Warning: Use these 5 Sure-fire Decluttering Tips at Your Own Risk.

If you find yourself with a home that's currently on the market, or you're just about to take the plunge and face the property market head on, then it's quite possible that you've at least considered have a good clean out and cutting down on some of your ‘stuff'.

Oh, you won't hear any argument from me; tips on decluttering your home are a dime a dozen. Usually the information is fairly standard. Cleaning, deciding where to start, what to keep, what to throw out, give away, what to put it in and then where to put. You get the picture - don't you? If not here's an article on that side of things you might like.

That's ok. Stick with them; I dare say you'll need them sooner or later. I'm hoping to get you to think about this process from a different angle than you're perhaps used to. We aren't going to be talking about the nuts and bolts (trust me, you'll need a container for those), so much here, but the in's and out's. We'll be talking quite a bit about the relationship you have with your clutter.  

I won't promise you that it's going to be pretty; I will promise you that it's going to be completely necessary. Ready?

First things first.

1. Define your clutter (aka clutter physiology)

Clutter means different things to different people. To a real estate buyer, the term generally refers to the years of accumulated ‘odds and ends' that home owners tend to have around them. You can bet that these things are of little use to anyone but the owners themselves. For example; clothing that doesn't fit, collectables of any kind (yes, of any kind), books, magazines, toys, videos, DVD's, craft ‘bits', old birthday cards, presents you have no use for, 100's of photos, old baby clothes, old shoes, tools and so the list goes on and on. Yet, far too many sellers insist on hanging on to this stuff at sale time. The end result is house hunters feel claustrophobic and stressed.

2. What's with the clutter? (aka clutter psychology #1)

Ever wondered why you're hanging on to the things you hang on to? For most people there's some kind of emotional connection. Guilt, perhaps some whimsy. The very thought of throwing something away causes you anxiety as you imagine part of yourself being lost with that 'special' piece. For those things that are very special to you, consider starting up a scrapbook, journal or keepsake box. For things like cards an letters you can paste those straignt into your scrapbook and make a few notes about that time. For things like a favourite sweater, or baby outfit, grab your camera and take a photo, then add your photo to your scrapbook. Again, write a few lines to help you and others to remember that time. For those things you've collected because you think you'll have a use for down the track, ask yourself how long you've had it. If it's more than 2 -3 months it's time to get rid of it.

3. When to Declutter? (aka clutter psychology #2)

We're talking about the ‘P' word - procrastination. Putting off today what should be done tomorrow. Only tomorrow never comes. It's all because you feel overwhelmed. This is where planning comes into it. Break it down into smaller chunks (see our next tip), and then get some help from family or a friend.

4. What will be yours and your buyer's needs?

Think about the rooms you have and your immediate needs while your house is on the market, and what buyers want to see'. Let's take the kitchen as an example. You'll of course need food on hand, and some food preparation and cooking equipment, along with some serving ware. Buyers of an occupied home expect to see these things in a kitchen, and they like to know how they fit into the space.  This leaves things like out of date food, 15 different pots and serving dishes, 4 dinner sets, umpteen drinking glasses, personal papers and anything else rarely uses to be packed away until you move, thrown away or donated. Take this similar ‘what are my immediate needs & what do buyers want to see' approach to the other rooms in your house.

5. The time factor - tear through like a hurricane or flow like a gentle breeze?

If you intend to sell, then you may have to prepare yourself for the most frenzied de-cluttering weekend you've ever had. It can feel a bit like a hurricane in that sense; really intense, but thankfully short.  Just remember your plan and get all the help you can possibly muster. If you're the procrastinating type, then the ‘gentle breeze' approach may be the best and least painful way to go. Go room by room or even drawer by drawer if it helps. Take your camera with you as you go and try to make the most of it. And put a time limit on the process. Reward yourself at the end, with some scrapbook time.

Have you got any de-cluttering tips or experiences you'd like to share?

Donna Ross

Great Impressions Real Estate Staging & Consulting

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