BHG
It’s been a while since I updated you on the side yard. The reason is simple: progress has been slow. There have been setbacks and pauses that aren’t fun to write about or show. In my head the space was already finished and charming, but in reality it’s still very much a work in progress.
Do you ever feel like home projects create more chaos than you expected? If so, you’re not alone. Maybe my situation — and my daily affirmations to survive it — will make you feel better, or at least give you a chuckle.
The side yard isn’t finished or pretty yet. It’s stuck in an awkward, messy phase and sometimes feels like it’s gone backwards instead of forward. Imagining a finished space is one thing; making it happen within a budget and timeline is another. Contractors don’t always follow your schedule, weather interferes, and misunderstandings lead to delays and corrections.
I’ve written before about the need to be flexible during remodels, and that’s still true. Flexibility helps, but you also need to advocate for your project. Speak up when something isn’t right or when progress stalls. That’s been part of every project we’ve done.
No offense to contractors — it’s just how projects go sometimes.
This effort began as a safety and function project. If you missed the previous posts, this area used to be unsafe and essentially unusable. The goal was not to create instant curb appeal but to make the space functional and secure: a flat concrete area that’s easy to keep clean for the dogs, practical steps to the backyard, and proper fencing for privacy and safety.
We thought it would be a quick job so we could move on, but it hasn’t worked out that way. I know we’ll be glad we did this when it’s finished, but right now it’s frustrating. We’ve lived here seven months and still have chairs, boxes, and other items piled along the side of the house to keep our dogs contained because the permanent fence isn’t installed yet.
Temporary orange fencing was put up, yet the dogs have escaped many times. We check on them constantly because Lily is an escape artist, and Jack will follow her for the excitement. Remodeling and yard work can be messy and inconvenient, and it’s hard not to wish for instant after photos like the ones on Pinterest.
Despite the current ugliness, I still see the potential. When the contractors finish their part, we’ll appreciate having tackled this first — especially when we can use the space this summer. In the meantime, it helps to keep focused on the end goal and to trust that this messy stage will pass.
If you’re discouraged because your house feels unfinished, don’t lose sight of the goal. Remember the potential of your home and keep pressing on.
I recommend a few daily affirmations for unfinished projects to help preserve your sanity. Here are the ones I use for this side yard; feel free to adapt them for your own situation.
1. Cute chairs for morning coffee will make the wait worthwhile.
I bought two charming French bistro chairs for morning coffee in the side yard. Little touches like these will make the long process feel worth it.
Carson 12″ Wall Sconce
2. Charming lighting will come out of boxes and be attached to the house.
All the fixtures piled up in the office will get installed eventually, and they’ll add warmth and character to the finished space.
3. Using what you already own will save the budget — and soon you’ll be sitting on these chairs instead of using them as temporary fencing.
We have sectional pieces that should work well in the courtyard depending on how the layout settles.
4. The umbrellas that were left outside and got moldy will be cleaned and returned to service on the patio.
5. The door that must stay bolted for now will eventually be safe to open — and it will even function as a Dutch door so you can enjoy fresh air without risk.
6. The string lights you imagine won’t just be a vision — they’ll be strung overhead and creating ambiance in the finished side yard.
7. Soon you’ll be enjoying sunsets from the patio instead of watching them from inside through a window.
8. People and dogs will relax together on the porch again, rather than slipping through gaps in temporary fencing and causing neighborhood chaos.
9. You won’t have to worry about the porch roof in a windstorm once sturdy posts are properly bolted in place.
10. New neighbors won’t be able to see directly into your backyard forever — privacy will be restored when the fence is finished.
What are your chaotic home project affirmations? Share them in the comments so we can laugh together and find a bit of comic relief. Please tell me I’m not the only one who goes through this.