The Trolley Before the Transformation
A home renovation is about to take place, so I wanted to start gathering some of the smaller pieces that will help pull everything together once the bigger work is done.
That somehow turned into a trolley filled with curtains, pillowcases, bed sheets, a dish rack, a mop bucket and curtain rods that were clearly under the impression they deserved their own transportation.
The rods were far too long to fit inside the trolley, so they had to stretch across the top like they had personally taken over the shopping trip. Subtle? Absolutely not. Necessary? Unfortunately, yes.
Nothing here is wildly extravagant. That was actually the point. The renovation will handle the bigger changes, while these smaller additions should help make the space feel more finished, comfortable and intentional once everything starts coming together.
And judging by the trolley, I had enough to get started.
What I Bought for the Refresh
1. Curtains
The curtains were one of the main things I wanted to sort out before the renovation was complete. Curtains take up a decent amount of visual space, so changing them can make a surprisingly big difference once the room is refreshed.
I wanted something that could help the space feel more put together when everything else is finished. Of course, buying curtains also meant I immediately created another problem for myself: I needed something to hang them on.
2. Curtain Rods
Enter the curtain rods.
They are not exactly the glamorous part of a home decor haul, but the curtains were not going to magically suspend themselves from the ceiling. They were also far too long to fit inside the trolley, so they spent the shopping trip stretched across the top like oversized passengers who refused to sit properly.
Once the renovation is done, they should help give the windows a cleaner and more finished look.
Sometimes the least exciting thing in the trolley is doing some very important work.
3. Pillowcases
The pillowcases were one of the smaller additions, but details like these can change how a room comes together without requiring much effort.
They are also easy to switch once the main renovation work is finished. Change the covers, straighten everything up and suddenly the same furniture can feel a little more refreshed.
Low effort. I support it.
4. Bed Sheets
The bed sheets were another simple upgrade.
Fresh sheets may not completely transform a room on their own, but once everything else is cleaned, rearranged and refreshed, they help finish the look. It is one of those smaller changes that suddenly feels a lot more noticeable when the rest of the space is coming together too.
And honestly, a renovated room deserves fresh sheets.
5. Dish Rack
I also picked up a dish rack for the kitchen—the kind that holds plates and utensils while they dry.
It is not exactly the type of thing people usually imagine when they hear “home decor,” but the renovation is not just about making things prettier. I also want the space to feel more organized and practical once everything is done.
A nice-looking room is great. A nice-looking room where things actually have somewhere to go is even better.
6. The Mop Bucket
And then there is the mop bucket.
No, I have not suddenly decided that a mop bucket counts as home decor. But with renovation work coming, I already know there will be plenty of cleaning to do before anything starts looking photo-ready.
Apparently, even my decorating haul needed one item that came prepared for the aftermath.
The Haul Is Only the Beginning
For now, everything is still sitting in the trolley looking like a collection of good intentions.
The bigger transformation is still ahead. Once the renovation is complete, the curtains are hung, the bed is refreshed, the kitchen is organized and everything is finally cleaned up, I will get to see whether all these smaller choices actually work together.
That is what I’ll show you next in my Home Decor Before-and-After.
Because buying everything was the easy part.
Seeing whether the finished space matches the picture in my head? That’s where things get interesting.
What Would You Change First?
Curtains, bedding, kitchen organization or something completely different—what would you update first when refreshing your home?
