Tips from a professional organizer

A graphic of a woman holding a clipboard gesturing towards a house in the background with an open door in various shades of pink and red

When it comes to selling your home, first impressions are everything. A home that feels open, calm, and easy to imagine living in can make all the difference in how quickly it sells and how confident buyers feel about making an offer.

The big picture is simple and proven. Decluttering and thoughtful staging help buyers envision their own lives in your space. Homes that are tidy, airy, and emotionally welcoming tend to sell faster and often for more. Whether listing day is right around the corner or you are planning ahead, these steps can help you prepare your home for showings in a way that feels manageable and supportive.

Do I really have to declutter?

Let’s clear up a major misconception. Decluttering your home in preparation for sale is not about stripping away warmth or making your home look like a showroom. It is not about perfection. It is not about pretending no one lives there.

What we want is clarity rather than clutter, and personality rather than personal items. The goal is a home that still feels lived in, but not buried in stuff. Buyers should feel the emotional invitation of a home that has been loved, while still being able to picture their own future in it.

Sometimes that means boxing up personal items and moving them out of the living area into a storage area while the house is being shown. Every person likes a different amount of stuff in their space, and you may prefer a more layered look and feel than others.

Cluttered toys in a basement with shelves to an after picture of the same area with a clear floor and everything put away with the titles cramped and then clear

Clear Space Without Losing Personality

Buyers walk into a space hoping to experience possibility. They are not looking to see your stacks of paperwork, knick-knacks, or cluttered countertops. They want to sense freshness, space, and potential for ownership.

Empty rooms can be cold. Overfilled rooms are overwhelming. The sweet spot is a balanced space with hints of personality and lots of breathing room. As a Cleveland home organizer and decluttering professional, I help homeowners find that middle zone that truly makes rooms shine.

Keep a few items out on flat surfaces or the walls, no more than 3 or 4 per surface. Items that are less personal are best, for example candles or pretty knickknacks instead of extremely personal items that may not be as visually pleasing.

a graphic of a woman with her hands out and light bulbs around her like she is having new ideas in shades of pinks and reds

Creating a clutter-free mindset

Before the bins and boxes come out, I encourage clients to start with a mental shift. Selling a home can stir up memories, emotions, and even a little internal resistance. That is part of the process and part of being human.

Here are some mindset anchors I recommend embracing:

Priorities
What actually needs to stay out, and what can be tucked away. Focus on what supports the sale.

Caring
This is your home. Your things tell the story of your life. Treat yourself kindly while editing.

Temporary
This stage of living lightly is not forever. It is a short-term reset with a long-term benefit.

Non Judgmental
We do not place labels on items or habits. We simply assess, sort, and move forward.

What Else
Ask yourself how you want buyers to feel in your space. Calm. Light. Spacious. Organized. That feeling becomes your guide. I often think of what I want in a hotel room or AirBnB, we all want to experience more of that vacation feeling.

a picture of linens and toilet paper on a shelves that says "open spaces feel breatheable" and another picture of a home office with a desk chair and clean desktop that says "clear surfaces show potential"

Your Pre-Listing Declutter Checklist

These small shifts have a huge real estate impact:

Clear Counters and Floors

If it is not essential, remove it. Open surfaces immediately expand the perceived size of your home. Clutter can often hide on the floors next to, behind, and around other furniture pieces. We may become blind to these piles, but others aren’t!

Cupboards and Drawers

Buyers often look inside. A tidy cabinet suggests trustworthiness and storage capacity.

Store It or Remove It

If it is not visually appealing or regularly needed, it can be boxed for the move. You cannot keep everything out and expect visual clarity.

Room to Breathe

Allow negative space. Open shelves with fewer objects create visual calm and mental ease.

Small Aesthetic Touches

Align books by height. Choose a neutral palette. Keep only a few well-placed objects visible. Simple and intentional beats busy every time.

Clutter-Free Homes Sell Fast!

Decluttering for a home sale is about more than neatness. It is about reducing distractions, maximizing visual space, and creating emotional resonance for buyers. When your home looks calm and organized, the buyer feels calm and confident.

And that confidence often translates directly into stronger offers, quicker selling timelines, and a more positive selling experience for you.

If you are preparing to list your home and want support, or if you simply want a living space that feels lighter and more peaceful, I am here to help.