Canberra experts weigh in on the selling power of decluttering your home

There’s one side benefit of selling a home – it provides a chance to assess all that accumulated stuff and decide what has to go.

Stephen Thompson of LJ Hooker Manuka says the key reason to declutter is to enable a buyer to dream.

“When they step into the home, they need the space to be able to imagine living there,” he says.

“That’s a motivation to edit the space. Decluttering should also open up the home to reveal its true potential.”

Thompson says if people aren’t sure where to start, a third party, like their agent, can be invaluable.

“Home owners can be, understandably, too close to a home. It’s not about what they think, it’s about the potential buyer’s perception.”

Melinda Jamieson and Suzy Piani of Sold On Styling are at the forefront of home presentation.

Jamieson agrees that over-personalisation can work against a sale with some buyers.

“Buyers don’t want to be reminded that it’s someone else’s home,” she says.

“The composition of each room should be interesting to the eye yet feel homely, inviting and warm.”

Piani has a checklist of no-nos for every home seller.

“Be alert to furniture which impedes traffic flow or is the wrong scale for the room,” she says.

“Dark or heavy or outdated pieces of furniture can visually shrink the size of a room. Consider replacing those with lighter pieces.”

Piani says soft furnishings can warm spaces and add colour and texture.

“These can tie all the elements together,” she says.

Less is more

• Cleanliness. If there’s one detail buyers notice it is whether a home has been kept clean as that’s an indicator as to how well it’s been maintained. Time to apply the elbow grease.
• Balance. Decluttering can go too far. Aim for a happy balance where your home reveals its clean lines, but still expresses personality through photos, art, rugs, throws and other soft furnishings.
• Go pro. Arrange a consultation with a creative stylist. Someone with an objective perspective who will retain the personality of your home while decluttering, reorganising and adding the power of wow.

Allhomes’ top pick of ‘decluttered’ homes for sale:

Yarralumla

8 Gunn Street

Price guide: $4 million +

5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, 8 car spaces

Clean, crisp geometric lines and generous, light-filled spaces characterise this modernist-influenced luxury residence in leafy Yarralumla.

The three-level, award-winning residence has something for every family member, beginning with a basement car park for up to eight vehicles.

There’s nearly 400 square metres of living in this showcase home that features soaring ceilings and a restrained colour palette throughout the open plan living, dining and family areas.

A spacious gourmet kitchen acts as the hub of the home with Quantum quartz benchtops, high-end Miele appliances including two dishwashers, integrated refrigerator and a large walk-in butler’s pantry.

All bedrooms incorporate en suites, while the two on the upper level also have walk-in wardrobes and dual balconies and share a rumpus area.

The luxurious ground floor master bedroom features an en suite with a free-standing black Apaiser marble bath, double shower and luxury open wardrobe, all of which can be separated from the bedroom by Soji glass sliding doors.

At the front of the residence is an executive study that overlooks parkland and can be used as a large fifth bedroom.

Outdoor entertaining features a kitchen area, gas fireplace and large sun-drenched patio. The cherry on top is a sparkling resort-style swimming pool with spa.

The 221-square-metre garage has internal access, a cellar/storage room, powder room and a viewing window into the pool.

Expressions of interest:  close 4.15pm, March 27

Agent: LJ Hooker Manuka, Stephen Thompson 0418 626 254