High-Impact Areas to Declutter for Maximum Results: A Home Seller’s Guide

Selling your home is an exciting time, but it can also be a bit overwhelming—especially when it comes to getting your home ready for potential buyers. One of the most important steps in this process is decluttering and depersonalizing your space. A clean, organized, and clutter-free home not only helps buyers envision themselves living there but also maximizes your home’s appeal, which can lead to faster sales and higher offers.

In fact, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), 83% of real estate agents say that decluttering is one of the most important steps in preparing a home for sale. Staging your home, which includes decluttering, can increase your home’s value by up to 10%, and homes that are decluttered and staged spend 33% to 50% less time on the market.

Ready to get started? Here’s a guide to the high-impact areas you should focus on when decluttering your home to make it stand out in the market.

1. Living Room: Make It Open and Inviting

The living room is often the first space buyers will see, so it’s important to create a welcoming atmosphere that feels spacious and comfortable. A cluttered, crowded room can make your home feel smaller and less appealing.

Tips for Decluttering the Living Room:

• Remove excess furniture: Keep only essential furniture pieces to create an open, spacious feel. Store or donate extra chairs, side tables, or bulky items that may make the room feel cramped.
• Clear surfaces: Limit decorations on coffee tables, bookshelves, and mantels. Instead, leave only one or two neutral decorative items, such as a vase of fresh flowers or a few books.
• Depersonalize the space: Take down family photos and personal items. Buyers need to envision the home as their own, and too many personal touches can be distracting.

Quick Tip: Box up sentimental items like family photos or vacation souvenirs and store them safely until you move. This will also make the packing process easier down the road.

2. Kitchen: Show Off Your Space and Functionality

Buyers love a kitchen with plenty of storage and counter space. A cluttered kitchen can make even the largest kitchens feel small and cramped, so be sure to show off its full potential by keeping it clean and organized.

Tips for Decluttering the Kitchen:

• Clear countertops: Remove small appliances (toasters, blenders, coffee makers), utensil holders, and any food items from countertops. Keep it minimal with just a few decorative touches, like a bowl of fresh fruit or a stylish cutting board.
• Organize cabinets and drawers: Buyers often open cabinets to see how much storage space is available. Make a good impression by organizing the inside of your cabinets and drawers, and consider removing excess dishes, pots, or pans.
• Depersonalize the fridge: Clear off magnets, family photos, grocery lists, or any other personal items from the fridge. A clean, neutral space will make the kitchen feel more appealing.

Quick Tip: As you declutter your kitchen, consider packing away any kitchen items you don’t use regularly (like seasonal cookware or extra dishware). This will help you reduce clutter and make the packing process easier later.

3. Bedrooms: Create a Calm and Neutral Retreat

Buyers want to see bedrooms as peaceful, clutter-free retreats where they can relax. A bedroom with too much furniture, clutter, or personal items can be a turnoff.

Tips for Decluttering the Bedrooms:

• Streamline furniture: Stick to the basics—a bed, nightstands, and maybe a dresser. Too much furniture can make the room feel smaller.
• Declutter closets: Closets are a major selling point, so make sure they are organized and tidy. Remove off-season clothing and items you don’t wear often to make the closet feel more spacious.
• Depersonalize decor: Remove family photos, personal mementos, and overly specific decorations. Stick to neutral bedding and a few simple decorative items to create a calm, inviting space.

Quick Tip: Invest in under-the-bed storage bins to neatly tuck away extra clothes, shoes, or other items. This will keep the bedroom looking tidy while maximizing storage space.

4. Bathrooms: Clean and Simplified

Bathrooms should feel fresh, clean, and functional. Buyers don’t want to see cluttered countertops or overflowing cabinets, so it’s important to keep these spaces minimal and organized.

Tips for Decluttering the Bathroom:

• Clear countertops: Remove personal items like toothbrushes, razors, and toiletries. Keep counters clear and clean, with just a simple soap dispenser or fresh towel for decor.
• Organize storage spaces: Declutter under-sink cabinets, medicine cabinets, and any drawers. Group similar items together and use baskets or organizers to keep everything tidy.
• Depersonalize the space: Remove personal toiletries, medications, and grooming products from view.

Quick Tip: Create a “show-day kit” with essentials like your toothbrush, makeup, and daily toiletries. Keep this kit stored away, so your bathroom stays clean and clutter-free during showings.

5. Garage & Basement: Showcase Usable Space

These areas are often overlooked, but they can be a huge selling point if they’re organized and decluttered. Buyers love to see clean, usable storage space, so make sure your garage and basement are tidy.

Tips for Decluttering the Garage & Basement:

• Remove clutter: Sort through items and either donate, sell, or discard anything you no longer need. The less clutter, the more usable space buyers will see.
• Organize with shelving or bins: Use shelves, hooks, or storage bins to organize what’s left. This not only creates a tidy look but also shows off the potential for well-organized storage.
• Clean the floor: Sweep the floor and remove any debris or items that don’t need to be stored there. A clean, organized garage or basement adds significant appeal.

Quick Tip: If you have a lot of items you don’t want to get rid of, consider renting a short-term storage unit to store boxes and excess furniture while your home is on the market.

The Importance of Decluttering and Depersonalizing

Decluttering and depersonalizing your home before selling is crucial for a number of reasons:

• Increases Buyer Interest: Buyers need to envision themselves in the space. Too much clutter or overly personal decor can prevent them from seeing the home’s true potential.
• Maximizes Space: A clutter-free home feels larger and more open, which is especially important in smaller rooms or homes.
• Boosts Online Appeal: Most buyers start their search online. Clear, spacious photos of a decluttered home will stand out and attract more interest.
• Faster Sales: According to NAR, homes that are decluttered and staged spend 33% to 50% less time on the market.

By focusing on these high-impact areas, you can declutter your home in a way that will not only help it sell faster but also add value to your final sale price.

Ready to Declutter? Here’s How to Get Started

If decluttering feels overwhelming, start small. Tackle one small area at a time, and don’t hesitate to ask for help from family members or a professional organizer. The sooner you start, the easier it will be.

If you’re in the Tampa Bay area and need help preparing your home for sale, reach out to us here to chat about working together.

Less Stuff ❤ More Space ❤ Better Life ❤

Good luck on your home sale, and happy decluttering!  Barb