My Big DIY To-Do List for 2026 {Adding Character!}
January 23, 2026
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My DIY plans and projects for this year (big and small)!
After the busyness of the holidays, I like to spend a few weeks decluttering and clearing out the house. (Check out my recent post with some helpful decluttering tips!)
Then I move on to dreaming up a plan of attack for the DIY projects I want to accomplish throughout the year. I have a big list this year!
Some of them I've been dreaming of for a long time, some I just decided on recently. I'll be undoing a few previous projects and adding some warmth and detail to others.
Most of these aren't massive room makeovers -- just tweaks that will make each room more calm and cohesive.
Here's my list of DIY projects I'd like to complete in the next 11(ish) months.
Laundry room:
Our laundry and mud room got a big makeover a few years ago, and I still love walking into this room every day.
It functions SO much better for us now, and is just so beautiful. That floral wallpaper is the first thing we see when we walk in.
There are a few more updates I'd like to make, and one DIY I'd like to undo.
I can't remember when I added this shiplap to the window wall but I know it was before the makeover:
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I still love this look (when done right, I think it's one of the design "trends" I think is here to stay), but overall I wanted to calm that wall down a bit.
It's always felt out of place to me, especially with the softer design in the wallpaper. The horizontal lines make it feel busy.
I have a long list of updates for this room, but the biggest is removing the shiplap. (I plan on reusing it in another room later.) I've already started this project, and it is turning out to be waaaay more work than I imagined. I'll be sure to update you on that!
Because I'm tackling that wall, I decided I might as well finish up the other to-dos as well, like replacing the baseboards with something beefier and more substantial.
So far this part of the project has been the most difficult. I discovered years ago that our home builder used MDF on most of the trim in the house, which is not ideal (especially in a room that could have moisture or water issues).
This week I found out that they also installed the base before the floor tiles in this room, which makes removing the baseboards the MOST FUN EVER:
Gahhhh. Removing baseboards would normally be the quickest project, and now it's taking absolutely forever.
I also plan to replace the trim around the giant DIY chalkboard with something more substantial as well:
That was one of my very first projects in our house and I went with a very simple stained trim.
While I'm at it, I plan to add Craftsman-style trim to the tops of the doors and window to match the open doorway to the kitchen.
Family room:
I've decided this is the year I'm finally continuing the board and batten trim onto all of the stairway walls:
It's been at least six years since I added this wall treatment to the family room, and I've always planned to extend that treatment to the other two stair walls as well:
You can't see the third wall (upstairs) here, but you get the idea. :)
I've put it off for years, mostly because I'll have to find a ladder I can use safely on the stairs. We've seen them here and there, and I'm hoping I can rent one maybe?
My other big project in here is to replace the subway tile on our fireplace surround:
My dream would be to do a solid piece of marble, but I have a feeling that will get expensive. I think something with some organic movement to it would be lovely!
Main bedroom:
It seems I'm always tweaking this room, but it's finally thisclose to what I've envisioned:
The only part that bugs me is the dark tray ceiling and beams we installed years back. I really like the beams, but they come off very orange now, especially as the rest of the room has gone more neutral.
The beams are staying, but I'm playing around with painting them and the ceiling and/or adding a coffered ceiling with trim. I don't have a final design in mind just yet, but I definitely want to work on it this year.
I'd love to hear your ideas!
Kitchen/pantry:
Our pantry makeover is one of my favorites ever! I tore out all of the melamine shelving and created more of a butler's pantry design with cabinets and a small counter:
This space functions so well now, and the added countertop space is especially great when we're entertaining.
During that makeover, I installed a peel and stick "stone" tile backsplash around the shelves. It didn't take long for me to absolutely hate it. 😂
Not only is it incredibly rough and will cut ya (not really, but it's rough), but the edges of the tiles continually pop up and don't stick to the wall.
My plan is to remove it and replace the peel and stick with this blue and gray starburst tile:
This design is what I had in mind from the start, but I was afraid it would be too trendy at the time. Well, years later I still love it. (And if I love it I don't care what's in or out.)
I've had some of the tiles leaned up against the backsplash for a few days, and every time I walk in I LOVE them.
No idea if the peel and stick tile will come off cleanly. I'm guessing it's going to be a total nightmare, but I will be sure to let you know how that goes! I'm hoping to borrow a heat gun that may help with removal.
The other big project in here is to continue the vertical shiplap I installed around most of the room:
And add it to the walls on either side of the doorway:
I'm on the hunt for a pretty wallpaper to install above the trim as well -- I think it will add some needed warmth to this space.
Kitchen:
The kitchen needs some warmth as well! I'm well on the way with the changes I made to our wood range hood:
Now I'd like to add some custom touches to the island as well:
I LOVE the extended sides I added to the island a few years ago -- it makes it look more custom than just the counter hanging over.
But it's looking harsh to me lately -- it needs some softer touches like trim on the "legs" and baseboards. I can't wait to tackle this project!
At some point I'd love to replace our countertops as well. I've always dreamed of soapstone, but the maintenance (and cost!) has kept us from doing it.
Lately I've seen some lovely, honed dark counters that give the look of soapstone. We really don't have a ton of countertop space (most of it is our butcher block island), so I don't think it will be CRAZY expensive...but we will see.
Basement:
The basement is our coziest spot in the house, and I want to keep adding character and warm touches to this area.
I started adding this picture frame molding around the family room part of the basement, but need to finish up the other half:
That project isn't difficult, it's just time consuming. It's always so worth it in the end!
Also, this stairway gallery wall was painted to match the rest of the basement years ago:
But since then I've added more frames on all of the basement stairway walls. The frames are up, but half of them are empty and the walls need to be painted.
I'll need a stair/ladder contraption to accomplish this one as well!
My biggest DIY project planned for this year is in the basement. I've been dreaming up the bathroom makeover for years and I'm determined to at least start!:
I've barely touched this room as far as DIYs are concerned...but I have a very dramatic makeover planned!
The entire plan will be shared in a separate post, but it involves new flooring, tile, vanity and even a new ceiling treatment.
I'll be continuing this rich wine color (called Rojo Marron) that I painted the hallway right outside:
I'll need some professional help with some of this makeover, but I think I can do most of it on my own.
It's going to be a fun year! Our home is ever-changing, and that's the only place I don't mind change in life! 😁
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