If you're preparing to list your home in Northern Virginia, one of the most important first steps is decluttering before selling. Whether you live in Fairfax, Springfield, or Burke, buyers want to walk into a space that feels clean, open, and inviting. As a top real estate team in Fairfax County, Debbie Dogrul Associates helps hundreds of clients each year prepare their homes for a fast, high-value sale. Our expert staging declutter tips can make your home stand out online and in person.
So, what are the top things to remove before listing your home?
1. Personal Photos and Items
📸 Take down family portraits, children's artwork, and personalized décor. Buyers need to imagine themselves in the home, not feel like they’re visiting someone else’s space.
2. Excess Furniture
🛋️ Too much furniture can make rooms feel smaller. Remove oversized pieces, extra seating, and duplicate furniture to open up the space.
3. Cluttered Counters and Surfaces
🍽️ Kitchen and bathroom counters should be nearly bare. Remove appliances, personal products, and anything that doesn’t add to the aesthetic.
🕯️ A few well-placed accessories like a candle or a small plant are fine, but less is more.
4. Storage Overflow
🚪 Closets, pantries, and garage spaces should not be packed. Buyers peek inside. Show them how much storage your home really has by making space.
📦 Consider renting a short-term storage unit for boxes, seasonal items, and anything nonessential.
5. Outdated or Distracting Décor
🎨 That bright orange accent wall or bold rug might be your style, but it might not appeal to buyers. Stick with neutral tones and simple textures that photograph well.
🚫 Also remove themed décor like sports teams, political items, or religious artwork to avoid distracting buyers.
6. Pet Items and Signs of Pets
🐶 Remove pet beds, food bowls, litter boxes, and any signs of shedding. Not all buyers are pet lovers, and pet odors can be a big turn-off.
🧼 Deep clean to eliminate pet-related odors and dander before every showing.
7. Personal Collections
📚 Collections like figurines, books, or memorabilia can be visually overwhelming. Keep surfaces clean and streamlined to enhance visual space.
🎯 Buyers focus better on the home, not your items, when collections are packed away.
8. Small Appliances and Excess Kitchenware
🍞 Toasters, coffee makers, and knife blocks should be put away. Clean countertops make the kitchen feel larger and more luxurious.
🔪 Only leave out one or two clean, modern-looking items if necessary.
Why Decluttering Makes a Big Impact
Here’s how removing the right items affects your sale:
Benefit | What It Means |
Faster sale | Buyers focus on the home, not your stuff |
Higher offers | Clean, open spaces feel more premium |
Better photos | Less clutter equals more light and space in images |
Less stress later | You've already started the packing process |
Why Work With Debbie Dogrul Associates
At Debbie Dogrul Associates, we go beyond listing. We help you prepare your home for success. As a top Realtor in Northern Virginia, our team includes listing specialists who guide you through the entire staging process.
- We help you identify what to remove and what to keep
- We connect you with haulers, storage, and donation services
- We bring staging accessories that match today’s buyer preferences
- We make sure your home looks its best before it hits the market
With thousands of homes sold in Fairfax County and across Northern Virginia, we know exactly what buyers are looking for.
Final Thoughts
The question isn’t whether to declutter. It’s what to remove. From personal items to pet gear, making space is one of the most valuable things you can do before listing. Trust Team DDA to help you present your home at its best.
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