How to Make Use of Self Storage in the Summer

How to Make Use of Summer Storage Units

Ready for the summer weather? Even if the warmest months are still weeks away, it pays to be prepared with a few summer storage tips. Getting ahead of your storage needs now will help you avoid the hassle once the summer fun actually starts. Here are some great ways to make the most of storage units in the summer:

1. Store Bulky Outdoor and Recreational Gear

If you’re an outdoor enthusiast, you know that summer gear takes up a ton of space. As the seasons change, get ready to head to your summer storage unit, remove the things you need for the season, and replace them with winter gear. Bring your kayak, paddleboard, or mountain bike back home, and store things like skis, snowboards, and sleds back in your storage space.

2. Manage Seasonal Décor and Clothing

Still have space in your summer storage? Fill it up with seasonal décor, household items, and clothing. Storing away smaller items might not seem like a big deal, but it can actually make a massive difference in the organization of your home. Summer storage is perfect for:

• Heavy wool sweaters and thick coats
• Snow boots
• Flannel sheets and down comforters
• Holiday decorations like wreaths and ornaments

3. Put Away College Dorm Room Supplies

College students look forward to summer, but it also presents a storage headache. Fortunately, many storage facilities offer storage units for students during summer break. Instead of hauling a mini-fridge, microwave, bedding, and a slew of textbooks home, students can simply rent a small storage unit near campus. It saves money on gas or shipping, keeps parents happy by not cluttering their home, and makes the move-in process for the fall semester significantly faster.

4. Prepare Your Summer Items Before the Season Starts

As you move winter items in, you’ll be pulling summer items out. However, before you start using that patio furniture or camping tent, take a moment to inspect and prep them:

• Clean Before You Use—Items that have been sitting for months may be dusty or musty. Wipe down patio chairs, air out sleeping bags, and check your grill for any maintenance needs.
• Check for Damage—Look for any wear and tear that might have happened during storage. Is there a rip in your camping gear? Is the beach umbrella bent? It’s better to find out now than when you’re setting up at the beach.
• Do Some Inventory—As you pull items out, make a mental (or physical) note of what you have. This prevents you from accidentally buying duplicates of things like sunscreen, bug spray, or pool noodles that were hidden away in a box.

5. Organize Your Storage Unit for Faster Summer Access

If you plan to use your unit frequently for summer storage, organization is your best friend. After all, you don’t want to spend your Saturday morning digging through a wall of boxes! Here are a few organization ideas, whether you need summer clothes storage or a safe place for your skis:

• Create an Aisle—Leave a clear path down the center of your unit so you can reach items at the back without moving everything.
• Prioritize Accessibility—Keep the items you use most often near the door. If you go camping every other weekend, the tent and cooler should be the last things you put in and the first things you can grab.
• Label Everything—It sounds simple, but clear labeling saves hours of frustration. “Summer Gear” is vague—“Life Jackets, Snorkels, and Beach Towels” is helpful.

6. Plan Ahead Toward the End of Summer

As August rolls around and the days start to shorten, it’s time to store your summer items and get the winter gear back out. It helps to have a plan in place before the end-of-summer scramble begins. Start gathering boxes and packing supplies in late summer. As you finish using items for the season, clean and set them aside for storage immediately rather than letting them pile up. By anticipating the switch back to fall and winter, you make the transition smoother and ensure your storage unit doesn’t become a cluttered mess.

Maximize Your Summer With Smarter Storage

When you need storage for summer clothes or some summer house storage ideas, our Mountain View, CA team is here for you. At Independence Storage, we offer storage solutions for a variety of needs, from residential moves to business inventory. Contact us today to start exploring your storage options for this summer.