As the seasons change, our home and garden priorities change with them. One moment, seemingly, we are looking at our summer garden furniture and contemplating an evening with cool drinks on the decking. The next, we’re looking for the decorations for the festive season – and these two considerations have something in common that characterises many of our home and garden choices. So many items are only in use for part of the year; what do we do with them when they aren’t in use?

The changing of the seasons brings a set of challenges for homeowners often dealt with on the hoof. Convenience often dictates that we simply put seasonal items wherever they’ll go; closets soon become over-stuffed and attics packed to capacity. It’s easy for the garage to become an overflow storage facility, but it needs to be usable for its initial purpose. So many of us are constantly seeking places to put stuff and it’s hard to do this without compromising on space. Below, we’ll look at the importance of seasonal rotation and how we can store things to simplify the seasonal transition.

The importance of seasonal rotation

Seasonal rotation is about more than just organisation; it has to do with maximising our living spaces for the purposes of each season. Storing away items not in use is essential to create a more spacious and harmonious environment. Each season has its own necessary items; cosy winter blankets, light summer cushions, and so on. Rotating these items means that our homes always hit the right seasonal note, but more importantly ensures that our homes are subject to a minimum of unnecessary clutter.

Just picture yourself in a sitting room in mid-December, where summer inflatables are cast here and there about the place. Equally, picture yourself in your garden in the middle of summer, with snow shovels propped against any spare surface. Not only do these anomalous items make the space feel cramped, they are extremely jarring, spoiling the season’s mood. By rotating things on a seasonal basis, we can root ourselves in the present, make the most of the season’s offerings and leave aside the distraction that such items cause.

That’s before you get to the benefits of a clutter-free environment; decluttering has been linked to positive aspects such as reduced stress and increased productivity. When things are organised, our minds find it easier to follow along. We think more clearly, relax more completely, and enjoy the spaces around us to the fullest degree. And even better than that; when you rotate items seasonally, they last longer, evading the wear and tear that comes with constant use.

Seasonal rotation, then, is a practice that enhances the aesthetic appeal of our homes but also adds a sense of well-being. It’s a ritual that signifies the passage of time, marking the end of one season and the beginning of another, and ensuring that our homes lose nothing on the function front nor the beauty one.

The challenges of in-home storage

While there is storage space in any home, it fills up quickly. It naturally will. Unless you can afford a whole lot of house, you’re not going to have a whole lot of storage space, and so you will tend to find that in-home storage has its limitations. As we’ve noted, there isn’t a lot of it, and some of it is probably already being used. In addition, it generally isn’t ideally appointed for a lot of the items you want to put in it. Humidity and the potential for pests means that what you put into storage might not come out in the same condition. This can be particularly problematic in the case of fabrics; that warm blanket you love in winter? Any mice in the area will also love it.

Additionally, if you put items into storage, the need to really pack them in will make it very difficult to store them tidily. This means when you go to get them back, you may find they’re extremely wrinkled and, potentially, prone to issues like mildew and mould. Vacuum storage bags are recommended for delicate items, but one additional word or warning here: make sure the vacuum bag is sealed to an airtight level – because if air starts getting into those bags, it can do all the more damage because it becomes trapped.

Attics and basements, at opposite ends of the house, have their own issues. Attics are known for extreme temperature fluctuations. Heat during the summer months is bad news for appliances, photographs and fabrics. Cold in the winter can, in extreme circumstances, even cause items to freeze, which leads to damage when they thaw. Basements, for their part, are prone to damp and possible flooding. And no matter how clean you keep your home, basements are prone to pests including rodents, which can lead very quickly to all kinds of damage.

Proper storage is not just a case of “out of sight, out of mind”. When you put items away, the goal should be to ensure their longevity and the preservation of their best condition. Unless careful consideration is given to how things are stored, they can become unusable outside of your observation. This is why it becomes necessary to think about options beyond the confines of the home, where they can be properly stored.

The benefits of external storage solutions

In the quest for maximum space, it’s no shock that so many homeowners are looking to external storage solutions. Such facilities offer a plethora of benefits that far outstrip the capabilities of in-home storage spaces.

Firstly, external storage units provide a custom space for your belongings, ensuring their condition is preserved while they are in storage. These units are generally climate-controlled, keeping them at a steady temperature and optimal humidity level for as long as they are stored. Whether you are storing consumer electronics, artwork, vintage clothing or important documents, they are kept in an environment that protects and preserves their integrity. Storage units come in various sizes, too, meaning that items from bulky furniture to delicate items can be stored comfortably.

For homes with limited storage space, which is most homes, external storage can be a game-changer. Most homeowners – and almost all renters – don’t have the luxury of capacious, climate-controlled attics and basements. Most of the time, they will lack the space to accommodate their seasonal items. External storage offers a flexible, secure alternative environment for those who need that space but don’t have a home that provides it. This means there need be no more cramming things in wherever you can, no more compromising on things to keep or throw, and no more hoping that your items will survive a winter in storage.

External storage also offers a level of protection that you can’t ensure at home. If you have valuable items that you don’t frequently use, then storing them is a question that needs to be answered. External facilities are equipped with 24/7 surveillance, access codes, and alarms. In the home, they are always at some risk of accidental damage or theft from burglars. Storing them off-site will generally mean that you can insure them at a lower cost than would otherwise be possible, among other benefits.

Flexibility is another thing that off-site storage has over home spaces. There are various different sizes of storage facility, so you can choose one that best suits your needs, so you’re not paying for space you don’t need. It’s still an additional cost on top of what you’re paying for your home, but it’s a cost you can control. For this and all the above reasons, it is a choice that a lot more householders are making in the present day.

Effective seasonal storage tips

If done the way it should be, seasonal storage is about more than simply hiding items away from sight, wherever they will go. It is about ensuring ease of access when the time comes to get them out of storage. To optimise your seasonal storage, it is worth doing the following:

• Label everything you store: Labelling boxes and containers will allow you to recognise what you are looking for immediately. This is a common tip but can be enhanced greatly by creating a manifest with all the items you have stored away, so before you even go to the storage unit or closet, you can immediately pinpoint where things are.
• Use clear containers: Once you step into a storage space, if the items are in clear containers, you can immediately see what’s inside and narrow your search down to a specific area.
• Check on things: Storage shouldn’t be a case of “out of sight, out of mind”, because once you forget about items it becomes all too easy to not care what happens to them. Go back and check on items on a semi-regular basis, and make changes if you feel the need.