Moving into a home with a history of hoarding may have granted you a good deal, but the reality is that fixing up a space after years of abuse can feel like a pretty intense task. Now, it’s important to remember that while past hoarding damage is inconvenient and unhelpful, it’s ultimately a sign of a mental disorder that we hope the prior owner was able to address or gain help with. Keeping that sense of empathy can be important while you fix up the household.
This might seem chaotic at first, but with a step-by-step approach and a bit of care, perhaps viewing it as a chance to renew a property and its identity, you can change it into a comfortable, welcoming space.
In this post, we intend to teach you how you can begin to turn things around:
Start With A Thorough Cleanout
Of course, there’s no way around this. A hoarded home often comes with a buildup of items, some of which might be salvageable, but much of it will need to go. If a home you purchased or are restoring comes with furniture that’s falling apart, stacks of paper, or even old food items tucked away in cabinets, you may need to protect yourself or use a professional to remain safe.
This is a great time to call in extra help, especially if the sheer volume feels like running uphill or something you’re not equipped for (totally understandable). A junk removal service can save you hours of heavy lifting and ensure everything is disposed of properly and ethically. It’s also worth sorting through areas yourself, as you might stumble across something valuable or sentimental. However be mindful,as pest control may need to attend as well, and even having someone come to check the structural integrity of the place is a good idea. Let’s talk about that some more:
You’ll Need To Check Repairs & Structural Damage
A hoarded home often hides more than just clutter, because all that neglect can lead into other issues. That might involve walls, floors, and fixtures that may have been left for years now. You might discover scuffed hardwood floors, chipped paint, or even water damage in spots that haven’t been accessed for ages, but that’s hardly the only issue.
Maybe the plumbing or electrical is done for and needs a full refitting, and for that reason, start by prioritizing safety. After the deep clean those issues can be attended to, but so can knocking through older walls you don’t need, managing any fittings that are no longer useful, or attending to large mold problems. It’s not the most attractive and appealing set of tasks to do, but you’ll think yourself for it later as will the house, in its own way.
Evaluate What Can Be Repurposed
The house might not be a total write off. Even in the clutter, there may be hidden gems worth keeping. Old furniture, vintage decors, good quirky storage solutions (ironically, storage is something hoarders rarely fail to deal with before their habit gets out of control) could have potential with a bit of care. You may even notice little measures you’d like to keep, such as taps that are in line with your taste but just need a little professional attention.. Sometimes, sanding down a wooden table, reupholstering a chair, or giving something an essential fresh coat of paint can help you restore the house and not only condemn it.
This approach can save you money on furnishing the home too, so it’s worth considering. It also adds some character to your space. It’s also environmentally friendly to do this, as offering new life to items that might otherwise end up thrown out is restorative. Just make sure anything you choose to keep is thoroughly cleaned and in good condition before bringing it into your fresh, renewed space.
Add Your Own Personality & Define The Space Anew
After all that genuinely tough work, it’s you now get to enjoy the fun par, which for the most part means making the house feel like home. Bring in furniture that fits the space and let it stand in pride of place, add soft lighting, and consider some greenery to freshen things up. You could fix the ventilation to make sure the house never smells that way again. You will be amazed at the difference you’ve made, even if your first impression wasn’t too great.
With this advice, we hope you can more easily restore any home from past hoarding habits, be you cleaning up after a tenant, buying a discounted home known to have this issue, or just wondered what this proces would look like.
