Declutter to Sell: Letting Go of Stuff Without Losing the Memories

The Garage

I turn my focus to one of the most intimidating spaces in many homes: the garage. I talk about how garages stop being a home for our cars and instead become black holes for forgotten projects, expired paint cans, broken tools, dusty holiday decorations, old furniture, and boxes labeled “miscellaneous.” Because the garage is out of our main sightlines, it often becomes “storage for indecision” – the place we toss things when we don’t want to decide whether to keep them or let them go. Over time, the whole family uses it as a dumping ground, and the result is total overwhelm. But I emphasize that a cluttered garage is not a permanent problem; with the right system and mindset, it’s absolutely fixable. I walk listeners through five practical steps to declutter the garage: first, set the scope by choosing just one zone to work on instead of tackling the entire garage. Second, group by category so you can see everything clearly and spot duplicates. Third, make clear decisions item by item by asking whether you use it, whether it still works, and whether you’d buy it again. Fourth, toss, donate, or rehome using a simple rule of three and responsible disposal for things like paint and chemicals. Finally, store smart with clear labeled bins, vertical storage, wall hooks, shelves, and pegboards, while keeping the floor as clear as possible. From there, I shift into mindset and maintenance: setting a monthly reminder to tidy, making sure everyone in the household knows what goes where, and refusing to use the garage as a “decide later” zone. I offer a challenge to listeners to pick just one corner of their garage this week, sort it, let go of what they don’t use, and notice the momentum that follows. In the second half, I’m joined by my cousin Debbie Myers, who asks how to get motivated to declutter. I share five motivation-boosting strategies: shrinking the task until it feels easy, attaching decluttering to daily triggers, using a simple trash/donate/keep system, decluttering with a “body double” like a podcast or a friend, and stopping before exhaustion so the process feels doable and even satisfying. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

Declutter to Sell: Letting Go of Stuff Without Losing the Memories

I dive into the emotional side of decluttering, especially when you’re preparing your home for sale. I talk about how our things carry memories—like the dining room where you celebrated birthdays, a child’s giant papier-mâché project, or that old coat by the door—and how the fear of losing those memories can keep us stuck. I encourage you to “keep the memory, not the item,” and share ways to do that, like limiting collections, taking photos of sentimental pieces, and asking whether each item really belongs in your next chapter. My guest, Eden Steele, and I discuss her young adult son who struggles to let go of his stuff. I offer practical strategies: start with low‑emotion items, use a temporary box for “not sure yet” things, set containment limits with organizers, and work in short, 10–15 minute sessions. Above all, I focus on creating a supportive, present-focused, functional space. Do you need a more personalized decluttering touch? Avery offers a one on one consultation where you can go over your specific decluttering needs and start the road to a happier clutter free life. Contact the declutter Queen at avery@averycundill.com [avery@averycundill.com] Follow Me on Instagram. [https://www.instagram.com/thedeclutterqueenpod] Want FREE Declutter Hacks? Sign up here. [https://substack.com/@averycundill] See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

Declutter To Sell: Room By Room (Part 2)

I walk you through a practical, room-by-room approach to getting your home ready to sell. Building on last episode’s “why” of decluttering with realtor Ty Mitchell, I focus here on the “how.” I start in the living room, where I suggest removing excess furniture, taming remotes, and minimizing knickknacks so the space feels open and bright. In the kitchen, I clear countertops and reduce cabinet contents to create the impression of abundant storage. Bedrooms become hotel-like retreats with simple, light bedding and nearly bare nightstands, while bathrooms are stripped of personal items and styled with fresh towels and greenery. Closets get a “boutique” makeover by packing away about half the contents. In the second half, I coach my longtime friend Patricia through managing a cluttered home with a “collector” husband, emphasizing starting with her own belongings, organizing neutral zones, and containing collections rather than confronting them. Do you need a more personalized decluttering touch? Avery offers a one on one consultation where you can go over your specific decluttering needs and start the road to a happier clutter free life. Contact the declutter Queen at avery@averycundill.com [avery@averycundill.com] Follow Me on Instagram. [https://www.instagram.com/thedeclutterqueenpod] Want FREE Declutter Hacks? Sign up here. [https://substack.com/@averycundill] See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

Declutter To Sell: Why Less Sells For More (Part 1)

This episode focuses on why decluttering is so powerful when you’re selling your home. I share how I recently went through this myself and learned that this isn’t a quick weekend tidy—it can take weeks, and that’s okay. I explain that buyers aren’t buying our stuff; they’re buying the idea of their lives in our space. Clutter makes rooms feel smaller, more personal, and less inviting, while a neutral, clean, intentional space lets buyers imagine their own furniture, routines, and memories there. I walk through what “clutter” really means when selling—personal photos, piles of paper, overstuffed shelves, crowded countertops, even oversized furniture that blocks flow. I also highlight the return on investment: decluttered homes tend to sell faster and for three to five percent more, and you’ll be ahead when it’s time to pack. Then, with Realtor Ty Mitchell from Winnipeg [https://www.tysellswpg.com], we dig into real-world examples from his listings: how depersonalizing, removing bulky items, and even using storage solutions or virtual staging can make a huge difference. Throughout, I encourage listeners to start small—just one room, or even one table—and to expect a “second declutter” pass once they think they’re done. Do you need a more personalized decluttering touch? Avery offers a one on one consultation where you can go over your specific decluttering needs and start the road to a happier clutter free life. Contact the declutter Queen at avery@averycundill.com [avery@averycundill.com] Follow Me on Instagram. [https://www.instagram.com/thedeclutterqueenpod] Want FREE Declutter Hacks? Sign up here. [https://substack.com/@averycundill] See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

Scarf Mountain

I’m recording from Spain and taking on a familiar beast I call “scarf mountain”—the piles of hats, scarves, gloves, and mitts that quietly overrun our homes. I explain why winter accessories multiply so fast: they’re affordable, often gifted, easily lost and replaced, and tied to memories and sentiment. Then I walk you through a clear process: gather every winter accessory from all corners of your home, pair and sort them, ruthlessly weed out anything worn out, itchy, ill-fitting, or never used, and keep only what you truly wear and love. I share practical storage ideas, like clear bins, labeled baskets, and grab-and-go stations near the door so winter mornings run smoothly. In the second half, I help my mom, Michelle, declutter decades of photo albums using simple photo boxes, showing how the same principles can make even sentimental projects manageable and meaningful. Clear Storage Bins are easy to find on Amazon. [https://www.amazon.com/clear-storage-bins/s?k=clear+storage+bins] See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].