Many will agree that there is nothing more satisfying than a complete decluttering session; but, while the end results are usually nothing short of a mystical experience, getting started can be quite daunting. Even for the most organised individuals, taking the time to sort and reorganise all their belongings can feel like a huge task.
Especially when space is lacking at home, the challenge of allocating the right space to everything is one to not be underestimated. There is, however, a very valid solution which many often overlook; we’re talking about self-storage. Ideal to methodically organise your seasonal belongings or even to be used as an added storage area to your home, a self-storage unit can be a great when space is lacking.
What is self-storage
When talking about self-storage, many think of it as a temporary solution suitable for a house move or to store all your belongings during a home renovation.
Domestic self-storage, however, has the potential to become a valuable aid all-year-round. When space is lacking at home, things can get unorganised quickly; that’s where self-storage comes in, offering you the extra space you need for everything that doesn’t have a designated space in your home.
UK-based storage company Vanguard have locations across some of the biggest cities in the country, allowing their customers to have easy access to their belongings, whenever they need it. Self-storage unit sizes can go from a compact 10 sq ft locker – big enough to store a few small boxes – to large 150 sq ft units – suitable for a home move or renovation project.
Top storage tips for a tidy home
Before you can establish what storage unit size is best suited for your needs, it’s time to declutter your home and box up whatever you want to store away.
Here are 7 self-storage tips to organise and declutter your home:
- Tackle one room at a time. Decluttering and organising your entire home at once can be quite time consuming so, rather than starting the project and having to leave it incomplete, consider tackling one room at a time. Giving yourself a more attainable goal will help you stay focused and finish the organisation in a methodical, tidy way.
- Create a “maybe” pile and set it aside. Once you’re done decluttering and reorganising your home, get back to your “maybe” pile and re-evaluate again whether you really want to keep any of those items. Some also suggest to keep your “maybe” items for a couple of months and, if you find that you don’t need them at all during that time period, you know what that means!
- Don’t keep paperwork. Instead use a cloud storage system to archive your files and organise them by category. Scanning any papers you may need in the future will save you a lot of space and a great deal of time next time you need to find them. Only keep physical copies of the originals if you really need them and don’t forget the check the dates – most certificates have an expiry date and they become practically useless after that!
- Don’t forget to declutter your wardrobe. Choosing to get rid of clothes and shoes is far more difficult than sorting through your Tupperware and dozens of mugs, however it must be done as you’re likely to have a lot more clutter than you think. Go through your clothes and filter out anything that doesn’t fit or that you don’t like anymore. Chances are you will have a few pieces you’ve never worn and will probably never wear
- Donate whatever you don’t like, want, or need anymore. Deciding what to get rid of might be a task in itself, however, if you think that your trash could be someone else’s treasure you might find it easier to make a decision. Go through your belongings and make a pile of things you no longer use or like (or things that don’t spark joy, as Marie Kondo says). It might be hard to let go of that pair of jeans you were hoping to slim into, but someone else might need it more than you do. And you can always buy a new pair of jeans that can make you feel just as great as your old ones!
- Categorise your boxes. If there’s one mistake we all make when moving it’s to think that we can actually remember what’s in each box. You will probably forget where everything is the moment the box is taped, so try keeping an inventory of all your belongings and make sure to mark up where everything goes – unpacking will be child’s play once you know what’s in each box.
- Invest in smart storage solutions. This is more of an “aftercare” tip to keep your living spaces tidy and organised once you’ve decluttered your home. Clear boxes, baskets and trays are ideal to keep everything tidy and easily accessible, so opt for these handy solutions to make sure your spaces remain clutter-free for as long as possible.
Whether you’re looking for tips to optimise your space or you want to pack all your things neatly before choosing the right domestic self-storage unit for you, follow our 7self-storage tips and you’ll feel like a pro!