A UK property expert highlights how removing common household clutter, from tools to toys, can significantly increase a home’s appeal and value ahead of sale, with potential gains of up to £85,000.
A UK property expert from Rainbow Rubbish, collaborating with specialists Matt Lanninge and Heath Alexander-Bew from Alan Boswell Group, has revealed that common household items can sharply decrease a home’s sale value, sometimes by as much as £85,000. According to their findings, clutter remains the primary culprit in deterring potential buyers, with an emphasis that decluttering stands as one of the most potent ways to enhance a property’s appeal.
Among the specific items identified, tools top the list as significant detractors when accumulated excessively. Book collections follow closely, suggesting that while books may enrich a home’s character, too many can create an impression of disarray. Collectibles also fall into this category, with the experts cautioning homeowners against overaccumulating them. Newspapers, particularly old and outdated ones, are similarly flagged for removal, alongside children’s toys, which require careful organisation to avoid the impression of chaos. Lastly, kitchenware, such as pots and pans left out, can diminish the perceived value of the home. Lanninge highlighted how such clutter can rapidly accumulate in hidden spaces like garages and sheds, ultimately reducing a property’s market appeal.
This assessment aligns with broader expert advice on the importance of decluttering and staging when preparing homes for sale. Liv Conlon, a property staging business owner known for furnishing hundreds of homes annually, underscores that summer could offer a boost in buyer interest and property prices, but stresses that decluttering and minor, budget-friendly adjustments are key to achieving a successful sale. Conlon advocates simple seasonal swaps—lighter textiles, colourful outdoor-style tableware, and fresh or quality faux flowers—to create a welcoming and summery atmosphere that rivals costly renovations.
Moreover, her staging tips include altering home scents to match the season and strategically using mirrors to amplify natural light, which can all contribute to making a property more attractive to prospective buyers. These affordable strategies showcase how small but thoughtful changes can significantly influence the home’s marketability.
Supporting this viewpoint, additional home organisation and decluttering advice emphasizes the removal of often-overlooked items that detract from value and appeal. Sources highlight common clutter contributors such as broken or mismatched dishes, outdated carpeting, piles of unnecessary paperwork, and unused appliances. The recommendation across numerous expert lists is to systematically clear out expired food, old magazines, unused electronics, and excess furniture, creating a cleaner, simpler environment that feels more spacious and inviting.
Taking these insights into consideration, sellers looking to maximise their home’s sale price should prioritise decluttering in every corner—from living rooms and kitchens to garages and children’s play areas. Reducing household clutter not only cleans the physical space but also helps potential buyers envision living there themselves, which is crucial in a competitive market.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-15018083/Property-expert-everyday-item-reduce-homes-value-85-000.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490 – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.bigblogofgardening.com/15-household-items-youre-hoarding-that-decrease-your-homes-value/ – This article discusses 15 household items that can decrease a home’s value, including broken or mismatched dishes, unnecessary paperwork, and old, outdated carpeting. It advises homeowners to assess and declutter these items to enhance their home’s appeal and value.
- https://snappyliving.com/decluttering-checklist/ – An extensive decluttering checklist covering various rooms in the house, such as the living room, bedroom, kitchen, bathroom, home office, and closets. It lists items to consider removing, including old magazines, unused electronics, expired food, and unnecessary office supplies, to create a more organised and appealing living space.
- https://simplysustainablelifestyle.com/decluttering-tips-and-tricks/ – Provides decluttering tips and tricks for different areas of the home, including the kitchen, electronics and media, kids’ items, and hobby and sports equipment. It suggests removing items like cracked coffee mugs, old DVDs, unused toys, and excess sports equipment to create a more streamlined and functional living environment.
- https://www.becomingminimalist.com/101-physical-things-that-can-be-reduced-in-your-home/comment-page-8/ – Offers a comprehensive list of 101 physical items to consider reducing in your home, such as kitchen glassware, cookbooks, kitchen gadgets, and kitchen appliances. It encourages homeowners to evaluate and declutter these items to simplify their living space and improve overall organisation.
- https://shopping.yahoo.com/home-garden/cleaning/articles/15-items-cluttering-home-toss-120003256.html – Highlights 15 items that contribute to household clutter and should be discarded, including old or unused kitchen appliances and kitchenware, unused or unwanted artwork, old magazines and newspapers, clothes no longer worn, and excess furniture. It provides practical advice on how to handle these items to maintain a tidy and organised home.
- https://www.bairdwarner.com/blog/2021/07/21/household-items-get-rid-of-before-sale/ – Discusses household items to remove before selling a home, such as paperwork and other household clutter, unused outdoor items, excess garage gear, and taste-specific artwork and decor. It emphasises the importance of decluttering to make the home more appealing to potential buyers and to protect personal information.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
7
Notes:
The narrative presents a recent claim about household items reducing home value by £85,000. However, similar themes have been reported in the past, such as the impact of clutter and unkempt gardens on property value. For instance, a 2025 study by Churchill Home Insurance found that unattractive neighbouring properties can reduce house prices by an average of £43,000. ([directlinegroup.co.uk](https://www.directlinegroup.co.uk/en/news/brand-news/2025/23062025.html?utm_source=openai)) Additionally, a 2021 report highlighted that mess and clutter inside a home can devalue it by up to £10,000. ([ratedpeople.com](https://www.ratedpeople.com/blog/home-improvement-trends-report-home-improvements-that-add-value-and-the-issues-that-take-it-away?utm_source=openai)) The specific figure of £85,000 appears to be an exaggeration or a new angle on existing information. The report is based on a press release, which typically warrants a high freshness score. However, the lack of new, exclusive data suggests a lower freshness score. The narrative includes updated data but recycles older material, which may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged.
Quotes check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative includes direct quotes from property experts and business owners. However, these quotes do not appear to be unique or exclusive to this report. Similar advice on decluttering and home staging has been widely reported in the past. For example, a 2021 article emphasized that a dirty home could knock almost £10,000 off a property’s value. ([ratedpeople.com](https://www.ratedpeople.com/blog/home-improvement-trends-report-home-improvements-that-add-value-and-the-issues-that-take-it-away?utm_source=openai)) The lack of new, exclusive quotes suggests a lower originality score.
Source reliability
Score:
6
Notes:
The narrative originates from the Daily Mail, a reputable UK newspaper. However, the report is based on a press release from Rainbow Rubbish, a company with limited online presence and credibility. The lack of verifiable information about Rainbow Rubbish raises concerns about the reliability of the source. The experts mentioned, Matt Lanninge and Heath Alexander-Bew from Alan Boswell Group, have limited online presence, which further questions the reliability of the source.
Plausability check
Score:
5
Notes:
The claim that common household items can decrease a home’s sale value by £85,000 is highly implausible. While clutter and unkempt gardens can negatively impact property value, a reduction of £85,000 is an extreme and unlikely figure. The narrative lacks supporting detail from other reputable outlets, and the tone is unusually dramatic, which raises further suspicion. The structure includes excessive or off-topic detail unrelated to the claim, such as specific items like tools, books, and collectibles, which may be a distraction tactic.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): FAIL
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative presents exaggerated claims about household items reducing home value by £85,000, lacks exclusive quotes, originates from a press release with limited source reliability, and includes implausible figures and excessive detail, leading to a ‘FAIL’ verdict with high confidence.
