As the weather cools and winter approaches, it’s natural to start thinking about cosy evenings and holiday gatherings. But before you can dive into the joys of the season, there’s often a fair amount of preparation to get done. One often overlooked but highly practical part of getting ready for winter is organising your space – and that’s where self storage comes in handy.
With the right plan, self storage can help you streamline your home, protect your belongings from harsh weather, and make space for what matters most this winter.
Why Self Storage is a Smart Move for Winter Prep
Whether it’s bulky outdoor gear or boxes full of seasonal decorations, your home can easily feel cluttered when you bring out all the necessities for the colder months. Self storage offers an easy solution to free up space without having to part ways with the things you still want to keep.
Create Room for Holiday Guests
Winter is a popular time for family visits and holiday gatherings. Having extra space for guests often means needing to rearrange furniture, clear out extra rooms, or even convert home offices into makeshift guest rooms. A self storage unit lets you temporarily store some of the bulky items that normally occupy your guest spaces.
Make Room for Winter Gear
As temperatures drop, you’ll need to pull out the heavy coats, boots, blankets, and winter sports gear. If you don’t have enough space at home, these items can take over closets, mudrooms, and even living spaces. By moving some of your summer gear to a storage unit, you can ensure that your home stays organised and clutter free.
Protect Valuables from Cold Weather
If you own items that might not fare well in colder temperatures, such as certain types of furniture, artwork, or electronics, climate controlled self storage units offer a safe place to store them. Unlike garages or basements, climate controlled units maintain a steady temperature and humidity level, which can help protect sensitive items from damage.
Store Seasonal Decorations
With all the festivities that winter brings, you’ll likely be pulling out boxes of decorations. But what about those Halloween or summer decorations that are now just taking up space? A self storage unit can serve as a seasonal storage space for all of your holiday décor, freeing up valuable room at home.
Protect Your Car and Outdoor Equipment
Storing seasonal items means more room in your garage, which can help you actually use your garage for its intended purpose – protecting your car from the elements. Keeping your car in the garage over winter also means you don’t have to deal with the hassle of de-icing your car on icy mornings or waiting for everything to heat up, saving you time in the mornings and getting your day off to a smoother start.
Ease of Transition When Spring Comes
When winter is over, self storage makes it easy to swap out winter items for summer ones. Just move your winter gear into storage and bring your summer gear back out, keeping your home organised year round.
Tips for Packing Up and Storing Your Belongings Safely
Self storage can be a fantastic solution for your winter needs, but packing up and organising everything can be a challenge if you’re not prepared. Here are some quick tips to help you make the most of your storage space this winter:
Plan Ahead and Sort Through Your Belongings
Before you start moving items to storage, take a little time to evaluate what you really need to keep. Go through your belongings and decide what items are necessary for the season and which ones can be safely stored away. Not only will this save you time and energy, but it also helps avoid cluttering your storage unit with things you no longer need.
Use Clear, Sturdy Containers for Easy Identification
Invest in clear plastic containers that make it easy to identify what’s inside. This small step can save you hours of searching for things later on, especially when the unit is full. Labelling your containers also helps, and grouping similar items together will make it easier to retrieve them when you need them.
Keep Essentials Accessible
When organising your unit, make sure that items you may need before winter ends are accessible. For instance, if you’re storing Christmas decorations, place those items near the front so you don’t have to dig through everything to get them out. Likewise, store summer gear toward the back since it won’t be needed until spring.
Consider Vertical Space
Most storage units are taller than the average wardrobe, so take advantage of vertical space. Use shelving or stack boxes to keep things organised and to make sure you’re using all the available space efficiently. Be mindful not to stack fragile items too high, though—always keep heavier items on the bottom and lighter ones on top.
Invest in Climate Controlled Storage for Delicate Items
Not everything can handle the cold temperatures of winter. Electronics, musical instruments, and certain types of wood furniture can warp or deteriorate in extreme cold. Climate controlled storage provides a more stable environment, ideal for sensitive items. If you have any belongings that might be sensitive to extreme temperatures, it’s worth the investment.
Let Self Storage Make Your Life Easier This Winter
Whether you’re looking for a small unit to hold a few seasonal items or a larger space to temporarily house furniture, be sure to get in touch with our friendly team to discuss your needs. Consider the amount of space you’ll need and whether climate control is necessary. It can also be helpful to choose a location close to home if you anticipate needing to access your items frequently.