home improvement
4 Benefits of Adding a Fireplace to Your Home
Whether you’re constructing a new home or simply redesigning your current living space, there are many considerations that can truly make a house a home.
Last Updated on November 24, 2024 by Daily News Staff
(Family Features) Whether you’re constructing a new home or simply redesigning your current living space, there are many considerations that can truly make a house a home.
Fireplace Considerations
Amid budget considerations, design vision boards, specs and blueprints, amenities like a new fireplace can allow homeowners to celebrate the warmth, comfort and ambiance a fireplace or other hearth product can provide. In fact, 7 out of 10 of homeowners have a fireplace and usage has increased during all four seasons since 2020, according to research from the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association (HPBA), showcasing that including a fireplace in your construction or renovation plans is a gift to yourself and your family.
“When we’re designing our ideal homes, too often we may only think about what we want others to see and enjoy when they visit,” said Jack Goldman, president and CEO for HPBA. “The reality is visitors account for less than 1% of your in-home time. A fireplace is for you and your family, a personal addition that serves you and your household in more ways than you may realize.”
Consider these four benefits of including a fireplace as part of your next home update:
- It can be a sanctuary from the ever-changing world outside. As people continue to spend more time at home, a fireplace can serve as a source of calm and relaxation, helping you and your family escape from the challenges daily life may throw your way.
- It’s an artful piece of decor to display year-round. Whether it’s a centerpiece for your living room or family room, or an accent to your bedroom, bathroom or study, a creatively designed fireplace can provide an artful design element for your home, no matter the season.
- It’s a safe, reliable heating source. A fireplace is an extra layer of security when weather wreaks havoc and can provide safe, reliable heat and lighting in the event of a power outage.
- It can be the heartbeat of your home. Between screen time, remote work schedules and commitments to extracurricular activities, many families experience fragmented home lives. A fireplace, though, can serve as a central gathering spot for you and your loved ones when together.
To learn more about the benefits of fireplaces and find a nationwide directory of specialty retailers and certified installers, visit HPBA.org/House-warming.
Fireplace Safety Tips
Whether it’s the warm glow of the fire, the crackle of the wood or the deep penetrating warmth, woodburning fireplaces have a way of making people feel relaxed and at home. However, there are some precautions that should be taken to ensure safe operation:
- Never leave a fire unattended.
- Keep a fire extinguisher on hand.
- Keep small children and pets away from the fireplace.
- Clear an area of at least 3 feet around the fireplace of furniture, books, newspaper and other potentially flammable materials.
- Inspect gaskets, door seals and the chimney annually.
- Have the chimney professionally cleaned as necessary to ensure it’s clear of obstructions and creosote.
- Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
- Utilize fireplace tools to tend the fire.
- Never burn garbage, rolled newspaper, charcoal, plastic or chemically treated or painted wood.
- Avoid using gasoline or any liquid accelerant to help start a fire.
- Do not overload the fireplace to avoid burning wood or embers tumbling out.
- Never close the damper until embers have completely stopped burning.
Photos courtesy of Getty Images
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Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association
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Consumer Corner
What to Know Before You Remodel Your Home
Planning a home remodel involves defining goals, setting a budget, gathering inspiration, planning a timeline, selecting a contractor, finalizing design choices, and preparing the home. A clear plan helps manage costs and expectations, allowing for a smoother renovation process while minimizing stress for the household.
What to Know Before You Remodel Your Home
(Family Features) Planning a home remodel is as much about your vision as it is your preparation. With a thoughtful plan, you can refresh your living space, stay on budget and enjoy the process without feeling overwhelmed.
Consider these steps to get the process started:
- Define your goals
Decide what you’re looking to accomplish with your remodel, whether it’s improved functionality, updated style, higher resale value or a combination. Make a simple list of “must-haves” and “nice-to-haves” so you can prioritize upgrades if costs start to climb too high.
- Set a realistic budget
Determine how much you’re comfortable spending then add a cushion of 10-20% for additional material costs and any surprises behind walls or under floors. Get rough price ranges for materials and labor, which allows you to adjust the scope of your project before the work begins, if necessary, instead of mid-project.
- Gather ideas and inspiration
Collect photos, paint colors and product ideas in a single place, such as a digital folder or photo album on your smartphone. Pay attention to recurring themes in your inspiration – such as cabinetry, flooring and fixture styles and colors – so it’s easier to choose finishes when the time comes.
- Lay out the project timeline
Think about the best time for your household to live through construction, especially if kitchens or bathrooms will be out of commission during the renovation. Talk with potential contractors about timing for each phase so you can plan for temporary living arrangements, if necessary.
- Choose the right construction crew
Interview a variety of potential contractors, being sure to ask for references and verify licenses and insurance. Once you’ve narrowed your list, request written estimates that include labor and material costs, timelines and payment schedules so expectations are clear before choosing a service provider and signing an agreement.
- Finalize design details and materials
Make as many design decisions as possible before demolition, including choosing fixtures, appliances, flooring, tile, paint, hardware and other details. Ordering key items early can help avoid delays and keep the project on schedule once work begins.
- Prep your home and family
Before construction begins, clear areas where work will be completed of furniture and decor, covering anything that cannot be moved out of the room with plastic sheeting. So everyone knows what to expect while your home is in transition, talk with family members about the impending noise and dust, and make necessary schedule changes to avoid interrupting work.
Visit eLivingtoday.com for more resources and home renovation guidance.
Photo courtesy of Shutterstock
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Lifestyle
5 Tips to Upgrade Your Home Office
Consider these ideas to blend function, comfort and style, and create a home office that inspires creativity and makes you want to sit down and get things done.
Last Updated on January 26, 2026 by Daily News Staff
5 Tips to Upgrade Your Home Office
(Family Features) Hybrid schedules and remote work have become the norm for many people, which means a functional and inspiring workspace is more necessity than luxury. With the right setup – be it a dedicated room or a cozy corner – your space can boost productivity, spark creativity and make your workday more enjoyable. Consider these ideas to blend function, comfort and style, and create a home office that inspires creativity and makes you want to sit down and get things done. Focus on Comfort The desk and chair are the foundation of any home office. Be sure to build a setup that matches your work style by picking the right height desk (with the proper amount of storage and workspace to complete your tasks) and an adjustable chair with good lumbar support. If you’re at your computer most of the time during the day, an ergonomic keyboard and monitor stand can also make a comfortable difference. Create a Clutter-Free Work Zone Incorporating smart storage solutions like shelves, filing cabinets or baskets can help keep your workspace tidy and free of distracting clutter. Desk trays can keep small office supplies organized and within easy reach while maintaining a clean aesthetic. Add Personality with Decor Much like the rest of your home, your workspace should reflect your personality and style. Add artwork, decorative accents, plants or a photo wall to bring inspiration and freshness to your office and choose a color palette that promotes positivity and focus, such as soft blues, greens or neutrals. Layer Functional Lighting For optimal productivity, combine natural light with task and ambient lighting. If possible, position your desk near a window to capture natural light then supplement your space with a desk lamp for focused illumination and floor lamps, under-shelf lighting or wall sconces to add warmth and depth. Don’t Forget Acoustics Distracting noises can negatively impact focus. To absorb sound, use soft furnishings like rugs, upholstered chairs or curtains and consider a white noise machine if you need a more soothing work environment. Find more ideas to update every room in your house at eLivingtoday.com. Photo courtesy of ShutterstockDiscover more from Daily News
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home improvement
Enhance Your Home with Bold Colors
Homeowners seeking ideas to make a design statement and modernize their home interiors and exteriors can incorporate bold colors to achieve their renovation goals. Learn how to incorporate bold colors into your home with these tips.
Enhance Your Home with Bold Colors
(Family Features) Homeowners seeking ideas to make a design statement and modernize their home interiors and exteriors can incorporate bold colors to achieve their renovation goals. Neutrals may be versatile, but bold colors introduce a striking way to reflect personality and elevate a home’s design. Learn how to incorporate bold colors into your home with these tips from the design experts at Simonton Windows & Doors, part of Cornerstone Building Brands, a leading manufacturer of windows in North America. Interior Paint The wall color sets the tone of a room’s overall ambiance, but many homeowners are cautious about incorporating too much color. That’s a valid concern, since too many vibrant hues can feel overwhelming or create competing focal points that leave a room feeling cluttered and busy. The key to bold colors on walls is balance. Bold walls offset by moderate flooring and furnishings create a room that is equally attention-grabbing and tastefully grounding. If you’re hesitant about taking bold colors too far, try designing your room with one bold accent wall and complement that color with accessories such as pillows and rugs or even statement furnishings to tie it all together.
Replacement Windows Windows often fade into a home’s design aesthetic, but that doesn’t have to be the case. In fact, dark window finishes are becoming one of the season’s biggest design statements, offering homeowners a way to refresh their home’s curb appeal. In response to growing consumer demand for sleek, modern window designs, Simonton introduced on-trend black and bronze interior and exterior finishes across its vinyl window collections, including DaylightMax Windows, which feature a unique slim-frame window design offering ample natural light while providing maximum energy efficiency. For maximum impact, durability and low-maintenance appeal, consider pairing black or bronze window finishes with trending seasonal palettes and decor. Cabinetry Architectural elements can also play an important role in establishing a modern design motif for your home. This is especially true when it comes to the cabinetry in your kitchen and bathroom. Stepping away from classic neutral wood stains, white or gray to use bold paint or stain colors instead can completely transform a room. Some homeowners go all-in and incorporate color across the entire room while others apply different colors for the tops and bottoms to create some variation or avoid overdoing a bold hue. Still others opt for a statement approach, and similar to choosing just one wall, they add a bold color to just one section of cabinetry, such as a coffee station or island base. Cabinetry hardware adds another dimension of bold design. Stepping away from classic brushed nickel or oil-rubbed bronze and instead installing matte black, brushed brass, bronze or gunmetal brings a contemporary vibe that can accentuate a bold color choice. Patio Doors Establishing continuity between your indoor and outdoor living spaces means making your patio door part of a cohesive design that flows from the indoors out. An option like the Simonton MaxView Multi-Slide Patio Door Collection does precisely that. With custom sizing up to 10 feet high and 30 feet wide, the collection is available in multiple panel options with bypass, pocket or bi-part configurations. The doors also come in black or bronze exterior finishes, reflecting the trend toward bolder color choices. “Homeowners want modern design without compromising performance,” said Kate Land, vice president of product and innovation at Cornerstone Building Brands. “Incorporating these innovative, durable finishes into our premium vinyl window and door collections delivers exactly that. These bold color options elevate a home’s overall design while the advanced glass and functionality of these vinyl windows deliver the highest standards of energy efficiency and durability.” Incorporating bold colors into your design can make the space feel your own while demonstrating personality and modernization. Find more ideas and inspiration to answer the call for bold style at simonton.com. Discover more from Daily News
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