How to Use Self Storage to Declutter a Home
The longer most people live in the same place, the more stuff they accumulate. While it’s easy to offer advice about getting rid of clutter to free up space, both literally and metaphorically, this process can be incredibly challenging for those who have lived in the same house for years or even decades. Read on to find a quick guide to how to use self storage to declutter a home.
Step One: Rent a Unit
The first step in the process is to look into local storage facilities. Find someplace that offers easy, round-the-clock access to units without sacrificing security, and ask about pricing.
This is one area where higher costs seldom equate to a better quality of service. Ask around to get an idea of what the going rate is for weekly or monthly rentals, then use that information to evaluate quotes. A good facility will keep its overhead low and pass the savings on to its customers, so it’s fine to choose a budget option.
Step Two: Figure Out What to Store
There’s a right way and a wrong way to use self storage to declutter. Just moving 100% of the mess to the new unit and calling it a day is the wrong way to go about this process. Instead, take the time to figure out what to store, what to keep, and what to throw away.
Try to find a balance. While it makes little sense to move items that are used daily into storage units, it’s also pointless to rent a unit and then leave it empty. Try starting with packing up and removing items that are used less than once a year, and see how much space it frees up. Common examples include:
- Holiday decorations
- Seasonal clothing
- Collectibles
- Family keepsakes
- Sports equipment
- Garden tools
- Unused furniture
This easy win can make the rest of the decluttering process feel easier. Seeing what the home will look like with less stuff can be quite freeing, especially when it doesn’t require getting rid of everything at once.
Step Three: Go Through Everything
Don’t use the ability to store items off-site as an excuse to just keep everything. Take the time to go through belongings, category by category. If there are things that have been sitting in the unit for years without getting used, those are good candidates for being given away or tossed.
The Best Time to Start Is Now
There’s no wrong time to start decluttering a home, but why not consider it a part of spring cleaning? With the weather warming up, now is the perfect time to make a fresh start.