The island has become a fundamental part of the modern kitchen, but size limitations mean some kitchens cannot accommodate one. When an island isn’t feasible, a peninsula can be a great alternative.

While peninsulas limit access to a kitchen as compared to islands that have circular flow, peninsulas can be attractive and functional. Floorplan variations are many, but here are few especially helpful layouts.

Parallel counters. This small kitchen has a peninsula directly across from and parallel to a wall full of cabinets, coming from one of the perpendicular walls. Across the peninsula counter from the sink are bar stools pulled up to the counter-bar.

The U-shaped kitchen. This kitchen has a long counter, cabinets and stove top along one wall, and another counter, sink and dishwasher on the opposite wall. The peninsula comes off of one end of either counter, creating a third side to the kitchen, partially enclosing it, but with an opening for access.

Seating at a peninsula. Peninsulas are a great place to serve food from the kitchen to satellite eating areas via the counter. Opposite the kitchen side of the peninsula counter is a common place to have bar stools for eating. You might even have a two-tiered counter and bar.

A big no-no. Resist the urge to add “floating” cabinets above a peninsula to solve storage problems in a small kitchen. While gaining cabinet space, you also create a closed-in feel to the kitchen.

Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract.

It’s easy to go overboard when decorating kids’ rooms. It’s so tempting to go all-in with a theme of trucks or unicorns or a much-loved superhero. But what happens when the child moves on to a new favorite? Here’s how to indulge your child’s intense, but changing, interests without breaking the budget.

Color Schemes

Start with a neutral color scheme with one or two accent colors that you and your child agree on. Neutral colors also work best when selling, meaning one less room to repaint for staging purposes.

Form a Base

With your color scheme settled and walls painted, shop with your child to choose a comforter and window treatments. This will form a solid foundation for your kid’s room. If chosen in a neutral palette, these items can work with many different accent colors or themes. Investing in the larger, more costly items – instead of changing them every time – will save you money in the long run.

How to Personalize a Kids’ Rooms

Use sheets, bed skirt, throw blankets, and pillows in bright, contrasting colors — or favorite characters — to coordinate with the comforter and curtains. Bedside tables and desks can be painted to match the accent colors.

Artwork

Framing and hanging your child’s artwork is a great way to show off his or her personality and achieve a customized look. For the frames, choose one style or finish for consistency, allowing the artwork to take center stage.

Splurges

For larger ticket items, such as lighting and rugs, shop around to get the best prices, and try to balance style with practicality. Choose a lighting fixture that will coordinate with different décor styles. For rugs, keep to your neutral theme but perhaps add a pattern for interest.

Helping with Organization

Children need systems to keep their toys, games, books, and other belongings neat and organized. Bookcases with colorful baskets or bins help with easy clean-up and provide another place for your child to have a say in color, pattern, and style. Replacing baskets with a different look is inexpensive.

Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract.

GOOD HOUSEKEEPING

BY STACY GENOVESE AND BRIGITT EARLEY

Does your space feel a little... drab? Switching up your wall color in a trendy shade is the one of the quickest ways to rehab a tired space. And since it's a project most homeowners can tackle themselves, it's one of the most affordable, too.

But as easy as painting sounds, there are some tricks to the trade. Take prep work, for example. If you skip this important step, you could end up with a real problem on your hands — an undercoat that shows through or peeling paint. If you’re painting latex over oil, for example, you’ll likely get cracking, says Rachel Rothman, chief technologist and director of engineering at the Good Housekeeping Institute. These types of mistakes not only take time to remedy, but can also cost a significant amount of money if you have to hire a professional to fix your errors.

Don't fret, though: As long as you're using the right supplies and have a handle on the basics, you'll be painting like a pro in no time at all. Here, we'll break it all down for you, covering everything from supplies, to necessary prep, to rolling evenly, and even cleaning your brushes so you can move on to the next project on your list. Follow these tips for professional-looking results:

1. Make a plan.

Before you ever pick up a paint brush, you need a plan of attack. Think of it sort of like cooking: You want to read the recipe all the way through before you start blindly throwing ingredients into the pot, otherwise, you might get halfway through and realize you're missing an important component.

Look up: Does the ceiling need a refresh, too? What about the trim? Consider your options on the walls as well. Will you be using one color — or do you want to try painting with two colors (an accent wall, perhaps)?

2. Select the perfect color.

When it comes to paint shades, the options are boundless. It's a fortunate problem: While you'll inevitably find just what your'e looking for, landing on the right hue can be quite the process. To guide your search, start by thinking about what you ultimately want. Do you envision a warm or a cool shade? Does your space warrant a bold color, or would a neutral be more appropriate? Once you have a general idea of the direction you want to go in, you can begin sifting through paint chips.

But don't rely on the little square to make a final decision: Once on the wall, paint can look very different than it does on the sample card! Colors often look brighter once on the wall, and the light in your room can have a dramatic impact on the way the color reads. Pick a few finalists, then purchase sample cans.

3. Paint a sample swatch.

Once you have sample cans in hand, paint swatches on the wall. To give you a good idea of how the color will look in your space, paint two coats of color in a 12-inch-by-12-inch square. If your room has both sunny and shady spots, it's smart to put swatches in both areas, as this can affect the final look.

Alternatively, you can paint two coats onto a foam board (available at any craft or office supply store) and tape it to the wall. This is a great option for those who don't intend to get started right away, as you won't have to live with random color streaks on your walls.

Pro tip: Use an inexpensive foam brush for this type of sample painting. This way, you won't dirty a ton of brushes or waste money.

4. Calculate how much paint you need.

When determining how much paint to buy, many retailers have helpful calculators you can use. Always double check packaging, but in general, a gallon is roughly good for 250 to 400 square feet, says Rothman. And don't forget: You'll need a little extra for touch-ups and mistakes.

5. Gather the right materials.

Though the surface and size of what your painting will directly influence the exact list of supplies you need, it's a good idea to stock your toolkit with some combination of the following items:

• Painter's tape
• Drop cloths
• Paint brushes (both angled and straight)
• Paint roller
• Paint tray
• Stir stick
• Paint

Other worthy investments: An extension pole, so you can stash away the ladder after the edging step; a paint-can opener; and a pour spout to lessen mess.

6. Prep the room for painting.

• First, dry-dust the walls floor to ceiling and scrub any extra-grimy parts with a wet sponge or cloth; paint won't adhere as well to a dirty surface (think fingerprints, soot, dust, cobwebs). Let dry before you paint.

• Protect the floor and any furniture you can't (or don't want to) move, from paint splatters and spills. For the floor, choose fabric drop cloths instead of plastic ones, as plastic can be slick under your feet or, worse, the ladder.

• Remove outlet and light switch plates and tape around any areas you don't want painted (such as moldings, baseboards, or window frames) with painter's masking tape or Frog Tape. The Good Housekeeping Institute tried the latter on a smooth wall and found that it makes a crisp line and doesn't let paint bleed through.

7. Prime the wall (or don't with our handy trick).

A bit of a hinderance when you're trying to paint a room in one day: Painting over a dark wall with a light color (or covering stains) requires a coat of primer and two coats of paint — and at least six hours of drying time. (If you’re in a super humid room or painting the exterior on a humid day it will take a much longer, notes Rothman.)

That's why GHI recommends Benjamin Moore Aura, a self-priming paint (it's a cost-effective option if you were planning on buying primer). Going from light to light? You can get away with two coats of good-quality regular paint.

8. Mix the paint.

Though the store generally shakes the paint for you, a decent stir will ensure your paint is properly mixed. This is particularly important if the can has been sitting on a shelf for any length of time. Though an optional step, you can also strain the paint, says Rothman. "It’s easier to get rid of impurities from the paint can, rather than having them on your wall and having to fix it later."

9. Get rolling!

Now you're ready for the main event. If you're painting a room with two colors — stripes, for example — start with the lighter color first, says Rothman. Once it’s dry, run painter’s tape over the divider, then paint the darker color.

If you're painting a room one color, here's how with a roller and a brush, according to the pros:

• Use an angled brush or a sponge tool to "cut in," or paint a two-inch swath around the edges of woodwork and the ceiling. (Don't forget: These areas should be taped off, as explained in step five.)
• Grab your paint tray and a roller. Use 1/4-inch nap for smooth surfaces, 3/8-inch nap for semi-smooth, or 5/8-inch nap for rough — the wrong tool will apply too much or too little paint. If using a latex paint, pre-wet the roller first, says Rothman.
• Fill the well of the paint tray about ¼ of the way. Then, when loading the paint, roll the roller back and forth in the well until it is uniformly covered. Finally, move the roller back and forth in the upper portion to remove any excess.
• Fill in the central unpainted space using the roller. Paint the wall in overlapping W- or M-shaped strokes for the most even paint distribution.
• Let the first coat dry at least a couple of hours, then coat again. Between coats, cover the tray and brush with plastic wrap touching the paint surface, and refrigerate.

10. Finish and clean up.

• Rinse your paintbrush and roller (if you don't toss it) under a faucet until the water runs clear.
• Decant the tray's leftover paint back into the can; seal the can tightly by placing a paper towel over the lid and tapping the lid edges with a hammer. Rinse the tray.
• Once the brush's bristles are totally dry, slip the brush back into its original paper wrapper to keep the bristles from fanning out, or try this DIY fix: Fold a thick piece of paper around the bristles; tape to secure.
• Remove masking tape before you call it a night, pulling it off at a 45-degree angle to avoid tearing the finish.

Does your otherwise attractive home have an unsightly foundation wall that spoils its curb appeal? Here are five ways to make that ugly wall disappear.

1. Paint it. Typically, the foundation wall has a thin veneer of concrete mortar spread over it similar to stucco, for a smoother cosmetic look. Choose a masonry paint that works with the color of your home’s siding and paint that concrete veneer. No one will be able to tell where the siding stops and the foundation begins.

2. Stucco it. If the foundation wall doesn’t have a cosmetic veneer, add a stucco concrete coating and then paint it to go with the color of the masonry or plank siding. 

3. Stone and brick veneer. This is perhaps the most handsome option of all. There are stone or brick veneer panels that attach with mortar to the foundation sides. You may not be able to precisely match your home’s existing stone siding, but you can come close. Once again, it will be difficult to tell where the siding ends and the foundation begins.

4. Lay down a rock or mulch bed.  If the foundation to be covered is no more than a couple of feet, consider turning over the soil in front, laying down a weed barrier, then placing a bedding of river rock or mulch. It is important that the ground and bedding slope down and away from the house so that water does not puddle against the foundation during heavy rain. Water should always flow away from the foundation.

5. Plantscaping. The simplest solution is to design and install a flowerbed containing gorgeous bushes and bedding plants. Choose bushes that will have thick foliage and grow to a height sufficient to cover the foundation. Place them the recommended distance apart so they will grow together for uniform coverage. Place blooming ground cover plants in front, adding color while filling in gaps at the bottom of the bushes.

If you’re a homeowner, the more you know about your house and its components, the better you can care for your investment. A roof provides one of humanity’s most basic needs: shelter. Here’s a quick primer on roof structure, styles, and materials.

Basic roof structure

The framing boards that form the pitch of a roof are called rafters. The base ends of those boards rest on 2” x 8” or 2”x 10” boards called joists, which in turn rest on top of exterior and interior walls. Sheets of thermal board, plywood or another type of sheet lumber called OSB are nailed on top of these boards to form a covering. This layer is called roof decking. A waterproof fabric material called a vapor barrier, which repels water that may leak through the shingles is laid atop the decking. The final layer, visible from the exterior, is shingles, tiles or metal.

Inside a home’s attic, on the underside of the deck, there may be an insulating thermal coating called a radiant barrier. If your home is older, this may have been added later, but today thermal decking used in new construction has radiant insulating material on its underside.

The roofline you love

The look of the roof contributes a lot to the appeal of a house. There are styles of roofs for everyone’s taste, both for the entire house and for any dormers on the roof. Here are some of the most popular.

• A gable roof is peaked with two sides that are of equal height and upward slope.
• A hip roof has pitch on each side and on the ends of the house. All four sides slope upward. A house can have a main roof that is not hipped but dormers that are.
• Gambrel roofs evoke the shape of a barn. These roofs slope down from the peak on two sides, then slope again at a steeper pitch.
• Flat roofs need no explanation but are popular with some architectural styles.

Dormers can add interest to long expanses of roof. Perhaps the most popular dormer is the classic gable dormer, which rises directly from the main roof at a right angle, with a peaked roof of its own of equal height and slope on each side. An arched or eyebrow dormer has a long, gently arched roof.

Roofing materials

There are many types of roofing materials and many new innovations introduced in recent years.

• Asphalt shingles have been almost ubiquitous for decades because they are durable, come in many color choices, and are effective in climate conditions everywhere. Asphalt shingle roofs last about 20 years.
• Slate and ceramic tile roofs are beautiful, last many decades, and are suitable for warm climates. You often see them in homes in the southwestern U.S. and California. They are heavy, and the roof framing that supports them must be stronger than most of the other roof structure.
• The classic metal roof is laid in large, overlapping sheets, although In recent years metal has been fashioned to mimic slate and ceramic tiles. Metal roofs can last more than 50 years. Two downsides to metal roofs are that hail may dent them and they are noisy during heavy rain (although some people like this feature).
• You don’t have to settle for the stereotypical large solar panels if you want to be environmentally friendly and save on electricity costs. Solar panels can now be made to look like tile that can be used as roofing.

Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract.

Whether you are single, a couple or a family with kids, living in a small space means adapting to tight quarters. Now add a dog, a cat or both, and the space seems even smaller. How can you live harmoniously with pets in small spaces?

Be very practical

Focus on having just enough furnishings. Save the statuary or other accessories that take floor space for a future, more spacious setting. For now, make life with pets in a limited area easier by focusing only on seating, dining, sleeping and storage that use the minimum floor space necessary. Look for furniture that can do double duty, such as cabinets that can house dog beds or litter boxes.

Go up, not out

Make use of shelving to take items off the floor. Use baskets in shelving spaces to store pet toys, supplies and even pet beds. Your cat might like to sleep up high on a shelf. Hanging baskets can also be used for the same purposes and require no floor space.

Creative use of small spaces

Look for clever places to keep bowls, litter boxes and bedding if you live with pets in small spaces. How about a television cabinet fitted with a doggie door and his bed inside? Or the same space under a stairway or inside a bedroom nightstand?

A low drawer can house food and water bowls and be tucked out of sight afterward. A cabinet with a pet door can open to the litter box. Laundry spaces often provide the best opportunities to keep pet accommodations away from actual living areas. Just make sure your pets always have access to drinking water, their beds and, if you have cats, a litter box.

If you have more than one pet, keep in mind that you may need two feeding spots to prevent rival hostilities.

The great outdoors

Install a pet door on the back door to a patio, deck or balcony so that your fur baby can spend time enjoying fresh air while you have time to yourself. Once again, be practical in your furnishings if the outdoor space is as tight as indoors. Limit yourself to seating, a grill and a table. Provide a water bowl, but not a feeding bowl, as food outside invites unwanted visitors like raccoons.

Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract.

When pet owners put their homes up for sale, it’s best to make those beloved animals disappear without a trace or at least a low profile. The dog beds, the cat crates, the hair, the chew marks and the smell all need to be removed before the first showing. Here’s a step-by-step guide on selling your home with pets.

Priority one: odor and stain removal. Even a pet-loving buyer will be turned off if the house smells. Pet and smoking odors rate as top turnoffs. You may have become “nose blind” to your pets’ smells, so have a friend do a sniff check.

• Have your carpets professionally cleaned with enzyme solutions that remove organic smells and stains.
• Keep pet bedding clean and ready to stash in your car when notified of a showing. The same goes for food and water bowls.
• Bath dogs weekly. Unbathed dogs smell and the odor can work into carpet, cloth upholstery and drapery. Inside cats rarely need bathing, but if they do, a rubdown with a wet towel is a good option.

Hair removal. While on the market, vacuum and sweep daily to remove pet hair. Chase down dust and hair bunnies under furniture. Wipe down cabinets and shelves. Brush your pet two or three times per week to limit shedding.

Repair damage. If the dog has chewed the woodwork or walls, make all repairs before showing the house. If your hardwood floors are noticeably scratched, refinish them or risk buyers walking away. Any signs of pet damage may cause buyers to pass on your house, questioning what other issues may be lurking.

Clean up your yard.  Remove dog waste daily. If your animals have torn up the lawn, it’s best to reseed or lay sod.

Vacate the premises. Your pets — and all their belongings — should be removed from the house during showings. Besides being a turn off, you don’t want to risk a pet biting or scratching prospective buyers or their children. You also don’t want them to be a distraction to buyers. Ask that your home be shown by appointment only and then be prepared to load up your pets and all their gear when you get the call. If that’s not possible, make arrangements with a friend, relative or neighbor to keep your pets during showings. If indoor cats or crated dogs needs to stay home, let all showing appointments know ahead of time. 

Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract. Article was revised from HOUSEOPEDIA'S original article.

The COVID-19 pandemic has made us aware of the many things in our homes that multiple people touch each day. We can sanitize those surfaces frequently, but today’s touchless technology makes it possible to avoid touching many surfaces at all. You may forget and touch your face, but at least you have no need to touch these household devices.

Clean connections

Even with touchless technology, it’s important to regularly sanitize every switch, knob, handle and remote device in your home. You also need to sanitize your cell phone frequently, since some touchless technologies are controlled by phone apps.

Smart hubs

A smart speaker system such as Amazon Echo, Google Home, Google Nest Audio, and Apple HomePod mini allows you to control many items around your home with voice commands instead of touch. With this touchless technology, you can turn the TV or lights on or off, play music or radio stations, adjust the thermostat, raise or lower motorized window shades and much more.

Locks and doors

Smart home security systems let you lock and unlock your home’s doors, raise and lower the garage door, adjust the thermostat control and more, all from an app on your phone. These touchless technology systems also offer convenience: You can let people in while you are away and shut the garage door if you forgot to when you left. Camera monitoring of your home is visible from your phone app, and you’ll  get a push notification when doors are opened while you are away. Personal monitoring devices for the elderly allow you to check on them remotely.

Touchless floor cleaning

Regardless of the coronavirus, who wouldn’t love to quit sweeping and mopping the floor? With touchless technology, you can hang up the mop and broom. iRobot’s Roomba will sweep for you, even around furniture and into corners.Then the iRobot Braava Jet M6 takes on the mopping, cleaning the floor areas you select. Or you might like the iRobot Roomba i7 Vacuum with Clean Base Automatic Dirt Disposal takes convenience to a new level - automatically emptying into an enclosed, disposable bag that holds 30 robot bins so you don’t have to think about vacuuming for weeks.

Touchless technology in the bathroom and kitchen

Hand washing has never been more important, but when you turn the faucet handle or pump the soap dispenser, you’re doing it with dirty hands. Why touch these at all when manufacturers like Moen and Kohler make faucets with motion-sensing technology that turns on the water with the wave of a hand? Likewise, brands like Kohler and simplehuman make dispensers that squirt liquid soap into your palm for you.

Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract. New tech products for floor cleaning were added to HOUSEOPEDIA'S original article.

Stay warm and keep busy with February’s handy to-do list of in-door chores. It’s guaranteed to make you fall in love with your living space all over again.

1. Inventory your cold-weather wardrobe, looking for things that you haven’t worn this winter. Donate them before the season is over so someone else can enjoy them.

2. Start assembling tax documents and place them in a designated file folder.

3. Clean shower heads with a 50-50 mixture of vinegar and water. Soak overnight for best results. While you’re at it, clear the bathroom sink drains of hair and soap buildup. Do this by first removing the drain cover and using a drain snake to remove hair. Next, pour a half cup of baking soda down the drain followed by a half cup of vinegar. Allow the mixture to fizz for five to 10 minutes. Then flush with boiling water.

4.Take stock of bathroom vanity drawers and cupboards. Remove everything, wipe down and replace with new drawer liners. Toss old makeup and out-of-date supplies.

5. Next, move on to the linen closet. A good rule of thumb is to have one set of sheets and a spare for each bed in the house. Consider donating worn sheets and towels to a no-kill animal shelter.

6. Deep clean the microwave. Start by filling a shallow bowl with water and baking soda and microwaving it for five minutes. This works wonders, making it quick and easy to wipe down caked-on food splatters.

7. Pick a sunny day and clean the blinds. (It will be easier to see the dust and dirt!) Start by vacuuming each slat, then go back with a damp cloth.

8. If you haven’t already, schedule maintenance on your heating unit. Annual checks on your heating and cooling systems (once in the winter and once in the spring or summer) can lengthen the life of your equipment.

9. While you’re at it, clean your dryer vent. If that’s above your DIY pay grade, hire someone to do it.

10. Turn and rotate your mattresses. You may need to enlist a helping hand for this one, especially if you have a queen or king mattress. You’ll sleep better and your mattress will last longer.

11. Lastly, curl up with your favorite warm beverage, and start going through those boxes or bags (we won’t judge) of old photos. Toss the blurry images, share the duplicates with family members and pledge to do something with the rest. Go the old-fashioned route and protect them in albums or scrapbooks. Or go digital by scanning the images and putting them on a USB drive. Don’t forget to have a backup copy or, better yet, store them in the cloud.

Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract.