Designing Dream Landscapes For
Top Painting Trends For 2026 Show DIY Isn’t Slowing Down
(StatePoint) What are homeowners focusing on right now? Impactful, affordable upgrades. New research highlights that painting remains one of the most popular home improvement projects expected in 2026, driven by tighter budgets and a desire for lasting design.
The survey, from FrogTape brand painter’s tape, found that nearly 60% of homeowners are planning interior paint projects in the year ahead, while over one third expect to refresh exterior surfaces.
“Painting remains a top priority for homeowners because it offers an affordable, high-impact way to transform interior spaces,” said Melanie Canning, director of insights for FrogTape. “DIYers are embracing projects that are creative, yet practical, with timeless color palettes and AI-assisted design choices.”
Based on the FrogTape research, here’s what’s ahead:
Affordable Upgrades
Despite a tight financial environment, over 45% of people at the time of the survey had undertaken a project in the past month, and the data indicates that this momentum is expected to continue. Nearly half of respondents agreed that tough economic conditions have influenced their 2026 DIY plans — but they still intend to complete projects, just on a tighter budget.
“When budgets tighten, homeowners become more intentional with their time and money,” said Canning. “Painting gives DIYers flexibility to work at their own pace, manage costs, and see noticeable results.”
Timeless Over Trendy
Homeowners are gravitating toward spaces that feel calm and timeless — 71% agreed that they prefer painting projects that are long-lasting and classic.
Despite being fun for the moment, trendy colors, patterns, and styles can quickly lose appeal — 44% say they’re motivated to repaint because their current space feels outdated. For a classic look, homeowners can opt for neutral walls and add accent colors through accessories like pillows, artwork, and candles, which can easily be swapped for different seasons, moods, or trends.
“Painting is a simple project in terms of skills, but it requires time and patience. DIYers want to feel like their
work is going to pay off for years to come,” Canning added.
Comfort-First Colors
DIYers are saying goodbye to plain, colorless rooms and hello to warm, inviting spaces. According to nearly half (49%) of survey respondents, stark white rooms are their biggest design “ick.” For many (45%), their 2026 design outlook is warm and natural, and they plan to lean into earthy tones like beige, taupe, clay, greens, and blues. The ultimate goal for 47% of DIYers is to create calm, relaxing spaces through color. Additionally, “comfortcore” is the most popular design style in 2026. Anyone can achieve “comfortcore” with soft textures and calm colors
May In Bloom
for a cozy ambiance.
Personal preferences aren’t the only factor impacting the trend — 65% of respondents are planning their upcoming paint projects for entertaining guests, and 62% agree that their main goal is to make the space feel more inviting, making comfort a key priority.
Tech & Tape
Making home update decisions can be difficult, but modern technologies can help. More than half of people reported using AI to assist with home improvement projects in some capacity, from previewing paint colors to assisting with design decisions and identifying paint trends. However, even in the age of AI, traditional tools, like painter’s tape, remain irreplaceable. Ninety percent of people have used or plan to use painter’s tape on recent painting projects. The most common surfaces they tape include trim and baseboards (74%), doors and windows (65%), edges (58%) and walls (49%).
No matter the painting project, FrogTape Advanced Painter’s Tape is valuable to have on hand. The ultra-premium painter’s tape conforms around challenging curves and edges like trim, molding and light fixtures without tearing. Additionally, it contains exclusive PaintBlock technology to seal tape edges and block paint bleed for super sharp paint lines. For more inspiration and tips for your 2026 painting projects, visit FrogTape. com.
From cozy, comfort-first color palettes to practical room refreshes and AI-powered planning tools, this year, DIYers are making meaningful updates that feel both intentional and attainable.
Three Ways To Refresh Your Home Entryway
(StatePoint) Curb appeal is all about first impressions, and your home’s entryway plays an important role in that. This spring, consider making a splash where it counts with these three entryway updates:
Add Potted Plants or Planters: Flank the entryway with colorful potted flowers, lush greenery, or even small topiaries to create a fresh and inviting look. This will provide a wonderful transition between the outdoors and your home’s interior.
Refresh Outdoor Lighting: Good lighting will not only boost visibility and safety for household members and guests, it can also enhance the beauty of your entryway. Replace outdoor light fixtures for a cozy evening ambiance. If it’s not time to replace fixtures just yet, simply cleaning them can go a long way toward sprucing up the space and improving illumination.
Upgrade to a Modern Entry Door: Transform the entire look of your entryway by installing a sleek, modern entry door. Consider options with glass
panels for natural light or bold designs that make a statement. The new 2026 Ensemble Entry Door Trends Collection exclusively from Renewal by Andersen was made to help you find an entry door that feels just right. The collection prioritizes aesthetics without compromising durability, enhanced security, or comfort. From earthy neutrals to modern minimalism, natureinspired details to quiet luxury, there are countless ways to refresh your space with an Ensemble entry door. In fact, the collection offers over 38 panel styles, over 20 colors and stains, a variety of glass and grille options, and multiple hardware finishes, giving you the flexibility to create a front entrance that suits your style and stands up to real-life use. To explore the collection, visit renewalbyandersen.com.
If you’re looking for an impactful home project for the spring, start with your entryway, where simple updates can vastly improve the functionality and beauty of the space.
The fresh spring frames included a lot of metallics, fun designs, and unique textures that have fallen by the wayside in recent years. The textures and bright colors are making a comeback this season.
At Chintz-N-Prints, vintage fabrics are part of the norm for the small, family-owned shop. A lot of the samples on display are classic iterations of spring colors — florals, botanicals, and pastels.
Spring Trending Towards Bright Colors, Ornate Textures
BY SAM CROSS
“Spring has sprung” is the adage of the season. Temperatures are rising, grass is growing, flowers are blooming, and trees are budding. The seasonal shift brings much more than the bright foliage outside, though.
Spring, like fall, bleeds into domestic life and brings changes in how people decorate their homes. Laura Gardner, owner of Chintz-N-Prints, along with Juliana Honea, Hollywood liaison and manager at Chintz-N-Prints, mentioned that people tend to shift to “light” and “airy” fabrics, like sheers, to welcome in the new season.
Gardner said that people are coming in to find a “clean look,” but some people are still into “vintage ginghams.”
“The classics, right?” Gardner said. “You got the botanicals, fluorescents.”
Honea jumped in: “I’ve noticed that a lot of the vintage looks are coming back. Mini prints [and] florals.” Mini prints are exactly what they sound like — smaller, delicate prints that are repeated throughout the fabric.
In the framing world, John O’Sullivan, owner of Art & Frame, noticed that vintage looks are coming back, too.
“That’s what they’re saying is coming back, the bright colors and the ornate, which is great,” O’Sullivan said.
“I’m glad to see this coming back,” he said of the large green frames with gold scrollwork trim.
O’Sullivan has an extensive inventory of frames. Each season, he browses catalogs and chooses new frames to keep on hand, “They release new stuff every spring, but for years and years it was furniture finishes — black,
white, gray, flat, square — they were getting away from even doing … what they call ‘swan shapes.’”
“Millennial gray” was the color sweeping social media and viral home renovation TikToks that divided public opinion. Some people really enjoyed the muted tones, and some people really detested the trend. Now, colors are starting to populate the home once more. Honea and Gardner both agreed that people are “getting sick of the grays.”
O’Sullivan pulled several samples to show to The Newtown Bee. In the samples were metallic pastels, bright jewel tones, and funky, splotchy gold and blue specked frames. O’Sullivan said he hopes it means that people are returning to color, a feeling Honea shares as well.
“Don’t be afraid of color,” Honea said. She briefly men-
tioned Pantone’s color of the year, “Cloud Dancer.”
“Cloud Dancer is white. To me? That’s,” she took a pause, “No! It’s spring! We need brighter colors,” Honea said.
Gardner pointed to nostalgic colors like mint green and blush coming back, as well as brighter fabrics to make things more colorful. O’Sullivan agreed, noting that fun designs are starting to come back around.
Framing can be a bit more muted compared to upholstery. Framing, after all, requires working with a piece of art to ensure that the frame does not detract from the piece being displayed. However, framing still leaves room for creative freedom.
Fillets are an aspect of framing O’Sullivan said he is starting to see come back. Fillets are like frames within a frame; usually, fillets go between the mat and the artwork. O’Sullivan shared that he had not seen companies making fillets for a while, but in the most recent catalogs from his suppliers, fillets were on the page once again.
Fashion, including home fashion, is cyclical. While O’Sullivan is seeing a resurgence in ornate frames and intricate designs, Gardner and Honea are seeing people looking for brighter colors that were popular in the 80s, 90s, and early to mid 2010s.
Traditional spring colorways are of course making their way to customers’ homes, like pastel pinks, blues, and purples. The display of spring fabrics at Chintz-NPrints is typical for this time of year, featuring white backgrounds with light pink and yellow flowers and different colors of butterflies.
In both stores, it feels like a breath of fresh air hit the shelves, alluding to what Gardner said about people looking for lightweight sheer fabrics and, yes, even neutrals. While trends are leaning back into color after one too many “millennial gray” posts, there are still some people out there looking for neutral and “safe” colors.
“[People are looking for] that more organic look … the burlap-y, natural linen kind of a look,” Gardner said. “A lot of neutrals … especially in the springtime because then you can always accent it with pillows [or] throws. It’s kind of a mixture of fabrics, it depends on the person because some people like that clear-cut, you know, symmetrical [look], but some people like that more organic kind of flow pattern.”
Both the home fabric world and framing world are seeing a shift towards more color and texture, while
still bringing in that “fresh air” feeling for the season.
“I think [color] is good for all of us because it’s been a pretty rough couple of years,” O’Sullivan said with a half laugh. “It’s just been rough, rough winter … it’s been a little bit of a tough time. So, I think having the bright colors and fun designs coming back is what everybody needs a little bit of. Myself, definitely. I can’t speak for everybody, but I can say I definitely need some fun and a little bit of levity.”
“We’re consistent and we bring [customers] the happy colors,” Gardner said. “We bring happiness to the home.”
Honea said that she and Gardner, as well as the other employees at Chintz-N-Prints, care. They care about what customers’ homes look like.
“And think of how you’re going to feel inside when you step out of your house and when you go into it. You want it to feel welcoming, home, you want to be home, and I think that’s something that we provide,” Gardner said.
Chintz-N-Prints has been operating since 1957 and is located at 39 South Main Street. Customers can check out the business online at chintznprints.com or call 203-364-5333.
Art & Frame has been operating since 2011 and is located at 77 Main Street. Customers can check out the business on Facebook at Art & Frame Of Newtown or call 203-270-0222.
Reporter Sam Cross can be reached at sam@thebee.com.
Debunking Common Myths About Metal Roofs
(StatePoint) Shopping for a new roof but unsure if metal is the right material for your home? Metal roofing is tougher, safer, and longer-lasting than asphalt, with an expected lifespan of more than 50 years. Additionally, metal roof systems offer energy cost savings, withstand extreme weather, and boost resale value.
Despite these benefits, lingering myths sometimes prevent homeowners from opting for metal roofs. Below are answers to frequently asked questions about metal roofs to help you sort fact from fiction: Can you walk on a metal roof? Tin roofs that bend, buckle, or crumple are a thing of the past. Whether cleaning gutters, picking up storm debris, or fetching a lost kite, you can do so on a high-quality metal roof. For example, ProVia shake, slate, and barrel tile metal roofing is made with strong 26-gauge galvanized steel. Just be sure to ask your contractor or manufacturer where and how to walk on the roof and never do so when it is wet or extremely dusty.
Is metal roofing heavy? Metal panel roofing systems are heavy duty, not heavyweight, giving you the added strength of steel without added weight. The average per-square weight for an asphalt shingle roof is 240-270 pounds, and for slate is 800-1500 pounds. By contrast, a metal roof system is much lighter, coming in at a persquare-weight of only 108 pounds.
Do metal roofs attract lightning? Metal is actually one of the best materials to have if your home is struck by lightning, working to disperse energy safely through the home’s structure rather than allowing it to penetrate or spontaneously ignite or shock. And metal is noncombustible, so if lightning does hit, a metal roof will not catch fire.
Are metal roofs noisy when it rains? In
residential structures, roofing is part of a complete system that includes attic space, the roof deck, underlayment materials that prevent moisture, and interior insulation, all of which absorb sound. When installed properly, a metal roofing system should be as quiet as any other roofing material.
Are metal roofs easily dented by hail?
Metal roofs are well-known for being much more durable than other roofing materials, especially asphalt. In fact, in many areas where extreme weather can occur, metal roofs are the better choice for homes, so much so that many insurance companies offer price breaks for metal roof systems.
Do metal roofs attract heat? Metal roofs release solar heat much more quickly than asphalt roofs, which absorb heat with their petroleum and granular composition. ProVia metal roofing reduces the heat load of your house, providing up to 30% energy savings.
Do metal roofs impact cell reception?
Metal roofing allows radio signals to pass through with little disruption and is no different in this regard to other common building materials like brick or concrete. Do metal roofs rust? Rust occurs when iron reacts with oxygen and water, causing oxidation that deteriorates the metal. That’s why ProVia metal roofing panels are treated with 11 total layers of anticorrosive coating that prevent moisture from reaching the metal, ensuring each panel is protected.
To learn more about the benefits of metal roofing, visit provia.com.
“Don’t let misinformation deter you from selecting your next roof wisely. Metal roofing is durable, beautiful, and safe,” says Chance Shalosky, ProVia Metal Roofing product manager.
How To Navigate The Grocery Store Without Decision Fatigue
(StatePoint) Ever take a trip to the grocery store and feel overwhelmed by all the choices available? Save time and money by opting for products already tested by other consumers.
Product of the Year USA, the nation’s largest consumer-voted awards program dedicated to recognizing product innovation, has announced the winners of the 2026 Product of the Year Awards. Winners were selected based on the opinions of 40,000 American shoppers through an independent national study conducted by Kantar, a leading global research firm.
So the next time you’re at the supermarket, be on the look-out for this year’s winners, which include the grocery store essentials listed below. You can easily find these crowd-pleasing foods and beverages when shopping in-store and online by simply looking for Product of the Year’s red seal of approval.
Breakfast: Eggo Protein Waffles and Pancakes
Eggo Protein Waffles are crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, while Eggo Protein Pancakes are golden, fluffy, and delicious. Both come in multiple flavors and offer a wholesome, tasty way to fuel mornings with 20% of the recommended daily value of protein in every serving.
Granola: Aldi-Exclusive Simply Nature Granola Bites
Available in strawberry or chocolate chip, these bites are great for breakfast, a midday boost, or a convenient on-the-go treat. With low calories, nonGMO ingredients, and gluten-free certification, they provide a healthy and satisfying option to enjoy anytime.
Healthy Beverage: Clearly Canadian Originals
The original flavored sparkling water has launched a new Sunset Orange flavor bursting with fresh clementine and zesty citrus notes, with a touch of sweetness and a crisp refreshing finish. Crafted with pure Canadian spring water with naturally occurring hydrating minerals, its naturally big flavor relies on simple ingredients.
Hydration: Jumex Hydrolit +Advance
This high-performance hydration drink is designed to fuel your body and mind, delivering five essential ions for optimal electrolyte balance, natural caffeine
for sustained energy, and choline to boost focus and mental clarity. Whether you’re training, recovering, or on the go, Hydrolit +Advance goes beyond the basics to keep you performing at your peak.
Kitchen Essentials: Reynolds Kitchens Parchment Cooking Bags
Parchment cooking bags offer an innovative way to prepare flavorful meals in just three steps. Place the bag on a sheet pan and fill with your ingredients, fold it closed, and bake. The parchment bags lock in moisture and flavor, making it easy to create delicious, family-sized meals with minimal cleanup. Perfect for busy weeknights, they bring ease, taste, and satisfaction to your kitchen.
Meal Ingredient: Knorr Flavor Bases
Knorr Premium Flavor Base is your secret to rich, authentic taste in every dish. Crafted by professional chefs with real, quality ingredients, each jar makes up to 52 cups of flavorful stock perfect for soups, marinades, and roasted vegetables.
Plant Based: Organic Valley Oat Beverage
This new plant-based beverage blends ethically sourced, sustainably grown organic oats, water, and salt with organic MCT oil-rich texture and frothiness. Free from gums and seed oils, it’s also nondairy and lactose-free — perfect for lattes, smoothies, baking, and more!
Protein Snack: Tyson Chicken Bites Cups
Delivering 35 grams of protein per serving, these chicken bites can be enjoyed as an appetizer or snack with your favorite dips.
Rice: Ben’s Original Single-Serve Rice Cups
These convenient single-serving rice cups offer a quick, easy way to enjoy perfect rice in the perfect size for on-the-go meals, a quick snack, or a convenient side for busy days and contain no artificial flavors or colors from artificial sources.
Spreadable Cheese: Rondelé by Président
Blending milk, cream, garlic, and savory herbs into a whipped, creamy spread, this cheese delivers rich, comforting flavor to elevate everyday snacking, simple meals, and casual entertaining. Made with no stabilizers, it offers quick convenience and versatility for busy lifestyles.
Additional winners include:
Cheese: Organic Valley Original American Cheese Block
Frozen Dessert: Kinder Frozen Dessert
Frozen Entree: Butterball Cook from Frozen Premium Whole Turkey
Health & Wellness: Aldi-Exclusive Elevation Ultra Filtered Milkshakes
Wine: Elliot Cooper Chardonnay
Zero Sugar Beverage: Clearly Canadian Zero Sugar
For more information and the complete list of this year’s winners, visit productoftheyearusa.com. By relying on the recommendations of thousands of consumers, you can load your grocery cart with the self-assurance of a savvy shopper.
(c) Jordi Salas / iStock via Getty Images Plus
Now Is The Time To Give Your Mower A Tune-Up
(StatePoint) As the weather starts to turn in early spring, giving your mower a tune-up is a must for performance, safety, and efficiency.
“Before the spring season truly kicks off, take stock of your mower’s maintenance needs. Paying a bit of attention to your machine now will set you up for a smooth and easy cutting season, and extend the life of your mower,” says Exmark marketing manager Lenny Mangnall.
In addition to consulting your owner’s manual to determine tasks specific to your model, you can also follow this checklist from Exmark to make sure your mower is in top shape:
1. Change the oil. A healthy engine is a happy engine.
2. Sharpen or replace blades. Fresh blades cut faster, smoother, and cleaner.
3. Give the mower a deep clean. Use a putty knife to remove caked grass from under the deck.
4. Replace old fuel. Never use fuel left in
the tank from the last season.
5. Check on the tires. Low tire pressure is a performance issue and a safety hazard.
6. Inspect engine belts. Check belt tension and wear to help your engine perform at its best.
7. Replace spark plugs. Fresh spark plugs help your mower start and run smoothly. For additional details and instructions on each item on this checklist, read the full article “Is Your Lawn Mower Ready for Spring?” The article can be found at Exmark’s Backyard Life, a unique multimedia destination focused on helping homeowners improve their outdoor living spaces. There you can find more articles, DIY project ideas, and view Exmark Original Series videos on topics ranging from lawn and grass care to gardening, landscaping, and even fishing and barbecuing. Work smarter, not harder in your yard. Give your mower a little love at the start of the season to help ensure you get reliable performance all spring and summer.
Chick Check: What To Know Before Building A Backyard Chicken Flock
(StatePoint) About 20 years ago, chickens — long a staple of farms and homesteads — began showing up in urban and suburban yards. They enabled city dwellers to source homegrown food, provided a touch of nature amid the urban jungle, and have continued to rise in popularity ever since. According to the American Pet Products Association’s 2025 State of the Industry report, 11 million US households own backyard chickens, a 28% increase from 2023.
Caroline Komar-Steiner, a team lead at the Tractor Supply store in Antioch, Illinois, is a passionate chicken expert who regularly guides individuals into the world of chicken ownership. She and her husband have been raising poultry since 2018, and she describes it as one of the most rewarding things she has ever done. “Raising those chicks and getting your first eggs is an ‘eggsperience’ unlike any other,” she said.
To ensure new chick owners can enjoy that experience, Komar-Steiner hosts regular Chickens 101 sessions at the store. The first thing she always tells people is to find out if their town or neighborhood allows chickens. Some have restrictions, so it’s best to find that out on the front end. Then she asks them why they want chickens. Is it for their eggs? For meat? Will they be purely ornamental? “That steers me toward what they’re looking for,” KomarSteiner said.
To help you get started, Komar-Steiner is sharing these basics for preparing for and caring for chickens:
1. Assess your space: Chicks need a temperaturecontrolled space until they are fully feathered, usually about six weeks. Komar-Steiner recommends finding a warm, draft-free area. She sets her brooder up in her basement. The chicks grow quickly, so it’s important to determine where you’ll put your coop and have it ready to go. The chickens will also need a heat source in winter to stay warm and prevent their water from freezing.
2. Get supplies, then chicks: It’s a good idea to buy all your equipment and supplies before bringing chickens home. You’ll need a brooder, shavings, heat lamps or brooder plates, a perch so they can learn how to roost, a feeder, and a waterer. Komar-Steiner recommends adding an electrolyte to the chicks’ water to give them an extra edge. You’ll also need chick grit, feed, and a thermometer.
3. Remember, they are living things: People often get excited about the idea of a steady supply of eggs, but like all living things, chickens require care. Before leaving home for an extended time, make sure someone is available to check on their food and water, especially in winter and summer. And like other animals, chickens are at risk of getting sick. Tractor Supply carries a wide variety of products to support chicken health.
Even after having chickens for a time, customers still frequently have questions, especially when it comes to adding to their flock, which leads KomarSteiner to a critical point. “It is imperative that you do not put baby chicks in with adult birds,” she said. Chickens view new animals as either food or intruders. Komar-Steiner’s recommendation is to wait until they are large enough to hold their own, usually around three months. Additionally, introducing new adult birds requires an integration process.
With 30 chickens and five turkeys of her own, Komar-Steiner is an excellent resource for poultry advice, especially during Tractor Supply’s annual Chick Days event. Customers can purchase baby birds in store and enjoy new products, new breeds, and special offers until September 13. The products and insight to keep chickens happy and healthy are available year round at Tractor Supply and tractorsupply.com.
Before you build a backyard flock, get the equipment and know-how you need for successful chicken ownership.
Caroline Komar-Steiner, a team lead at the Tractor Supply store in Antioch, Illinois, is a passionate chicken expert.
