9 things property stagers eliminate from your home to sell it.
I recently encountered an annoyed friend who’d had a property stager give her unwelcome advice. The friend was offended that they suggested she remove family photos and other signs of her humanity. I told her to ignore the advice at her own peril. Selling your home is a business transaction, not a personal matter. Real Estate agents work on commission, so they want a great outcome as much as you do. She could be leaving thousands of dollars on the table by not complying.
Professional property stagers know exactly what to remove to help potential buyers envisage themselves living in your space. And your wedding photos from 2002 will be the first to go.
1. Family photos
The reason: Your family memories are precious to you, but they’re visual distractions for buyers. When potential purchasers see your personal photos, they’re reminded that this is your home, not theirs. Stagers remove all personal photographs to create a neutral canvas where anyone can imagine their own life unfolding.
The staging trick: Replace family photos with generic artwork or leave walls clean and minimal. This helps buyers focus on the home’s features rather than wondering where you got your puffy-sleeved wedding dress from.
2. Mail and paperwork
The reason: Piles of mail, bills, and paperwork are a reminder of the drudgery of life in your home. Even neatly stacked papers suggest ongoing responsibilities and clutter. Stagers know that visible paperwork makes spaces feel smaller and less organised than they actually are.
The staging trick: Clear all surfaces of paper completely. Store mail in closed drawers or filing systems. The goal is surfaces that look effortlessly maintained, not actively used for daily life admin.
3. Cables and wires
The reason: Nothing says “real life clutter” like tangled charging cables, computer cords, and entertainment system wiring. These everyday necessities create visual noise that distracts from your home’s clean lines and architectural features.
The staging trick: Hide all visible cables behind furniture, use cable management systems, or temporarily relocate electronics. The space should look sleek and uncluttered like a display home.
4. Laundry, clothes and baskets
The reason: Laundry baskets, clothes draped over chairs, or garments hanging around suggest ongoing household chores. Buyers want to imagine a lifestyle of ease, not endless domestic maintenance. Even clean laundry waiting to be put away sends a message that life is hard.
The staging trick: Hang clothing in wardrobes and remove it from view. Laundry baskets should disappear entirely during showings. Pop them in your car if you need – or better still, declutter your cupboards ruthlessly so there is a home for them.
5. Jackets and shoes at the door
The reason: The entryway creates buyers’ crucial first impression. Coats hanging on hooks, shoes scattered by the door, and bags dumped on console tables immediately communicate “busy family life” rather than “serene home sanctuary.”
The staging trick: Clear entryways completely except for one or two decorative elements. Put shoes and clothes neatly in wardrobes so that the entry feels spacious and welcoming rather than messy.
6. Toiletries on the bathroom benchtop
The reason: Personal care products, medications, and daily toiletries make bathrooms feel cramped and overly personal. Buyers don’t want to think about your morning acne routine – they want to envision their own spa-like experience.
The staging trick: Store all toiletries in cabinets and drawers. Leave benchtops completely clear except perhaps for one beautiful soap dispenser or a small plant. The bathroom should feel like a luxury hotel.
7. Visible food in the kitchen
The reason: Cereal boxes, snack packages, and everyday food items on counters make kitchens look smaller and more visually distracting. A carefully curated fruit bowl is an exception, suggesting abundance and healthy living.
The staging trick: Clear all packaged foods from view. Store everything in pantries and cabinets. A single bowl of fresh, colourful fruit on the counter is a welcome addition.
8. Excess appliances on the benchtop
The reason: Coffee makers, toasters, blenders, and other small appliances crowd bench space and make benchtops appear smaller and more functional than aspirational. Stagers want buyers to see expansive prep space, not a working kitchen mid-task.
The staging trick: Stow away all but perhaps one signature appliance (like a high-end espresso machine). Counters should look spacious and ready for the buyer’s own culinary feats.
9. Fridge magnets
The reason: Refrigerator doors covered in magnets, children’s artwork, shopping lists, and family schedules scream “busy household command centre.” This level of personal organisation makes it harder for buyers to imagine the space as their own.
The staging trick: Strip the refrigerator completely clean. The surface should gleam without any personal touches.
Conclusion
These 9 things property stagers eliminate from your home to sell it work because they tap into buyers’ emotional decision-making process. When people walk through your home, they’re not just evaluating square footage and layout – they’re trying to imagine their future life there. Your home should signify a relaxed and aesthetically pleasing lifestyle that buyers aspire to have, as well as a home with enough inbuilt storage that your personal belongings need not be on display. Every personal item you leave visible makes the imagination process a little bit harder.
So don’t be offended that buyers aren’t interested in your life. Instead, fill your car with all the wall, benchtop and floor clutter – and drive far away to let the real estate agents do what they do best – sell your buyers a dream.
