Hello, FLT friends! I’m thrilled to be joining the team here at FLT in this new year of possibilities. I blog regularly over at Decor & More and will be sharing home decor DIY and inspiration weekly here at FLT as well.
Last weekend I made a list of home projects I wanted to tackle in 2012… and quickly realized I needed a plan. All the “to do” lists in the world won’t mean a hill of beans if you can’t finish what you start, and that was my downfall last year. So it’s time for a systematic approach and here are the four simple things I landed on.
1. Budget
I know– the dreaded “B” word! Unfortunately, this one can’t be ignored. There’s nothing more discouraging than getting a project started, only to find you don’t have the funds to finish the job. Make a list of the supplies you’ll need to purchase, price them in store and online for the best deals. Shop your own home for items to complete the project, too– you may be surprised what you find in the basement, garage, or guest room! Then make a budget for the project and stick to it. I like to challenge myself that any money “left over” in the budget can be applied to my next project (or a mani/pedi!).
2. Time
My calendar is my right-hand gal. And yes, I use the old-fashioned wall-hanging and DayTimer (for my purse) sort. I’m a visual person, so the more I see laid out before me, the better. 
Again, how discouraging to start a project and find it’s taking far too much time and you’ll have to give it up! Evaluating the time involved in a project takes practice, but I can pretty much ballpark a full weekend for painting a room, a day or so (total) for painting/refinishing furniture, and 2 hours or so for most craft projects. I actually write my projects down on my calendar. There’s a commitment that comes along with that! Plus I can schedule our other activities around getting those projects done– or vice versa.
3. Function
Give this one due consideration. Think carefully about how you want your space or project to function in your home. It’s best to be as clear as possible before digging in. Is the space going to be for TV-watching or simply relaxing and enjoying. Do you need storage? If so, how much, and how do you want it to look? Do little ones need a corner to play in? If so, are your finishes and furnishings kid-friendly? Will those DIY drapes give you adequate light control or privacy? You see where I’m going! Take the time to think through every aspect of how your room or project will be used. It’s so worth it!
Finish what you start. My 2011 was full of projects that got started and never finished. This year, I’ve resolved to complete ALL of those half-finished projects before I let myself budget and plan for any ones. Seems simple, but if you have a bit of decorating ADD like I do (and a busy schedule) this can be quite the challenge. I’ve made myself accountable by listing them on my blog for all to see (yikes!) and enlisting the stern help of the hubs. He’s often the more disciplined of the two of us!“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” ~ Jeremiah 29:11
About Heidi Milton
i LOVED this… this is exactly what i need to do – sit down & think about our projects this year. now that i know my hubs can build {he already built me a mantel, dining table, bench & abby a mini-kitchen} i have SOO many more things. budget first! thanks Heidi!