Written by: Michele Beachler
Before you can successfully show off your house to anyone (or even take listing photos) you need to ensure you have a home that buyers can visualize themselves living in & one that’s well organized and filled with ample storage space.
By containing your clutter, you:
- Gain more square footage.
- Showcase the positive features in the home.
Sometimes we can use some inspiration to help motivate us to declutter and organize our homes by watching shows, blogs, YouTube or just browsing at other homes online. Whatever gets you to kick that procrastination to the curb, use it!
It’s crucial to maximize every square inch of your place by minimizing your overall clutter. When you’re selling your home, potential buyers want to see everything, including kitchen and bathroom cabinets, drawers, and closets.
Now let me remind you decluttering and organizing are two different things. It’s a two-step process.
Step 1: DECLUTTER FIRST
Decluttering is getting rid of unnecessary, unused, unloved items
When you have a goal of creating an organized space, it can be very tempting to drive straight to your closest Target or Container Store and start buying storage solutions. However, first you need to declutter, so you have a good vision on what you are organizing, the number of items you have, etc.
Decluttering involves pairing down your items by eliminating the excess. After decluttering, everything remaining should be items you use and love. There are various methods for decluttering your home – find the method that works best for you. You can start by finding four empty (big) boxes that you can label as TRASH, GIVE-AWAY, KEEP, and RELOCATE. If you can’t use it maybe, you can give it to a family member or friend… or a local organization that can donate your items to other families. If you’re overwhelmed or get stuck move to another area of the home and come back to it or go through it a second time if you need to really pair down.
Step 2: ORGANIZE SECOND
Organizing is creating a simple system of storage containers only for items that you need, use, and love. The secret to organizing well is having less to organize. Remember to choose function first.
You don’t buy the containers to fill them. That would be backward. Storage is designed to help you functionally organize what you already own.
Storage containers can be any combination of boxes, bins, baskets, jars, etc that will work with what you have. Before going to purchase any storage containers, look around the house to see what you already own. Many of us who have too much stuff also have too many things to hold our stuff. Maybe you won’t need to buy anything new to organize.
Don’t be blinded by the beauty of storage containers. Think through the function of storage container options. Successful storage options will be simple, low maintenance and functional. Easy to use and maintain.
Still not sure where to begin……
Think about hiring a professional organizer or stager for your home if you are continually getting stuck as you declutter and organize. If that isn’t in your budget, find a friend who will walk alongside you and keep you encouraged and having fun!
To help get you ready for showings, we’ve put together a list of the most important places to declutter as you prepare to sell your home. Although we are in a seller’s market today, it’s still very important to get organized and declutter to help maximize your return on one of your biggest investments, your home.
1. Curb Appeal
Realtors often encourage home buyers to drive by listings and check out neighborhoods before attending open houses or showings. For that reason, it’s important to keep your front lawn trim and tidy—porch included—and make a positive first impression.
2. Tidy Hidden Storage Rooms So They Look Bigger
Believe it or not, people are going to want to see inside your garage, utility closets, and backyard sheds. Now’s the time to clean up and make sure your storage rooms look spacious and organized.
3. Entry Way
Much like the front yard, an entryway sets the first impression of your space. Set up a coat rack or accent table to keep yours organized – create an entrance that draws potential buyers in.
4. Clear the Way in the Hallways
A narrow hallway can make even the most spacious homes feel cramped. So, make sure and remove as much visual clutter in yours as possible—i.e. hanging hooks, tables, chairs, photographs, and other artwork.
5. Living Room
Living rooms should always be orderly and free of eyesores during open house showings. This calls for clearing out stacks of magazines, editing your bookshelves, and even paring down throw pillows and blankets as well as table accessories that can make the room feel heavy and smaller than it is.
6. Kitchen
Your countertops should stay clean and clear—a good rule of thumb is to have no more appliances showing on the countertop — and your pantry and cupboards organized and clutter free. Purge or pack the countless extra drink cups and water bottles that are in your cabinets. Put away the dishcloths and scrub brushes for cleaning dishes. Also, don’t forget to clean out your refrigerator, freezer, and under sink area, too, as they offer more sought-after storage space.
7. Keep Closets Streamlined
Whether it’s a hallway coat closet or a master suite walk-in, your home’s closets will have a big impact on prospective buyers. Box up off-season apparel—or better yet, donate it—and remove extra hangers so yours looks spacious and streamlined.
8. Beautify the Bathroom
Everyone knows the difference a bathroom can make for a house hunter, so keeping yours orderly and clean is so important. Organize everything from your countertops (no one wants to see your makeup and toothbrushes!) to your linen closet and medicine cabinets, so people can visualize what they’ll do with the space.
9. Home Office??
File or shred old papers, clear off your desk, and cover up unsightly computer cords to create an area that people will want to work in.
10. Tidy Up those Play Areas
Kids playrooms should be as tidy as any other bedroom in your place, and the same goes for your pet’s play areas, too. Limit the number of toys you keep out and make sure to have a nice storage bin to stash them all when they’re not being used.
11. Do you have a Laundry Room?
While it might seem unnecessary, your laundry room also needs to make a good impression. Make sure all your cleaning products are put away nicely and floors and appliances are kept spotless to create the kind of laundry space prospective buyers will love.