3 Spring Home Improvement Projects That Deliver Big Results

Westlake Ace Hardware shares three simple projects homeowners should tackle now.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (March 23, 2026) – As temperatures warm and the days grow longer, now is the perfect time for homeowners to tackle a few key projects that can improve curb appeal and prepare homes and lawns for the months ahead.

To help people get started, Westlake Ace Hardware suggests three of the top spring home improvement projects: seeding to repair winter lawn damage, applying crabgrass prevention and fertilizer, and refreshing spaces with spring painting projects.

“Spring is one of the most important times of year for home maintenance,” said Jennifer Schadegg, director of merchandising for Ace Retail Group, the parent company of Westlake Ace Hardware. “Doing a few simple projects now, such as building a healthy lawn and giving tired rooms a fresh coat of paint, can help homeowners get more enjoyment out of their homes.”

Top 3 Spring Home Projects

1) Repair Your Lawn After Winter

Bare spots and thinning grass are common after a long winter. Spring grass seeding, sometimes called “dormant seeding,” helps fill those areas early in the season so grass can germinate naturally as soil temperatures warm. How to do it:

• Rake and prepare the area.Remove leaves, debris and dead grass so seed can reach the soil.
• Apply grass seed. Spread a quality cool-season grass seed evenly across thin or bare spots using a handheld or broadcast spreader. Review several varieties of grass seed to determine which is best for your individual conditions. Kentucky bluegrass offers a beautiful green color but is not as hardy or pest-resistant as tall fescue. Fine fescue may be better for shaded areas.
• Improve seed-to-soil contact. Lightly rake or press the seed into the soil so it stays in place.
• Let spring conditions work. As temperatures rise and rain arrives, the seeds will germinate naturally.

Helpful supplies: grass seed, handheld spreaders, lawn rakes and starter fertilizer.

2) Stop Crabgrass Before It Starts

Crabgrass is the uninvited guest of summer and can quickly take over a lawn if left unchecked. Spring is the ideal time to stop it before it appears. Apply a crabgrass preventer with fertilizer now to stop weeds before they emerge while also giving grass the nutrients it needs to grow thick and healthy.

Crabgrass prevention products are most effective when applied before soil temperatures reach about 55 F, when crabgrass begins to germinate. How to do it:

• Apply a pre-emergent product.Choose a crabgrass preventer combined with fertilizer.
• Spread evenly. Use a broadcast spreader to distribute the product across the lawn, following label directions.
• Water it in. Light watering helps activate the product and create a protective barrier in the soil.

Helpful supplies: crabgrass preventer, lawn fertilizer, broadcast spreaders and lawn watering equipment.

3) Refresh Your Home With On-Trend Paint Colors

Few DIY projects deliver instant gratification quite like painting. According to the Angi State of the Home Spending Report, painting remains one of the easiest and most affordable ways to transform a home. In fact, about one in three homeowners completes a painting project each year, making it one of the most popular DIY home improvements.

This spring, many homeowners are choosing colors from the 2026 Color Trends palette by Benjamin Moore, which focuses on calm, inviting and sophisticated tones that create welcoming, comfortable spaces.

• Calm and relaxing spaces
  Soft greens like Raindance 1572 bring a sense of nature indoors and work well in bedrooms, bathrooms and home offices where a peaceful atmosphere is desired.
• Warm and inviting living areas
  Neutral tones such as Swiss Coffee OC-45 or First Crush CSP-310 create warm, welcoming spaces in living rooms and kitchens while pairing easily with wood finishes and natural textures.
• Sophisticated and dramatic looks
  Deep hues such as Narragansett Green HC-157 or Silhouette AF-655 can give offices, libraries or accent walls a dramatic and elegant feel.

How to paint like a pro:

• Clean surfaces first so paint adheres properly.
• Repair and sand imperfections before painting.
• Use primer when needed for better coverage.
• Apply two thin coats for durability and a smooth finish.

Helpful supplies: interior paint, brushes, rollers, painter’s tape, drop cloths and primer.