neighborhood within our current state? Could we even entertain the idea of an international move? Or perhaps investing in a second property? Beyond these practical considerations, there’s also the deeper discussion of inheritance – the desire to establish something substantial and lasting for future generations. With our youngest child soon entering his final year of high school, these thoughts become more pressing. While we might eventually transition to another phase of life, I’m not entirely convinced we would ever part with this house. It has woven itself into the fabric of our family, becoming a repository of countless memories, and we’ve poured so much love, effort, and care into its walls that we’re simply not ready to walk away just yet. And that brings us perfectly to the topic of today’s post.

A Renewed Focus: Why 2024 is the Year for Home Transformation

Despite the immense amount of work and dedication we’ve invested in our home over the past decade, it still doesn’t quite feel “done.” There are always a few more projects on the horizon, spaces that require attention, or areas that deserve a fresh perspective before I can genuinely feel like we can pause our renovation efforts for a while. Last year, largely due to my extensive travel schedule and an unexpected bedroom renovation, I regrettably didn’t get around to tackling any of the home projects I had initially envisioned. In fact, if my memory serves me correctly, I didn’t even manage to share a 2023 Home Goals list – a significant departure, as I believe it’s the first time in ten years I’ve neglected to do so. This absence felt profoundly strange, leaving me with a sense of being somewhat adrift, lacking a clear focus for our home. Consequently, it was also the first year I felt a bit unaccomplished in terms of our living space.

But fear not! I am back this year, armed with a renewed sense of purpose, a laser-clear focus, and a meticulously crafted plan of action for our cottage bungalow. Having a concrete list of goals is incredibly empowering; it provides direction, prevents decision fatigue, and ensures that every effort contributes to a larger vision. It helps to break down what might seem like an overwhelming task into manageable steps, keeping motivation high and progress steady. This year, we’re determined to transform our cherished home, making it even more functional, beautiful, and reflective of our evolving needs. Here’s a detailed look at the exciting home improvement projects we’re planning to embark on in our cottage bungalow throughout 2024.

Our Comprehensive 2024 Home Project List: Enhancing Every Corner

Our 2024 project list represents a blend of foundational improvements, aesthetic updates, and the realization of long-held dreams. Each project is designed to enhance both the functionality and beauty of our home, ensuring it continues to be a haven for our family and a welcoming space for guests.

1. The Guest Bedroom Transformation

This particular project is a fairly new and exciting development, born from a significant life change. Over the summer, our eldest, Bry, moved out and embarked on her own adult journey. It’s still quite baffling to me that I have a child old enough to live independently, but such is the passage of time! With her departure, her former bedroom has opened up new possibilities. We’ve decided to transform it into a dedicated guest room, a space where friends and family can feel comfortable and welcome. This will be one of the very first projects we tackle this year, setting a fresh tone for our 2024 home goals. Our vision for this room includes a serene color palette, comfortable furnishings that are both stylish and practical, and thoughtful touches that ensure a truly relaxing stay for our visitors. We aim to create a versatile space that can also serve as an overflow area for family activities, ensuring every square foot of our home is utilized efficiently.

2. Essential Bathroom Refresh

It’s hard to believe, but it’s been nearly six years since we undertook a complete gut renovation of our bathroom. While the major overhaul was a success, time and evolving tastes mean that a few details have started to bother me. These aren’t major structural issues, but rather subtle elements that, when addressed, will significantly elevate the space. This isn’t about another full renovation, but a thoughtful refresh focusing on those specific “bothersome” details. We’ve actually already begun making some minor updates to this room at the end of last year, so you won’t have to wait long to see the new improvements come to life. The refresh will likely involve updating smaller fixtures, a fresh coat of paint in a carefully chosen hue, perhaps a new mirror or lighting, and ensuring all finishes are perfectly polished. A strategic bathroom refresh can dramatically improve daily comfort and maintain the home’s value without the extensive cost or disruption of a full remodel.

3. Hallway Harmonization

Often overlooked, the hallway serves as the connective tissue of our home, guiding movement and influencing the overall flow and first impression. Our hallway is another area that is ripe for a thoughtful spruce-up. When we renovated the kitchen, we introduced an elegant arched entrance to the hallway to seamlessly match the kitchen and front entryways. This architectural detail is lovely, but the existing wallpaper near this arch now requires patching and a fresh approach. Rather than merely repairing, I’m seizing this opportunity to give the entire hallway a cohesive, fresh new look. This project will primarily involve new paint, carefully selected to brighten and unify the space, but I also have plans to update the wainscoting. Changing the wainscoting can dramatically alter the character of a hallway, adding texture, depth, and a touch of refined charm. Even seemingly minor updates in a high-traffic area like a hallway can have a significant impact on the home’s aesthetic and feel.

4. Cultivating Our Outdoor Oasis: Greenhouse and Backyard Landscaping

The greenhouse project has become something of a running joke, earning the title of the “project that never gets off the ground.” Despite our best intentions, a series of delays and unforeseen circumstances have continually pushed it back. However, I am making a firm commitment to prioritize and finally complete the greenhouse this year. The good news is that we already have a robust foundation poured and ready, so it’s predominantly a matter of dedicating the necessary time and resources to bring this long-awaited vision to fruition. A greenhouse isn’t just a structure; it’s a gateway to year-round gardening, a source of fresh produce, and a beautiful focal point in the backyard, enhancing both our lifestyle and the property’s appeal.

Beyond the greenhouse, I also owe you a comprehensive update on our backyard in general, especially since the addition of our pool. The backyard has undergone a significant transformation, with extensive landscaping efforts already completed, but there’s still more on our agenda. Our goals for the remaining landscaping include refining planting zones, incorporating additional hardscaping elements like pathways or a dedicated seating area, improving outdoor lighting for ambiance and safety, and ensuring privacy. The aim is to create a cohesive, inviting, and highly functional outdoor living space that complements our cottage bungalow and provides a perfect retreat for relaxation and entertainment. A well-designed backyard significantly extends the usable living area of a home and contributes immensely to its overall enjoyment and market value.

5. Deck Rejuvenation for Outdoor Living

It has been a staggering four years since I last shared an update on our deck with you! We had this beautiful outdoor space installed at the beginning of 2020, just before the world dramatically shifted, and it became an integral part of our COVID summer One Room Challenge backyard makeover. Coincidentally, that was also the last time we stained it, which means it is now unequivocally overdue for some serious attention. The existing stain is visibly peeling, and the deck boards are starting to look a little weathered and rough. We need to decide on the best course of action: will we re-stain it, perhaps in a new color to refresh its look? Or will we opt to paint it for a more uniform and protective finish? Another option is to sand it down completely and apply a clear poly sealant to highlight the natural wood grain. Regardless of the chosen method, the priority is to restore its beauty and ensure its longevity, making it a pristine space for outdoor entertaining and relaxation once again. Proper deck maintenance is crucial for both aesthetics and safety, protecting our investment in outdoor living.

6. Invigorating the Side Porch

It’s probably been an even longer stretch since many of you last caught a glimpse of our side porch! In all honesty, we’ve done absolutely nothing with this space for the past few years, and consequently, we haven’t been utilizing it at all. It has become an underappreciated and underutilized area, and I’m determined to change that. My goal is to get back to actively using it more, transforming it into a charming and functional extension of our home. Therefore, I’m planning a significant “zhush” for the side porch before summer arrives. This refresh will involve more than just a quick clean-up; I envision adding comfortable outdoor seating, perhaps a small table for drinks or a book, attractive outdoor lighting (think string lights or lanterns), and plenty of potted plants to introduce life and color. The aim is to create an inviting, serene retreat where we can enjoy our morning coffee, unwind in the evenings, or simply enjoy the fresh air. Revitalizing an unused space like this can significantly enhance our home’s livability and charm, offering another delightful spot for relaxation.

7. *Honorable Mention: Ambitious Driveway & Front Yard Transformation

This project, I must admit, is somewhat of a pipe dream for 2024. It falls into the category of “if all the stars align and our finances magically permit” kind of undertaking. We desperately need a complete overhaul of our front yard, encompassing everything from the ground up. This includes a brand-new driveway, the removal of several mature trees that are either overgrown or poorly placed, and a comprehensive new landscaping design. Essentially, it needs the works. Naturally, a project of this scope will entail a substantial financial investment, making it realistically more of a goal for next year. However, I’m still firmly placing it on our 2024 list because, as we all know, you just never truly know what opportunities might arise. Envisioning a beautifully redesigned front yard, with a modern driveway and thoughtful landscaping, is about more than just aesthetics; it significantly enhances curb appeal, increases property value, and creates a more inviting and functional entry to our home. It’s a long-term investment in our home’s future and a vision we’re holding onto.

Alright, dear friends, that sums up our exciting list of home goals for 2024. I genuinely don’t believe this list feels overwhelming or unattainable. It comprises a thoughtful mix of smaller refreshes and more significant projects, many of which can be tackled over a few days each. I am incredibly enthusiastic about having a clear, focused plan of action for our home this year. Our house has been an incredible sanctuary and companion to us for the past ten years, and I’m dedicated to ensuring she continues to shine brilliantly for another decade, and beyond. It’s a testament to the love and memories built within these walls.

Now, I’d love to hear from you! What exciting home goals or renovation plans do you have on your lists for this year? Sharing our aspirations not only inspires but also provides a wonderful sense of community and motivation. Until next time, happy renovating and creating in your own beloved spaces!