Whether you're fully remodeling your kitchen or just giving it a bit of a facelift, choosing the right backsplash is one of the most important decisions in the design process. When showing homes, our real estate agents find that a kitchen's backsplash can have a make-it-or-break-it effect. It might not be a large space we're talking about, but it puts the finishing touches on your new look and ties everything together.

Here are five tips to help you pick the right backsplash for your kitchen.

1. Try Before You Buy
   How materials and paint colors look in the store, under harsh fluorescent lighting, is one thing; how they'll look in your home is quite another. Never commit to anything before taking samples home with you. Prop the backsplash samples up against your existing backsplash, along with other samples you are considering, and just live with them for a few days. Notice how they look as the lighting in your kitchen changes throughout the day, and how they coordinate with other samples such as paint chips.

We know preparing Thanksgiving dinner requires time and effort. Long Island has many fine dining establishments with special Thanksgiving menus for those who prefer to enjoy the holiday without the stress of cooking. While the COVID-19 pandemic may limit dine-in availability, many of these restaurants are offering takeout options this year. Below are some Thanksgiving dining recommendations from our REALTORS®.

• The Capital Grille - 630 Old Country Rd., Garden City, NY 11530
  The Capital Grille is a great option for Thanksgiving dinner in Garden City, and their dining room's comfortable elegance can serve as a perfect backdrop for your family meal. They offer a special Thanksgiving day menu, which features slow-roasted turkey and brioche stuffing. However, if you're in the mood for one of their famous dry-aged steaks, you can order off the regular menu as well. After dinner, check out some of these Garden City homes for sale.

November 1st is World Vegan Day and also marks the start of World Vegan Month. This is a perfect time to recognize how far the vegan movement has come, promote the undeniable benefits of vegan living, and share vegan meals with friends and family. Whether you're a long-time vegan, a budding flexitarian, or a proud omnivore, our REALTORS® are excited to share some of the best places to enjoy vegan dinner around Long Island.

• Tiger Lily Café - 156 E. Main St., Port Jefferson, NY 11777
  Tiger Lily Café is an alternative vegetarian eatery with a '60s retro look. Meals are served in a funky setting with psychedelic art and eclectic music in the background. Known for their salads and wraps, Tiger Lily complements their food with a complete Juice Bar, featuring nutritious choices of protein shakes, wheatgrass shots, soy smoothies, fresh juices, and more. If you need a caffeine fix, you'll find Mocha Blanca, Black & Tan, Red Bull Chai, and Tahitian Vanilla Chai at the Java Bar. Their vegetarian specialties are tempeh, tofu, soy, fresh vegetables, and whole grains. After Port Jefferson homes for sale appointments, be sure to take a break from the ordinary and enjoy the comfy lounge chairs, colorful atmosphere, and great alternative cuisine at Tiger Lily Café.

Did you know that your behavior and actions can affect the sale of your home? That's right. No matter how much effort you've put into cleaning, scrutinizing, and staging your home, one wrong move can easily put off potential...