Storage units and extra storage spaces in homes can be a great way to declutter, keep sentimental items safe, and make room for seasonal or rarely used belongings. However, knowing what to put in storage and when can be a challenge. Here’s a practical guide to help you make smart storage decisions.
1. Assess the Purpose of Your Storage Needs
Before deciding what to store, consider why you need storage:
- Decluttering: Are you trying to free up space in your home?
- Seasonal Storage: Do you need a place for holiday decorations, summer/winter clothes, or outdoor equipment?
- Moving or Renovating: Are you temporarily storing furniture and belongings?
- Sentimental Items: Are you keeping family heirlooms, childhood keepsakes, or collectibles?
Understanding your reason for storage will help determine what should go and how long you plan to keep it stored.
2. Categorize Your Items
Sort your belongings into categories:
- Essentials (Keep at Home): Items you use daily or weekly, such as kitchen appliances, toiletries, and clothes for the current season.
- Occasionally Used (Consider Storage): Items like camping gear, seasonal decorations, spare furniture, and extra bedding.
- Rarely Used but Valuable (Store Carefully): Family heirlooms, antiques, important documents, or sentimental items.
- Unnecessary (Donate or Discard): If you haven’t used it in a year and it has no sentimental or monetary value, consider donating or disposing of it.
3. Choose the Right Type of Storage
- Home Storage: Attics, basements, and closets are best for items you might need quickly.
- Self-Storage Units: Ideal for furniture, business inventory, or long-term storage needs.
- Climate-Controlled Storage: Needed for items sensitive to temperature and humidity, such as wooden furniture, electronics, artwork, and important documents.
4. Know When to Put Items in Storage
- Seasonal Changes: Store winter clothes in summer and vice versa.
- Home Renovations: Protect furniture and valuables from dust and damage.
- Moving or Downsizing: Use storage as a temporary solution when transitioning homes.
- Life Events: If you inherit items, go through a separation, or need to store a loved one’s belongings, storage can provide a temporary solution.
5. Keep Track of What’s in Storage
Create an inventory list to track what you’ve stored and where. Label boxes clearly and take photos if necessary.
6. Review and Declutter Periodically
Storage is not a permanent solution. Every 6–12 months, review your storage items and decide if you still need them. If not, consider selling, donating, or discarding them.
