You've been cleaning the house as you prepare to sell, and then you open the dreaded, overflowing closet. Ugh! Our closets tend to be so full they're nearly bursting at the seams. The steps provided in this article will help you eliminate cluttered closets so you, and the future homeowner, can be proud of them.
To pare down the contents of your closets, start by removing EVERYTHING. I know that's a lot to ask, especially if your closets are overflowing. Hear me out. If you know exactly what's in your closet, it will be easier to get rid of a lot of it. Do you need 6 rain jackets? Could you donate or consign the athletic shoes that you hardly ever wear? When was the last time you used that tennis racquet?
As you look at everything you've stuffed in your closet, ask yourself if there is a purpose for these things in your life. For example, I have 12 winter scarves, but I only need 3 or 4 (winter is cold here!). Remember, you want to create a beautiful home for the future homeowner. As the potential homebuyer tours your home, they will open the closets. Be ready!
"Before" Photo
Take a "before" photo of your closet. An image of all of the clutter, disorganized shelves, and shoes in piles will forever remind you that you don't want your closet to look like this again. Your closet deserves better.
Organize
Before sorting through everything in your closet, set up a couple of bins or boxes. One will be labeled a "keep" box, the other will be a "donate" box. Finally, you will need a trash bag for everything you're going to part with forever.
Homebuyers will open the closet doors, so why not be prepared.
Clean
Once you've emptied the closet, wipe it down and vacuum cobwebs from upper and lower corners. How does it make you feel to see the space clean and free of objects? Typically we feel lighter and excited about keeping it from getting cluttered again.
Sort
When sorting through the contents of your closet, think about which items you use regularly and which items bring you happiness. A lot of the things in your closet may have been there for years, completely forgotten. How would it feel to get rid of those things? Think minimalist, at least to some degree, and consider asking yourself, "does an object bring you joy?" (Marie Kondo). If you're holding onto a pair of gloves your sister gave you that you'll never wear (true story) and they don't bring you joy (of course they don't), donate them.
If your "keep" pile grows faster than the "donate" and garbage pile, you need to stop and re-evaluate. After you've sorted everything, re-sort the "keep" pile. Most of us will find items we can get rid of, including 2 of 3 black fleece jackets or that one boot that doesn't have a match.
"After" Photo
Put your "keep" items back in the closet and take an "after" photo. Then, compare it to the "before" photo. Amazing! Am I right? Text your photo to family and friends and celebrate the moment. Heck, post it on social media and give yourself a massive pat on the back. Use the picture to motivate yourself to clean out other closets and your pantry.
Dump & Donate
After you have placed everything you're going to keep back in the closet, you've got to get rid of the rest. Immediately put the garbage in the trash receptacle, and put the "donate" box in your car to be dropped off within 2 days (do not bring it back into the house) or call to have it picked up. You did it! Good job!
Conclusion
As you prepare to put your house on the market, tackle the clutter in your closets. Decluttering will save you from packing useless stuff into your new home, and homebuyers will enjoy seeing spacious, organized closets. If you need a bit of motivation, tune into #cleanwithme on YouTube, and I think you'll feel more motivated. Maybe those clean closets will lead to decluttering the rest of your house. All of your hard work will make it easier to sell your home and move into the next one. Get on with it!