Best of 2020 | Home Decor & Organization

Hi friends!  How is your week going? Are you still in vacay mode or getting things done?  I’m a mix of both.  I’m getting things done, but in a relaxed, non-frazzled way if that makes sense.  I’ve started taking down my decor and Brian helped me get the big tree down last night.

Part of what has really helped me slow down more is continuing to get rid of things in our home so that we have empty spaces, clear counters and surfaces, and less ‘inventory’ to maintain and take care of.

I’m on a minimizing journey and have made great strides in the last six months especially.  What I love most about it is that, instead of constantly feeling like I should be cleaning or organizing something, things are already paired way down, so there’s less to manage.

It frees up so much mental energy.

I can actually sit down and read a book or play with Jordan without that nagging going on in my head now.  I still love decor and pretty spaces and today we’re looking back at the home decor projects I did in my home this year.

MY NEW DINING ROOM

It’s always fun to look back and see what we accomplished at the end of the year.  I’m kinda surprised anything got done, but with my friend Aryn’s help, we managed to redecorate my dining room!  I started the project right at the beginning of COVID and the kids were homeschooling from this room on a set of plastic card tables.

It took a long time for everything to finally come together, but I absolutely LOVE the result.  It’s the first room you see when you enter our home, so it makes a lovely welcome.

In keeping with that more minimal theme, the room is simple and neutral, but still so pretty.

Neutral dining room

Chandelier • Dining Table • Similar Dining Chairs • Rug • Cabinet • Similar Mirror • Lamps • Fig Tree • Basket

JORDAN’S BIG GIRL ROOM

I was so happy to finally share Jordan’s big girl room with you! Many of you might remember her nursery and that room was beloved for many years.  A few months before Jordan’s third birthday, we transitioned her from her crib to a big girl bed and switched up the decor.

It’s a really pretty girl’s room, but still playful for a 4 year-old, especially with her Peppa Pig wall decals.  I can’t believe she’ll be 5 in February!  Now she’s so into Paw Patrol and already planning her next birthday. 

Upholstered Bed • Ruffle Chair • Chandelier • Night Stand • Rug •  Similar Check Bedding • Softest Sheets • Wall Decals

JORDAN’S PRESCHOOL PLAYROOM

Jordan’s playroom was also complete this year and she plays in there everyday!  The room used to function as an office with dark wood panels, so the transformation to light and airy was even more dramatic.  You have to see the before to appreciate the after!

And I really like the mini sofa we added in there so that I can have a comfortable space to sit too!

Toddler Playroom

Eva Love Pink Art

I enjoy decorating for all seasons, but before Spring decorating, we do Spring cleaning!   I cleaned out and organized my pantry and office closet this year and they are both still looking really good!

HOW I ORGANIZE MY PANTRY

Pantry Storage Organization

Rug • Glass Jars w Wooden Lids • Font Labels • Chalk Labels • OXO Containers • Glass Jar • Cork Shelf Liner • Glass Jars • Woven Baskets • Expand-A-Shelf

Pantry Organization

1 Cereal Container | 2 Glass Jars | 3 Font Labels | 4 Chalk Labels | 5 OXO Containers | 6 Glass Jar | 7 Cork Shelf Liner | 8 Grip Shelf Liner | 9 Glass Jars

HOW I ORGANIZE MY OFFICE CLOSET

Desk Pad • Acrylic Stapler & Tape Dispenser • Office Labels • Drawer Organizer • Desk Organizer Set • Erasable Pens • Labeler • Macaroon Erasers • Scissors • Rubber Band Ball • Storage Boxes • Rolling Cart

SPRING DECOR | ALL ON PRIME

I’m looking forward to pulling out our Spring decor when the time comes- I still have lots of these pieces!

Set of Pillows • Similar Set of Pillows • Pink Pillow • White Textured Pillow • Yellow Dish Towels • Dish Towels • Softest Sheet Set • White Lamps • Shower Liner • Coffee Mugs • Table Runner • Gingham Tablecloth • Woven Basket

Peonies  *see mine here • Branch Tulip Wreath • Box of Lavender *just ordered • Tulip Bouquet • Tulip Wreath • Hello Wreath • Lavender Bunch • Set of 2 Potted Plants

TIPS FOR A SMALL BACKYARD PATIO

We have a small backyard space with a grassy yard and petite patio. In the grass, the kids play soccer, sandbox and when it’s hot enough, splash around in a little pool.  We’ve also made the most of the little patio area, and enjoy hanging out there too.

I’d love a bigger space with more room on the patio part, but I’m thankful to have what we do!  Here are my tips for getting the most out of your small backyard and patio space.

Tips for a Small Backyard & Patio

Table • Bistro Chairs • Rug

LED Cafe Lights • Herb Garden Pots • Outdoor Pillows • Footstool • Swing • Melamine Dinneware Set of 4 • Outdoor Placemats • Lantern • Outdoor Fire Pit • Succulent Planter Pots •  Serving Trays • Palm plant • Table and Chair Set • Unbreakable Wine Tumbler • Outdoor Rug • Bamboo Plant stands • Bench with Storage

PATIO & LANDSCAPING UPDATE

In this post, I shared the before with you and walk you through what we’ve done to our landscaping.  My landscaper, Jose Hoyos, is someone I really enjoy talking with and we have great conversations about life and families every time he visits.

I’m happy to support his small business and I’d recommend him if you’re in the Houston area.  He’s super knowledgeable about his work and is always very fair with his pricing.

Dress • Bracelets • Earrings • Buffalo Check Rug • Hello Mat • Floral Wreath • Black Planters

Floral Wreath • Faux Succulents • Wood Bench • Buffalo Check Rug • Hello Mat • Owl • Garden Stool • Sidewalk Lights • Eucalyptus Wreath • Stripe Pillows • Square Stripe Pillows • Iron Bench • Black Planters • Table • Potted Succulents

UPDATED HOUSE EXTERIOR

And the biggest change of all was I had my house painted and the stone lime washed!  I never gave you a proper post about the lime washing process, so I need to do that!  Our house went from brown/tan to white/grey and it looks so good!

YOUR COZIEST FALL & NEUTRAL FALL DECOR

Do you change up your decor with the seasons?  I’m embracing my love of neutrals and put together two Fall collages for you. The first one was inspired by my dining room and the second one is full of cozy!

Amazon Neutral Fall Decor

Chairs • Mirror • Tassel Beads • Pouf • Macrame Planter • Vases • Throw • Flameless Candles • Decorative Books • Faux Fiddle Leaf Fig • Basket • Macrame Wall Hanging • Faux Leather Pillow Cover • Tassel Pillow Cover

Amazon Let's Get Cozy

Fleece Pullover • Cozy Mug • Coffee Warmer • Robe • Fuzzy Slippers • Cozy Blanket • Votive Holder • Tea Lights • Pajamas • Pillows • Mattress Pad • Softest Sheets • Weighted Blanket

AFFORDABLE FALL DECOR

Here I found tons of Fall decor pieces, but I think I like the real pumpkins at our front porch the most.  And in the pic below, you can see part of the new lime wash.

Fall decor front porch

Similar Wreaths • Checkered Mat • Happy Fall Mat

OUR CHRISTMAS HOME TOUR!

I started decorating before Christmas because I love it so much, but also because it takes me forever to finish. This year, the tree went up the day before Halloween!  Yes, my son thought I was nuts but I’m okay with that!

Christmas Home Tour, Fair Isle Sweater, Jeans, Booties

Sweater • Jeans • Booties • Wreaths • Star Necklace • Bracelet

And just like that, it’s time to take it down again!  I got started taking down the decor on Sunday, but I still need to clean out and reorganize the holiday closet.  I also need to do another run through of Jordan’s toys and make sure we donate the toys she isn’t playing with anymore.

I’m really happy with where our home is now, but I would like to spruce up our downstairs half bath.  I feel like it’s calling for wallpaper, but I haven’t given it much thought beyond that.  Do you have any home projects planned for next year?

When you do take down your Christmas decor?  Do you like to live with it awhile after Christmas or put it away quickly?  Follow me on Stories to organize my holiday closet with me later today!

You can find my Home Tour here and my home organization posts here.

Have a fantastic day friends!

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Meet Megan

Hi! I’m Megan, mom to a thoughtful teenager and spunky young girl. We call Houston home and recently moved into our dream home. I traded my lawyer hat to become a full-time blogger in 2010. I love sharing my passion for affordable fashion, home decor, organization, & fitness to help inspire you to take care of you!

7 Comments

  1. Such a lovely home. I too have been trying to minimize. Been listening to the minimal mom on YouTube who is inspiring me to purge. My next home project is also wallpaper. Putting up navy faux grass cloth in my powder room. Faux b/c I have a cat and kids so needs to be wipeable and something the cat can’t dig his claws into. Would love to see your b4/after of your powder room. Your taste is always beautiful!

  2. I have been getting rid of extra things and trying to minimize as much as I can as well. Any books you’ve read or sources to help you minimize? Thanks!

  3. I really miss your organization posts!! That’s what drew me to your blog so many years ago. All the pantry, home office, master closet and mudroom posts. That and your new years post about cleaning/organizing and buying white flowers 🙂 Any chance we will see more of that in 2021??

  4. Everything looks amazing, You have a such good taste when it comes to décor I love Jordan’s room and your dining room is so lovely as well! !

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