Once the clocks go back, most of us start noticing how much of the house is still set up for summer. The garden furniture is stacked against the back wall, the paddling pool is folded up in the garage next to the bikes, and there are beach bags and sun hats in the hallway cupboard right where the winter coats need to go. Meanwhile the Christmas decorations are about to come down from the loft and the kids need somewhere to put their wellies.

A seasonal swap is a simple fix for all of that. You move the things you won’t need for the next six months into storage, bring out what you will, and do the same in reverse when spring comes round. It’s a small habit, but it can make a house feel noticeably bigger for most of the year.

 

What tends to go into storage in autumn

The obvious candidates are the bulky outdoor things. Garden furniture, cushions and parasols, the barbecue, the paddling pool, the trampoline if it comes apart, and any garden toys that won’t see daylight until April. Camping gear is another big one, as are bikes that only really come out on summer weekends.

Then there’s the less obvious stuff that still takes up room. Summer clothes and shoes, beach towels, picnic gear, the cool box, and whatever you’ve collected from festivals and days out. On its own none of it seems like much, but together it can fill a garage or a spare room without you really noticing.

 

And what comes back out

The swap works both ways, so think about what you’ll want over the winter. Heavy coats and boots, extra duvets and throws, the Christmas decorations and artificial tree, ski gear if you’re heading away, and spare chairs or a folding table for when family come over.

Having all of that in one place, rather than spread between the loft, the shed and the back of a wardrobe, makes the switch a lot quicker.

 

Get things ready before they go in

A bit of prep now saves you a nasty surprise next spring. Anything going into storage should be clean and completely dry, which matters most for tents, garden cushions and fabric parasols. Pack them away even slightly damp and there’s a good chance you’ll find mildew when you open them up again, so give them a dry day on the line first if you can.

Clean the barbecue grill and empty out the ash. Wipe the bikes down and put a bit of oil on the chains so they’re ready when the weather turns. Wash summer clothes before boxing them up too, as clothes that have been worn can attract moths or pick up a musty smell over a few months.

It’s also worth knowing that gas bottles, fuel and other flammable items generally aren’t allowed in storage units, so keep the barbecue gas and any petrol for the mower at home and stored safely. If you’re not sure about something, just ask us.

 

Pack it so next spring is easy

The trick with a seasonal swap is setting it up so the next one is just as straightforward. Label boxes on the sides as well as the top, and keep things grouped by season. When you load the unit this autumn, put the summer items towards the back and keep anything wintery you might need in a hurry near the front.

A quick list on your phone of what’s in the unit helps more than you’d expect, especially in March when you’re trying to remember where everything is. 

 

Why it beats cramming it into the loft

Lofts and sheds are fine for some things but not ideal for everything. Lofts get cold in winter and hot in summer, and getting a garden table up a loft ladder is nobody’s idea of fun. Sheds can let in damp, and they fill up fast once the bikes and the lawnmower are in.

A storage unit gives you somewhere secure and dry where you can see what you’ve got and get to it easily. It also means the space in your home goes to the things you’re actually using right now, which is really the whole point.

 

Make this year’s swap the easy one

A seasonal swap feels like a bit of effort the first time, but once the unit is set up it becomes a fairly quick job twice a year. If you’d like to talk through what size unit would suit your seasonal things, get in touch and we’ll help you find the right fit.