Categorize these items as deep storage and place them in less accessible parts of the storage unit, saving the easier-to-access spots for actively used items. You may have some items, such as sentimental T-shirts, childhood and school mementos, photos, wedding keepsakes, archived files and documents you don’t plan on using any time soon but are too sentimental or important to part with. Think beyond the obvious holiday items and consider how often you need to use other household things - guest bedding, camping equipment, portable heaters or fans, vacation-only items - and whether it may make sense to keep some of these in storage.ĭeep storage. Holiday decorations, seasonal clothing, sports equipment and other items that will be used for only a small portion of the year can be stored away and taken out as needed to free up space in your home. Keep these types of items within easy access in the storage unit for when you need them.Īnnual items. Likewise, suitcases and travel accessories can take up valuable space and may be better kept in storage if you don’t travel often. For example, items used solely for planned entertaining, such as tablecloths, napkins, serving bowls and platters, can perhaps be packed in storage, along with extra dinnerware and flatware. If space is limited in your home, review which items are truly used daily and which don’t need to occupy prime space. When organizing items and boxes for storage, consider the following categories: If your items are organized and easy to locate, it may even save you money: You won’t repurchase items you can’t find buried in a chaotic storage unit. If your storage needs are potentially long-term, investing in shelving units may save you time and energy. Shelving units that allow easy access to boxes - as opposed to stacking boxes - make retrieving and putting things away relatively easy. If the latter scenario describes your situation, consider organizing your storage unit so it’s truly a working, active extension of your home. I do also understand when longer-term storage units may be necessary, in cases such as temporary downsizing due to home construction or remodeling or when the storage unit is used as an addition to a small home with inadequate storage. Of course, there may be situations where renting a storage unit temporarily is the best option, when you’re unable to review and edit your belongings at the time. Consider the cost you may be paying to store potentially unwanted items. In my experience with clients, many “I’ll-look-at-them-later” boxes kept in storage units contain items that are ultimately unwanted. I generally discourage keeping long-term storage units for housing items that need to be reviewed. If you have beloved framed photos that you don’t want to dispose of but don’t have the space to display, consider saving the photos only and donating the frames. If you’re losing any outdoor space, you can perhaps pass along your outdoor decorations to a neighbor who will appreciate them. If you have much less wall space, your artwork and wall decor may not all fit. What worked in your old home may not work in your new one. Sometimes decor and holiday items can be very home-specific. If you’ll have just a living room instead of a living room and a family room, you may be able to reduce some pillows, throws and artwork in addition to the more obvious furniture, such as couches and chairs. For example, will your dining table also serve as your work desk? Will your bedroom also include an exercise spot? If so, consider if there are any duplicate items you may be able to eliminate. If your new home is much smaller or if you’re losing rooms, the new spaces may need to do double duty and cover multiple activities. Social gatherings took place in restaurants, and it didn’t make sense to keep home entertaining items such as punch bowls and large platters, or multiple sets of dinnerware and glassware. When I was young and my family moved from a New York suburb to a small Hong Kong flat, we could no longer host Thanksgiving dinners because there just wasn’t enough space to accommodate many people. If downsizing reflects a lifestyle change for you, such as moving to a retirement community or splitting households due to divorce, your new home will serve you differently.
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