home improvement
Budget-Friendly Ideas to Boost Curb Appeal
Last Updated on November 14, 2025 by Daily News Staff
Budget-Friendly Ideas to Boost Curb Appeal
(Family Features) Your home’s first big impression is its curb appeal, so if your place is in need of some sprucing up, you may wonder how you can make some updates without breaking the bank.
These 10 ideas are easy on budgets, but they can also make a big impact on your home’s exterior image.
- Paint your front door. As long as your front door is in good condition, there’s no need to replace it completely. A fresh coat of paint can instantly update your home’s facade. Go bold or stick with a classic hue – it’s all up to you.
- Dress up the windows. Add character and charm by enhancing your front windows. You might add wooden shutters, window box planters or both. Also look at the trim around the windows. If it’s chipped and peeling, adding a fresh coat of paint doesn’t just look nice, it can protect your windows from damage, too.
- Clean up flower beds. An unkempt flower bed can drag down an otherwise stunning home. Keep beds tidy and vegetation trimmed, even during the offseason. Watch for weeds and replenish mulch or rock ground cover as needed to keep the beds looking healthy and inviting.
- Install new lighting. Replacing outdated light fixtures can give your exterior an instant upgrade. There’s no right or wrong style; just choose a color and look that matches the rest of your design.
- Replace worn welcome mats. A cheerful mat at your front door can be an inviting sight for visitors, but those mats inevitably wear with time, and what was once bright and charming becomes dingy and dull. A new mat can help bring back that cheery entry you once cherished.
- Pressure wash the drive and walk. Over time, driveways and sidewalks collect an incredible amount of grime. Pressure washing not only eliminates the filth, but the clean surfaces also add to your home’s visual appeal.
- Add new vegetation. Landscaping is a relatively inexpensive way to introduce more personality to a yard. Aim for a mix of pretty and practical, such as some low flowering bushes and some trees or bushes that offer privacy and shade.
- Keep up with basic maintenance. When your home is in poor repair, it shows. Pay attention to bent or rusting gutters, imperfections in the roof and other maintenance matters that aren’t just aesthetic; left unrepaired, they can also result in major damage.
- Pay attention to details. Functional items like the mailbox might not seem like much of a design element, but these small details can be a big distraction if they’re not in good condition. Update or replace as needed to keep your aesthetic in sync.
- Add seasonal decor. There’s no need to go all out for every occasion, but some timely decorations that celebrate the holiday or season can make your entry fun and festive. Coordinate wreaths, planters, signs and other accent pieces for a cohesive look that says, “come on in.”
Find more affordable ideas for upgrading your home and garden at eLivingtoday.com.
Photo courtesy of Unsplash
SOURCE:
Family Features
(Sheeka Sanahori) There is always something: a leaky faucet, chipping paint, gutters full of leaves or a room that no longer works the way it used to. Homeownership comes with a permanent background hum of maintenance, repairs and decisions that can only be ignored for so long.
What homeowners do next depends a lot on where they live.
A new international study from Angi, a home services marketplace, found that Americans are among the world’s more proactive homeowners, with nearly half (49%) taking a preventative approach to maintenance, scheduling regular checks and staying on top of concerns before something breaks. South Korea leads the study at 56%. Japan sits at the other end: 60% of Japanese homeowners address issues only when they arise.
When it comes to DIY home repairs, France leads the study. Sixty-five percent of French homeowners say they handle most repairs themselves, the highest rate among the surveyed countries.
Home care, it turns out, looks fundamentally different depending on where people live and what they believe home is for. Cultural differences are also at play for homeowner behavior beyond the toolbox. In France, 2 out of 5 homeowners enforce a no-phones rule at the dinner table, the highest rate in the study, while Canadians and Japanese are nearly twice as likely as Americans to require shoes off at the door (69% vs. 37%).
Opinions vary from country to country, even for keeping a tidy home. A majority of Germans and Americans prefer to keep a “lived-in and comfortable” appearance. Forty percent of Brazilians believe a home should always be clean and tidy, more than any other country. Of all the countries surveyed, the Dutch were the most likely to respond with “home is for living, not impressing others.”
In North America, homeownership tends to be tied to investment. Americans and Canadians are the most likely of any country to renovate specifically to increase property value, while many European homeowners prioritize comfort and quality of life over resale potential. When a home no longer fits, the instinct varies just as sharply: More than three-quarters of German homeowners would renovate rather than move, the highest rate across all countries surveyed, while 41% of British homeowners would rather relocate. Americans take a more pragmatic middle path—37% say they would stay and make do.
Unexpected and emergency repairs remain a universal source of stress regardless of the country. The most maintenance-minded Americans are also the youngest: Gen Z and Millennial homeowners lead on proactive upkeep, with 51% preferring to check home systems before problems start and 55% using smart security technology compared with 19% of Baby Boomers and the Silent Generation.
A home is never just the structure itself. It reflects the routines, priorities and tradeoffs people make, from the repairs they tackle to the rituals that shape daily life. Around the world, home care is less about one right way to do it and more about what people believe a home is supposed to be.
Methodology
Angi, along with its international family of home service marketplaces, commissioned an online survey of 4,492 homeowners across 10 countries, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Australia, South Korea, Japan and Brazil. The U.S. sample included 1,237 homeowners. The margin of error for U.S. findings is plus or minus 2.8 percentage points at a 95% confidence level. Fieldwork was conducted between May 1 and May 19, 2026.
Photo courtesy of Shutterstock
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(Feature Impact) Stretches of scorching summer days may leave you and your family feeling like you just can’t quite get (or stay) cool. If you find yourself resigned to cooler rooms or leaving ceiling fans on constantly, it might be time to check your air conditioner.
Extreme heat is no longer rare for many parts of the country. According to recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau, more than 13 million households reported being uncomfortably hot for an extended period.
Not all air conditioning systems perform the same when temperatures spike. While most systems can keep up on typical summer days, prolonged heat can expose performance gaps, leading to uneven cooling and higher energy use. The difference often comes down to how the system is designed.
To better understand whether your HVAC system can stand up to summer, consider this information from the experts at Mitsubishi Electric Trane HVAC US (METUS), a world leader in residential air conditioning units with sophisticated, durable systems that deliver quiet operation and energy-efficient performance.
Why Some Homes Stay More Comfortable Than Others
Not every home experiences summer heat the same way. Factors such as home layout, sun exposure, insulation, and HVAC system design can all influence how effectively a home maintains comfort during prolonged periods of high temperatures.
For example, upstairs bedrooms, rooms with large windows, and spaces exposed to direct afternoon sun often have different cooling demands than other areas of the home. Systems that provide more precise temperature control and flexibility can help address these differences and deliver more consistent comfort throughout the house.
Signs Your System May Be Struggling
As summer temperatures rise, there are often clear signs that an HVAC system may be struggling to keep up with demand. One of the most common indicators is a system that seems to run constantly during the hottest parts of the day, yet fails to deliver the level of comfort homeowners expect.
Homeowners may also notice persistent warm spots in certain rooms, increased indoor humidity, or weaker airflow from vents. In some cases, increased noise from vents or equipment may signal the system is working harder than usual to maintain airflow and cooling performance.
Another warning sign often appears on monthly utility statements. A noticeable increase in energy use during peak summer months can indicate the system is consuming more power to maintain comfort under challenging conditions.
What Makes the Difference in Extreme Heat
Not all HVAC systems are built the same. Modern system design plays a critical role in how well a home stays comfortable during prolonged high temperatures. Zoned Comfort Solutions from Mitsubishi Electric include ducted and ductless options designed to deliver reliable comfort, efficiency, and control in demanding conditions like summer heat surges, along with important features like:
- Cooling performance designed to maintain comfort even during extreme outdoor temperatures
- Precise temperature control that helps deliver more consistent comfort throughout the home
- Quiet, efficient operation that delivers strong performance with less noise and energy use
- Flexible installation options for homes with existing ductwork and homes without ducts, plus room additions, garages, sunrooms, and other hard-to-cool spaces
Evaluating whether your current system is designed to handle sustained high temperatures can help prevent discomfort and avoid rushed decisions during the hottest days of the year. To learn more, visit MitsubishiComfort.com.
SOURCE:
Mitsubishi Electric Trane HVAC US
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home improvement
Hotter Summers and Rising Energy Costs: How Next-Generation Inverter Heat Pumps Can Provide Comfort and Savings
As heating and cooling systems are pushed to run for extended periods, energy use, especially for cooling, is increasing in demand and costing homeowners more. Modern, energy-efficient heat pump systems can help lower energy bills and support long-term savings.
(Feature Impact) In the past decade, temperatures have reached record highs, according to NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies, resulting in hotter summers that last longer and put increasing strain on home HVAC systems. As heating and cooling systems are pushed to run for extended periods, energy use, especially for cooling, is increasing in demand and costing homeowners more.
Modern, energy-efficient heat pump systems, like those offered by Midea, one of the world’s largest producers of major appliances and a leading innovator in the HVAC industry, allow homeowners to easily replace existing, outdated central air units, mitigating the need for major electrical rewiring, ductwork or structural modifications. Utility rebate programs and government incentives can also help offset upfront costs, while the improved efficiency of a heat pump system can help lower energy bills and support long-term savings.
Rising Energy Costs Make Cooling More Expensive
Maintaining comfort during prolonged periods of heat is a growing financial burden. With heating and cooling accounting for about 43% of home energy use, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, HVAC systems are one of the largest contributors to monthly utility bills. As systems run longer to keep up with extended heat, energy costs soar, making efficiency an increasingly key factor in managing overall household expenses.
Aging HVAC Systems Struggle to Keep Up
From 2000-2009, approximately 14.6 million homes were constructed, according to Statista research, many of which now have HVAC systems reaching replacement age. As these systems age, they become less efficient and require more energy to maintain the same comfort level. As cooling seasons lengthen and hotter temperatures become more common, this decline in performance can contribute to higher energy costs and reduced reliability.
According to ENERGY STAR, systems more than 10 years old may no longer operate as efficiently as newer models. For homeowners looking to replace aging equipment, Midea’s EVOX lineup is designed as a direct, drop-in replacement compatible with existing ductwork, thermostats and electrical infrastructure, delivering the benefits of modern inverter technology without the cost of a full system overhaul.
Smart Comfort Solutions to Support Homeowners’ Wallets
Modern heat pump technology offers a more cost-effective way to maintain home comfort while managing energy use. Unlike traditional systems such as furnaces and central air conditioners, heat pumps provide both heating and cooling in a single system and are designed to operate more efficiently across a wide range of temperatures.
Cold-climate inverter heat pumps can reduce reliance on auxiliary electric heat, helping improve overall system efficiency. Variable-speed heat pumps can also provide more consistent temperature control and improved dehumidification compared to standard central air conditioners.
Additional savings opportunities may be available through utility-based and state and local incentives, including tax credits for qualifying energy-efficient home improvements.
How to Know if a New System Will Reduce Energy Consumption
The cooling efficiency and energy consumption of central air conditioning systems can be compared by looking at the “Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio,” or “SEER.” Similar to a car’s miles per gallon rating, a higher rating means the system produces more cooling for every unit of electricity consumed. In 2023, DOE moved to SEER2, which is based on a stricter testing method that better reflects real-world conditions. Minimum regional SEER2 requirements for traditional central air conditions range from 13.4-14.3 and the DOE minimum for heat pump systems is 14.3. Higher-efficiency units offer SEER2 ratings of 16 and above.
Flexible Options for Every Home
As temperatures continue to rise and systems work harder to keep up, finding cost-efficient solutions is an increasingly important consideration. With solutions engineered for straightforward installation and compatibility with existing systems, ductwork and thermostats, Midea’s top-of-the-line EVOX lineup – available in All-Climate, Xtreme, Advance, Lite and PowerCool – is designed to adapt to changing conditions while delivering reliable, year-round performance and improved efficiency for those looking to upgrade aging equipment and manage long-term energy costs.
To learn more about how an inverter heat pump can provide improved efficiency and cost savings, visit MideaComfort.US to explore the full lineup.
SOURCE:
Midea
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