Q: We love the look of marble countertops but the showroom we visited didn’t recommend them for kitchens. What’s the scoop?

A: Marble is porous and stains easily, so it is generally not recommended as a countertop material for a hardworking kitchen. But that doesn’t stop people who love the stone for its formal style and distinctive veining. If you choose to install marble countertops, be prepared to properly care for it. Marble requires a professional application of sealer every year. Also, be careful to immediately clean up acidic spills such as tomato sauce or red wine as they can etch the surface and soak into the stone.

Q: My kitchen is a mess. I’ve heard about those professional organizers. What can they do for me and how much do they cost?

A: Even the best of us can find ourselves overwhelmed by clutter. Professional organizers are trained to work one-on-one with you to determine what’s causing the clutter and provide techniques for reducing, managing, and preventing the excess.

The process begins with an initial consultation where you tell the organizer what you want done and the organizer asks lots of question that may seem personal. Be as open and as clear as you can so the results will suit you. Expect the pro to organize what you’ve agreed on, work with you through the process, and check back to make sure things are working.

Most professional organizers charge an hourly rate, typically $50 to $150. Some require a minimum time amount, such as eight hours. That might be enough for a mild to moderately cluttered home, but if the situation has been out of hand for some time, it could take longer to sort out.

Q: I don’t have a window over my kitchen sink, and it’s driving me crazy. What can I do to make this viewless space more cheerful and bright?

A: Anything that makes washing the dishes more enjoyable is worth it, right? Several options will give a windowless kitchen location the illusion of a view over the sink.

For example, a framed mirror or a collection of vintage dresser mirrors will reflect the room behind you. Or, hang a framed landscape print or pin up postcards from vacation spots to lead your mind to a destination more exotic than the kitchen.

Open to a more permanent solution? Consider a tile mural or trompe l’oeil paint treatment on the sink wall. And don’t underestimate the power of light. An over-sink fixture with an incandescent bulb will shed golden light.

Q: We’re planning a new house and have the option of putting the laundry in either the kitchen or the master bath. Which spot would work better?

A: It would be a smart idea to consult a kitchen and bath designer. Check with the National Kitchen & Bath Association (www.nkba.org) to get the name of one in your area. You will likely have to pay a small consultation fee, but a designer’s expertise will help you consider all the variables.

For example, where will most of the laundry be created and delivered? What about the noise levels of the washer and dryer? Some people may wish to keep their master bath a sanctuary, without reminders of household chores. Others may not like the idea of doing laundry in a space where they cook and entertain. A designer will help you sort through these issues.

Q: It’s time to replace our old, inefficient refrigerator with a more streamlined model, but I’m not sure where I want the freezer section to be. What are my options and what does each have to offer?

A: There are now four basic refrigerator designs. For years, the standard was the top-mount model (freezer on top), but it has been joined by newer options such as the bottom-mount refrigerator (freezer on bottom), the side-by-side (refrigerator on the side, freezer on the other), and the latest innovation—the French-door or armoire look (a double-door fridge with a single freezer door on the bottom).

Each design has its advantages. Top-mounts put the freezer at eye level and tend to have wider shelves than the other models. Expect to pay as little as $650 for a basic top-mount model, $800 for a bottom mount, and $1,000–$1,500 for a side-by-side. French-door models tend to be the priciest at $2,000 and up.

Ergonomically, bottom-mount and French-door models tend to be the best since most items are accessible for people without requiring them to stoop.