How can we help you declutter to sell your home?
Declutter Tips to Help Sell Your Home
How Nashville’s Leading Professional Organizers Help Homes Show (and Sell) Better
If you’re preparing to sell your home in Nashville, decluttering is one of the most powerful — and often overlooked — steps you can take to increase your home’s appeal, reduce moving stress, and even impact your bottom line.
At A Fresh Space, Nashville’s go-to experts in home organizing, decluttering, and move concierge services, we specialize in getting homes market-ready by transforming cluttered, lived-in spaces into clean, open, and buyer-friendly showplaces. We partner directly with realtors and homeowners to streamline this crucial process — because an organized home doesn’t just look better, it sells better.
In this post, we’ll share why decluttering before listing matters, the top 10 areas people forget to declutter, and expert tips to help you avoid these common mistakes.
Declutter Tips to Help Sell Your Home
Why Decluttering Before Selling Matters
Decluttering your home before selling isn’t just about tidiness — it’s about creating a space that buyers can envision as theirs. And the benefits go beyond aesthetics:
Higher Offers: Clean, clutter-free homes are perceived as more spacious and well-maintained, often resulting in better offers.
Faster Sales: Homes that show well move faster. Period.
Lower Moving Costs: The less you bring with you, the less you have to pack, transport, and unpack.
Less Stress: Starting the moving process early with decluttering makes the entire transition smoother.
And yet, many sellers unintentionally sabotage their listing by overlooking key spaces that do impact buyer impressions. It’s not just about the open spaces which may look amazing in the photos, but what happens when buyers come to look at the house and every space is cluttered and disorganized? Not the impression you want to give!
A few things to keep in mind
- buyers will always open the most cluttered drawer first (it’s a known fact….)
- buyers will open just about any cabinet or drawer that is built in
- buyers rarely will open a free standing piece of furniture – they may but it’s not likely
- buyers will open the fridge
- buyers will stick their head in every closet and often the attic – they aren’t hanging around usually but they are taking a peek
- buyers notice your stuff when it fills the space – and even though it won’t be there when they are – it gives the impression that their stuff won’t fit
And a few extra bonus tips
- buyers will notice bad odors – so having a friend do a sniff test is critical because you can’t smell your own space
- don’t go overboard with fake scents or air fresheners – many people are allergic or find them distracting
- pay attention to litter boxes, dog poop in the yard, and things like sourdough starters or kombucha – these are all things that can develop odors or things that could be perceived as gross
Our Expert Tips
Top 10 Decluttering Mistakes to Avoid When Selling Your Home
1. Ignoring Closets, Drawers, and Cabinets
Why it matters: Buyers will open closets, drawers, and built-in cabinets. Overstuffed spaces signal “not enough storage.”
Pro Tip: Edit by at least 50%. Use matching bins and hangers to create a uniform, spacious feel. Bin up out of season items to free up space. And folded clothes look better than a bunch of stuff jammed in a drawer.
2. Leaving Personal Items on Display
Why it matters: Family photos, awards, or niche décor distract buyers from seeing the home as theirs. Plus you don’t really need them to know who you are….
Pro Tip: Pack away all personal items. Keep décor neutral and minimal.
3. Overlooking the Garage
Why it matters: A garage packed with boxes, tools, or holiday décor piled on the floor screams “no storage” — even if it’s a large space. People will wonder how they can park a car in there.
Pro Tip: Declutter and organize tools, lawn gear, and seasonal items. Invest in shelving and matching bins if needed. Get rid of old paint, building materials, and anything you won’t need when you move – think outgrown kids sports gear and broken yard tools.
4. Forgetting the Laundry Room
Why it matters: Buyers love functional laundry areas. Cluttered counters or overflowing hampers diminish appeal and don’t feel clean – and clean is what you want in a laundry room!
Pro Tip: Clear off surfaces, tidy supplies in labeled bins & containers, and make the space feel fresh.
5. Crowded Kitchen Counters
Why it matters: Kitchens sell homes — but only if they look spacious and functional.
Pro Tip: Only keep out the daily use items like a coffee pot and tuck the rest away. A few decorative items go a long way – do not over accessorize in here!
6. Ignoring Under The Sink or Hidden Spots
Why it matters: Buyers are nosy! Clutter in hidden spots makes them question how well the home is maintained.
Pro Tip: Use bins to corral clutter, and organize under sinks with stackable containers or turntables.
7. Not Decluttering Kids’ Rooms or Play Areas
Why it matters: Even family-friendly buyers want to see space, not toy overload.
Pro Tip: Rotate toys by binning up categories, remove excess, and store what’s left in labeled bins or baskets. Simplify bookshelves and make them look charming and accessible. Keep the floor as clear as possible. Check out our How To Organize A Playroom Guide!
8. Leaving the Home Office in Disarray
Why it matters: With more people working from home, buyers are scrutinizing these areas.
Pro Tip: Clear papers, cords, and personal files. Stage as a calm, productive zone.
Bonus Pro (Safety) Tip: Make sure your electronic devices are powered off and have passwords before showing your house. Never leave your data unprotected. And don’t ever leave any personal mail or papers out or visible.
9. Skipping the Entryway or Mudroom
Why it matters: First impressions count. A messy entry makes the whole home feel chaotic.
Pro Tip: Remove excess shoes, coats, and bags (and honestly, all of them). Add baskets or a bench to create at least the illusion of order.
10. Too Much Furniture & Decor
Why it matters: Over furnished rooms feel smaller and the buyers aren’t here to see your tchotchkes.
Pro Tip: Remove extra chairs, side tables, or large pieces to open up the space. Use rugs and lighting to define zones. Minimize accessories and decor – no more than 3 to a surface including lamps (though a stack of books can count as one).
Declutter Tips to Help Sell Your Home
The Secret to a Stunning Listing: Partnering with A Fresh Space
At A Fresh Space, we go beyond basic decluttering — we help homeowners and realtors in Nashville, Brentwood, and Franklin:
Declutter and organize every room before photography or showings
Create smart storage systems that highlight the home’s potential
Remove personal distractions so buyers can envision themselves in the space
Coordinate donation pickups and haul-aways for unwanted items
Streamline the move by leaving only what you truly want in your next home
We also work hand-in-hand with real estate agents, taking the burden of prepping the home off their shoulders. Realtors love referring us because we get results — faster listings, smoother closings, and happier clients.
Book a Home Sale Decluttering Consultation
Getting Ready to Sell Your Home in Nashville? Let’s Make It Shine.
Selling your home is a big step — don’t let clutter hold you back from making the best first impression. Whether you’re downsizing, relocating, or just need help sorting through it all, our team at A Fresh Space is here to help your home stand out and sell with confidence.
Let us help you prep your Nashville-area home for a successful sale.
👉 Contact A Fresh Space to get started!
