Thanks to Marie Kondo and her hit Netflix
series “Tidying Up,” home organization is a hot topic right now. Marie
encourages her viewers to minimize their possessions and keep only those items
that “spark joy.”
With spring in full bloom, now is the perfect
time to do some spring cleaning and add organizational systems to your own
home. Not only will you clear out clutter, your efforts can actually increase
the value of your home.
Ready to give it a try? Here are six home
organization ideas that will “spark joy” for you and your property value.
Boost
Bathroom Storage Capacity
When was the last time you cleaned out your
bathroom cupboards? If it’s been awhile, remove everything and take a look at
each item. Toss any old or expired products—keep only what you actually use.
If your vanity has drawers, add drawer organizers,
so you have a dedicated space for smaller items, like makeup and jewelry. For
deep cabinets, install roll-out shelves or baskets to maximize the use of
space.
And don’t forget about the walls! Mount open
shelves to store towels. If you’re short on storage space, a cabinet over the
toilet can offer additional room for supplies. These inexpensive additions can
make your morning routine a little easier while giving your bathroom a more
custom feel. And on average, minor bathroom remodeling projects like these see
a 102% return at resale.1
Upgrade
Your Laundry Room
Sort through the items in your laundry room
and throw away or donate anything you no longer need or use. If you’ve been
holding onto a collection of old washcloths and single socks, it’s time to say
goodbye. Then give your laundry room an upgrade with some customized
organizational features.
A mix of open cubbies and cabinets with doors
will give you plenty of options for storing detergents and supplies. If you
have space, a divided hamper or set of laundry baskets can provide a place to
sort your clothes before washing. Install a hanging rod or drying rack for
delicates and a flat work surface for ironing and folding clothes. With a few
simple tweaks, you can turn this chore into a score!
Fully
Utilize Your Basement or Attic
Basements and attics can easily become a
dumping ground for clutter. If that’s the case in your home, you know what to
do!
Once you’ve conducted a thorough clean out,
think about how you can better utilize the space to meet your family’s needs.
Install cabinets and a table so you can use the area as a craft room. Or you
could turn it into a game room with a media center and ping-pong table.
Investing in your basement will not only add function for your family, but also
the average basement remodel can see up to a 70% return on investment when it’s
time to sell.2
If you have an attic, consider adding a cedar
closet to store your off-season clothing. The cedar lining will keep your
clothes free from moths and smelling fresh year round.3 Turning your
attic into a more usable space will pay off down the road, too. A finished
attic sees an estimated 60% return on investment.2
Customize
Your Closets
Cleaning out the closet is a chore most of us
dread, but by now, you’re a pro! Get rid the clothes and shoes that don’t fit
you, are uncomfortable to wear, or that no longer “spark joy.”
Then it’s organizing time. So where do you
start? You’ll want to create a designated space for each type of clothing: high
hanging rods for dresses and long jackets, lower rods for skirts and shirts,
and shelves for folded items like jeans. And accessories need a place to go,
too. Add racks for your shoes, drawers for jewelry, hooks for hats, and shelves
or racks for handbags.
A well-equipped closet can be a major draw for
buyers—the average return on a closet remodel is 57%.4 But more
importantly, it’ll improve your day-to-day life. Surveyed homeowners gave their
closet remodel a “Joy Score” of 10 out of 10, higher than kitchen or bath
upgrades.5
Install
Built-in Bookcases and Cabinets
Built-in furniture adds functionality and
storage to a room while giving your home a high-end look. Built-in bookcases
can turn an empty room into an office. Custom cabinets can be used in a living
room to display media equipment while providing hidden storage for DVDs, board
games, and family albums.
When designing any built-in feature, remember
not to go too custom. A design that
only fits your tastes or belongings could turn off future buyers. Instead,
select standard sizes and classic finishes to appeal to a broad range of buyers
when it comes time to sell.
Equip
Your Garage
If you can no longer fit your car in your
garage, it may be time for a clean out. Similar to an attic or basement, the
garage can quickly become overrun with clutter. A thorough cleaning will help
you assess which items are worth keeping.
When adding organizational systems your
garage, start with a small rack to store yard tools and larger racks for bikes
and sports equipment. Overhead racks are a great place to put seasonal items
and bulky luggage. A workbench against a wall lined with pegboard and hooks
creates a dedicated space to use and store tools. If you have children or pets,
add a cabinet with a lock. This will give you a place to securely store harsh
chemicals and sharp tools. With a little effort, you’ll be pulling in your car
(and buyers) in no time!
SPRING
INTO ACTION
If you’re searching for service providers to
help with your spring cleaning or home organization efforts, let us know! We
can connect you with our trusted network of local home improvement
professionals. We can also help you determine which organizational upgrades
will add the most value to your home. Call us today, and let us know how we can
help!
Sources:
2. Nationwide - https://blog.nationwide.com/valuable-home-improvements/
4. The Closet Doctor - https://www.closet-doctor.com/news/what-is-the-return-on-investment-on-closet-organizers
5. NAR Remodeling Impact Survey - https://www.nar.realtor/sites/default/files/documents/2017-remodeling-impact-09-28-2017.pdf
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