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By the Dozen: DIY Goals for 2012

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I love the beginning of the year. My resolve is always strong to accomplish so much in the next 365 days!

But then, reality usually sets in somewhere around January 15th. Life is hectic. Days are crazy. How will I manage to make good on even one – much less all – of my DIY goals? 

This year, I’m trying a new tactic to keep myself motivated: Giving myself one major DIY project goal per month. Just one. I’ve looked at my house and figured out the top twelve projects I want to tackle, and I’ve prioritized them and assigned each one to a particular month of the year. I really feel like this will help me be a focused and intentional DIYer in the new year! 

Having a pre-set DIY to-do list will allow me to plan ahead and maximize my time. No more waking up on Friday morning thinking, “What project could I tackle this weekend?” And then realizing I will have to take a full day to plan the project. Then a full day to acquire the necessary supplies. Then a full day wondering why I never get out of the planning process for big projects. 😉

 So what are my goals for each month in 2012? Here we go!

January
Pantry Organization

Oh my goodness. My pantry is a mess. We’re talking the type of mess that makes you duck your head every time you open the door to avoid getting pelted by a rogue canned good. 😉 This pantry at House of Smiths will be my inspiration!



February
Board and Batten Hallway

With no mudroom or utility room to speak of, the kiddos’ shoes, backpacks and the like always wind up right in front of the front door. I have plans to remake our back hallway into a command station of sorts for all of that stuff so I can reclaim my front entry! I fell in love with this board and batten hallway with hooks at Shanty 2 Chic the moment I saw it, and I’ll be using their tutorial for the space!


March
Raised Flower Beds

This will be the summer that I finally manage to make good on my desire to maintain a garden! Prepping the beds well in advance should help with that, and this marvelous tute from The Pioneer Woman seems simple enough. (Fingers crossed!)


April
Gallery Wall

I’ve always wanted a genuine gallery wall, and this will be the year I come through on that. My upstairs hallway is a blank slate ready to be outfitted with lots of lovely photos! I love this idea for a 3D gallery wall from In My Own Style. So much yummy dimension!


May
Front Porch Swing

We have a fabulous front porch clamoring for a swing. I have in mind to create an outdoor living area to enjoy all summer long, something similar to this space at Southern Living.


June
Master Bedroom

Our poor, poor bedroom. It needs some serious help. I plan to use a coral and slate blue color scheme like the one below. Can’t wait!

Trickett Third Floor


July
Master Bathroom

Our bath is as plain vanilla as they come. I really want to make this space into something special! I still really love this chunky framed mirror from Show & Tell.


August
Master Closet

Purge, purge, purge! I intentionally assigned this task to a month further down the road to give myself time to lose the baby weight. That will enable me to get rid of all of the clothes I have in a bazillion transitional sizes! I absolutely love this master closet at A Thoughtful Place.


September
Painted Hutch

Should I go antique white? Black? Bold red like this lovely number from The Crafting Chicks? This is a project I have been intending to complete for two years now, and I am determined to finally get it done!


October
 Laundry Room (ahem, closet)

I have no utility room. Just a little closet off of our upstairs landing. I am determined to make the most of this very limited space, much like this makeover at Your Home Only Better.


November
Kitchen Backsplash

Cheap construction-grade eggshell paint + grease = blech. My backsplash (or lack thereof!) needs some serious help. I am thinking of a stenciling project something akin to this look from Landee See, Landee Do.


December
Beadboard Kitchen Accents

I plan to treat our breakfast bar and one wall in our kitchen with beadboard, much like Emily at Decor Chick did here. Love this look!



***

So there you have it. Twelve months. Twelve DIY goals. I can do this!!

Do you have any DIY goals for 2012? I’d love to hear about them!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Laura says

    Wow! If you get that all done, your house will be looking pretty spiffy! It’s a great plan, and your inspiration photos are awesome!

  2. Kara says

    I wrote down a list of all the projects I wanted to complete this year. I was going over it with my husband and he informed me that I had written down 87 of them! Guess I’m gonna need to scale back a bit. LOL!

  4. Goldie says

    We have some very similar goals! I hope they turn out well for you! And its great you have planned it so well in advanced!

  5. Amanda @ Serenity Now says

    You go, girl! 😉 I am loving that stenciled backsplash…what a great idea for kitchen that don’t have the tiling. We have tile, but I don’t love it. :s I think you have a great list to work on!

  6. M Mommy to 4 says

    I just want the darn basement done before summer! I don’t want to spend another hot summer upstairs when I could be downstairs enjoying the lovely cool that lingers down there! We’ve been working on it for two years, so hopefully this year’s tax return will finish us up! YAY!

  8. Katie says

    Amy I love that you are setting monthly goals! I too set DIY goals… not by the month, though. We are on the same page about revamping and making our master bedroom a true retreat!

  9. Laurel says

    Love your idea of doing one big project every month. That is such a better way of planning and accomplishing things. I do like you and wake up on Friday morning and then plan to do something. Love you list of projects

  10. Tracy says

    I had the same idea of doing one project a month but in the end I chose 9 that I new I could realistically do in a year…the others I think we are saving up and hiring out…they are major overhauls and I think it would be safer that way (for all involved!) This way if one project takes more than 4 weeks, I won’t feel guilty either (that is just me).

    I love your projects listed and can’t wait to see what you accomplish (someday I will have a pantry to redo…someday!)

    Here are my projects and goals for 2012
    http://mamaolie.blogspot.com/2012/01/2012-goals-projects.html

  12. Jessica @ Sunny Tuesday says

    Amy, all of your to-do projects look so fun! I am inspired! I have a hutch almost exactly like the one above that has been in my garage for THREE YEARS waiting for a make-over! I WILL get that done in 2012. LOVE the project-a-month idea!