Use Less Stuff Day - November 21, 2024

Cut the Clutter: How “Use Less Stuff Day” Can Transform Your Home and Your Sale

Let’s be real—your home might be hiding more clutter than you’d like to admit. It’s easy to accumulate stuff over the years, but when it comes time to sell your house, that clutter can stand between you and top dollar. Here’s the good news: Use Less Stuff Day, celebrated every third Thursday in November (this year on November 21), is the perfect nudge to simplify your space, clear out what you don’t need, and create a fresh, inviting vibe buyers will love.

Sound overwhelming? Don’t worry—you’re not alone. I’ve helped dozens of clients transform their homes from overstuffed to market-ready, and today I’ll share some practical tips, success stories, and motivation to help you do the same. By the end, you’ll not only feel ready to tackle your clutter but also understand why this step is crucial to selling your home for the best price.

Why Clutter Kills Your Sale

Let’s start with some tough love: buyers can’t see your home’s potential if all they see is stuff. Clutter makes rooms feel smaller, distracts from your home’s features, and can even suggest neglect. The

National Association of Realtors confirms that staging and decluttering can increase a home’s perceived value by up to 20%. That’s huge!

Here’s why clutter is a deal-breaker:

It shrinks spaces: Cluttered rooms feel cramped, even if they’re large.
It distracts buyers: They’ll focus on your things, not the space itself.
It sends the wrong message: Buyers may assume the home isn’t well-maintained.

The fix? Decluttering and simplifying your home create a sense of spaciousness and calm that buyers find irresistible. And what better day to start than Use Less Stuff Day?

What Is Use Less Stuff Day?

This day was created to remind us of a simple truth: most of us have too much stuff. It started as a campaign to reduce waste during the busy shopping season but has grown into a call for mindful living.

A little history:

Inspired by minimalist art and design movements of the ’50s and ’60s, it promotes living with only the essentials.
The holiday season generates massive waste. Americans produce 25% more trash between Thanksgiving and New Year’s than at any other time of year.
Excess shopping and consumption lead to clutter, waste, and environmental harm—think 450 years for a single plastic bottle to decompose.

By embracing the spirit of this day, you not only declutter your home but also contribute to a healthier planet.

Step-by-Step Decluttering for Sellers

Ready to jump in? Here’s a simple, actionable plan to cut through the chaos and make your home shine.

Start Small Focus on one area at a time—like a closet or a single room. Don’t try to tackle the whole house in a day; burnout is real.
Sort Into Categories Use the “Three Box Method”:
- Keep: Items you truly need or love.
- Donate: Things in good condition that someone else could use.
- Toss: Broken, outdated, or unusable items.
Declutter Key Spaces First Prioritize high-impact areas like:
- Kitchens: Clear counters sell homes.
- Living Rooms: Open spaces feel larger.
- Closets: Packed closets scream “not enough storage!”
Go Digital Old manuals, CDs, or paperwork? Scan and save them digitally to cut down on physical clutter.
Call in Help Decluttering can be emotional. Sometimes, you need a friend—or a professional organizer—to keep you on track.

Case Study: Cindy’s Big Win

When Cindy decided to sell her 4-bedroom home, she felt overwhelmed by years of accumulated belongings. “I didn’t know where to start,” she confessed. We began with the Three Box Method, focusing on the most cluttered spaces: her garage and basement.

Within two weeks, Cindy had donated 12 boxes of unused items and recycled mountains of paperwork. The result? A streamlined, inviting home that attracted multiple offers—and sold for $30,000 over asking!

Her advice: “You don’t need to keep everything. Once I let go, it felt freeing. Plus, it made moving so much easier!”

Why Decluttering Benefits YOU, Too

Selling aside, clearing clutter is good for your mental health. Studies show that clutter increases stress and reduces focus. A clean, organized space can:

Boost your mood.
Improve productivity.
Make daily life easier and more enjoyable.

Think of it as a gift to your future self.

5 Facts About Plastic That Will Blow Your Mind

Decluttering also ties into sustainability, especially during the holiday season. Consider these staggering plastic stats:

Plastics take 450 years to decompose.
1.1 million animals die each year from plastic pollution.
40% of plastic is used just once before being discarded.
It takes 22 gallons of water to make just one pound of plastic.
Most plastic is made from non-renewable petroleum, which harms the environment.

As you declutter, think about reducing waste by donating or recycling responsibly.

Your Next Step: Take Action Today!

Here’s your challenge:

Pick one space to declutter this weekend.
Share your progress on social media and tag me for some encouragement!
Need help? I’m here to guide you every step of the way.

Follow me on Instagram @athomewithjp for more tips, inspiration, and behind-the-scenes success stories. Let’s make your home irresistible to buyers—and lighten your load in the process.

A Final Word of Encouragement

Decluttering isn’t just about prepping your home for sale; it’s about creating a space that feels fresh, welcoming, and full of possibility. When buyers walk through, they’ll imagine their own lives unfolding in that space—and that’s when the magic happens.

You’ve got this! And remember, I’m here to help, whether it’s offering staging tips or connecting you with local charities to donate your unwanted items. Let’s make this Use Less Stuff Day the turning point for your home sale and your peace of mind.

Happy decluttering! 😊