Painter’s tape on the wall is a classic move—I’ve seen more blue tape in people’s homes than I care to admit. It might look chaotic, but honestly, it’s hard to beat for quick reminders. I’ve worked with clients who swear by sticking notes right where the work’s happening, and it does seem to cut down on “where did I put that measurement?” moments.
I get what you mean about spreadsheets. They’re great in theory, but once you’ve got a dozen tabs open and half of them are just called “Sheet1,” it gets overwhelming fast. I’ve tried using project management apps too, but sometimes it feels like more work to keep them updated than just scribbling on a notepad.
One thing I’ve noticed: the folks who keep everything in one box or bin—even if it’s messy—tend to lose less stuff than those who try to be ultra-organized but scatter things across different systems. Maybe there’s something to be said for controlled chaos? At the end of the day, whatever keeps you sane during a reno is probably the right system.
Totally get the painter’s tape thing—my own walls have looked like a blue zebra during projects. I’ve tried every “system” under the sun, but honestly, if your chaos works, roll with it. Sometimes a messy bin beats a color-coded spreadsheet any day.
Title: Keeping track of renovation plans without losing your mind
Painter’s tape everywhere? Been there. I used to try keeping everything in neat folders and digital checklists, but honestly, on my third flip, I just started writing notes straight on the wall with a pencil. It sounds nuts, but it saved me from hunting for scraps of paper or scrolling through my phone mid-demo. Sometimes the “messy” system is just the fastest way to keep things moving, especially when you’re juggling contractors and timelines. If it works, it works.
Writing on the walls with a pencil—honestly, I get the appeal. When you’re knee-deep in dust and debris, the last thing you want is to dig through a folder or unlock your phone with dirty hands. That said, I’ve learned the hard way that what feels efficient in the moment can come back to bite you, especially if you’re working on an older property where original plaster or wallpaper is part of the value.
I’ve had contractors accidentally paint right over my notes more than once, which led to some awkward conversations and a few missed details. If you’re dealing with historic trim or anything that needs to be preserved, those pencil marks can sometimes be tough to erase completely. Not a huge deal on drywall, but old horsehair plaster? That stuff holds onto everything.
What’s worked for me is using blue painter’s tape as a kind of movable notepad. I’ll jot down measurements or reminders on the tape itself and stick it right where it’s needed—on a door frame, window casing, whatever. When it’s time for finish work, I just peel it off and move it somewhere else if I still need the info. It’s not as fast as scribbling directly on the wall, but it keeps things tidy and doesn’t leave any surprises behind when the project wraps up.
I do keep a running notebook for bigger-picture stuff—budget changes, material orders, that sort of thing—but for day-to-day chaos? Tape and a Sharpie have saved my sanity more than once. Not saying my system is perfect (I’ve definitely lost track of a few sticky notes along the way), but at least I’m not scrubbing graphite out of 120-year-old wainscoting anymore.
Everyone finds their own groove after enough projects. Just don’t let “efficient” now turn into “regret” later... especially if you ever plan to sell or restore those walls down the line.
Painter’s tape is genius—I’ve tried that too, but sometimes I forget where I stuck the last piece and end up retracing my steps. Ever tried dry-erase markers on glass or tile? I started using my windows as a giant to-do list during our kitchen reno, and it actually worked pretty well. Not ideal if you’ve got pets or kids, though... smudges everywhere. I do wonder if there’s a perfect system for keeping track of all the little details without losing your mind (or your deposit). Maybe it’s just about finding what you’re least likely to misplace or accidentally paint over.
