There are many reasons why people move to a new city: to downsize, be closer to family, to move downtown to the city life, or maybe to get a fresh start! Whatever your reason, you may find yourself needing some transitional short-term storage as you move into your new place. It can ease the let-go if you’re downsizing and still determining what you want to get rid of and gives you some extra time to settle in if you’re moving in the midst of busy season. Here are some tips to help you get organized and decide what might be best to put in storage when you move.
Organize things by season
If you’re moving to a new city that experiences all four seasons, you won’t need your snow gear all year round. That includes snow tires for your car, your boots and snowshoes, and so on. Likewise, you can pack away your summer gear if you’re moving midwinter and save yourself some space and hassle unpacking. Patio furniture can take up a lot of space being stored for the winter, so a well-sized storage unit can be a great place to stash the whole ensemble.
If you are packing away a lot of clothes, make sure to choose a storage unit that won’t be subject to a lot of changes in humidity or temperature, and only pack away clean clothes. Otherwise, you’re guaranteed to find an unsavory mess when you eventually open those boxes again.
Hang on to extra furniture that you might want later
Moving into a new home is a great opportunity to redecorate and change up the feng shui of your space. If your current furniture doesn’t perfectly compliment your new home but you’re not sure that you’re ready to sell it, wrap it up and put it in your storage unit. Sectionals, extra end-tables, whatever it might be — you might just find the perfect spot for it in a month or two. Be sure to check out our list self-storage mistakes to avoid to ensure that your furniture is still looking good when you decide to move it into your house.
Hold on to your keepsakes and mementos
When you really get into the swing of downsizing, it can be easy to think that you don’t really need to keep all of those old photos and mementos. That might be a decision you regret down the road when you realize you can’t get them back, so instead, opt for a high-quality storage unit where you don’t have to worry about water damage or things getting lost during your relocation. If your storage unit doesn’t already have shelves, consider bringing in some simple portable shelving units and organizing your boxes of keepsakes for easy access when you realize, eventually, that you’re glad you kept them.
Those antiques can go into storage, too
Your great-great grandmother’s rocking chair may not really fit the decor of your new home, but you certainly aren’t about to go selling it! Consider having your antiques professionally packed, then bringing them to your storage unit for safe keeping. Be sure you have insurance to cover your heirlooms in case of disaster, and that you choose a storage facility that feels safe and secure. You don’t want to be worrying about that grandfather clock when you’d rather be getting to know your new city.
To save yourself the headache of digging through boxes in the future, take a look at our tips on how to organize your storage unit. We’ll help you get your storage unit in tip-top shape, and make settling in even easier.
