he new year is a great time for renewal, and there’s no reason why your home shouldn’t share in this time of rejuvenation.Here are a few ideas to give your home—and your spirits—a lift as you move forward in 2008. 

Get organized. 
One change that might make a big difference in your life is organizing your space. Like most projects, the hardest part is getting started, so start small. Decide which one area would make you feel the best to have organized. Kitchen wraps and unruly pot lids driving you crazy? Start there. You may just feel so good afterwards that the next area won’t seem so daunting! 

Here are some strategies to help.

Contain it. Seasoning packets, magazines, rubber bands… they’re easier to locate and cause a lot less mess when they’re all in one place. Just choose an appropriately sized container—be it a jar, box, basket or drawer—and consolidate. 

Consider a container that’s both attractive and durable, particularly if your items will be in view. Decorative baskets come in many sizes, shapes and materials, from fabric to wicker and solid wood. They’re pretty and versatile enough to corral magazines in the living room or toiletries in the bathroom cupboard. Office supply stores carry metal mesh accessories that are great for gathering pushpins or pens. Stylish glass jars are good for colorful items such as buttons. You can even buy premade junk-drawer organizers or order custom drawer inserts to straighten messy drawers. 

Make the most of the space you have. You probably have storage space that’s not well utilized because it’s inconvenient. For deep corner cabinets, you can install lazy Susan shelving so you can actually get to the items in your cupboard. Sliding storage racks hold pan lids, cleaning supplies and more, pulling out for easy access. Stairstep shelf organizers let you see (and reach) what’s in the back row of a cupboard. And shelf-helper platforms double your shelf space and help you separate fragile items to keep them from breaking. 

Look for space in new frontiers. You may have more room in your home than you think you do. There are lots of storage options designed to make use of hidden space. Under-counter paper towel dispensers and spice racks. Kitchen-wrap organizers that hang onto the bottom side of shelving. Bike risers and ceiling-mounted storage shelving for garages. Walls can also offer an alternative to precious counter space, with magnetic strips to hold knives, scissors, tools, jars with metal lids and more. 

Create additional space. You can give yourself even more room by doing away with some traditional pieces of furniture. For instance, a fold-down ironing board frees up space in a closet or laundry room. A wall bed lets your guest room double as an office or craft room. A desk armoire gives you an “office in a box” that fits right into your living room after-hours. And bed risers can give you extra space under the bed.

Reinvent your space. 
With a little imagination, you can give your space an entirely new look and feel for the new year. And even small changes can work wonders to rejuvenate your home.