Moving into a new home takes time to feel comfortable. For some, that means fresh paint or family photos. For book lovers, it’s all about getting the bookshelves in order.

A bookshelf isn’t just storage—it’s self-expression. It reflects your passions, showcases favorite reads, and adds personality to your home. If your shelves are looking more cluttered than curated, here’s why organizing them matters and how to get started.

Aesthetics
Bookshelves often end up in disarray—new purchases crammed in, inherited volumes tucked wherever they’ll fit. Over time, the result is a messy, chaotic look. Organizing your shelves creates a polished space that lowers stress, boosts focus, and even improves sleep. Plus, your bookshelf becomes a decorative feature instead of an eyesore.

Accessibility
A disorganized shelf makes it hard to find the book you want. Whether it’s a childhood favorite or a new novel, searching aimlessly can be frustrating and discouraging. A clear system makes reading more enjoyable—you’ll always know where to find your next inspiration.

Air Quality
Surprisingly, organized shelves can even improve health. Cluttered books attract dust, mold, and pests. Since modern homes often trap allergens inside, regularly cleaning and maintaining your shelves helps protect both your books and your family’s air quality.

1. Sort by Size
Larger books naturally fit on the bottom, with smaller ones near the top, creating a balanced look. Mixing vertical and horizontal stacks can add personality.

2. Sort by Color
Arranging by spine color creates bold, eye-catching displays that double as decor. Try a rainbow gradient, tonal grouping, or a scheme that complements your room’s palette.

3. Sort by Genre
If practicality is your priority, organizing by genre makes browsing easy. Dedicate shelves or even entire bookcases to different subjects or moods.

4. Sort by Author
Libraries use this method for a reason. Grouping books by author—whether alphabetically or by personal preference—keeps favorite voices close at hand.

5. Sort Your Way
At the end of the day, your system doesn’t have to follow rules. Whether you sort by mood, characters, or the year purchased, the best organization is the one that works for you.

This crawlspace is showing multiple concerns, but one thing that sticks out is its structural instability. The brick piers and blocks supporting the floor joists appear uneven, with some stacked rather than securely anchored, potentially compromising load-bearing capacity. Makeshift wooden supports and braces suggest prior attempts to shore up sagging or unstable joists, signaling possible structural integrity problems.

Moisture is another concern. The soil looks damp, and there are water stains on walls and blocks. This kind of environment can lead to wood rot, mold, and damage to the foundation supports. Insulation is hanging down in spots, likely from moisture or pests, which also lowers energy efficiency and can create mold issues.

We recommend that this homeowner hire a qualified contractor or structural engineer to assess its condition and create a plan for rehabilitation.

When reviewing a home inspection report, every buyer hopes for a clean bill of health. Since a home is often the largest investment you’ll make, unexpected repairs can be stressful—especially when budgets are tight. One of the biggest culprits behind surprise damage is deferred maintenance. Skipping small tasks can lead to major problems down the road, but a simple routine can protect your home and save you money.

In this edition of NPI’s Maintenance Minutes, we’re focusing on one essential, often-overlooked task: cleaning your gutters.

Why Clean Gutters Matter
Gutters protect your home by directing rainwater off the roof and away from the foundation. When clogged with leaves, seeds, or debris, water can back up, causing leaks, mold, wood rot, pest problems, and even basement or crawlspace flooding. Clogged gutters can also sag, detach, or collapse under the added weight. To prevent these issues, clean gutters at least twice a year—or quarterly if you have trees that shed heavily.

Step-by-Step Cleaning
1. Scoop Out Debris: Use your hands or a gutter scoop to remove leaves and twigs, starting at one end and finishing at the downspout to prevent clogs.

2. Catch Debris on a Tarp: Lay a tarp beneath your ladder for easy cleanup, moving it along as you work.

3. Dispose of Debris: Empty the tarp into trash or compost regularly to avoid spills.

4. Inspect Gutters: Look for cracks, sagging sections, loose brackets, gaps, or improper slopes. Check for pests, nests, or signs of infestation.

5. Clear Downspouts: Run water through each downspout to ensure proper flow and remove remaining debris.

Gutter cleaning is simple but crucial, and most homeowners can handle it safely with the right tools. Remember, ladder and roof falls are common, so if you’re uncomfortable at heights, call a professional. Regular attention keeps your home protected, extends the life of your systems, and prevents costly repairs.