by Nan Johnston, Southern Staging
Let’s talk about storage areas while your house is on the market. With the ability to order anything we want online and all of the “clubs” and merchandising stores so convenient to us, we have accumulated way too much stuff !
Our closets, cabinets, garages and basements are running over with items that we don’t need very oft en or use at all, but we are hanging on to them “just in case” there are needed later on down the line. If you are anything like us, we would rather go purchase another one than go search in the “black hole of junk” in our basement.
When you are selling your home, buyers are going to open closets, cabinets, garages, storage buildings, etc. to see how much storage space they might have if they purchase your home. They need to see some vacant areas, I call it breathing space.
It’s time to edit your belongings, toss out what isn’t worth saving, donate what’s not being used and reduce the clutter in your storage areas. That way you can store all of that stuff sitting on top of your vanities and counter tops and de-clutter those surfaces.

If you are having trouble getting your family to keep the towels, sheets and clothing stacked neatly on the shelves, invest in some cute storage baskets or bins and get this stuff corralled. You can also use empty suitcases to store unused bulky items and create breathing space in your closets. Having suitcases neatly lined up in a row in a basement or garage is so much more appealing than blankets, towels and pillows falling out of the closet when a buyer opens the door.
We want your buyers to think there is so much storage space in your house, that they couldn’t possibly fill it all up. Remember, buying a house is the American Dream and we are selling fantasy’s here folks. We need to make them feel good about spending their hard earned money on your #1 selling commodity.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Nan Johnston is a professional home-staging consultant from Newnan with over 30 years experience in the real estate industry. Feel free to contact Nan at [email protected] and check out her website for some interesting before and after photos at www.southern-staging.com.