Decluttering tips for home sellers: 14 real strategies that work

One strategy I have found extremely effective is to approach decluttering from a team perspective. I once teamed with a professional stager and went through the house room by room. We identified in each room items that either consumed too much space or attracted too much attention, such as cluttered bookshelves, loud artwork, or piles of personal items. By boxing up whatever wasn’t needed, we could reset the house so its best elements took center stage.

The second phase was building consistency throughout the home. Neutral paint, simple bedding, and window treatments made the home feel calm and cohesive. Purchasers usually do not even see staging when it is well done, but they most certainly experience it. It makes them feel like they are seeing a well-maintained home that is ready to be occupied.

Decluttering made a quantifiable impact on the listing. Photos were clearer, online activity increased, and showings grew. More significantly, customers who toured the property noted how open and inviting the residence was. By removing distractions and personal touches, we permitted the natural light, flow, and improvements to speak for themselves. That emotional connection equated to greater offers and fewer days on the market, demonstrating just how profitable it is to declutter real estate.

The biggest strategy when preparing a home for sale has always been to approach it with the mindset that it’s no longer my home, it’s now a product that needs to appeal to as many buyers as possible. One practical step I’ve used, and that I recommend to clients, is renting a storage unit and moving out about 30-40% of the belongings. That includes family photos, extra furniture, seasonal items, and anything that makes the space feel too personal.

The impact is huge. By decluttering and depersonalizing, the home instantly feels larger, brighter, and more neutral, which helps buyers picture themselves living there. I’ve seen firsthand how a well-presented, clutter-free space creates stronger emotional connections during showings and often leads to faster offers at better prices. It’s about letting the property’s features, like natural light, floor plan, and finishes, take center stage, rather than the owner’s lifestyle.

Before listing the home, we focused on creating a clean, neutral space that would appeal to as many buyers as possible. We started by boxing up personal photos, kids’ artwork, and souvenirs that reflected our family’s story.

Next, we pared back furniture, removing the oversized armchair from the lounge and leaving just the essentials to highlight the room’s flow. In the kitchen, we cleared the benches of appliances and knick-knacks, keeping only a fruit bowl as a simple accent.

One striking example was the master bedroom: we swapped out our bold bedding for fresh white linen and removed half the clothes from the wardrobe. This immediately made the room feel brighter and more spacious.

The result of decluttering and depersonalizing was noticeable at open inspections. People lingered longer, asked more about the property itself, and could easily imagine how their own furniture and style might fit. It proved that small, deliberate changes had a big impact on the overall presentation.

One thing I did fairly successfully was to have a “pre-sale garage sale.” Before I listed my home, I spent a weekend going through everything I no longer needed or wanted, which ranged from old furniture to clothes to kitchen junk. The garage sale was nice because it got rid of unwanted things, but also allowed me to talk to neighbors and foster a sense of community.

The strategy had two major benefits. First, it emptied out my home, making empty spaces in every room, creating a new sense of space. The second benefit was to make a little money, which I used to do quick things around the house, like paint or buy new light fixtures. These improvements only helped with the overall visual appeal of the home.

In a nutshell, after decluttering, I achieved a clean slate for most of the decor. By drastically cutting down to the essentials, I was able to showcase the home’s features, such as architectural trim, crown molding, and natural light. It allowed the space to feel much larger, and it gave buyers a focus on the functionality of each room, rather than noticing all of my personal items or loud decor choices. The neutral presentation provided perspective for the buyer, creating a feeling of a blank canvas which resonates with more people. The reaction at open houses and subsequent feedback was that people appreciated the clean uncluttered look and it gave them an opportunity to envision their own style.

As a realtor who helps sellers strategize presenting their home in the best light, I use the three-box method: keep, donate, or store. Anything not used daily goes into a storage bin and out of sight. You’ll also want to remove personal photos to not only protect your privacy, but so buyers can picture themselves in the space. Once you declutter, rooms will usually look brighter, larger & much more inviting.

The best tactic I applied was establishing a one-year rule on each thing in the house. Anything that we had not used within the last 12 months was donated instantly. Such a strategy eliminated approximately 60% of our possessions and all emotional decision-making that makes decluttering slow.

The most significant influence was the complete depersonalization of the primary residential spaces. We crated away all family images, personal collections, and original artwork that were individualized to our taste. This would enable the potential buyers to imagine themselves in the area rather than feel as though they are walking through the house of another person.

The act of decluttering helped to make the house less crowded than it used to seem despite the fact that we did not increase the real space in the house. Storage areas looked more functional and the overall flow was more open with rooms appearing larger. Customers said that everything was so tidy and ready to move into, which translated to higher interest and eventually a quicker sale.

Decluttering doesn’t mean throwing away everything. It means putting it out of view temporarily.

In our wholesale property showings across Texas, we rely heavily on neutral storage bins and baskets. Instead of potential buyers walking into a living room full of remotes and cables, they see clean surfaces and open square footage.

(Insider tip: choose baskets that match the room’s vibe. This keeps the space functional during showings but visually clutter-free.)

The result is always the same: buyers walk away remembering how open and polished the home felt, not distracted by the mess of everyday life.

I began with the kitchen when listing my home. I removed all the appliances used on the counters such as the coffee maker and the toaster, leaving only clean surfaces. The room seemed lighter and had a more open appearance immediately. This is in spite of the fact that there were no new fixtures, which made the kitchen look fresh and more welcoming to the buyers.

I spent a number of hours rearranging the cupboard and pantry. I stored things that I did not require, and tidied up those still there in an appropriate manner. This was done so as to make the storage appear bigger and better maintained. Customers could visualize the way they would utilize the space without being distracted by all the clutter.

When the house was being inspected, people spent more time in the kitchen. They opened the cupboards and were enamored by the neat shelves. The kitchen was the room where they were most attentive, and that aspect was important. Decluttering my house assisted in creating a better look and provided a firm bid in the shortest possible time.