Every seller should try biophilic decluttering

Described by House Beautiful as ‘the secret to a calm and clutter-free home’, biophilic decluttering is a trend we can really get behind. It merges two interior aspects that are hugely important when selling a home – presenting a property that’s clear and streamlined, and dressing a home so it is visually appealing.

Sell faster

Don’t be quick to dismiss biophilic decluttering as a fad. A report published by the Home Staging Association UK & Ireland found decluttered and well-staged homes sell three times faster than cluttered properties.

Successful first impression

It’s also worth bearing in mind potential purchasers will decide whether they like your home within the first 8 seconds of arriving, so making the right impression can be the difference between rejection and an offer.

If you’re ready to try biophilic decluttering, sellers should start with traditional decluttering to create a clear base. Focus on removing rubbish, junk and unwanted items, such as:

• Paperwork than can be shredded 

• Piles of plastic recycling

• Clutter on kitchen work surfaces         

• Empty toiletry bottles in bathrooms

• Defective appliances and gadgets

• Toys that are broken or missing parts

• Bags of clothes destined for the charity shop

• Out of date makeup

• Shoes and coats that are too small

• Soft furnishings that are frayed, ripped or full of holes

Out with the synthetic

Once you have reduced possessions and recycled what is possible, the biophilic decluttering can begin. This centres on replacing synthetic items with natural ones rather than radically reducing the number of items in your home.

The thought process behind this is interesting – interior experts believe when people are surrounded by the warmth and texture of natural materials, they are more likely to keep their home clear and clutter free. 

Putting biophilic decluttering into practice

There’s no complex science behind biophilic decluttering. It’s simply a matter of going into every room in your home to identify things that are made of synthetic materials – usually of plastic or metal.

Admittedly, you may not have the budget to replace everything but there are some simple swaps. Storage is one of them. Try switching plastic trays, wire racks and synthetic shelving for nature-inspired alternatives. Other easy swaps include waste paper bins and table matts – anything that’s fake or shiny is at the polar opposite of biophilic.  

All new, au natural 

Natural materials are usually paler in colour, which helps create the airy, bright atmosphere that helps boost a home’s appearance. Look for products made of light-coloured wood, wicker, bamboo or rattan. These materials usually have grain or texture too, adding to the overall aesthetic.

Green up your home

The common advice ahead of a property sale is to depersonalise, removing family photos and treasured trinkets. Consider replacing these with houseplants potted up in seagrass pots or suspended in a macramé hanging pot holder.

If you really want to achieve maximum impact, you can swap out heavy, dark soft furnishing for lighter ones made from natural fabrics. Look out for cushions, curtains and throws in linen, modal and jute cotton, sticking to a neutral colour palette.

Have a go at biophilic decluttering this coming weekend – we guarantee the results will surprise you! If you’re getting your home straight ahead of a sale, ask us for more presentation advice and an up-to-date valuation.