Q: What’s the best way to store knives?

A: You have at least three good options. Knife blocks, often sold with knife sets, are one common storage tool. To keep the blades sharp longer, slide the knives into their slots with the sharp edge up.

Many chefs like placing knives in slots carved into a butcher-block countertop, but if you have small children around, this may be too easy for them to access.

Magnetic strips also keep knives at hand. They come in lengths starting at 12 inches, and you can mount them to the wall, under a cabinet, or inside a cupboard door.

Q: Our guest bath is also the hall bath my children use. How can I balance their needs with a more sophisticated style for visitors?

A: To make whatever décor you choose work for both audiences, purchase pretty guest towels and keep them off-limits to the children. Or set out a basket of disposable paper hand towels when guests arrive. Choose plush bath mats made with acrylic fibers, which dry much more quickly than cotton ones so guests won’t get damp feet if you’ve recently given the kids a bath.

Aside from the decorating, your best ally in creating a presentable kids’ bath is storage. If you have a vanity cabinet, use it to stow hooded towels, tear-free soaps, finger paints, and rubber duckies out of sight. If not, store tub toys in net bags attached to the tub, but hide the clutter behind a decorative cloth shower curtain.

Q: We have a beautiful vintage clawfoot bathtub, but the finish is stained and starting to peel off. What would be involved in refinishing it?

A: Though reproduction tubs are available, nothing beats an original, plus you’ll save money. Fortunately, the refinishing process is relatively straightforward and involves only some short-term inconvenience. Start by checking the phone book or the Web for the names and numbers of bathtub refinishers in your area. Call several to get estimates and references.

The actual refinishing process should take about three days. The professional refinisher will scrape off the old paint, prime the tub, then spray on a new coat of enamel that is as hardy as automobile paint. After that, the tub will have to dry at least 24 hours. The job should cost about $400 but with plenty of TLC, you probably won’t have to do it again.

Q: I’d like to add an island to my kitchen, one that I can just move in and use without making any structural changes. What do I need to consider?

A: The first consideration is whether you have enough space. Kitchen planners recommend a distance of 42 inches between an island and adjacent cabinets or appliances. Allow 48 inches if two cooks work together in the kitchen. A height of 36 inches provides a comfortable work surface and room for stools at an eating counter.

The second consideration is how you plan to use the island. Will it function primarily as a food prep area? Does it need hidden storage? Will you surround it with stools for seating? The good news is that ready-made islands and carts come in a wide range of sizes, finishes, features, and prices. Don’t have much space? Add extra storage with a folding kitchen cart or consider an island with a flip-up or pullout countertop to temporarily expand prep space. Is your budget tight? Save money by purchasing a simple stainless-steel work table, which you can find at a restaurant supply store for as little as $200.

Q: The vinyl flooring in our kitchen is shot, but we won’t be ready to remodel for a few years. Can we paint the old vinyl while we save for something nicer?

A: By all means, pop that paint lid! Painting a vinyl floor is easy and it’s a low-risk investment of time and materials. The key to painting a vinyl floor is the same as for any other paint project: good preparation.

The experts at Benjamin Moore & Co. recommend using a pole sander and 100-grit sandpaper to sand the floor until you dull the gloss finish. This step will provide tooth to adhere the new finish. After sanding, wash and rinse the floor to remove all wax, dirt, dust, and debris; let the floor dry. Paint using a product designed specifically for floors.