Major dream renovation on the mind?

[simpsongal]

We've put quite a bit of work and money into our home since buying last year - removed walls, put down hardwoods, new roof, etc..

I talked to DH this weekend about a major, dream renovation. There's a $100K reno that I would love to do to our center hall colonial -- basically expand the galley walk-through kitchen into the back corner dining room, open up the formal living room to the now-expanded kitchen (use that as the family room), and move the dining room to the curent family room. Bascially, flip the configuration of our first floor and lose the formal living room for more kitchen and family living space.

I think this is the best use of space in our home, but it would be 10+ years away. Unfortunately, now I keep thinking about it as I proceed with today's renovations. For instance, we're scheduled to have crown molding installed in our formal living room, dining room, and entryway. I suppose we should move forward even though we might one day dramatically change the space.

Anyone else "bandaiding" areas only to dream about tearing them apart one day?

[simpsongal]

In our HCOL area, I think it would be a pretty good return. When I suggest moving one day, DH looks as if I suggested spouse-swapping.

[thewop]

Yep. I convinced DH to remove the wallpaper in the kitchen and paint it to make it look a little less crappy even though I dream of tearing it all out and starting fresh. That plan is potentially 5+ years away.

[Cheerio]

DH and I have talked about doing an addition onto the back of our house, expanding the kitchen and possibly adding a mudroom. I'm sure this would be pretty expensive and we don't really have a specific timeline in mind -- I asked DH what he thought the other day and he said four years out, whereas I was thinking more like ten. We have no idea how much this type of renovation would cost.

In the meantime, our kitchen cabinets are not sealed well. When it is humid in the house, the stain will come off them onto any fabric and you can actually see it dripping down the cabinet fronts. I'm thinking I may end up painting the cabinets to prevent this from happening, but I'm not sure I want to do that much work for a temporary fix.

[ssmjlm]

I would love to put $20k into our backyard, but it will never happen b/c it would be a waste.

So ideally we'll spend about $5k and pray it doesn't all continue to slowly erode down into our back creek.

[wawa]

MH has big dreams of tearing down our shed and building a huge 2.5 car garage. With electric and plumbing. And a heater. and A/C. And a full foundation with a partial basement for storage (it's on a slope).

Never.gonna.happen.

We are going to eventually get a small garden shed for the back of the yard so the big shed can be his dedicated workshop and we'll run electric out there. But the cost for that is just a tiny fraction of what he wants.

[simpsongal]

After perusing zillow, it may make more sense to move. Then again, it probably makes even more sense to enjoy our new home and be happy with the current lay out

I just hate how little we use the dining room & formal living room