Merriam-Webster defines declutter as a verb meaning “to remove clutter from a room, an area, etc.”. One of the first things any realtor or staging professional will recommend to do when preparing to list your home is to declutter.
The recommendation to declutter seems simple enough, but what exactly is necessary to get you on the path to making your house “show ready”? Below is a high-level list of decluttering recommendations!
Exterior: Store hoses, unused planters, toys, play equipment and extra furniture.
Interior
- Remove personal and religious décor, pictures and memorabilia from walls, tabletops and shelves.
- Simplify wall hangings.
- Remove small rugs in entryways, hallways, kitchen and bathrooms.
- Store trash bins, stools, cleaning tools, hampers and tissue boxes.
- Store all pet feeding items, toys, crates, beds, etc.
- Store all unnecessary furniture and décor.
- Clear cabinet tops, countertops, tabletops, nightstands, desktops, mantles and shelves of all non-essentials. Items displayed on shelves/tabletops should be kept to a minimum and nicely arranged.
- Clear non-essential items (e.g., toys, blankets, extra houseplants) from floor.
Bathrooms
- Ensure toiletries are removed for pictures and kept to a minimum thereafter.
- Clear vanity tops and floor.
- Store waste bins, plungers, toilet wands, stools, toys, scales, etc.
Garage/Basement Storage Spaces
- Donate items that are not moving with you. Organize open storage space neatly. Make sure that space is as open as possible by using the perimeter space for storage.
- Try to keep at least one garage bay open.
Cabinets/Drawers/Closets
- Ensure that drawers can be opened and are not overstuffed.
- Organize and simplify items stored in any glass front cabinets.
- Organize pantry and cabinet shelves.
- Ensure that floor space and top shelves are cleared, wherever possible.
- Hang clothing neatly, and make sure hangers are not overcrowded.
- Organize items stored on any open shelving neatly.
Overwhelmed? Hire Rooms Reborn for a pre-listing consultation. For a small investment (average $150-300), we will walk through your home and provide you with documentation outlining room-by-room decluttering suggestions as well as home improvement considerations, furniture placement suggestions and additional staging recommendations.