This can be perplexing to some, especially those of us who are practical by nature. The Staging profession has put me in the front-line dealing with clutter-bugs, and over the years I have gained a small understanding of this type of client. But what do you do about a clutter bug? What is it about clutter that is so comforting to these people? Here are the top 10 reasons clutter-bugs resist purging, short of having some sort of psychosis.
- Sentimental attachment - they like the piece and it reminds them of someone they loved
- Feeling of Abundance - they feel rich and abundant surrounded by their things
- Collection-aholics - they collect for the sake of collecting, ugly or beautiful, they collect it
- Why throw out what they paid good money for - these folks are practical; they may need it "one day"
- Sacrificed Too Much Already - these folks have been through a depression or a war or a fire, and have lost everything at least once
- It's a Shield - these people believe their things protect them and keep bad luck and bad people away
- Defensive Pride - some just hang on to everything just to be stubborn and to get their own way, even if it no longer makes sense to keep the items
- Too Tired to Deal with It - yes, just plain lazy
- Stuff = Identity - many wrap their concept of who they are in their things; if they throw this item away, then who are they?
- Obligatory Displays - some have been on the receiving end of a lot of knick-knacks and "tchatchkas", and are afraid of offending anyone by not displaying them
When staging a property, I don't feel it is my "place" to offer counselling when it comes to clutter so my typical line is "we will use this staging strategy just while the house is listed so it will appeal to a lot of people. When the house is sold, you can go back to living, surrounded by your belongings." The client usually heaves a great sigh of relief - they suddenly realize I am not there to change them or criticize the way they live. I am there simply to help them sell their house.
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