I know it sounds cliché, but where did 2021 go? Looking back it’s surprising how many room makeovers, DIY builds, and small refreshes a year can hold. When the last days of December arrive I always tally everything we finished, and this year the total landed at 21 completed projects — a mix of full renovations, one-day refreshes, outdoor builds, and practical organization updates. Many were planned, some were spur-of-the-moment, and a few were forced by setbacks like the water damage incident that required us to pivot and prioritize repairs first.
Below is a clear, SEO-friendly roundup of each project — the before-and-after transformations, what made each one special, and how these updates improved our home and the homes of friends and family. These highlights show a year of practical design, budget-friendly DIYs, and a lot of teamwork.
1. Kristina’s Quick 1 Day Bedroom Makeover
We completed a fast, thoughtful bedroom refresh for a friend who deserved a peaceful retreat. Simple decor swaps, fresh bedding, and a few new accessories created a calm, spa-like feel in a single day.
2. Olivia’s “Big Girl” Bedroom Refresh
To help Olivia transition into her tween years, we updated her room with age-appropriate decor, a cohesive color palette, and new accessories that feel both grown-up and fun.
3. The Carney Family’s Rec Room Renovation
Our largest independent project this year was renovating a rec room for neighbors with nine kids. To serve ages 4–19 we created several activity stations, added robust storage, and chose durable finishes that keep the space functional and fun.
4. Kristina’s 1 Day Patio Spruce Up
We refreshed a townhouse patio in one day with renter-friendly updates: new cushions, plants, and layout tweaks that transformed the outdoor space without permanent changes.
5. Our Back Porch Refresh
This back porch has evolved over the years; swapping in new furniture and styling made the space much more inviting and comfortable for everyday use.
6. Our Gardening Shed Overhaul
With just paint, hooks, and better organization, the shed became a tidy, efficient gardening hub — a reminder that small changes can have big impact.
7. Our DIY Bocce Ball Court
We added a backyard bocce court to enhance outdoor entertaining. It’s an affordable, low-maintenance feature that encourages more get-togethers and lawn games.
8. Rachel and Daniel’s Nursery Makeover
Decorating a woodland-inspired nursery for my cousin’s new baby was a joy. We focused on soft textures, playful accents, and a timeless color scheme to grow with the child.
9. Our DIY Pergola Cabana
This poolside pergola cabana was a major build that required family help and a lot of elbow grease. The result is a stunning, functional outdoor retreat we use all summer long.
10. Our DIY Modular Outdoor Kitchen Built in a Day
We assembled a modular outdoor kitchen in a single day — a practical solution for al fresco cooking and entertaining that’s ready when the season warms up.
11. Richard and Ashlee’s Bedroom Makeover
As a housewarming gift for newlyweds, we designed a serene bedroom with layered lighting, artful styling, and storage solutions to help their new house feel like home.
12. Regan’s Toddler Bedroom Glow Up
Regan moved out of the crib, so we created a “big girl” room with chinoiserie wallpaper and twin beds to make future sleepovers easy and stylish.
13. Our Paint Storage Closet Spruce Up
A no-cost organization win: we used leftover paint and scrap wood shelving to transform a messy garage closet into a useful, organized paint storage area.
14. Our Hallway Bathroom Refresh
A quick decor refresh gave the girls’ hallway bathroom a more classic, timeless look without a full renovation — small updates can refresh a space instantly.
15. Our Classic Modern Dining Room Makeover
We finally gave the dining room a cohesive design: scenic mural elements, layered lighting, and curated decor created a classic-meets-modern dining space we love.
16. Our Home Gym Shed Renovation
On a budget we converted a shed into a functional home gym: removing the old ceiling, adding faux brick wall panels, and arranging equipment for a compact workout space.
17. Our Playroom Refresh
The playroom needed a refresh after years of heavy use. We updated storage, replaced key textiles with washable options, and set a plan to finish the rest of the room in 2022.
18. Our Foyer Makeover
After water damage required a full rebuild to the studs, we brightened the foyer with fresh paint, swapped furniture, and updated lighting to create a welcoming entryway.
19. Our En Suite Bathroom Remodel
What started as an unexpected project became a full bathroom renovation and is now one of our favorite rooms. Thoughtful material choices and layout improvements made a big difference.
20. Our Living Room Spruce Up
We finally invested in the sofas and recliners we’d been saving for. After a long wait they arrived and completed the living room, making it more comfortable and cohesive.
21. Our Backyard Overhaul
We tackled many backyard projects this year, top among them replacing an old fence. The combined updates created a more functional, attractive outdoor living area.
Whew — it was a full year and I might need a little hibernation to recover. Despite the ups and downs, these 21 makeovers and projects remind me how much can be accomplished with planning, creativity, and a bit of hustle. We’re already dreaming up room makeovers for friends in 2022, but for now it feels good to pause, appreciate the progress, and plan the next round of updates.
