home improvement
Living Color: On-trend hues reflect comforting lifestyle design
Upgrading your home design is an opportunity to tap into new color schemes. Knowing what shades are trendy and how different hues can work together for a cohesive design is an important step in creating an attractive design aesthetic.
Last Updated on May 4, 2025 by Daily News Staff
(Family Features) Upgrading your home design is an opportunity to tap into new color schemes. Knowing what shades are trendy and how different hues can work together for a cohesive design is an important step in creating an attractive design aesthetic.
While you might turn to family or friends for inspiration for your next DIY project, another resource for collecting concepts and options to upgrade your space is the internet. Consider the Valspar Color-verse, which allows visitors to explore colors in a unique way and offers paint color inspiration and decor trends they can envision within their own homes.
The interactive virtual home showcases the latest paint and design trends so you can get creative for your next project. After experiencing the Valspar 2023 Colors of the Year firsthand by painting walls and art from the collection to see the 3D virtual house come to life, you can find the perfect paint shade for your space.
“Through the Color-verse, visitors can experience the 12 Colors of the Year in a realistic virtual home,” said Gus Morales, vice president of brand marketing for CBG Sherwin-Williams. “Aside from exploring the Colors of the Year, the home is an engaging space for visitors to create art, play games, and order paint chips to see how their top color picks look and feel in their homes.”
Color Trends to Consider
Many of this year’s popular nature-inspired designs are all about finding comfort, embracing a flexible lifestyle, rediscovering joy and leaning into the growing DIY movement. The most trend-worthy, forward-thinking and livable colors reflect specific facets or emotions of life so you can update your well-used spaces with thoughtful colors that evoke positive energy and lasting change.
Comfort and Contentment: If your goal is to create a space that envelopes you in a sense of comfort, consider a white with a yellow undertone that makes a space cozy like a soft blanket, like Cozy White from Valspar. Complement the softness with a muted clay that brings in brown undertones that suggest gentle contentment.
Calming Restoration: Tap into the calming tones of nature with a hazy green that has duality, which brings in both the calm and liveliness of the great outdoors. Another option is a deep midnight blue used as an elegant calming shade to restore mind, body and home.
Healthful, Mindful Living: Create an uplifting space where your wellness is a priority. Evoke a greater sense of health consciousness with a light blue that has a dose of softness used as a fresh neutral with uplifting qualities of a modern pastel, like Valspar’s Rising Tide. Reinforce the benefits of mindful living with a cool gray that is balanced by the warmth of the yellow undertone, a natural hue like a cotton muslin cloth.
Connections and Joy: Establish spaces where you can celebrate relationships with others, the world around you and happiness in your being. Consider hues like a white softened by a violet undertone, a harmonious shade promoted by digital connectivity. Evoke joy with a dependable classic tan that features a yellow undertone suggesting new life with uplifting qualities.
Natural Balance: Bringing hints of the outdoors into a well-loved living space creates a soothing ambiance. Consider a warm neutral brown tone inspired by the shades found in nature or a cooled down blue that strikes a beautiful balance between cool and warm shades in your design.
Inspirational Thought: A work-from-home or crafting space needs color to inspire great thinking. Try a faded natural terracotta that sparks individuality and warmth or a deep blackened olive, an on-trend neutral that embodies charm and sophistication.
Explore the tool and find more colorful ideas at Valspar.com.
Navigate New Colors
Exploring color options before you apply them to a home improvement or design project gives you the chance to experience and visualize different styles before you fully commit. Using a tool like Valspar’s Color-verse, a 3D virtual home, you can experience on-trend color palettes that inspire your next big project through resources like:
- An interactive feature that allows you to repaint walls of a living room, dining room, bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, walls and cabinets using the 12 Colors of the Year then takes you directly to the site to order free paint chips to try at home
- An artisticelement where you can create a 3D panorama nature scene, explore others’ artwork and share creations on social media
A light-hearted game that inspires you to get on the road to gather your home improvement essentials
SOURCE:
Valspar
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Consumer Corner
Cold Weather Home Comfort Hacks
Stay warm and save money with these cold weather home comfort hacks. From smart thermostats to energy-efficient windows, discover 6 upgrades that boost comfort and cut heating costs this winter.
Cold Weather Home Comfort Hacks
(Family Features) As temperatures drop and cozy season sets in, keeping your home comfortable doesn’t mean undergoing a full-scale renovation. In fact, with a few smart upgrades, you can create a warm, inviting space – while improving your home’s energy efficiency, too. Before the chill sets in, consider these cool-weather comfort hacks, inspired by the experts at Simonton Windows & Doors, who have delivered high-quality replacement windows and patio doors designed to enhance the appearance, security and comfort of homes around the country for more than 75 years. Install a Smart Thermostat One of the easiest ways to increase comfort while also reducing heating costs, installing a smart thermostat allows for automatic temperature adjustment, keeping your home warm while it’s occupied and conserving energy when you’re away. Over time, these intelligent devices learn your schedule and habits, and can be controlled remotely from a smartphone to let you turn on the heat prior to arriving back at home.
Replace Older Windows If your windows are drafty or difficult to open, it may be time to upgrade. Modern replacement windows can dramatically improve energy efficiency and insulation. High-quality options from Simonton, including DaylightMax and 6200 Sliding Windows and 5500 and 6500 Double Hung Windows, meet the highest standards of performance and reliability, having successfully earned the prestigious Good Housekeeping Seal following rigorous testing. Designed with security and weather resistance in mind, these windows are known for their durability, wide range of styles and advanced energy-saving features. “This is a testament to the unwavering commitment we have to bring the best products to building professionals and homeowners,” said Kate Land, vice president of product and innovation at Cornerstone Building Brands, parent company of Simonton. “For more than 75 years, the Simonton brand has given homeowners confidence that they are investing in windows that truly deliver the highest quality and performance. This recognition solidifies our place as an industry leader customers can rely on.” Add Insulating Window Treatments Window treatments can do more than just add a design element to your home’s interior. Options like layered drapes, thermal curtains or cellular shades can help reduce heat loss. Remember to open your curtains or blinds during the day to let in natural light and close them at night to trap warmth and keep your spaces comfortable. This can also help circulate the air in your home and reduce the chances of condensation on your windows when the temperature dips. Seal Gaps and Keep Weatherstripping Clean Even the smallest of gaps around windows or doors can allow cold air to seep in. Check weatherstripping for wear and tear, replace as needed and use expandable foam or caulk to seal large gaps. Keeping the areas around doors and windows clean can also help maintain a tight seal and prevent winter’s chill from invading your comfortable space. Upgrade Patio Doors Old or inefficient patio doors can let in drafts and drive up energy bills. Replacing them with energy-efficient models, such as Simonton Contemporary Sliding Patio Doors, can help maintain comfort and enhance your home’s appearance. Fully customizable with a wide range of colors, interior woodgrains and hardware finishes, the doors are designed with a narrow frame for more natural light without sacrificing energy efficiency. Plus, optional high-density SmartCore foam can further improve thermal efficiency, allowing you to enjoy winter’s beauty from the comfort of the indoors. Add Insulation Inspect your attic, basement, garage and crawl spaces for spots where insulation may be lacking. An easy and affordable way to retain heat and improve efficiency, adding pre-cut insulation into bays between ceiling joists or blowing in loose-fill insulation over the existing layer can help keep your home warmer all season long. By making a few smart upgrades and prepping your space for the cold weather ahead, you can maximize comfort and energy efficiency. To ensure your home stays comfortable this winter and beyond, visit simonton.com for more solutions. Welcome to the Consumer Corner section of STM Daily News, your ultimate destination for savvy shopping and informed decision-making! Dive into a treasure trove of insights and reviews covering everything from the hottest toys that spark joy in your little ones to the latest electronic gadgets that simplify your life. Explore our comprehensive guides on stylish home furnishings, discover smart tips for buying a home or enhancing your living space with creative improvement ideas, and get the lowdown on the best cars through our detailed auto reviews. Whether you’re making a major purchase or simply seeking inspiration, the Consumer Corner is here to empower you every step of the way—unlock the keys to becoming a smarter consumer today!
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Consumer Corner
Kitchen Lighting Ideas: Transform Your Space with Smart Upgrades and LED Solutions
ransform your kitchen with practical lighting upgrades. Learn how to create layered lighting with ambient, task, and accent lights, choose energy-efficient LED bulbs, select statement fixtures, and add smart controls for a functional, stylish space.
Transform Your Kitchen with Lighting Upgrades
(Family Features) As the heart of many homes, the kitchen is often for much more than cooking. From morning coffee and gathering for family meals after long days at school and the office to entertaining loved ones on the weekend, functional, stylish lighting can make your kitchen truly shine – day or night. Whether you’re planning a full-scale remodel or simply looking to refresh one of your most-used spaces, even modest lighting updates can enhance its aesthetic appeal and usability. From swapping out lightbulbs to replacing fixtures, adding smart controls and more, these ideas can help you brighten things up. Add Balance with Layered Lighting The most well-lit kitchens incorporate three layers of lighting: ambient, task and accent. Ambient lighting, typically from recessed ceiling lights or a centralized light fixture, provides general illumination and sets the tone for the space. Task lighting, such as under-cabinet light strips or a hanging fixture above an island, provides focused light over work zones like the sink, stove or countertops. Finally, accent lights in cabinets, baseboards or backsplash can add depth and drama, for a practical and inviting layered look. Upgrade to Energy-Efficient Lightbulbs One of the simplest ways to upgrade your kitchen – or any room – is swapping old lightbulbs for energy-efficient LED bulbs. From cozy warm whites to bright white and amber hues, LEDs come in a variety of color temperatures to fit your space. Plus, they typically last longer and use less energy than halogen, incandescent and fluorescent bulbs and they’re often dimmable, giving homeowners complete control over the space’s brightness and mood. Make a Statement with New Fixtures A design feature all their own, lighting fixtures like chandeliers or pendants over the kitchen table or center island can instantly elevate your kitchen’s look and feel. For a sleek, modern aesthetic, consider polished chrome finishes; think brass or brushed nickel for warmth; or opt for matte black for stunning contrast. Remember to look for fixtures in finishes that complement your appliances and cabinet hardware to truly bring the space together. Embrace Smart Technology Even small updates can make a big difference when it comes to bringing your kitchen into the future. Swapping out old switches with smart options that allow you to adjust brightness throughout the day, schedule your lights to turn on or off automatically and change the color temperature from your smartphone or voice assistant can enhance usability and convenience while reducing energy usage. Find more ideas to enhance your living spaces at eLivingtoday.com. Photo courtesy of ShutterstockWelcome to the Consumer Corner section of STM Daily News, your ultimate destination for savvy shopping and informed decision-making! Dive into a treasure trove of insights and reviews covering everything from the hottest toys that spark joy in your little ones to the latest electronic gadgets that simplify your life. Explore our comprehensive guides on stylish home furnishings, discover smart tips for buying a home or enhancing your living space with creative improvement ideas, and get the lowdown on the best cars through our detailed auto reviews. Whether you’re making a major purchase or simply seeking inspiration, the Consumer Corner is here to empower you every step of the way—unlock the keys to becoming a smarter consumer today!
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home improvement
How-To Winterize Your Lawn Mower
Winterize Your Lawn Mower: As mowing season winds down with cooler weather setting in, it’s time to prepare your lawn mower for storage. Properly winterizing your mower can help ensure it’s ready to run smoothly when spring returns.
Last Updated on December 3, 2025 by Daily News Staff
How-To Winterize Your Lawn Mower
(Family Features) As mowing season winds down with cooler weather setting in, it’s time to prepare your lawn mower for storage. Properly winterizing your mower can help ensure it’s ready to run smoothly when spring returns. Consider these steps to get your mower ready for winter, which may help prevent corrosion, fuel problems and more costly repairs. Clean Your Mower Thoroughly Start by removing any loose grass clippings, dirt and debris then, using a garden hose and scraper, clean the underside of the mower deck. Wipe down the exterior with a damp cloth and mild soap or all-purpose cleaner. Once dry, apply a light coat of silicone spray to metal parts to help prevent rust. Drain or Stabilize the Fuel Gasoline left in the tank through winter can break down and cause carburetor issues. You can either drain the tank by running the mower until it’s out of fuel or add fuel stabilizer, running your mower for 5-10 minutes afterward to circulate it through the fuel system. Change the Oil Similarly, used oil contains contaminants that can corrode your mower’s engine. Drain the oil following your mower’s manual – usually by tipping the mower or removing the drain plug – then refill with the recommended type and amount of fresh oil. Inspect the Spark Plug To inspect for buildup or wear, remove the sparkplug then gently clean with a wire brush. If corroded or worn, the sparkplug may need replaced. Clean or Replace the Air Filter A clean air filter helps your mower run more efficiently. Replace paper filters or wash foam filters in warm, soapy water before drying and lightly oiling then reinstalling. Sharpen the Blade Remove the mower blade and inspect it for nicks or dull edges. If necessary, sharpen it using a file or grinder then reinstall securely. Lubricate Moving Parts Apply spray lubricant to moving parts, such as the wheels, cables and pivot points, to prevent rust and sticking. Find more guidance for keeping your lawn equipment working correctly at eLivingtoday.com. Photo courtesy of ShutterstockWelcome to the Consumer Corner section of STM Daily News, your ultimate destination for savvy shopping and informed decision-making! Dive into a treasure trove of insights and reviews covering everything from the hottest toys that spark joy in your little ones to the latest electronic gadgets that simplify your life. Explore our comprehensive guides on stylish home furnishings, discover smart tips for buying a home or enhancing your living space with creative improvement ideas, and get the lowdown on the best cars through our detailed auto reviews. Whether you’re making a major purchase or simply seeking inspiration, the Consumer Corner is here to empower you every step of the way—unlock the keys to becoming a smarter consumer today!
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