How Decluttering Your Home Can Help You Sell It For A Higher Price

Selling a home in the UK is all about making a strong first impression - and nothing turns buyers off faster than clutter.

Whether you're in London, Manchester, or a countryside village, decluttering can make your home look bigger, brighter, and more appealing, helping you sell faster and potentially for a higher price.

Why Decluttering Works

If you’re wondering whether decluttering really makes a difference, the statistics say yes:

Homes that are decluttered and well-staged sell three times faster than cluttered properties, according to a report by Home Staging Association UK & Ireland.

A study found that buyers take just eight seconds to decide if they like a home, meaning a tidy and open space is key to winning them over.

With the UK’s property market as competitive as ever, a little pre-sale tidying could mean thousands of pounds more in the final sale price.

Start with the ‘Big Impact’ Zones

Not all clutter is created equal. Some areas matter more than others when it comes to first impressions.

Focus on:

The entrance & hallway - buyers form an opinion within seconds. keep it clear, bright, and inviting.
The living room - this is the heart of the home. remove excess furniture, personal items, and bulky décor to create a spacious and welcoming feel.
The kitchen - buyers love kitchens. store away small appliances, clear countertops, and organise cabinets—people will open them.
Bedrooms - a clutter-free bedroom should feel relaxing. hide away personal items, make the bed with neutral bedding, and keep wardrobes neat.
Bathrooms - nobody wants to see a jumble of half-used shampoo bottles. minimalism is key - a clean, spa-like space is more appealing.

If time is short, start with the areas buyers will see first. These set the tone for the rest of the viewing.

Use the ‘One-Year Rule’ for Decluttering

A good rule of thumb for deciding what to keep is the One-Year Rule - if you haven’t used it in the last 12 months, it’s time to donate, sell, or store it away.

Clothes that haven’t been worn should be donated.
Extra furniture that makes rooms feel cramped can be sold or placed in storage.
Papers, magazines, and random trinkets should be recycled or discarded.
Seasonal items, such as Christmas decorations, ski gear, or summer sports equipment, should be moved to storage.

A clutter-free home makes it easier for buyers to imagine themselves living there, which is key to securing offers.

Store, Don’t Stuff

One of the biggest mistakes sellers make is shoving everything into cupboards or the loft.

However, buyers will check inside storage areas, and overstuffed wardrobes or cluttered cupboards can give the impression that the home lacks storage space.

A better solution is to use temporary storage.

Storage-by-the-box services allow sellers to pack up excess items and have them collected and stored off-site until they move. This keeps the home looking clean, spacious, and ready for viewing.

Once the home is sold, the stored boxes can be delivered to the new property, making moving even easier.

Keep It Neutral

While a home should not feel empty, too many personal touches - like family photos, bold décor, or niche collections - can make it harder for buyers to picture themselves living there.

A few simple changes can help:

Replace bold wall colours with neutral tones such as light greys, whites, or soft beiges.
Swap out personal photos for generic, stylish artwork.
Remove niche décor, as not all buyers will share the same tastes.

The goal is to create a blank canvas where buyers can picture their future life.

Final Viewing-Day Checklist

Before each viewing, do a quick decluttering reset:

Clear kitchen counters, leaving only essential items such as a kettle or a plant.
Make all beds with fresh, neutral bedding.
Empty bins to eliminate any unpleasant odours.
Put away pet items, as not all buyers will appreciate seeing dog beds or litter trays.
Remove shoes, bags, and anything that does not belong in the space.

Fresh flowers, a lightly scented candle, or a clean citrus smell can make the home feel even more inviting.

Declutter Now, Profit Later

Decluttering might take some effort, but it is one of the easiest and best ways to increase a home’s value before selling.

A cleaner, more open space can:

Make the home feel bigger
Help buyers form an emotional connection
Reduce time on the market
Potentially add thousands to the sale price

For those who need somewhere to store excess belongings while preparing their home for sale, a storage-by-the-box service offers a simple, flexible solution.

With collection, secure storage, and delivery back to the new home, it is the easiest way to declutter without losing valuable possessions.

Declutter now, impress buyers, and achieve the best possible price for your home.

Looking for cost-effective and flexible storage? The Box Co. charges for storage by the box, starting from just 79p per week! Visit The Box Co. to find out more.