Our Total Home Renovation Story: The Reasons We Renovated

When Matt and I got married in 2010, we found what felt like the perfect home to begin our life together. It checked so many boxes for us… great location, the kind of square footage that felt just right, and a quiet, gated community where we instantly felt safe and comfortable. The house had so many big windows; if you know me, you know how much I live for natural light. It poured into every corner of the home, making it feel bright, happy, and welcoming.

We fell in love with all the pretty arches, especially the ones leading to our backyard. The layout worked for us, the backyard was beautiful, and it felt like the kind of place where we could build a life together.

The Little Changes Over the Years

Over the years, we made minor updates here and there- nothing major, just a few light home remodel projects. We swapped out the kitchen countertops once, painted a few rooms, updated the flooring in the kids’ rooms, and did minor refreshes. But that full-on renovation I always dreamed about never really happened.

Pregnancy And A Postponed Renovation

When I was pregnant with Alina (now six ), I wanted to tackle a bigger renovation. We were preparing the kids’ rooms and considering making the space work for our growing family. But I was exhausted and couldn’t imagine living through a whole house remodel while pregnant, so we settled for a few small updates. I told myself we’d come back to it later. Well, “later” finally came.

What Really Sparked the Full Renovation

Alina had grown, our lifestyle had changed, and I knew it was finally time. What truly pushed me over the edge? The kitchen. It looked “fine” from the outside, but I did not enjoy using it. The cabinets weren’t that functional! There were no pull-out drawers, spice racks, or innovative storage solutions. It was one of those kitchens that photographed well but didn’t work for daily life, especially not for a mom cooking with kids running around.

We Thought About Moving

We seriously considered moving. We looked at some other houses online or in our neighborhood and even considered building from scratch. But every home we saw needed work (something I’d want to replace, remodel, or update). And building a new home comes with SO many complications: permits, delays, and a whole lot of unknowns.

That’s when we had a moment of clarity. We loved our neighborhood, the lot, the light, and the layout. So instead of starting over somewhere new, we thought, why not make this house the dream home we’d always wanted?

The Wall That Drove Me Crazy

Besides the kitchen cabinets, one of the biggest motivators was a wall in the middle of our living room, making the space feel awkward and disconnected. It annoyed me every time I walked by (LOL) for years! It split the house in two, and the space on the other side never got used the way we wanted.

A few other strangely placed walls made the home feel chopped up. I envisioned a total home renovation that would give us a space to cook, hang out, entertain, and still feel connected as a family.

Bathroom Dreams and Closet Goals

Another thing on my list was the master bathroom. It was a decent size, but it never felt like a space to unwind. I wanted a spa-like vibe, a wet room, something beautiful and peaceful.

Then there was my closet. It’s narrow, but I always saw the potential. I dreamed of having it organized- shoes in one section, bags in another, and clothes arranged so I could see and find everything easily. It sounds small, but it mattered to me.

The Turning Point

All of these dreams added up to one big truth: we couldn’t keep doing small touch-ups. We needed a full home renovation. That meant moving out, tearing down walls, and starting from scratch in several areas.

Was It Worth It?

Let me tell you- renovating was NOT easy. We moved six times (yes, SIX). We bounced between hotels, our casita, Airbnb, and pretty much everywhere else. If we had known from day one that it would take over six months, we definitely would have planned it differently. But we were told it would be done in just two to three months! (I’ll be sharing more stories on that in another post.) From October 2024 to April 2025, we lived out of boxes. Takeout and eating out became our daily routine. More than I want to admit (lol)!

There were delays… Simple things became major headaches! We had to wait forever for some material to arrive; even scheduling the installations was a nightmare sometimes. But now that it’s mostly done, I wouldn’t trade it for anything. We are so happy we stormed through it! It was absolutely worth it!

Our Home, Reimagined

The kitchen is finally functional, which is what we always wanted! The layout flows seamlessly into the living space. We removed the awkward walls, and now it feels open and airy. The master bathroom has that calming, spa-like vibe we always dreamed about. And the closet, finally, makes sense. It’s the same size, but so much better. I feel like this whole remodeling journey has become a reflection of our lives now. It wasn’t just a renovation; it was a transformation. The house feels like home again, but better. It feels like us.

What’s Next?

I’ll be sharing more in upcoming posts (room-by-room reveals), behind-the-scenes moments, and an entire post dedicated to everything “I wish I knew” before diving into a major renovation (trust me, there are a lot). Lol!

If you’re planning your renovations, I hope our journey helps you. Because sometimes, a house that may look “just fine” isn’t what you always dream of…

Stay tuned… there’s so much more to share 🙂

Love,

Sherry