I spent last weekend painting the guest room in my house. The room looks out onto a pretty garden, but the existing color--peach--didn't relate to the landscape. If you've got a room with a verdant view, try to bring the garden indoors by borrowing colors from the landscape and introducing them into the room--in the fabrics, furnishings and finishes. Pieces made from twigs or woven fibers like wicker or water hyacinth will help draw nature inside, as will natural textures (a birch-bark lamp, woven-grass shades), floral patterns and accessories like decorative birdhouses. Even in winter, your room will feel like spring.
_{Photo © Maine Cottage}

As I've mentioned in the past, I'm a lousy housekeeper. But I'm a great organizer. Which means I always know where to find things--it's just that when I do, they're usually covered in dust. With spring cleaning on so many minds right now, it's a good time to size up the storage options in your home. Then heed some advice I once got from TV handyman and all-around hunk Eric Stromer, who told me that a desk should never be a destination for papers--just a way station. Always include storage space above or below the desk where the papers can go, or you'll never see your desktop again. Other tips:

How to Store Old Photographs
Have a bunch of old family photos you need to organize? How to Properly Store Old Photographs offers some good suggestions to keep all your photos in pristine condition.

Organize a Tag Sale
Spring is here, which means throwing open the closet doors, pulling out under-the-bed storage, and clearing the kitchen cabinets. Instead of throwing items away, share the wealth by holding a tag sale.

In 1985 I paid what seemed like a small fortune for a sofa at the local design center. And you know what? That sofa is still with me. It's still comfortable, reasonably good looking (if you're willing to look past the dog hair), and showing no signs of wearing out. Investing in a quality sofa will pay dividends for years--if you learn a few tips. Consider how many people you need to seat: A sofa with two cushions will generally only seat two people, no matter how long it is, because people always avoid sitting on the crack between cushions. Need to seat more? Choose a sofa with three cushions or one continuous one. If you to lie on your sofa, make sure you measure the space you want between the arms, not just the overall length, since a couch with wide or rolled arms may have less space in the middle.
_{Photo © Bernhardt}

Last week a visitor looked out onto my deck and asked if I had barnacles growing on my patio furniture. I don't, but it can sure look that way after four months of rain and cold. (And yes, it's a good idea to bring your wood furniture indoors or cover it during the winter, but on those fleeting days when the sun comes out, I like to have someplace to sit. So sue me.) With spring starting this week, now's a great time to clean your patio furniture or start thinking about freshening up your outdoor fabrics or lighting. I'll just be so happy to see the sun I might sit on a barnacle or two... .
_{Photo © Pottery Barn}

Looking for a chest of drawers? House Beautiful's Web site offers a portfolio of nearly two dozen bureaus, from the sublime (Wendell Castle's Miami-ready "Muse") to the ridiculous (Oscar de la Renta's leopard patterned "Bombe"). Ethan Allen's "Modern Glamour Single Chest" (left) is an elegant classic at $999, but I fell hard for Currey & Company's "Beachcomber," which comes encrusted with shells. (But you'll have to shell out $3,750 for it.) Want a budget option? Pier 1's $349 "Rono Bamboo 4-Drawer" more than holds its own in this crowd. Remember, storage solutions that combine beauty and function are more likely to be used, so when you're buying a bureau, don't skimp on looks.
_{Photo © Ethan Allen}

Do you want a couch that will last you from "I do" to "Hi, Grandma?" When choosing a sofa color, stick with a neutral fabric, then add color with pillows and throws. Need help figuring out which neutral is right? Look around the room and see if there's something you can't change (like the carpeting) or don't want to change (like the wall color, or a beloved chair), then choose a hue that complements it. And try to avoid colors that are trendy at the moment. Remember, today's orange sofa is tomorrow's "What was I thinking?"
_{Photo © Ethan Allen}

Think you've got an ugly piece of furniture? Here's your chance to prove it to the world--and win a prize in the process. BoConcept is sponsoring a contest to find the homeliest piece of furniture on the planet. The winner will receive a gift card worth $7,000 toward the purchase of new furniture from BoConcept. Fifteen runners-up will receive gift cards worth $1,500. The chance to share your eyesore with the rest of humanity? Priceless. To enter, visit prettyuglyfurniture.com between now and the end of April. Or go there and vote on your favorite design disaster. Chances are you'll come away thinking that the wing chair your cat shredded isn't so bad after all .... .
_{Photo © Rob Melnychuk/Getty Images}

You know those notices in movies, telling you that no animals were harmed in the making of the film? Sometimes I think that houses should come with the same disclaimer. After all, there's nothing more disconcerting than walking into someone's den and finding Bambi staring back at you. If you're looking for a more animal-friendly alternative, check out the fun trophies from Cardboard Safari. Like the name suggests, they're made from cardboard, which you assemble yourself (no glues or tools required). They're available in deer, moose and rhino designs, at prices ranging from $14 for the tiniest to just $48 for the biggest. Try one in a kid's room, den, or even a (dry) cabin; they make a great rainy-day project and are available from Rock Paper Scissors and other retailers.
_{Photo © Cardboard Safari}

Are you in the market for a dining chair? House Beautiful magazine has compiled a gallery of nearly two dozen offerings, ranging in price from $100 to $499. There's something here for every style and taste, from the classic lines of Ethan Allen's Chippendale chair (right), to C. Bell's chartreuse update of same, dubbed Chippendale 21. The gallery includes links to each manufacturer's Web site, too. Even if you don't find something that's right for you, it can help you zero in on features you like (and ones you don't).
_{Photo © Ethan Allen}

When was the last time you rotated your rug?

According to the World Floor Covering Association, you should rotate an area rug 180 degrees every now and then to distribute traffic patterns across the surface and to even out fading that might be caused by exposure to the light. The WFCA recommends doing it every few months or at least once a year, depending on the traffic and lighting conditions in the room. To learn more about area rug care (including how to clean up spills or store a rug for an extended period of time) check out their guide to area rug care.
_{Photo © Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Trust}