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Just as one holiday ends, it’s time for the next. Many people store seasonal decorations in a storage unit for safekeeping throughout the year. While storage units provide a great solution, it’s important to ensure items stay organized – both for convenience and the safety of your belongings. Here, Clifton Rt. 46 Self Storage offers advice for organizing your seasonal storage to free up space at home while ensuring items are secure until next year.

Choose the Right Seasonal Storage Unit

First, make sure you’ve rented the right size unit. A unit that is too small will be difficult to organize efficiently. Your results will be cramped, putting boxes at risk of damage, and you may have to force items to fit – crushing belongings in the process.

Instead, take careful measurements before renting a unit. Find out what sizes your local storage facility has available, and plan by renting a larger unit than you think you need. With extra space, you’ll have the freedom to expand your collection without outgrowing your unit.

Organize and Inventory

When packing up your seasonal décor, organize items by occasion. When next year comes around, you won’t want to dig through the Easter eggs to find the Thanksgiving candles. By keeping each holiday separate in its own containers, you’ll spare yourself future frustration.

While organizing, keep an eye on items that may be broken. There is little that dampens the festive mood than setting up your tree, only to discover that half the bulbs won’t light. Identifying damaged items now will make room for new, fully functioning belongings. Pay special attention to the following:

• Christmas lights
• Tree ornaments
• Dishes and dinnerware
• Photo frames
• Snow globes
• Electronics

Keep an inventory as you go. Note down any damaged items you discover (these will need replacing), in addition to anything that goes into storage. Keep the list accessible within your storage unit. If you ever need to check what you own, this will be your reference.

Protect Fragile Items

Speaking of broken items – make sure delicate items are properly protected before placing them into storage. Glass balls, bone china dishware, and your great-grandmother’s menorah are all fragile and prone to experiencing damage. Many of these may also carry sentimental value. If you unpack your holiday décor only to discover that an irreplaceable heirloom has been broken while in storage, you may struggle to enjoy the ensuing celebrations.

Before packing, stock up on supplies. Bubble wrap, packing peanuts, and newspaper wads are all effective means of cushioning fragile belongings. Make sure you store all items appropriately, and mark boxes of fragile items so you remember to handle them gently.

Arrange for Accessibility

Finally, it’s time to move everything into your storage container. At this step, accessibility is your most important consideration. You don’t want to be climbing over containers in a struggle to reach what you want. Not only is this inconvenient, but it also puts boxes at risk of being dropped, rattled, or crushed.

When arranging your unit, make sure the most important – and most delicate – holiday items are easiest to reach. Items less prone to breaking, like soft stockings and tablecloths, can safely be stored in less convenient locations, as dropping them won’t be an issue. Also, be mindful of your walking area. Leave enough open space to move around without needing to shift boxes out of your way. This will keep your setup practical and efficient.

Rent Seasonal Storage Today

Keep your holiday belongings secure at Clifton Rt. 46 Self Storage. Located in Clifton, New Jersey, we serve our local community with a wide variety of indoor and outdoor units. We’re a family-owned company, meaning that we aren’t subject to corporate mandates. Renters can enjoy the assurance of steady rates for their seasonal storage. Contact us to learn more or to request a site tour.