Declutter and Depersonalize
Keep Personal Items Out of View in Photos
Remove Photos, Paperwork, and Notes
Personal photos, calendars, children’s artwork, and important paperwork are part of everyday life — but they don’t belong in real estate photos. These items draw attention away from the home and can make it harder for buyers to imagine themselves living there.
Listing photos should feel like a blank canvas, not a peek into the current homeowner’s routines. Removing personal items helps make each room feel more neutral and universally appealing.
Clear the Front of the Refrigerator
The fridge is a common spot for clutter — magnets, school schedules, holiday cards, takeout menus, and notes. These items can be distracting in photos and make the kitchen feel busy or cramped.
Take a few minutes to remove everything from the refrigerator door and side panels. Wipe down the surface so it’s clean and fingerprint-free. This one change alone can make the kitchen look tidier and more polished.
Protect Privacy and Enhance the Home’s Appeal
Removing personal items does more than clean up the visual presentation — it also protects your privacy. Listing photos are shared online, and anything in them becomes public. By clearing away names, addresses, medical notes, and photos of children, you create a safer and more professional image of the home.
Buyers tend to focus more on space, light, and layout when the home is neutral. Removing these small details helps shift the focus to what really matters — the features of the property itself.