Why your 2026 home improvement decisions deserve careful thought—and how to get the best ROI.
Last week I posted some thoughts to help you plan gardens that are apt to do well in
Delaware’s climate and also spotlighted some upcoming Garden Tours down near the beaches
that will inspire you to make it happen. With special thanks to The Cape Gazette for creating its
Spring 2026 Home and Garden Guide, I’m focusing this week on home improvements that require
careful thought: putting in a backyard pool, and overall updates that tend to bring you the
best return for your investment.
The guide’s feature story about pool decision factors is on page 24. While I hope you’ll read
the entire piece, here are some key takeaways:
๏ท Think carefully about the type of pool that makes the most sense. A pool built for you
and your spouse and a few friends is apt to be very different from one designed for you,
your growing kids, and their friends. While most of the new and existing communities
spotlighted at our web site on THIS page, featuring large pools for lap swimming,
large social gatherings and, in some cases, organized activities, you might be
interested in a small pool for cooling off in the privacy of your backyard. That could
look very different from a larger pool for bigger crowds.
๏ท Consider how it’ll transform your yard. That big pool designed for active families and
neighborhood parties will obviously take up a lot of space. A smaller pool that’s also
designed as an ornamental water feature invites more creative thinking about
landscaping, paving, and creative design. Whether you’re focusing more on recreation
or beautification, you should invest time up front on how to integrate your design with
intent.
๏ท Consider in-ground or above-ground pools for different reasons. Above-ground pools
tend to cost less, be installed more quickly, and be easier to remove as your needs
evolve. The best choice will factor in how long you plan to stay in your home, how you’ll
use the pool, and your budget.
๏ท Think about how safety interacts with design. For obvious reasons, your pool should be
in a fenced-in area with a security gate so it’s less accessible to unsupervised children
and teens. But that’s also an opportunity to enhance the look of your yard with fencing
and landscaping that adds to the appeal.
๏ท Make sure you have the budget and commitment for appropriate maintenance. Pools
are expensive to build and maintain. Many companies that build pools also offer
maintenance contracts, which can be an especially wise choice because of the expertise
they offer and because they’ll enable you to enjoy your backyard oasis and spend less
time taking care of it.
The story about smart home improvements starts on page 44. I love this one because it can
spark creative ideas for design and comfort but also because it might help you save money and
get a better return on your investment.
Key takeaways:
๏ท Paint is one of the simplest and most cost-effective interior upgrades because it can
have a tremendous impact on the way your rooms look and how you feel within them.
Neutral colors will influence the play of sunlight and provide a calm background for your
art and furnishings. Bolder colors will make a more powerful statement, and tend to be
highly personalized to your taste – but going too big on these might inhibit buyers with
different tastes.
๏ท External paint is one of the biggest drivers of curb-appeal, and is especially important
for making your home look fresh and inviting. As you consider colors, think about how
they’ll interact with landscaping, home and garden lighting, and your home’s profile
among surrounding properties. Inside and outside, paint is a great investment because
you can do it quickly and because today’s high-quality paints are durable enough to look
great for several years.
๏ท Your kitchen can feel new with a few lower-cost improvements. Kitchens are focal
points in every home, and also one of the most expensive investments. But you can save
money and achieve a fresh look by repainting or refacing cabinets, updating pulls and
other hardware, and adding backsplashes and tile treatments to focal spots. Upscale
countertops tend to be more expensive, but they also have a dramatic and enduring
appeal.
๏ท Bathrooms can also be updated without investing a lot if you simply get new vanities,
faucets and hardware. Fresh grouting and new tile can also make tired spaces feel more
attractive and new.
๏ท Energy updates may not be exciting, but they’re important for saving money now and
strengthening resale value later. New windows are expensive, but the best brands will
help you spend a lot less on cooling and heating in the years to come. Likewise, high-
quality HVAC systems installed by qualified professionals will bring you peace of mind
for many years.
๏ท Think carefully about improvements that tend to offer low ROI. While you might love a
brand new deluxe kitchen with the most high-end appliances, cabinets and finishes, it’s
going to be a highly personal space that might not appeal to buyers with different tastes
when you’re ready to sell. Converting bedrooms into gyms or offices with lots of built-
ins can also limit resale value if buyers have different needs and tastes. Converting the
space above your garage to extra living space might also be an underwhelming
investment. Pools can also detract from home value if buyers don’t want to spend
money on maintenance.