When you’re selling your home, presentation matters—a lot. Beyond just looking better in photos, a decluttered space allows buyers to envision themselves living there and can make your home appear more spacious and well-maintained.

We know that decluttering your home can feel overwhelming. That’s why we’ve created this comprehensive room-by-room checklist to guide you through the process systematically. While it may seem like a lot of work upfront, I promise the return on investment is worth it.

Before You Begin: The Three-Box Method

Before diving into specific rooms, let’s talk about the “three-box method” of decluttering. It involves sorting your personal belongings into 3 categories:

Keep: Items you use regularly or absolutely need during the selling period
Store: Items you want to keep but don’t need immediate access to
Donate/Sell/Discard: Items you no longer need or want

For the “store” category, consider renting a storage unit or asking a friend or family member if you can temporarily store some boxes.

Now, let’s tackle each room systematically:

Entryway/Foyer

Your entryway creates that crucial first impression. In Toronto homes, these spaces are often compact, making decluttering even more important.

Remove all shoes except for 2-3 pairs (stored neatly in a rack or closet)
Clear coat hooks/racks of excess jackets and seasonal items
Remove bulky furniture that makes the space feel cramped
Clear away mail, keys, and other everyday items from visible surfaces
Consider removing area rugs if they make the space feel smaller
Store sports equipment elsewhere
Remove personal items like family calendars or children’s artwork

Pro Tip: Prospective buyers will remove their shoes before touring your home. Make sure your entryway flooring is spotless and in good condition.

Living Room

This is often where buyers spend the most time during showings, so it deserves special attention.

Remove excess furniture to improve flow and make the room appear larger
Clear coffee tables of everything except 1-2 decorative items
Remove family photos and highly personal items
Reduce bookshelf contents by at least 50% (leave some open spaces)
Hide electronic equipment cords or invest in cord management solutions
Store toys, hobby materials, and exercise equipment
Reduce throw pillows and blankets to just a few coordinating pieces
Remove items from top of entertainment units/TV stands
Clear floor space completely (no baskets, dog beds, etc.)
Consider removing area rugs in smaller rooms to showcase flooring

Pro Tip: In Toronto, where many homes have smaller living spaces, removing even one piece of furniture can dramatically change how spacious a room feels.

Dining Room

Clear the dining table completely or stage with a simple centrepiece
Remove extra chairs (keep only the number that fits comfortably)
Clear china cabinets/buffets of all but a few decorative items
Remove table leaves to maximize floor space if the room feels crowded
Store special occasion items offsite (holiday dishes, rarely used serving pieces)
Remove children’s high chairs or booster seats for showings
Clear the bar cart or bar area of excess bottles

Pro Tip: If your dining room has become a catch-all workspace or craft zone, restore it to its intended purpose. Buyers want to see defined spaces, especially in open-concept homes.

Kitchen

Kitchens sell homes, but they’re also magnets for clutter. This area typically requires the most attention.

Countertops

Remove all small appliances except for 1-2 frequently used items
Clear away dish racks, soap dispensers, and sponges
Remove paper towel holders
Clear away mail, papers, and other non-kitchen items
Remove magnets, photos, and papers from the refrigerator

Cabinets & Pantry

Reduce contents by at least 30% (buyers will open these!)
Organize remaining items neatly
Remove items stored on top of cabinets
Clear away rarely used appliances, serving pieces, and cookware

Other Kitchen Areas

Clear windowsills of plants and decorative items
Remove excessive items from the sides of the refrigerator
Reduce contents of wine racks/storage
Clear out under-sink areas and organize remaining cleaning supplies
Remove pet food stations or relocate to a less prominent area
Minimize contents of message centres/bulletin boards

Pro Tip: In Toronto’s older homes with smaller kitchens, clear countertops create the illusion of more prep space—a huge selling point for serious cooks.

Bathrooms

Bathrooms should feel spa-like and pristine. They also need to appear functional.

Clear countertops of all personal items (toothbrushes, makeup, etc.)
Remove prescription medications and store safely elsewhere
Reduce shower products to bare essentials or store away completely
Remove toilet brush, plunger, and excess toilet paper
Clear away bath toys, shower caddies, and loofahs
Remove scale and bath mats for showings
Clear items from back of toilet (tissue boxes, magazines, etc.)
Reduce towels to one coordinating set per bathroom
Clear under-sink storage of excess items
Remove hampers and laundry baskets

Pro Tip: Showcasing smart storage solutions can be a major selling point. Consider installing temporary but attractive organizers.

Primary Bedroom

Your bedroom should appear as a peaceful retreat—not a storage room or home office.

Remove personal photos and highly personal items
Clear nightstands of everything except a lamp and perhaps one book
Clear dresser tops of perfume bottles, jewellery boxes, and other items
Remove excess pillows and stuffed animals from the bed
Ensure only seasonal clothing is in closets, with everything else stored
Organize closets so they appear spacious (aim for 30-50% empty space)
Remove hampers, exercise equipment, and other non-bedroom items
Store luggage elsewhere
Remove extra furniture that makes the room feel cramped
Clear items stored under the bed

Pro Tip: In older homes where primary bedrooms are often smaller than modern standards, creating a sense of spaciousness is crucial. Less furniture and visible storage make a difference.

Children’s Bedrooms

These spaces are critical for appealing to family buyers.

Reduce toys by at least 50% (store favourites in decorative bins)
Organize closets and remove out-of-season or outgrown clothing
Remove excess furniture (toy chests, extra shelving)
Limit wall decorations to a few tasteful items
Store collections (action figures, dolls) elsewhere
Clear desks of school supplies and personal items
Remove posters and personal photos
Consider temporarily storing themed bedding for more neutral options
Remove items stored under beds

Pro Tip: Toronto families often need to make bedrooms multi-functional. Showing how a child’s room can accommodate sleep, study, and play—without appearing crowded—is a valuable selling point.

Home Office

With remote work still common these days, home offices are increasingly important to buyers.

Clear desktop of everything except computer and desk lamp
File away all loose papers and remove sticky notes
Organize and reduce visible office supplies
Clear bookshelves of excess materials
Hide cords and cables as much as possible
Remove personal items and family photos
Ensure filing cabinets are closed and organized
Remove excess chairs or furniture that crowd the space
Store printers inside cabinets if possible

Pro Tip: Even if your office is a converted closet or hallway nook, make it appear as functional and distraction-free as possible.

Basement/Storage Areas

Even utility spaces deserve attention:

Remove or organize storage boxes (consider uniform, attractive bins)
Clear walkways completely
Organize tools and maintenance items
Reduce holiday decorations and seasonal items
Consolidate children’s outgrown items and toys
Organize laundry area and remove excess cleaning supplies
Ensure mechanical areas are accessible and appear well-maintained
Consider removing dated furniture or items in finished basement areas

Pro Tip: In homes with unfinished basements, neat organization can transform these spaces into valuable storage assets in buyers’ eyes.

Garage

Clear the centre of the garage so cars can easily fit (even if you don’t park there)
Organize tools on pegboards or in cabinets
Remove excess lawn care items, keeping only what’s necessary
Store seasonal items elsewhere
Organize recycling area
Clear away automotive fluids and maintenance items
Consider floor cleaning or painting for maximum impact

Pro Tip: In Toronto, where parking is at a premium, showing that vehicles can actually fit in the garage can be a significant selling point!

Outdoor Spaces

Don’t forget to declutter exterior spaces that are essentially outdoor rooms in the summer months:

Remove children’s toys except for a few well-chosen items
Store garden tools and equipment
Reduce patio furniture to showcase space (remove extras)
Clean and organize BBQ area
Remove dead plants and limit potted arrangements to a few statement pieces
Store garbage and recycling bins out of sight if possible
Clear away seasonal decorations
Remove pet waste stations and food bowls for showings

Pro Tip: In our short but beloved outdoor season, neat, minimalist outdoor spaces help buyers envision summer entertaining.

Final Decluttering Tips For Toronto Sellers

Tackle One Room at a Time: Decluttering an entire house at once can feel overwhelming. Set realistic daily goals.
Start Early: Begin the decluttering process at least 3-4 weeks before listing photos are scheduled.
Be Ruthless: If you haven’t used something in a year and it’s not sentimental, consider letting it go.
Depersonalize: While decluttering, also focus on removing highly personal items that could distract buyers from seeing themselves in the space.
Consider Professional Help: For overwhelming spaces or tight timelines, professional organizers and staging consultants are worth their weight in gold.

Remember, the goal isn’t to create an unlived-in showroom but rather to showcase your home’s best features while helping buyers envision their own belongings in the space. A well-decluttered home photographs better, shows better, and ultimately sells faster and for more money.

Decluttering your home is one of the first steps in preparing your home for sale. Find out what else you’ll need to do by reading our 30-Day Guide to Selling Your Home.

Decluttering For Dollars: The Pre-Listing Checklist