Q: What’s the best way to organize our chaotic shed?
Every item needs to have a place that is easy to return it to. Install proper lighting, avoid leaning anything against walls, and make use of every surface (walls, rafters). Items hung on wall hooks and clips and placed on exposed shelves should be in plain view, leaving valuable floor space for the big items that can’t go anywhere else. Wall-mounted magnet strips hold tools nicely, and stackable plastic storage containers can be labelled and filled with salt, earth or fertilizer. Store skis, bikes and toboggans on ceiling racks.

Q: How often should we re-paint and update the interior of our home?
If you have a classic colour palette that you never tire of, just do touch-ups as required. For other colour schemes—if, for example, you choose a neutral colour for hallways—you may only need to paint a room or two (or only an accent wall) every three to four years. As for updates, keep your space fresh by adding new accessories or just moving around existing ones. Sometimes simply rearranging your furniture makes your place feel new!

Q: How do we make a hot tub blend with our backyard?
If possible, add the tub to your existing deck to make it feel like part of the planned space. Avoid shoving it up against a wall or fence. If it does end up being close to one, flank the tub with hanging lanterns and add a wall planter filled with cascading flowers and ivy. Placing large containers filled with shrubs or full flowers around the area will not only pretty it up but will add a little privacy too. And don’t forget to provide a place to hang up your towels—dock cleats make great outdoor hooks.

Q: Do darker paint colours make a home feel smaller?
As a rule, darker and warmer colours advance while lighter and cooler colours recede. Instead of avoiding dark colours, use them to create the space you crave. For example, painting a room dark red may make the walls feel closer—and, thus, the room smaller—but it will create a dramatic and intimate feeling. To ensure that the dark colour you love doesn’t suck the life out of your room, plan and place light properly, use reflective surfaces (mirrors, glass), choose medium- or light-coloured upholstered furniture and add contrasting accent pieces. (A splash of white goes a long way.)

Email Tamara with your decorating questions (include pictures, if applicable) at advice@2magazine.com