The Ultimate Guide to Decluttering Your Home: Tips for Sellers and Anyone Ready for a Fresh Start

The Ultimate Guide to Decluttering Your Home: Tips for Sellers and Anyone Ready for a Fresh Start

Whether you’re preparing to sell your home or simply craving a calmer, more comfortable space, decluttering is one of the most impactful steps you can take. A tidy home not only looks beautiful, it functions better, feels more relaxing, and often saves time, money, and stress. If you’re selling, decluttering can help your property stand out online and in person, attract more buyers, and even increase offers. If you’re staying put, decluttering can help you fall back in love with your home.

This comprehensive guide walks you through why decluttering matters, how to get started, the most effective room-by-room strategies, and proven methods for maintaining a clutter-free home long-term.

Why Decluttering Matters—Especially If You’re Selling Your Home

When a buyer walks into a listing, they aren’t just assessing square footage—they’re imagining a new life. A cluttered home makes this harder. Here’s why decluttering is essential if you’re preparing to sell:

  1. Clutter Makes Rooms Feel Smaller

Buyers want every room to feel spacious and open. Even if your home is large, clutter can make it feel tight, cramped, and less functional.

  1. Buyers Focus on Your Stuff Instead of the Home

Personal items, piles of mail, kids’ toys, and overstuffed closets distract buyers from the things that actually matter, like layout, finishes, and natural light.

  1. Decluttered Homes Photograph Better

Since most buyers browse online first, great photos are crucial. Clean, clear surfaces and bright, open rooms lead to more clicks, more showings, and more offers.

  1. You’ll Have a Head Start on Moving

Decluttering before listing means less work when the moving truck arrives. It reduces stress and saves money on packing supplies and movers.

Why Decluttering Matters Even If You’re Not Selling

If you’re staying in your home, decluttering offers real, daily benefits:

  1. A Calmer, More Relaxing Environment

Visual clutter can increase stress without us realizing it. Clear spaces promote calm, focus, and relaxation.

  1. Easier Cleaning and Maintenance

The less stuff you have out, the easier it is to dust, vacuum, and keep tidy.

  1. You’ll Know Where Everything Is

A place for everything, and everything in its place—so you spend less time searching.

  1. More Function. More Joy.

Sometimes we get used to living around clutter. When it’s gone, rooms work better and feel more enjoyable.

How to Get Started: A Simple, Stress-Free Approach

Decluttering doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With the right strategy, you can make steady progress that lasts.

  1. Start With a Plan

Go room by room. Write down areas that need attention and prioritize the ones that will make the biggest difference—like the kitchen, living room, primary bedroom, and entryway.

If you’re selling, prioritize the rooms that matter most to buyers.

  1. Set Manageable Time Blocks

Decluttering is a marathon, not a sprint. Try:

  • 20-minute daily sessions
  • Weekend project blocks
  • One space per week

Consistency beats intensity.

  1. Prepare Sorting Categories

Use the classic four-bin method:

  • Keep (items you use and love)
  • Donate
  • Trash
  • Relocate (items you want but that belong somewhere else)
  1. Avoid the “Maybe” Pile

If you’re unsure about an item, consider when you last used it. A simple rule:

  • If you haven’t used it in 12 months, it can probably go.
  • If you didn’t remember you owned it, it can definitely go.
  1. Don’t Buy Storage Bins Yet

Many people make the mistake of buying organizing products before they declutter. First eliminate what you don’t need. Then evaluate what storage is truly necessary.

Room-by-Room Decluttering Guide

Below is a detailed walkthrough of the most common household spaces—and what you should focus on in each.

Entryway: Create a Welcoming First Impression

For sellers, this is the first interior space buyers see. For homeowners, it’s where you start and end each day.

Decluttering Steps
  • Remove excess shoes, coats, backpacks, and bags.
  • Keep only seasonal and frequently used items accessible.
  • Add hooks, a shoe bench, or baskets if needed, but avoid overcrowding.
Pro Tips
  • A clear entryway instantly makes the home feel larger and more organized.
  • Add a clean doormat to catch dirt and reduce mess throughout the home.

Living Room: Showcase Space, Not Stuff

Buyers want to imagine entertaining family and friends. Homeowners want a cozy, functional space.

Decluttering Steps
  • Clear surfaces: coffee tables, side tables, entertainment units.
  • Remove old magazines, remote controls you don’t use, excess décor.
  • Evaluate furniture: fewer pieces often make the room feel larger.
Pro Tips
  • Use decorative baskets for blankets or toys.
  • Consider reducing the number of family photos if you’re selling. Buyers want to picture themselves in the home.

Kitchen: The Heart of the Home—and a Major Selling Feature

A clutter-free kitchen signals cleanliness, care, and usable workspace.

Decluttering Steps
  • Clear countertops as much as possible—keep only daily essentials.
  • Empty junk drawers and reorganize utensils.
  • Donate duplicate gadgets or appliances you rarely use.
  • Clean out the pantry: toss expired items, donate extras.
Pro Tips
  • Matching containers and labels create a polished, organized look.
  • A tidy fridge matters. Buyers often peek inside.

Dining Area: Make Space for Conversation

Buyers want to visualize shared meals. Homeowners want a welcoming space.

Decluttering Steps
  • Clear the table and remove paperwork, mail, or craft projects.
  • Simplify décor; one centerpiece is enough.
  • Edit china cabinets or buffets to avoid overcrowding.
Pro Tips
  • Stage the table lightly when selling (neutral runner, simple centerpiece).

Bedrooms: Create a Calm, Restful Space

Bedrooms should feel like retreats.

Decluttering Steps
  • Remove clothing you don’t wear.
  • Store off-season clothing elsewhere.
  • Clear nightstands.
  • Minimize décor and personal photos if selling.
Pro Tips
  • Neutral bedding photographs beautifully and appeals to buyers.
  • Make the bed daily—it instantly makes the room feel cleaner.

Closets: Buyers Look—So Make Them Count

A closet packed with clothing signals limited storage. A streamlined closet feels luxurious.

Decluttering Steps
  • Remove anything you haven’t worn in a year.
  • Use matching hangers for a clean visual look.
  • Group clothing by type or color.
Pro Tips
  • Leave at least 25–30% open space to make the closet feel larger.
  • This is one of the best ROI decluttering tasks for sellers.

Bathrooms: Small but High-Impact Spaces

A clutter-free bathroom feels spa-like and clean.

Decluttering Steps
  • Store personal care items out of sight.
  • Clear countertops completely except for one or two decorative items.
  • Purge old toiletries, makeup, and medicines.
Pro Tips
  • Fresh towels and a clean shower curtain instantly upgrade the space.
  • When selling, keep bathroom counters empty for showings.

Home Office: Create Focus—For Buyers and Yourself

Work-from-home buyers judge this space carefully.

Decluttering Steps
  • Clear paper piles—go digital when possible.
  • Hide cords and cables.
  • Remove excess décor or large furniture.
Pro Tips
  • A simple desk with a plant and lamp looks clean and inviting.
  • Organized shelves show off storage potential.

Garage and Storage Areas: The Hidden Clutter Zones

These spaces often become dumping grounds, but they matter to buyers and homeowners alike.

Decluttering Steps
  • Donate unused tools, sports equipment, and storage bins.
  • Use shelving or wall hooks to get items off the floor.
  • Sweep, clean, and create open walking paths.
Pro Tips
  • Buyers appreciate a garage that feels functional—not chaotic.
  • Homeowners often rediscover tools and items they forgot they had.

Deep Decluttering Techniques That Make a Real Difference

Beyond general tidying, these proven methods can transform your home.

The “One-Touch Rule”

Handle each item only once. Instead of moving something to a new pile, decide immediately: keep, toss, donate, or relocate.

The 30-Day Minimalism Game

Start with one item on day one, two items on day two, and so on for 30 days. By the end, you’ve decluttered over 400 items.

The “Backwards Hanger” Closet Trick

Turn hangers backward. After you wear an item, face the hanger the correct way. After 6 months, donate anything still reversed.

The 90/90 Rule

If you haven’t used an item in 90 days—and don’t plan to in the next 90—it’s safe to let go.

The “Box Method” for Sentimental Items

Place sentimental items in a box, seal it, and date it. If you don’t open it in a year, you likely don’t need the contents.

Decluttering Tips Specifically for Home Sellers

If you’re preparing to list your home, go a step beyond everyday decluttering.

  1. Remove Excess Furniture

Buyers love floor space. Sell, donate, or store bulky furniture that crowds rooms.

  1. Depersonalize—But Don’t Sterilize

You want the home to feel warm and welcoming, but not overly personal.

  • Remove family photos
  • Remove collections
  • Use neutral décor
  1. Pack Away 70% of What’s in Your Closets

This creates the impression of generous storage.

  1. Create Wide, Clear Pathways

Buyers should be able to walk through every room easily.

  1. Stage Key Areas

A little staging goes a long way:

  • Fresh flowers
  • Neutral pillows
  • Soft throws
  • Clean, unobstructed surfaces

Buyers should walk in and feel like your home is beautifully maintained.

Decluttering Tips for Long-Term Living

If you’re staying in your home, focus on creating sustainable systems.

  1. Adopt a “One In, One Out” Rule

Bring home a new sweater? Donate an old one. New toy? Remove a no-longer-used toy.

  1. Create Drop Zones

Make it easy to stay organized:

  • Basket for keys
  • Tray for mail
  • Hooks for backpacks
  • Drawer dividers for everyday items
  1. Schedule Monthly Mini-Decluttering Sessions (see this Blog Post for two different month-by-month decluttering options)

Spend 20–30 minutes revisiting areas that accumulate clutter:

  • Kitchen counters
  • Coffee tables
  • Nightstands
  • Entryway
  • Bathroom drawers
  1. Embrace Hidden Storage—But Don’t Overstuff

Ottomans, shelving with baskets, under-bed storage, and drawer organizers keep clutter out of sight but accessible.

  1. Make It a Family Routine

Decluttering succeeds long-term when everyone participates.

The Emotional Side of Decluttering

Letting go of items can be harder than expected—especially sentimental ones. Here’s how to soften the process:

  • Keep only the items that bring real joy, not guilt.
  • Photograph sentimental items before letting go.
  • Create a “memory box” for your most precious keepsakes.
  • Remind yourself you’re making space for a cleaner, happier home.

If you’re selling, remember, this is the start of a new chapter.

What to Do with Everything You Declutter

A big part of decluttering is knowing where everything goes.

Donate

Great for items in good condition:

  • Clothing
  • Toys
  • Dishes and kitchenware
  • Linens
  • Furniture
Sell

Use online marketplaces for items with good resale value.

Recycle

Electronics, batteries, cardboard, and plastics should be handled responsibly. Many cities offer free disposal options for residents.

Trash

Some items simply need to go—especially broken or outdated goods.

Decluttering Isn’t Just About Cleaning—It’s About Living Better

Decluttering is one of the most powerful ways to transform your home, whether you’re preparing to sell or simply want to enjoy your space more. It reduces stress, increases functionality, and helps your home shine—both in photos and in everyday life.

If you’re planning to sell, a well-decluttered home can attract more buyers, lead to quicker offers, and even boost your sale price.

If you’re staying, a clutter-free home brings peace, efficiency, and joy.

If you’d like personalized guidance on preparing your home for sale, staging tips, or maximizing your property’s value, I’d be happy to help. Just reach out anytime!

Andrea Hurth

Leave a Comment