The festive season is upon us but if you’re anticipating a house full of guests, you might want to start clearing rooms to make some space. Whether you need to manage those holiday decorations, extra gifts, or seasonal furniture, here are some great tips for making space this holiday.
1. Holiday de-clutter
If you haven’t already started with Christmas decorations, then now is the time to de-clutter your home by getting rid of items you don’t need or use. Tips for de-cluttering include:
- Sort by category: Organise items into categories of keep, donate, or discard.
- Seasonal rotation: Store non-holiday items like winter clothing or sports kit to create more space for holiday essentials.
- Donation drive: Consider donating unused items such as clothes, toys, or kitchenware to local charities.
2. Get storage bins
The most efficient way to store items is in clear packing bins that allow you to easily organise and quickly locate your seasonal items. Benefits of clear bins include:
- Easy identification: You can quickly find what you need without rummaging through multiple boxes.
- Space efficiency: Stackable bins maximise vertical space, freeing up valuable floor space.
- Durability: Plastic bins protect your items from moisture, dust, and pests.
3. Label everything
Even with clear bins, it’s best that you label each bin or box with its contents to make finding and packing items easier. Consider color-coded labels for different types of decorations. Labelling tips include:
- Colour code: Use different colours for holidays, sports equipment, work items, and more.
- Detailed: Include a list of specific items inside each bin for quick reference.
- Digital inventory: Create a digital inventory if possible list to track what’s stored in each container.
4. Protect fragile items
If you’re storing fragile items like decorations, lights, ceramic figures, or musical equipment, you must store these properly so they’re not damaged in the move. Protective tips include:
- Use bubble wrap or tissue paper: Wrap fragile items individually for added protection.
- Dividers: Invest in storage boxes with dividers or insert dividers to keep delicate items separate.
- Climate control: Store fragile items in a climate-controlled area to prevent damage.
5. Use self-storage units
If space is limited and you only need to access the stored goods infrequently, you should consider using a self-storage unit. Items like Christmas holiday decorations take up a lot of space and are only used for a couple of weeks, so they can be conveniently stored in a secure self-storage unit. Likewise, if you’re looking to make space in your home and don’t want to get rid of items, you can store them in self-storage on a month-to-month basis.
What can you store in self-storage units?
For smaller goods, storing them in clear containers or clearly labelled boxes as advised is best. But there are so many items you can store, either short-term or long-term, in a self-storage unit.
- Furniture: If you need to make space, bulky furniture can be stored elsewhere so there’s space for all your guests.
- Delicate items: Whether it’s Christmas decorations or valuable goods that could get damaged with guests around, any delicate items can be safely stored in self-storage units.
- Spare room goods: Excess clothing, furniture, sports equipment, and other items you often toss in the spare room can be cleared out for your holiday guests.
- Gifts: If you have large Christmas gifts that simply can’t be seen ahead of time then consider a self-storage unit.
If you’re looking for some secure holiday storage space, then Cedar Storage is a great option. Based in Randburg, this safe and convenient storage provider offers self-storage units in all sizes to suit all needs and budgets. Make Christmas a clutter-free, hassle-free, stress-free holiday this year with Cedar Storage.
