The Complete Guide to Self Storage Units: Everything You Need to Know

Fall is one of the best times of year to reclaim space at home. As summer winds down, garages start filling with patio furniture, bikes, camping equipment, yard tools, recreational gear, decorations, and everything else you probably will not need again for several months. Moving some of those items into a storage unit can create more usable space at home while keeping seasonal belongings organized until you need them again. The trick is knowing what makes sense to store, what needs a little preparation first, and how much storage space you actually need. What Should You Put in Storage in the Fall? Good candidates for fall storage are usually items you will not use regularly during the colder months. Depending on where you live and how you use your home, that may include: Patio furniture Outdoor cushions Bicycles Camping equipment Coolers Summer sporting equipment Lawn and garden tools Seasonal decorations Extra household furniture Moving boxes Dorm or apartment belongings Approved business inventory Recreational equipment The goal is not simply to move clutter from one place to another. A little planning can turn a storage unit into an organized extension of your home or business. Should You Store Patio Furniture for the Winter? If outdoor furniture will not be used for several months, fall is a good time to clean it and move it out of the way. Before storing patio furniture: Remove dirt, leaves, and debris. Allow furniture to dry completely. Remove cushions when possible. Disassemble large pieces if doing so saves space. Keep hardware together in a labeled bag. Avoid stacking heavy items on fragile furniture. Outdoor cushions should be completely dry before being packed away. This is also a good time to inspect furniture instead of discovering a broken chair or missing bolt next spring. What About Lawn and Garden Equipment? Lawn tools can take up a surprising amount of garage space. Rakes, shovels, wheelbarrows, lawn equipment, garden supplies, and seasonal tools can often be organized vertically or grouped together inside a storage unit. Fuel, flammable materials, hazardous materials, and other prohibited items should not be stored in a storage unit. If you are unsure about an item, check with the facility before moving it in. How Should You Store Bikes and Recreational Equipment? Clean dirt and mud from bicycles, camping gear, sports equipment, and other outdoor items before storing them. Whenever possible, keep related gear together. For example, camping chairs, tents, sleeping bags, lanterns, and coolers can occupy one section of your unit instead of being scattered throughout it. Labeling containers by activity instead of simply writing “garage stuff” on them will make spring much easier. Future you will appreciate the effort. Is Fall a Good Time to Organize Holiday Decorations? Absolutely. October is actually a useful time to reorganize decorations because the holiday season is just beginning. Instead of digging through six mystery boxes every time a holiday arrives, separate decorations by season: Halloween Thanksgiving Christmas Winter Spring Birthdays and special events Clear plastic bins or large labels can make individual categories easier to identify. Store decorations you will need soon toward the front of your storage unit. There is no reason to bury Christmas decorations behind patio furniture if you plan to retrieve them six weeks later. What Should Not Go Into a Storage Unit? Storage facilities have rules regarding prohibited items. Common examples may include: Gasoline Propane tanks Explosives Fireworks Flammable chemicals Perishable food Illegal items Hazardous materials Living animals or plants Facility rules can vary, so contact the property if you are unsure whether something is permitted. What Size Storage Unit Is Good for Seasonal Storage? There is no single correct answer because one household's “seasonal stuff” may be four totes while another household has a garage full of equipment. A smaller storage unit may work well for boxes, decorations, bicycles, and a limited amount of furniture. A larger unit may be useful when you are storing patio furniture, multiple bicycles, garage items, equipment, and household furniture together. Before choosing a size, make a list of your largest items first. Those are usually what determine how much space you need. Then use the Better Self Storage Storage Size Guide to compare common unit dimensions before checking current availability at your nearest location. 5x10 or 10x10 for Seasonal Storage? A 5x10 storage unit provides roughly 50 square feet of floor space. A 10x10 provides roughly 100 square feet. That does not automatically mean you need the larger option. If you mainly have decorations, boxes, bikes, or several smaller seasonal items, a 5x10 may be enough. If you are adding furniture, equipment, a large number of boxes, or belongings from several rooms, compare the two sizes before renting. Unit dimensions and availability vary by property. How Can You Keep a Storage Unit Organized Through the Seasons? Think about what you will need next. If you move summer belongings into storage in October but know you will retrieve Christmas decorations in November, do not put the Christmas bins in the back corner. Create simple zones such as: Front: Items needed soon Middle: Frequently rotated seasonal items Back: Long-term storage Leave an aisle when possible. A perfectly packed unit is not very convenient if accessing one box requires removing half the contents. Fall Storage Can Give Your Home Some Breathing Room You do not have to get rid of everything just because you want your garage, spare room, or basement back. Seasonal storage can help you create more usable space while keeping belongings available when you need them again. Better Self Storage offers multiple storage options across our locations, with unit sizes and features varying by property. Use our Storage Size Guide to estimate the space you need, then check current availability at the Better Self Storage location nearest you. Fall Storage FAQ What should I put in storage during the fall? Patio furniture, bicycles, camping gear, seasonal decorations, summer recreational equipment, extra furniture, and household overflow are common fall storage items. Can I store lawn equipment in a storage unit? Certain equipment may be allowed, but fuel and other prohibited or hazardous materials cannot be stored. Check facility rules before renting. What size unit do I need for seasonal belongings? It depends on the amount and size of your belongings. Smaller units may work for boxes and decorations, while larger units may be better for furniture, equipment, and multiple categories of household items. Should holiday decorations go near the front of my unit? Yes, especially if you will need them soon. Organizing your unit based on when items will be retrieved can save a lot of work later. Can Better Self Storage help me choose a unit size? Yes. Start with our Storage Size Guide, check the current inventory at your preferred location, and contact the team if you need help comparing options. MAKE ROOM FOR FALL Clear the garage. Organize the seasonal stuff. Keep what you need without letting it take over your home. Check current unit availability at Better Self Storage. Publishing Note: Link this article prominently to the master Storage Size Guide rather than creating a competing size-guide resource. Add links from applicable local fall/winter articles back to this page.

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