Hubby and I have put our home of 14 years on the market.  And we are learning first hand about letting clutter go.  As empty nesters (with an occasional boomerang adult child), we still have some of our adult offspring’s clutter mixed in with our own.  

So when our realtor brought along a professional home stager, I figured, no problem.  As a design professional, I know staging your home properly will allow potential buyers to more easily see the home as theirs.  A couple of tweaks here and there and we’re done, right? 

WRONG!  We had gotten so used to all the things around us that hold our fondest memories, that they’d become part of the scenery.  The bar area above to us looked just fine.  But we needed to get rid of the knick knacks and a few art pieces.  I must admit it was a big deal to let go of those mementos.  Letting clutter go in the form of pictures, books, art, even food items was like saying goodbye to family members.

  No drapes at my French doors and nothing on the table to suggest that we actually live here is like fingernails on a chalkboard to me.  But it allows a potential buyer to imagine their tastes in decor for this room.  Make a great first impression to lure buyers to see more of your home.  Eliminate clutter whoever possible.  I tell my husband there should be no signs that we live here.  

   The home stager was kind, but ruthless in telling us what should be put in storage and what could stay while showing our house to potential buyers. She even offered to help me pack for a small fee. And though I turned her down, it might have been less painful.

Who knew that emptying a curio would bring tears to my eyes? That packing my angel collection would bring a rush of sentimental thoughts of the gift giver or the vacation that gave me that treasure. Taking down art pieces from my “designer’s gallery” wall was like painfully moving me out of my home before actually selling it.  But I have to admit it is a head start on packing.

The anticipation of what’s in store for our future is exciting. I am being forced to let go. I am not only letting clutter go, but I am making way for the next family to make memories here.