House Organization Therapy

Dump

If you didn't go through a massive purge last year, now's the time. Go through kitchen cabinets and get rid of utensils, dishes and glasses you haven't used in the last few years. Do the same for clothing closets, adds Darci Fredricks, general manager of the California Closets store in Edina, Minn. Destroy any papers or records more than 7 years old; some communities offer free shredding days closer to tax time.

Clean

Nothing helps to revamp a home more than cleaning. Dust and protect surfaces with a quality furniture care product that hides scratches, worn edges and alcohol or water stains. Now's a great time to clean oft-forgotten spaces like behind your refrigerator and other appliances, windows sills and trash cans, says Laura Stack, author of "Find More Time: How to Get Things Done at Home, Organize Your Life, and Feel Great About It"(Random House, 2006).

Paint

Nothing gives worn furniture and shelves more of a second life than a coat of paint, particularly a new shade such as turquoise or orange. Paint a small sample area first; many paint manufacturers' web sites allow you to download images and try out hues virtually. Besides paint, no remodeling trick is easier than replacing cabinet knobs.

Transform

Make your rooms fit for guests. In the bathroom, fancy soaps, bath gels and fragrant candles are little luxuries, while fluffy spa-quality towels will really make guests say, "Ahh."