Blog - The Gove Group Real Estate

4 Surprising Qualities That Can Boost Your Home Value

Bet you haven’t thought of these...

If you’re contemplating a home sale in the near distant future, chances are you’ve already mulled over possible upgrades that could make buyers want to throw some extra change your way. (Here are eight foolproof ideas.) But research from Zillow says there are other things that may make buyers want to empty their pockets—and they’re not exactly what you would expect. Here are four qualities you might be surprised to learn attract—or detract—people to and from a home.

Zillow Home Trends Coffee

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1. Your Proximity to a Starbucks

We all love our coffee, but buying a home based on how quickly you can get to the drive-through? … Wait, that actually sounds pretty smart. And, apparently, loads of people agree. A 2015 Zillow report found that, between 1997 and 2014, homes within a quarter-mile to a Starbucks increased in value by 96 percent. Compare that with the value increase for all US homes (65 percent) and the results are pretty clear: We all need our caffeine and we’re not afraid to pay for it.

Instead of washing your bath in white and incorporating pops of blue, try it in reverse. White accents, such as the shower seat, trim and towels in this bath, tend to pop even more against the sky blue background. We especially love the gorgeous hue and s

Photographer: Annie Schlechter, Styling by: Matthew Gleason

2. The Color Blue, In General

We hate to brag, but we’ve known for a really long time how awesome this ocean-inspired shade is. For starters, it’s a subtle reminder of the Earth’s greatest asset (the sea, obviously). It also has the ability to calm the mind, say psychologists, and according to Zillow, if you splash your kitchen and bath in blue, it can potentially make your home worth thousands of dollars more (more than $5,000 for a blue bathroom!).

The Details: Farmhouse Sink

Photo: Erica George Dines

3. Farmhouse Features

If not you, you probably know someone who’s a tad obsessed with Fixer Upper’s Chip and Joanna Gaines. The Waco, Texas, couple have put farmhouse style back in the spotlight, and it seems everyone wants a piece of it. A 2016 Zillow analysis examining listing descriptions found that homes with the words “farmhouse sink” or “barn door” in the summary sold faster and for a premium (as much 13.4 percent more than expected).

Rico Wasikowski

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4. Your Proximity to a City

If you live anywhere near an urban area, you’re in luck: Zillow data reports that median home values near cities have increased 54 percent since 2012, compared with suburban areas, where the median home value is up 38 percent. But outside of cities, if you’re a coastal dweller at all, we don’t think you have much to worry about: A 2014 Zillow analysis found that waterfront homes are worth more than double the value of homes overall.

Blog Credit: By MARISA SPYKER

Current Market Trends

Home sales in Rockingham & Strafford County took a big jump in May up 23% from the month prior but the increase was much less than the 40% average jump from April to May we have seen over the past 3 years. Much of this has to do with strong April sales compared to the prior years (April of this year had the most sales since we began tracking in 2013) but the year over year sales for May fell by 5.9%. Sales for 2018 are still on track to beat 2017 as we are currently 3.5% above the same point last year. Inventory levels continue to rise as they are up 13.9% over last month which will continue to help spur sales.

Average home sales price for Rockingham & Strafford County remain in the mid-300’s range that we have been in since last May coming in at $355,891 this month which is 6% higher than May of last year but is a slight fall from last month’s all time high of $366,901. Although active inventory is increasing we still are only at 2.4 month’s supply which is well below market equilibrium and will continue to keep sales prices in their current range.

Sellers Disclosure: What do I need to know when selling my home?

When you’re selling a home, the words “sellers disclosure” may fill you with confusion, even with fear. What exactly is the point of a sellers disclosure and how much do you need to reveal?

The following FAQs will give you the answers you’re looking for.

Q. What is a sellers disclosure?

A. It’s a document to be completed by the owner of a residential property for sale. In general, the sellers disclosure form consists mainly of several pages of yes/no questions describing the house or condo, including anything that “could have an adverse impact on value” or on a house hunter’s decision to purchase. Common examples of these negatives are water damage, hazards (lead paint, cracked foundation, etc.), or pest infestation.

The disclosure may also provide general information such as the age and condition of fixtures and appliances, the number of an assigned parking spot (where there is a shared lot), or whether the home is classed as a heritage building.

Answer the questions to the best of your knowledge. “Unknown” or “not applicable” are usually listed as possible responses.

Q. Am I, as a seller, legally required to submit a disclosure?

A. That depends on where you live. Certain states, such as New Hampshire and Maine, disclosures ARE required. In others, the disclosure is optional.

Speak to your broker or a local real estate lawyer to find out how to proceed. While these professionals are not permitted to fill out the sellers disclosure for you, they can certainly answer any questions you might have.

Q. Which home improvements need to be included in the disclosure statement?

A. All major home improvements like a kitchen remodel, bathroom addition, or roof replacement must be mentioned. The seller has to provide details of the work that was done and disclose whether necessary permits were obtained. Minor home improvements and repairs (for example, a paint job or new faucet) do not need to be included.

Q. Does a sellers disclosure take the place of a home inspection?

A. No, your prospective buyer will most likely still opt to have the home inspected by a professional as a condition of the sale. You as the seller might want to hire a home inspector yourself prior to officially listing your property, to give you a “heads up” on issues you weren’t aware of.

Q. What if I know there’s a problem?

A. If you, as a hopeful home seller, know that a problem exists with the house (a leaky roof is the classic example), you have two possible courses of action:

— You might choose simply to leave the issue as is. In that case, disclose the defect and be prepared to make a concession on the price.

— You can hire a qualified roofer to fix the problem. This second approach is preferable for several reasons: Your house will show better — and probably sell faster — when it’s in top shape, and you won’t have to compromise on your expected price. Be sure to document the repair in your sellers disclosure and supply a copy of both the warranty and the permit, if applicable.

Q. What happens if I fail to disclose a known issue?

A. Once again, the answer depends on your state law. Generally, if the buyers discover the omission before closing, they are allowed to walk away from the deal. In many areas, if they have gone through with the purchase before finding out something’s wrong, they can sue you (ouch!), within a specified time period.

Q. Can’t I just market my home “as is”?

A. Yes, this is permissible in some locales. It may be an appealing route to take when you are selling an inherited property or you simply want to get your hands on some cash as quickly as possible. In such a case, you won’t have to prepare a detailed sellers disclosure. However, normally you will still be required to disclose any latent defects — threats to the health and safety of your home’s occupants which are not readily visible (radon, for instance) as well as any legal issues with the title.

Blog Credit: Laura Firszt

Thinking of selling your home? Do it before 2020, economists say

A panel of economic and housing experts sees a dip in house prices on the horizon

Marketing Trends

The Spring Market continued its strong performance in April jumping 10% from March. April sales were also an impressive 12% higher than 2017 even with a tighter supply of inventory this year. Inventory has finally started to come back up as there was an 18% jump this month compared to the month prior. Sales in 2018 continue to outpace 2017 as home sales are currently 7.5% above the same point last year. With the rising inventory levels and pent up demand still present, we expect to see the strong sales pace continue throughout the year.

Average homes sales price for Rockingham & Strafford County for April came in at an all-time high of $366,901 which was 3.8% above the previous month and a jump of 14.8% year over year. Even with inventory loosening up to a current month’s supply of 2.1 there remains an extraordinary level of pent-up demand in the market keeping prices in their current $340-365k range. The average sales price for each month this year has increased over 2017 which is a trend that started in May of 2016 and which we expect to continue to see for the near future.

To-Dos: Your May Home Checklist

With Mother’s Day and Memorial Day coming up this month, there is plenty of incentive to get those outdoor spaces ready for entertaining. From scheduling house painting to organizing your outdoor cooking tools, tick these 13 items off your to-do list so you can get to the good stuff: hanging out around the grill, kicking back on the porch and savoring the season. Let the countdown to summer begin!

Things to Check Off Your List in an Hour or Less

1. Check outdoor lighting. Make sure all outdoor lights are in working order, including porch lights, landscape lighting and motion-sensing security lights. Replace bulbs or schedule repairs as needed.

2. Give potted plants some TLC. If you have potted plants that stay indoors over winter, bring them out once the danger of frost has passed. To help your plants acclimatize, find a protected spot out of direct sun for the first several weeks outdoors.

Traditional Kitchen by Emerick Architects

3. Inspect kitchen and bath fixtures. Keeping an eye on these areas can help prevent costly water damage and repairs later on. Make a plan to regrout or recaulk around counters and tile as needed. If you come across any slow leaks, have these repaired as well.

4. Check safety devices. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, smoke alarms should be tested at least once a month and replaced every 10 years — even if they still appear to be in working order. Test smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors; replace batteries as needed. Check the expiration date on your fire extinguisher and replace it if necessary.

Beach Style Deck by Kalamazoo Outdoor Gourmet

Tackle These Tasks Over a Weekend

5. Get ready for grilling season. Giving your grill a deep cleaning before the start of the season will help it work more efficiently and prevent flare-ups. Clean the grates and interior with a grill brush and wash the exterior with warm, soapy water. Clean and organize your grilling tools (tongs, spatula, skewers) and pick up charcoal or propane if needed.

If you have a gas grill, be sure to check the fuel line for cracks and clean out any clogged burner holes.

Traditional Landscape by Landscaping Solutions

6. Maintain and repair garden paths. Create neat edges, pull weeds, fill in gravel paths with fresh gravel and replace or reposition broken steppingstones.

Eclectic Dining Room by Alison Giese Interiors

7. Clean walls and touch up paint. Use a dusting attachment on your vacuum or an electrostatic duster to remove dust from walls, paying special attention to corners and baseboards. For a deeper clean, wipe down walls with warm, soapy water after dusting. Rinse with clean water, using a lint-free cloth. Touch up paint as needed on interior walls and trim.

8. Clean items on open shelves. Infrequently used items stored on open shelves can get pretty grimy over time. For items with a thin layer of dust, swipe with an electrostatic duster. If there is a thicker layer of dust, of if the items are in the kitchen (where cooking grease can be an issue), wash each piece in a tub of warm, soapy water. Rinse and allow everything to dry before replacing.

Transitional Bedroom by Kennerknecht Design Group

9. Refresh bedrooms. Rotate the mattresses on all beds and flip over if possible. Dust nightstands, lamps, headboards, blinds and decor. Swap heavy duvets for lighter-weight bedding for the warmer months.

Traditional Laundry Room by Alison Kandler Interior Design

10. Thoroughly clean the laundry room. Run the washing machine with a specialty tub cleaner (or with vinegar for a natural solution) on a hot water cycle. Wipe the rubber rim inside the washer and dryer doors and remove lint from the dryer vent with a vent brush or vacuum attachment. Clean countertops, mop floors and restock supplies.

Craftsman Exterior by Clites Architects, PC

Maintenance and Extras to Budget for This Month

11. Paint or stain your home’s exterior. Longer days and generally milder weather make May a good month to schedule house painting. If your home has a wood-shingled exterior, replace any damaged shingles and have a fresh coat of stain applied if needed.

12. Put together a picnic kit. This is the season for alfresco feasts. Be ready for impromptu picnics by sorting through your outdoor dining supplies at the start of the season and keeping a basket of essentials within easy reach.

Your kit doesn’t need to be extensive to get the job done: a cheese knife, small cutting board, bottle opener and blanket, plus a few outdoor dishes and cups, should see you through many a picnic. Note any supplies you’re missing and restock your basket as needed.

Transitional Porch by Romanelli & Hughes Custom Home Builders

13. Add a relaxing porch feature. Make your porch an inviting place to relax and hang out with the addition of a porch swing, rocking chairs or a glider. Too much sun? Crisp white outdoor curtains can provide shade and look chic. Just add a tall glass of iced tea or lemonade, and you’ll be ready to savor the season in style.

Blog Credit: https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/64735095/list/to-dos-your-may-home-checklist

To-Dos: Your April Home Checklist

With lengthening days and milder temperatures in many parts of the country, April is a wonderful time to freshen up the home inside and out. To get sparkling windows, a clutter-free garage and more, here are 16 tasks to make the most of the first full month of spring.

Things to Check Off Your List in an Hour or Less

1. Keep mosquitoes at bay. Having warmer weather and longer days means we’re entering mosquito season. Take preventative measures by regularly checking your property for standing water and emptying it. Any open containers (empty flowerpots and saucers, a wheelbarrow) can become mosquito breeding grounds when filled with rainwater, so store items like these upside down or in a shed.

2. Inspect paths and driveway. Repeated freezing and thawing can take a toll on asphalt and concrete. Check your driveway and paths for cracks, scheduling repairs as needed.

3. Clean out trash cans and recycling bins. Take empty cans outside and spray them with a hose to start. Spritz inside and out with the cleaning spray of your choice. Let the bins sit for a few minutes before scrubbing them with a stiff-bristle brush. Rinse with the hose and leave them upside down to dry.

4. Check safety devices. Test batteries on smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, replacing them as needed. It’s also a good idea to periodically check for recalls of your home safety products; you can find up-to-date listings at Recalls.gov.

Tackle These Tasks Over a Weekend

5. Clear clutter. Create more space in your home by clearing out unloved items. If you have a lot to get rid of, set a date to hold a yard sale. Or contact a local charity to schedule a pickup — some will send a truck free of charge if you’re donating large items like furniture. If you have a lot of one type of item (for example, books or baby clothes), look for a consignment shop in your town where you may be able to sell them.

6. Schedule cooling-system maintenance. If you have central air conditioning, be sure to schedule professional maintenance before the start of summer. A properly maintained system cools better, uses less energy and lasts longer.

7. Spruce up the front porch. Clean the porch floor, exterior windows, windowsills and front door. Wipe cobwebs from the ceiling and high corners. Lay down a fresh doormat, and plant a pot of flowers. If you have porch furniture, clean it off and wash the cushions.

8. Test sprinklers and irrigation system. Don’t let the first sign of a malfunctioning irrigation system be a drooping garden! Take the time this month to test each part, adjusting or repairing as needed. And if you don’t already have drip irrigation for your garden, consider putting it in — a properly installed system can save time and water.

9. Wash windows. Welcome the spring sunshine by clearing dirt and grime from windows inside and out. After cleaning the glass, take an extra moment to wipe the window frame and sill.

10. Clean and inspect screen doors and windows. Pollen and grime can also build up on window screens, so it’s a good idea to clean them once a year. For a quick cleaning, leave screens in place and vacuum with a dusting attachment. For a deeper cleaning, remove screens (mark which is which if cleaning multiple windows) and gently scrub with warm, soapy water. Rinse and let dry.

Before putting up window screens and screen doors, inspect each one for holes and rips — even small tears can let in mosquitoes. If you find any holes, repair them with a screen patch kit (available at most hardware stores).

11. Clean out the garage. Can you park your car in your garage? If not (or if it’s a tight fit), it may be time to make some more space.

Clear out the junk, and schedule time to take unused paint, motor oil and other hazardous items to a recycling center that accepts them. (If you’re not sure where to go, search Earth911 to find a center near you.) Once your garage is cleaned out, consider adding wall-mounted storage to keep things neat and off the floor.

12. Wash siding. Using a regular garden hose, attach a siding cleaning kit (available at most home improvement stores) to clear away winter grime from your home’s siding. If your siding could use a really deep cleaning, it can be tempting to use a pressure washer to get the job done quickly. But if you do, use it with care: Consumer Reports advises avoiding any pressure washer that comes with a 0-degree nozzle, because it can be too dangerous (to you and your house) and wider nozzles can get the job done just as well.

Maintenance and Extras to Budget for This Month

13. Clean gutters and downspouts. Having your home’s gutters and downspouts cleaned (and repaired if necessary) is one of the first important tasks to schedule this season. Clogged gutters during a rainy spring can cause water to pool, potentially damaging the roof and siding.

14. Boost curb appeal. Spring is a wonderful time to make upgrades to your home’s exterior, and even small changes — like putting up bold house numbers and a shiny new mailbox — can make a big impact.

If you’re planning to put your house on the market this spring, increasing curb appeal can help lure in potential buyers, making it especially important.

15. Maintain wood decks and fences. Keep outdoor woodwork in top shape by staining or resealing it each spring. Check gates, fencing, decks, railings, pergolas and other outdoor structures, and make repairs as needed.

16. Keep an eye out for termites. From now through May or June, be on the lookout for these winged insects. “Termites swarm in the spring,” says Victor Sedinger, certified home inspector and owner of House Exam Inspection and Consulting. “If there’s a bunch of winged insects flying out of a hole in the woodwork, that’s probably termites.” If you notice any, call a licensed professional pest-control company.

BLog Credit: Laura Gaskill

Current Marketing Trends

The Spring Market got off to a fast start in March with sales in Rockingham & Strafford County increasing 45% from February to March which is well above the normal bump that we have seen in the past several years. Year over year sales for March were also up significantly as they also increased by 8.5%. Inventory in Rockingham & Strafford Country rose modestly at 5.1% but still continues to remain hovering around historic lows.

Average home sales price for Rockingham & Strafford County also took a big jump in March coming in at $353,478 which represents a 7.8% increase over February and a 5% increase over March of 2017. Active inventory increased slightly over the past month but current inventory still remains historically low at a 1.8 month’s supply. Even with the increasing inventory we expect prices to remain in the low to mid $300,000 range due to pent up demand currently in the market.

Gardening 101: What to Know About Propagating Succulents

There are plenty of things to love about succulents: Their charming shapes, their variety of colors and their easygoing nature are a few. And as potted plants go, they’re downright collectible. If you’re looking to expand your collection or swap a few with a friend, the good news is that propagating succulents from your existing plants couldn’t be easier — or more budget-friendly.

Read on to learn how to propagate succulents, from harvesting the new succulents to planting them and taking care of them long-term.

1. Choose Your Method for Propagating Succulents

There are two main methods for propagating succulents: with cuttings and with pups, or offsets. Unlike plants that are grown from a seed or a bulb, succulents can be grown by taking pieces of a mature plant to form new plants. It might sound a bit Frankensteinian, but it is a natural way that these plants spread, and it makes it easy for gardeners to cultivate new succulents.

How to grow succulents from cuttings. A cutting is a section of plant, either a single leaf or a section of stem, removed from the parent plant for the purpose of propagating. Whether a succulent can be propagated through a single leaf or a proper cutting of a section of stem depends on the plant type. Echeveria and Sedum, for example, can be propagated by either method. Aeonium, however, requires a section of stem for propagation.

Use a sharp, clean knife to cut off a few fleshy leaves (with a bit of stem attached) or a stem that’s getting leggy. The leaf or section of stem you’ve removed is called a “cutting.”

For leaf harvesting, you can skip using a knife and carefully snap off succulent leaves with your fingers. To do so, take a leaf and wiggle it gently back and forth until it pops off the main plant, making sure you’re getting a little chunk of stem as well. It’s from the portion where the stem meets a leaf that the plant cells can differentiate to form roots rather than leaves.

Tip: Don’t remove too many leaves or sections of stem from a single plant.

How to grow succulents from pups, or offsets. Another method of succulent propagation is to harvest plant pups from the base of the parent plant. This can be done for many rosette-forming succulents, including aloe, echeveria, zebra plant and others.

To harvest a pup, use a clean, sharp knife to remove the small plant offset from the parent plant (or gently twist with your fingers), retaining as many roots that have may have already started growing on the offset (there may also be no roots). Unlike removing leaves or sections of stems from a plant through cuttings, removing plant pups actually improves the health of the parent plant.

2. Allow Succulent Cuttings or Pups to Form a Callus

Once you’ve taken cuttings or removed plant pups, find a shaded spot outside or indoors where you can let the plant pieces rest. You can lay them on a tray of dry potting soil or gravel, or just leave them on an empty tray or windowsill. Avoid setting them on damp soil, where they can rot.

Leave them alone for about a week, until the cut sections have formed a callus — basically a plant scab or hardened piece of tissue that will protect the cut section from rot and disease. Do not water cuttings that are forming a callus.

3. Spread Plant Pieces on Potting Soil

Once the cuttings or plant pups have formed a callus, spread a tray with cactus and succulent potting mix. Position the tray in a lightly shaded area outdoors or by a bright window out of direct sun, and arrange the cuttings or pups on top of the soil. Let them sit for a few weeks, until tiny roots begin to form, watering very lightly about once a week.

If you’re propagating succulents from leaves, eventually a tiny rosette of new baby leaves will form at the stem end of the leaf, and the parent leaf will begin to shrivel. Once the parent leaf is entirely withered, you can remove it or just let it be.

4. Pot Up Rooted Cuttings

After each cutting or plant pup has formed tiny roots, pot each in a small pot (with a drainage hole) filled with fresh cactus and succulent potting mix. Position the pot in an area that receives bright, indirect light for at least six hours a day, avoiding direct sunlight. Water lightly, but consistently, about once a week.

Long-term care. Give your baby succulents a few weeks to settle after potting them up, allowing them to become properly rooted. Continue watering lightly, but consistently, about once a week.

Once plants feel well-rooted (won’t easily move if nudged), you can pot them up in container combinations or plant them out in garden beds.

Long-term light requirements vary by succulent species, from partial shade to full sun. Almost all require light water and are happiest when the soil dries out between waterings.

Blog Credit: https://www.houzz.com/user/laurendunec

Get Organized: Tips for an Organized Bedroom

There’s nothing worse than getting up in the morning, your eyes still glazed over, reaching for your phone on the nightstand and knocking over a dozen things before your phone hits the floor.

Worse yet are those times when you can’t find a thing to wear because there’s a pile of clothes taller than you and you can’t tell what’s clean and what’s dirty.

Your bedroom should be a haven for peace and tranquility. Unfortunately, more often than not, it’s a catch-all for those things you intend to “do later,” because, typically, you and your family members are the only ones who see it.

The biggest offenders making your bedroom a cluttered mess fall into four categories:

● Clothes
● Makeup
● Shoes
● Miscellaneous stuff that belongs somewhere else in the house
● Miscellaneous stuff that belongs to someone else

It’s time, then, to get your bedroom under control and organized. We’ve done our research and found some of the best ways to achieve an organized bedroom.

The One-Touch Rule

How many times do you pick up the same thing to put it away and something gets in the way? It seems to be never-ending cycle. The best way to put a stop to it is to employ the one-touch rule.

Simply put, the One-Touch rule goes like this: pick something up, put it away. Do not set it back down again until you’ve taken care of whatever needs to be done with that item. If it’s a shirt that needs ironing, iron it. If it needs to be hung up, hang it up. If it needs to go in the laundry, put it in the laundry basket.

It sounds simple enough, right? It comes to a screeching halt, though, when you don’t know what to do with something. The solution to that is, if you can’t figure out what to do with something, you don’t need it. Get rid of it. Always have on hand a bag destined for your local thrift store or charitable organization and use it frequently. More about that later.

Your Clothes: Do You Love It?

We all have sections of our closet for clothes we’re hoping to get back into after we lose 20, 30 pounds, or so. And what about the clothes we’re hanging onto until they go back in style? Trust me — those bell bottoms may come back, but by the time they do, you won’t be able to get into the ones you wore in high school.

There are several ways of organizing your closet, each of which has its own advantages.

1. Hanging Out in the Closet

This organizational method goes like this: Group your clothes by item, so shirts with shirts, pants with pants, suits with suits, and so on. Items you wear regularly go on the hangars in their normal way. Clothes you haven’t worn, but want to hang onto, go on the hangars backward. In six months, check to see which you’ve worn and which hangars are still backward. Anything remaining on a backward hangar goes into your donation bag.

2. Applying One Touch to Your Closet

Applying the One Touch rule to your closet goes like this: Take things out of your closet, one item at a time. As it’s coming out, ask yourself:

a. Do you love it?
b. Do you need it?
c. Does it fit?

If the item doesn’t fit into one of those categories, it goes into the donation bag. Donate things that don’t fit. The chances of losing the weight needed to get into things two sizes too small are slim to none (no pun intended). Besides, if you do get down to that size again, it’s a great opportunity to go shopping!

Stepping Out

Shoes are another cause of your bedroom being cluttered. In some homes, shoes come off at the front door, leaving a pile of shoes right in the entryway. In others, shoes are discarded anywhere, any time, leading to a mad rush to find matching pairs in the morning.

There are several ways to corral shoes at the front door. Pinterest has great ideas for DIY shoe storage, as simple as a regular bookshelf with wicker bins and more elaborate options. Of course, Amazon and other major retailers have options, as well. Whether you DIY a solution or you buy one, making sure shoes left at the front door are kept at bay is important, not only to make sure no one trips over them, but also for the health of your shoes. Better yet, when you build a home, ask your builder about including a mud room where everyone can store shoes the minute they walk in the door.

The shoe problem in your bedroom can be an even bigger issue. You may have a shoe rack in your closet, but there’s nothing in it, because shoes are strewn all over the bedroom or the floor of the closet. One big reason for the clutter is you have too many shoes and not enough storage space.

Before you buy more shoe storage, go through all your shoes and make sure they fall into the same categories as your clothes. Do you love those shoes? Do you need them (do they fill a specific purpose)? Do they fit? And add one more question — do you have a matching pair? Once you get started, you might be surprised by how many single shoes you have without a matching shoe. Whatever doesn’t fit into one of those categories goes into your donation bag as well.

Dressing the Dresser

The top of your dresser and nightstand are the main catch alls in your bedroom, where things tend to pile up or are thrown instead of being put away. While it’s true you can’t put things away if there’s no place to put them, it’s also true that you won’t use an organization system that doesn’t fit your lifestyle. Having a beautiful jewelry box is wonderful, but it is useless if all your jewelry ends up in a pile on the top of your dresser or thrown into the drawer of your nightstand.

Most major retailers have storage solutions for the top of your dresser or nightstand. Just make sure you’re choosing something you’ll actually use. If your jewelry ends up thrown on the top of your furniture, find a catch-all solution that fits your style and still looks organized. For example, Amazon has everything from a faux leather valet tray for a man’s dresser to a set of fabric organizer blocks that are interchangeable, depending on where you’re putting them.

You can use the same systems to organize the nightstand drawers and your one bedroom junk drawer in your dresser. Stackable inserts are especially helpful, as they keep your most-used items handy. When building a new home, ask your builder about walk-in closets in the bedrooms, which can help you keep clothes, shoes and accessories organized and your bedroom tidy.

There’s no question — our bedrooms get a lot of use and abuse, despite our wish to have a clean, clear oasis from the hassle and jumble of this world. Make your own oasis by getting organized, getting rid of things you’ll never use again and generally cleaning things up.

Blog Credit: Laurie Leiker