The Hits’ Sam gets a decluttering lesson

She’s the UK’s answer to decluttering guru Marie Kondo, and she has made global headlines with her forthright advice.

Interiors therapist Suzanne Roynon shot to fame earlier this year when she delivered her verdict on the decor and vibe of two homes belonging to two prominent journalists.

The two writers were single, and Suzanne didn’t shy away from identifying what exactly it was about their homes that could put a stop to a future relationship.

OneRoof and The Hits loved her advice, and her thoughts on how home-owners can get the best out of their living spaces.

So we came up with a distinctly Kiwi challenge for Suzanne — the home of Hits presenter Sam Wallace.

Sam was game enough to open his door and his life to Suzanne, and with the help of his co-presenters Toni Street and Laura McGoldrick showed her what makes his home special, from his bright orange couch, cat tree and skull lamp.

Suzanne’s Top Tips for Selling Your Home

1. Gather all of the decorative items into one place. Reduce the number of family photos on display to a couple per subject, cut collections to one or two items and put the rest away. Select aspirational items to show the house at its best and reposition them.

2. Look at any art on the walls — what does this say about you or your home? How would it make someone else feel?

3. Ensure cupboards are neat and tidy. Fold towels and linen so people can see the amazing storage capacity of your property. Clear any junk rooms and show them as useful space.

4. Bring fresh flowers in a colour which works with for your d´ecor or play safe with white. There’s a special energy around fresh flowers and plants in bloom.

5. Invest the whole family in the preparing and selling process. If they understand why it matters, they are more likely to see the benefits and work with you to make it happen.

. . . And her Top Five no-nos

1. Pungent smells, whether from food, pets or anything else. Stinks are a turn-off when viewing a property. Open the windows, even if it’s the middle of winter, and freshen up the air.

2. Grubby cupboards, inside or out — especially in the kitchen and bathroom. Empty them, pare down the contents, give them a good clean and put back only the items you know you will be using. Keep kitchen surfaces as clear as you can.

3. Rammed shelves give the impression the house is short on space, deterring a buyer.

Cull the shelves so they are tidy and manageable. Pack away things you can’t live without and dispose of anything which isn’t part of your future.

4. Too much furniture can make a house look smaller than it really is. If you can’t let something go, store it elsewhere until after you move.

5. Tidy away personal paperwork, especially bank statements, legal letters and precious items.

Those are no one else’s business.