One of the biggest reasons people use self storage is to increase usable space at home. As people seek smaller apartments that sacrifice space for proximity, usable living space is at a premium. And while some areas allow year-round weather with relatively little need to store seasonal clothing, that isn’t the case for everyone.
If you’re living in bustling cities like Cincinnati, Chicago, or New York City that experience all four seasons, you know you have summer and winter clothes. And when they’re not in season, these items take up valuable close space. The solution is simple: store seasonal clothing in a storage unit.
What to consider when storing clothes
The first thing you should know is finding the right storage unit size. As most seasonal clothing should only take up a few boxes, you should be fine with getting a 5×5 or 5×10 storage unit. These units are roughly the size of a walk-in closet, providing you just the right amount of space for storage.
Aside from the size of your storage unit, be mindful of proximity. A great way to know if you’ll need a storage unit down the street versus a potentially cheaper one a few miles away is to determine how often you’ll need your stuff. If you’ll only be getting to your clothes when the seasons change, go for that cheaper unit with a longer drive.
The next thing to consider is security. If you’re storing clothing that is costly, it’s best to find a storage facility with strong security features such as electronic gate access or video surveillance. These will make it harder for any loss or damage to occur as your unit will be monitored and have another layer of security for would-be thieves to get through.
Lastly, if you’re living in an area with extreme humidity in the summers, you may want to consider a climate-controlled storage unit for your clothing. High amounts of water in the air can promote mold or mildew growth in fabrics, which can irreversibly damage your clothes. The climate control feature in storage units maintains a constant temperature and humidity level, preventing such growth from occurring.
Tips to store seasonal clothing
Once you’ve found a storage unit that suits your needs, there are a few steps you can take to make your overall self storage experience easier. To get the most use and convenience out of your storage unit, we recommend the following:
- Clearly mark your boxes – Make sure your boxes are clearly labeled with their contents to easily find your items and make your trip to your self storage quick. This also comes in handy with the second tip.
- Stack your boxes along the perimeter – Do not lump all your boxes in the center of the unit, especially if you have many boxes. Instead, stack the boxes no higher than your shoulders around the walls of the unit. This prevents having to dig through your unit as you can see everything at once.
- Track your inventory – Lastly, it’s always good to keep a list of what’s in storage. Back in the day, you’d have to use a notepad. While paper and pen are still handy, a quick and easy photo or note on your phone will do the trick.
Start saving space today
You can start saving space in your apartment or home today by finding a storage unit to store seasonal clothing. Using the tips and considerations above, filter through our director at Storage.com to find the perfect storage facility for your situation.
Once you find the best fit, you can order directly online with us. And remember, you can always call in to one of our friendly storage representatives at any time, and they’ll be happy to provide any further assistance. Thanks for using Storage.com for your self storage needs!
