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Agnes's Top 10 times twoHome Improvement
A smarter inside and a head-turning outside. Ten smart home upgrades and ten curb appeal essentials, all worth the weekend.
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Hard hat on, project notes ready. I take home improvement very seriously, mostly because I'm the one supervising from the couch while the work gets done. And I've learned the best upgrades aren't always the biggest ones. They're the ones you notice every single day.
So I made two lists. Smart Home Upgrades are the devices that quietly make life easier: a doorbell that shows you who's there, a thermostat that learns your routine, a lock you never have to fumble for, and a water monitor that can stop a leak before it becomes a disaster. Curb Appeal is everything that makes your home look loved from the street, from permanent accent lighting to a mailbox that means business.
Most of these are weekend-friendly projects. A few involve wiring or plumbing, and I'll say it plainly: if a project involves your electrical panel or your main water line and you're not sure, call a licensed pro. Your house will thank you.
Agnes says: Smart gadgets are only smart if you can set them up, so I made a free Smart Home Setup and Help Guide with the official support links, setup tips and safety notes for all ten upgrades. Keep it by the toolbox.
Agnes's Top 10 Smart Home Upgrades
Simplify your routine, secure your home and save energy.
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1
Ring Battery Doorbell 2K
The easiest place to start a smart home. Sharp 2K video, a wide field of view, zoom and two-way talk let you see and speak with whoever's at the door from anywhere. The built-in battery means no doorbell wiring required.
Best for: Package watchers, renters and first-time smart home builders
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2
Lutron Caséta Smart Dimmer Switch Starter Kit
Lutron is the name pros trust for smart lighting. This kit includes a dimmer, the handy Pico remote and the Smart Bridge, which keeps your lights responsive even when the Wi-Fi hiccups. Start with one room and add switches as you go.
Best for: Anyone who wants rock-solid smart lighting that just works
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3
Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen) with Nest Temperature Sensor
It learns your schedule and the temperatures you like, then adjusts on its own to keep you comfortable and help save energy. The included temperature sensor lets you balance the room you care about most. Gorgeous display, too.
Best for: Energy savers and anyone tired of fiddling with the thermostat
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4
Schlage Encode Smart Wi-Fi Deadbolt
Keyless entry with a touchscreen keypad and built-in Wi-Fi, so you can lock, unlock and share access codes from your phone without a separate hub. Schlage's reputation for strong, well-built locks makes this an easy yes.
Best for: Busy families, dog walkers and anyone who loses keys
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5
Kasa Smart Plug Power Strip HS300
Six individually controlled smart outlets plus USB ports, with surge protection and energy monitoring built in. Schedule the lamp, cut power to the TV corner at night and see what's using the most electricity. No hub required.
Best for: Entertainment centers, home offices and energy trackers
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6
Leviton Decora Smart Motion Sensing Dimmer, Wi-Fi 2nd Gen (D2MSD)
Lights that turn on when you walk in and off when you leave, with app scheduling and dimming when you want more control. Perfect for hallways, laundry rooms and pantries where your hands are always full.
Best for: Hallways, pantries, laundry rooms and garages
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7
Chamberlain myQ Smart Garage Control
Turn the garage door you already have into a smart one. Check whether it's open, close it from anywhere and get alerts when it moves. It works with most major garage door opener brands.
Best for: Anyone who's ever wondered, "Did I close the garage?"
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8
Amazon Echo Show 8 with Spatial Audio and Smart Home Hub
The command center for everything on this list. An 8-inch screen shows your doorbell camera, controls lights and locks by voice or touch, and the built-in smart home hub connects compatible devices directly. Great sound for kitchen playlists, too.
Best for: Kitchens and living rooms that need one place to control it all
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9
SwitchBot Smart Switch Button Pusher
A tiny robot finger that sticks next to a switch or button and presses it on command. It's the no-wiring way to make an old light switch or coffee maker smart, and it's perfect for renters. Add a SwitchBot Hub for voice control and remote access.
Best for: Renters and anything you can't rewire
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10
Moen Flo Smart Water Monitor and Automatic Shutoff (900-002)
The upgrade you hope you never need. It watches the water flowing into your home, runs daily tests for tiny leaks and can shut off the main line automatically when something goes wrong. Installation goes on your main water line, so most people hire a plumber.
Best for: Homeowners who want protection from costly water damage
Agnes's Top 10 Curb Appeal Essentials
Lighting, hardware and finishing touches that make a great first impression.
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1
Govee Permanent Outdoor Lights 2, 100 ft
Discreet LED lights that live along your roofline all year, glowing warm white on regular nights and any color you want for holidays and game days. Rated IP67 for weather, controlled from your phone. No more ladder every December.
Best for: Year-round accent lighting and holiday-loving homes
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2
Blink Outdoor 4 Wireless Smart Security Camera
Wire-free, weather-resistant cameras with up to two years of battery life, small enough to tuck under an eave without spoiling the view. Note that the Blink Sync Module is sold separately and needed for some features, so check the bundle before you buy.
Best for: Driveways, side yards and back doors
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3
Architectural Mailboxes Oasis Classic Locking Post-Mount Mailbox
A mailbox that looks sharp and keeps your mail secure. Galvanized steel, a locking compartment and generous capacity make it a big upgrade over the dented box at the curb.
Best for: Front yards that deserve a better first impression
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4
Suncast Dual 33-Gallon Trash Hideaway Cabinet
Hide two trash cans behind a tidy resin cabinet so the side of the house looks as good as the front. Out of sight, out of mind, and out of the neighbors' photos.
Best for: Side yards, driveways and homes with visible trash cans
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5
Brightech Ambience Pro Solar Outdoor String Lights, 27 ft
Warm Edison-style bulbs that give a porch or pergola that cozy café glow, powered by the sun so there are no cords to run. Shatterproof bulbs and a commercial-grade build mean they stay up season after season.
Best for: Front porches, pergolas and patio dinners
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6
Flexzilla Garden Hose with SwivelGrip, 5/8 in. x 50 ft.
Lightweight, kink-resistant and flexible even in cold weather, with a swivel grip that stops the twisting. It's the hose that doesn't fight you, and the bright green makes it easy to spot.
Best for: Watering beds, washing cars and keeping the yard tidy
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7
National Tree Company 46-Inch Artificial Boxwood Double Ball Topiary
A pair of these flanking the front door says "someone classy lives here," with zero watering or trimming. The matte black pot looks right at home next to modern and traditional doors alike.
Best for: Framing front doors and porch steps
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8
Designers Fountain Devonshire Outdoor Post Lantern, 20 in., Black
A classic black lantern that lights the path and makes the whole front yard feel more finished. It looks just as good in daylight as it does at night.
Best for: Driveways, walkways and front yard lamp posts
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9
Sungmor Cast Iron Doormat, 22 x 14.4 in.
A heavy, decorative cast iron mat that scrapes shoes clean and stays put in any weather. It adds a timeless, upscale touch right where guests look first.
Best for: Front entries and busy back doors
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10
Acacia Wood Interlocking Deck Tiles, 12 in. (9-Pack)
Real acacia wood tiles that snap together right over a plain concrete stoop or patio, no nails or glue. It's the fastest way to make a front entry feel warm and finished.
Best for: Concrete stoops, balconies and small patios
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Save to Pinterest (opens in a new tab)How I choose home improvement essentials
- Proven brands. I stick with names that have a long track record and real customer support when you need help.
- Plays well with others. Smart devices should work with the systems people already use, like Alexa, Google Home or Apple Home, where supported.
- Weekend-friendly. Most picks can be installed in an afternoon with basic tools. I flag the ones that may need a pro.
- Built for the weather. Outdoor picks have to handle sun, rain and seasons without looking tired after one year.
Compatibility, prices and availability on Amazon change often, so check the product details, like wiring requirements, door sizes or hose length, before you buy. Ready to set everything up? Grab the free setup guide below.
Free: Agnes's Smart Home Setup and Help Guide
Official help center links, what you need before you start, and setup tips for all ten smart home upgrades, plus the safety notes that matter. Printable.