Should You Keep or Remove Furniture When Selling Your Home?
When selling a home, one of the biggest decisions sellers face is whether to keep furniture in place or remove it before listing the property. The presentation of a home plays a crucial role in attracting buyers, and the choice between a furnished, partially furnished, or empty home can significantly impact the selling experience. Some sellers opt for a fully furnished and staged home to showcase its potential, while others believe a space allows buyers to better visualize their own furniture and style. This article explores the advantages and disadvantages of both approaches and provides practical guidance to help sellers make the best decision for their situation.
The Importance of Home Presentation in Selling
First impressions matter, and the way a home is presented can influence a buyer’s emotional connection to the property. Staging a home with furniture and decor creates a welcoming atmosphere that can make a house feel like a home, whereas a space allows buyers to focus on the layout and potential of the property.
Understanding the psychology of buyers is key when deciding whether to keep or remove furniture. Some buyers struggle to visualize how a space can be used, and well-placed furniture can help provide perspective. On the other hand, certain buyers prefer a blank canvas, enabling them to imagine the home according to their personal preferences. The right choice depends on factors such as market trends, the condition of the furniture, and the type of property being sold.
Advantages of Keeping Furniture in the Home
For many sellers, leaving furniture in the home—whether through traditional staging or simply keeping existing furniture—can be beneficial in several ways.
1. Creates a Warm and Inviting Atmosphere
A furnished home gives a sense of warmth and comfort, helping buyers form an emotional connection to the property. A house that feels like a home can be more appealing than an empty, sterile space. Properly arranged furniture also highlights the home’s functionality and showcases how different areas can be utilized.
2. Helps Define Spaces
In some properties, especially open-plan homes, it can be difficult for buyers to determine how to best use the space. Furniture helps define living areas, giving buyers a clear sense of scale and purpose. Without furniture, large rooms may feel overwhelming, and smaller rooms might appear impractical.
3. Highlights the Home’s Potential
A well-furnished and staged home can emphasize a property’s strengths while downplaying any minor imperfections. Strategically placed furniture can direct attention to attractive features such as fireplaces, large windows, or built-in shelving while drawing attention away from less desirable aspects.
4. Makes the Home Appear Move-In Ready
Many buyers, particularly first-time homebuyers, prefer move-in-ready properties. A home that is presented with furniture and decor can feel like an easier transition compared to an empty space that may appear impersonal or unfinished.
5. Can Increase Perceived Value
Well-staged homes often sell faster and for higher prices compared to vacant homes. When a home looks appealing and livable, buyers may perceive it as more valuable, which can lead to stronger offers and a quicker sale.
Disadvantages of Keeping Furniture
While keeping furniture in a home has its advantages, there are also some potential drawbacks to consider.
1. Can Make the Space Feel Smaller
If a home is overfurnished or contains bulky furniture, it can make rooms appear smaller than they are. Cluttered or outdated furniture may detract from the home’s appeal rather than enhance it.
2. Personal Taste May Not Align with Buyers
Not all buyers will share the same taste in decor, and certain furniture styles may make it harder for some buyers to see the home’s true potential. Highly personalized or outdated furnishings may be a distraction rather than an enhancement.
3. Maintenance and Cleaning Challenges
Keeping furniture in the home requires ongoing cleaning and upkeep, especially if sellers are still living in the house while it’s on the market. Furniture collects dust, and maintaining a show-ready appearance can be time-consuming.
4. Potential for Wear and Tear
If the home is being shown frequently, furniture may experience wear and tear. Foot traffic can cause carpets and furniture to wear out more quickly, which could lead to additional expenses before closing.
Advantages of Removing Furniture
For some sellers, removing furniture from the home entirely is the better choice. A space can provide several benefits, particularly in certain market conditions or for specific types of buyers.
1. Allows Buyers to Imagine Their Own Style
A vacant home provides a blank canvas, making it easier for buyers to visualize how their own furniture and decor will fit into the space. Some buyers prefer not to be influenced by existing furnishings and appreciate the freedom to imagine the home in their own style.
2. Showcases the True Size of the Home
Without furniture, buyers can better assess the actual dimensions of each room. This is particularly beneficial for homes with smaller or oddly shaped rooms where furniture might create the illusion of less space than there actually is.
3. Easier to Maintain for Showings
An empty home is generally easier to keep clean and ready for showings, reducing the stress on sellers. There is no need to worry about clutter, pet hair, or last-minute tidying before a scheduled viewing.
4. Speeds Up the Selling Process for Vacant Homes
For sellers who have already moved out, leaving the home empty can simplify the selling process. Without the need to coordinate staging or maintenance, the home can be listed and shown without ongoing obligations.
Disadvantages of Removing Furniture
While an empty home can have its benefits, there are also potential downsides to consider.
1. Can Feel Cold and Uninviting
Vacant homes can sometimes feel impersonal or even unwelcoming. Buyers may struggle to connect emotionally with an empty space, making it harder to envision themselves living there.
2. Highlights Flaws More Prominently
Without furniture and decor to divert attention, any flaws or imperfections in the home—such as scratches on floors, outdated fixtures, or minor damages—become more noticeable to buyers.
3. May Take Longer to Sell
Studies have shown that vacant homes can take longer to sell compared to staged homes. Buyers may perceive an empty home as less desirable, leading to longer market times and potentially lower offers.
Finding a Balance: Partial Staging or Virtual Staging
For sellers who want the benefits of a furnished home without the drawbacks, there are alternative approaches to consider.
Partial Staging
Rather than keeping the entire home furnished, sellers can focus on staging key rooms such as the living room, kitchen, and master bedroom while leaving other areas empty. This helps maintain warmth and functionality while still allowing buyers to visualize their own furniture in the space.
Virtual Staging
Virtual staging involves digitally adding furniture and decor to listing photos. This cost-effective alternative allows sellers to showcase a home’s potential without the need for physical furniture. While it doesn’t enhance in-person showings, it can make online listings more attractive.
Deciding whether to keep or remove furniture when selling a home depends on factors such as market trends, buyer preferences, and the home’s overall condition. While a furnished home can create a warm and inviting atmosphere, an empty home may offer buyers a better sense of space and potential. Sellers should consider their specific situation, weigh the advantages and disadvantages of each approach, and choose the option that best enhances their home’s appeal. Whether through full staging, partial staging, or virtual staging, the right presentation strategy can make a significant impact on the home-selling process and ultimately lead to a faster, more successful sale.
