Yesterday I had a home staging consultation with a delightful gentleman whose home had been on the market for some time. When we started talking about decluttering, removing photos and storing sentimental items, it was easy to see the process could become overwhelming. Our client saw the value of de-cluttering and knew if he could have better listing photos, he would have a better chance of more showings.
We like to help our clients break down the process into easy steps. Often when the entire job is overwhelming, it is daunting to start and nothing gets done! Here are a few tips we know work to help keep the decluttering process less intimidating!
- Get boxes in different sizes, a good taper, markers.
- Start with an easy task – it gets a good momentum going.
- Recognize that often decluttering can bring up difficult emotions – especially if it involves a parent’s estate, loss of a loved one or a move that isn’t looked forward to. Invite a friend to help, put on favorite music and remember this is an important step to achieving your goals.
- Decide how you work best – is it best to tackle a entire day or start with 1 hour every evening?
- Set the timer and work for just 20 minutes in one area – you’ll be amazed at what you can accomplish.
- Tell yourself that you won’t turn on the television (read that book, play with kids) until one box is packed and stored correctly.
- Make “donate” and “discard” boxes (keep them in the hall so you see them all the time), and every time you see something you really don’t love, need or want to move – place it in that box immediately.
- If you are on the phone or have just a few minutes organize a closet, clean out a drawer.
- Don’t have time to go through everything? Pack up items that need to be sorted through in one box and label box well. They can be sorted later when there isn’t time pressure.
- Fill the garbage can and recycle can each week to the brim.
- Resist buying more items and use up what you have!
- Get help from a professional. We have one designer on our team who is an expert packer and organizer. She works often side by side with clients or also organizes for estate sales. Having someone who declutters for a living makes the process easy!
By the time we were done with our consultation, a new action plan was in place and the “light at the end of the tunnel” was in plain view. Our client wasn’t overwhelmed but inspired that within a few weeks he was confident his home would be ready for new listing photos.
Most clients we work with actually love it once their home is less cluttered and feel it was well worth the efforts – even if they weren’t selling! What is keeping you from living a simpler life or your home selling? Often decluttering can be the culprit!
Need help getting more showings to your home or creating a more inspired interior? Don’t know where to start? Margaret Oscilia is a Professional Home Stager with Creative Concepts – Home Staging and Contracting serving Salem Oregon and surrounding areas who specializes in helping home sellers stage to sell and homeowners to transform their homes from ordinary to extraordinary. Services range from staging and paint color consultations, providing rental furniture and decor for vacant homes, re-designing occupied homes to managing remodeling projects.
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