01/22/2026
Even a beautiful home can turn off buyers if it's cluttered
Key Takeaways
Clear out clutter by purging unnecessary items like old cosmetics, mismatched lids, and seasonal decor not in use.
Remove personal and potentially sensitive items like political or religious decor, wedding photos, and documents with your name.
Minimize furniture and pet items to showcase square footage and reduce odors or allergens, especially before showings.
Your home may have the most charming character and the best bones, but if it’s cluttered with stuff, it’s possible a buyer won’t even notice or care. That’s why sellers pay professionals like Lynne Rhea, certified home stager and founder of Mombo Interiors in Austin, Texas, to help them. Not in your budget? Not a problem. To help you DIY the home staging process, Rhea spilled the top eight things she and her team always remove before a showing or open house.
Unnecessary Kitchen and Bathroom Items
“We like cabinets and drawers to be tidy and two-thirds full, showing a buyer how much is in there and how much space is left,” Rhea explains. She recommends purging “gimme” cups, mismatched lids, old cosmetics, etc., and pre-packing any items you won’t need for the next 90 days.·
Seasonal Clothing and Decor
If it's summer, there’s no reason to stuff the hall closet with winter coats. And if it’s spring, the tubs of Halloween decor you typically stack in your guest bedroom aren’t necessary either. These bulky things can easily be stashed somewhere else once showings start, and you won’t miss them at all.
Personal Items
Political merch, religious decor, important documents, anything with your name on it—Rhea says it should all go. “You want a buyer to envision themselves here and not wonder about you,” she explains. “I especially remind people about wedding photos or kids photos—the buyer coming through may be divorced, suffering a loss, or simply experiencing a different life than yours.”
Unnecessary Children’s Items
Kids have a lot of stuff, and even though it seems like it, not everything is necessary. Whether it’s clothes from your oldest that don’t quite fit your youngest or toys that aren’t getting a lot of love right now, all buyers are going to see is clutter. You’ll be amazed at how much space you get back, and maybe even inspired to donate some of it.
Extra Furniture
When you’re trying to sell a home, less furniture really is more. “Remember, you’re selling square footage and want spaces to look large,” Rhea says. That’s why she takes away anything that impedes flow, is repetitive (how many armchairs does one living room need?), or makes a space overly multipurpose.
Exterior Clutter
The exterior is a buyer’s first impression of your home, and if it’s not a positive one, there’s a good chance they’re not going to feel excited about the interior. From lawn equipment and dead plants to yard signs and outdoor toys, there are a lot of things that can compromise curb appeal. (Bonus points if you can have your lawn mowed and plants pruned before your next open house!)
Anything That Will Be Donated
If there’s anything in your home that doesn’t add value, you might as well get rid of it now. “When a seller’s furniture is worn, I ask if they’re taking it with them to their new home, and they often say no,” Rhea explains. “If you don’t see the value, neither will a buyer, and it can actually deter them from seeing value in other areas.”·
Pet Items
Big crates in the corner of your bedroom and litter boxes hiding in the bathroom should find another place for showings. In addition to adding visual clutter, your pet’s belongings usually don’t smell the best. Plus, if a potential buyer has allergies, they might be discouraged from putting in an offer.
