How can I get my site to look like your demo video and screenshots?

Install the CoverNews theme.

Here are OUR favorite settings :-)

Appearance > Customize > Theme Options > Single Post Settings > DISABLE "Show Featured Image" > Publish

Appearance > Customize > Frontpage Options > Flash Posts > DISABLE "Enable Flash Posts Section" > Publish

Appearance > Customize > Frontpage Options > Featured Posts Section > DISABLE "Enable Featured New Section" > Publish

Appearance > Customize > Frontpage Options > Main Banner Section > DISABLE "Enable Main Banner Slider" > Publish

Appearance > Customize > Frontpage Options > Single Post Settings > DISABLE "Show Featured Image" > Publish

Appearance > Customize > Theme Options > Single Post Settings > DISABLE "Show Featured Image" > Publish

Then go to:

Appearance > Widgets:

Click "Recent Comments" Click Settings (3 dots) > Remove Heading

Click "No comments to show" Click Settings (3 dots) > Remove Latest Comments

Click "Archives" > Click Settings (3 dots) > Remove Heading

Click "Archives" > Click the months appearing > Click Settings (3 dots) > Remove Archives

Click "Categories" Click Settings (3 dots) > Remove Heading

Click existing categories > Click Settings (3 dots) > Remove Categories

Click UPDATE.