1. Toilet Seat Covers and Rugs…No one needs a crochet or carpet-like covering for their toilet seat lid. Nor does anyone need a matching rug that fits cozily around the base of the toilet. For one thing, these items are breeding grounds for germs and buyers expect a bathroom to be immaculate. A small mat in front of the sink with similar colors as the flooring will catch water drops and nothing else!
2. Lots of Picture Frames…Mismatched picture frames hung on the wall or sitting on a table add a feeling of clutter. Family pictures are important, certainly, and it’s hard to let go of some for sentimental reasons. When you are selling your home you want prospective buyers to view the home, imagine his or her own family there and when they are looking at your family that is a harder to keep them on task!
3. Outdated Curtains/Metal or Vinyl Blinds…You may be surprised to hear that some rooms don’t need curtains. Yep, you read that correctly. There are a number of reasons you may be able to do without them. First, if you are lucky enough to live in a home with beautiful windows–perhaps you even have original woodwork–then maybe you shouldn’t be covering it up with layers of fabric. Secondly, if the windows are not in view to the public privacy blocks may not needed and hamper light coming in and garden views going out. Take a look at your curtains. Does the print or style seem dated to you? Are they faded by the sun? Are they too short for the window? Try bamboo shades or shutters topped with a simple valance or tailored panels. You may be able to take them down and not replace with anything!
4. Fake Flower Arrangements…Some artificial plants–such as succulents, for instance–can actually look great; however, if you have any large, artificial flower arrangements in your home, chances are they are faded, dusty and colors that don’t replicate nature. This goes for fake trees, too. Since every room needs something living, though, consider a live tree, houseplants, a complimentary vase of fresh flowers, or simply a bowl of fruit on the table.
5. Too Many Knicknacks
Accessories can add personality to a room–but too many of them can make your home feel cluttered and messy, even when it’s clean. If you have large collections with which you don’t want to part, simply rotate out the pieces from time to time or when selling your home, pack them up! (You are moving anyway!) There’s no need to display everything all at once. Resist the urge to cover every surface items instead, follow this fool-proof rule of thumb: choose three objects in a larger scale, in varying heights for your coffee table and you’ll be able to cut the visual clutter and achieve a more professional look. Mixing media is helpful to create a good arrangement. An example would be combining a pretty book, a woven basket, a ceramic vessel and a wooden sculpture. Some of the best arrangements I have seen are from sellers that are world travelers. They tend to pick up interesting pieces that make a statement.