I’m in a redecorating season at my house, reshaping it into a home that reflects how I want to live. I’m always working toward creating a comfortable, intentional space, but each season brings new priorities and fresh ways of approaching the work.
We all experience seasons where the home gets more attention and seasons when other commitments take precedence. Sometimes we have the time and money to make big changes, and sometimes we simply make the best of what we have. Some readers are just beginning to decorate, while others have homes that feel finished. The key is working with the season you’re in and finding contentment with that process.
When we moved here three years ago we downsized significantly—from nearly 5,000 square feet to about 2,500. That reduction of space required some creative organization and rethinking of what we needed and what would work in our new home.
Since the move, life has been extremely busy with church planting, launching a concert house, and all the demands that come with those efforts. Understandably, home updates have been low on the priority list for the past few years.
I’ve decorated in small ways and made progress, but some early updates need redoing due to wear—like repainting the family room. Now, finally, I feel ready to make a few changes that will improve our daily life and how we use the house.
The time has finally come when a few thoughtful updates will make a real difference to how we live at home.
I’m not planning a full-scale remodel—although a small cabinet tweak in the kitchen might be needed. Mostly I want to redecorate with a clear end goal in mind instead of making endless minor tweaks.
Many items we brought from our old home don’t work well here. Some pieces are worn and need updating; others are ready to be passed on and loved by another family. And yes, our dog Jack has contributed to some of the wear and tear, so a few changes are necessary because of him.
On the practical side, six rooms need painting or repainting, and the carpet in the living room, dining room, family room, staircase, upstairs hall, and master bedroom needs replacing.
So, I’ve got quite a list of projects to tackle.
My office has become my favorite room because it’s moved through the “transitional chaos” phase to a mostly finished space. I think it’s important to have at least one completed room while you work on the rest of the house; it provides a peaceful retreat from the upheaval and keeps you motivated.
This is the season I’m in: still busy and on a limited budget, but ready to set the stage for the life we want to live at home.
To make the most of this season, we’ll start with foundational elements—removing worn carpet, installing new wood floors, and painting the walls—then move outward to decorating and organization. Big sigh of relief!
Here are my next goals:
1. Take AFTER photos of my home office.
This week I plan to photograph the office so it feels truly finished and I can share the reveal. Having that one completed room helps me keep momentum for the rest of the house.
2. Clear out visual clutter.
I’ve already cleared out the living room—starting with an empty slate makes it easier to envision the new direction. I’ll repeat this process in other rooms: remove what’s no longer working and only bring back pieces I truly love.
3. Create design boards.
This week I’ll begin assembling mood and style boards. The mood board I used for the office guided my decisions and made the process easier; the style board I created earlier helped me evaluate the overall direction of the house. Now I’ll develop mood boards for the family room and master bedroom, and later finalize plans for the living room.
4. Gather paint and flooring samples.
I’m leaning toward new flooring that matches our existing wood because I love its character and it fits our home. I’m collecting samples and testing paint colors so I can make confident choices.
5. Find a handyman and schedule a painter.
I’m searching for a reliable handyman to take on jobs we don’t have time for or prefer not to do ourselves, and I’ll schedule a painter to tackle the rooms that need fresh coats. Admitting limitations and getting help is part of moving a project forward.
That’s the plan—moving forward and hoping to see big progress through the summer and into fall.
What phase of decorating are you in?
Is your house finished?
Are you just starting from scratch?
Are you in the ever-evolving decor stage?
Or are you in transitional chaos like I am?
Share where you are in your decorating process.