{House Beautiful}

When I’m getting ready to tackle a room makeover, I start with a list of things I want to accomplish, big and small. I like to put mine in a casual outline format in a notebook. No special order, just a collection of ideas, inspiration, design and plan.

{Target}

Here is the one I started for our family room renovation in progress:

Room:  Family Room (before)

Function:  Watching tv/movies, entertaining, family game night, kids’ hang out, studying, crafts, puzzles, reading, etc. 

Clean: 

• Empty the room
• Patch and sand walls
• Vacuum
• Wipe down walls
• Clean windows

Color scheme/ideas (even just words help develop a direction for your design)

• Vacation photos
• Comfortable farmhouse, eclectic
• Neutrals with navy and turquoise accents
• Subtle beach cottage feel

Floor:

• remove baseboards
• bamboo – distressed, wide plank, antique java (Calibamboo.com)
• new area rug 

• paint
• board and batten or plank wall feature
• framed windows
• built in bookcases

{House Beautiful}

Trim:

• replace
• prime and paint
• frame windows
• board and batten

board and batten tutorial at Pretty Handy Girl

Ceiling:

• flat finish, paint

• Lamps from master bedroom
• New ceiling fan/light fixture (palm leaf blades) or love this one: 

Wouldn’t it be super cool to swap out/choose a fun fabric?

I’d love a design your own option! A DIY Show Off original. 😛

Furniture:

• Slip covered sofa 

• Find end tables (thrift store)
• Paint console table/plant stand
• Build console table for behind sofa
• Paint/repurpose table in basement for work space/game area
• Buy bar stools for work space area
• Spools – DIY coffee table project

{Ballard Designs}

• Paint thrift store found school desks?
• New tv – hang on wall

Windows:

• Frame
• Keep existing wood blinds (stain?)
• Drapes – DIY?

{No sew drop cloth curtains}

• Curtain rods

French doors: 

• paint
• frosted glass panels 
• new door knobs/pulls

Textiles:

• Curtains
• Accent Pillows
• Area rug 

Furniture Layout: I roughly sketch ideas in my notebook and have an eye for judging size, but you can be more specific using measurements and graph paper. 

Measurements: I measure areas I plan on working on. For example: baseboards, windows for drapes, square footage for flooring and paint, etc. 

Notes:

• Gets a TON of light – take our plants into consideration.
• Gather paint swatches and fabric samples or magazine pages.

{source unknown}

• Write down website urls, blogs, Pinboard or design board (Olioboard.com) to refer to.
• Keep receipts filed with notes.  

I prioritize from my to-do list. I knew I wanted to paint the ceiling first, before the floor installation. Floor installation was next and this week, I’ll be painting. Until I decide for sure what I’m doing with the walls, I will paint all of the wall. Then I’ll move onto baseboard and window trim and plans for plank walls (Mr. DIY’s vote) or a board and batten treatment. (Then more painting!)

Not every item on the list makes it to completion as I often change my mind due to budget or style but dream big. It’s easier to have the ideas listed and cross off what won’t make the do-it-yourself project list than it is to remember what you had planned. 

I keep my notebook within easy reach so that when an idea comes to me, I can jot down a note. I also grab it on the go. Having measurements and swatches on hand is helpful for last minute detours and shopping.

Do you have any additional tips for starting with a list?