Should You Put Your Belongings in Storage Before Going on Vacation?

You don’t need to put your belongings in storage every time you go on vacation. But if you’re leaving home for an extended period, moving certain items into a storage unit can help clear space, protect belongings, and make it easier to prepare your home before you leave. 

Start by looking at what will be left behind while you’re away. Outdoor furniture, seasonal items, valuable belongings, and things that could be damaged by a leak, storm, or other problem may be worth moving into storage. You can also use storage to clear out rooms if someone will be staying at your home or checking on it while you’re gone. 

Key takeaways 

• You don’t need to put everything in storage before a vacation. 
• Consider storing belongings that take up space or could be vulnerable while you’re away. 
• Outdoor furniture, seasonal items, and recreational equipment can be good candidates for storage. 
• Storage can help you clear rooms before a house sitter, pet sitter, or family member stays at your home. 
• Don’t put food, plants, animals, hazardous materials, or other prohibited items in a storage unit. 
• Check your storage facility’s rules and your rental agreement before storing anything. 
• Make a list of what you put in storage so you can find it when you return. 

When should you put belongings in storage before vacation? 

Putting belongings in storage can make sense if you’ll be away for several weeks or months. Storage can be a safe place for items pets may tear up while you’re gone, or items you’d rather not have visible through the windows, like televisions or stereo equipment. 

You may also want to consider storage if you’re leaving during a season when certain belongings won’t be used. For example, you could store patio furniture and outdoor equipment before a long winter trip to protect them from the elements or move bulky winter gear into storage before spending several months somewhere warm. 

Don’t wait until the night before your flight, either. Start sorting a few days or weeks ahead so you have time to clean, pack, and move everything without rushing. 

Use storage to clear space before you leave 

Sometimes the biggest benefit of storage isn’t protecting a particular item. It’s simply getting things out of the way. If a friend, family member, or house sitter will stay at your home while you’re gone, you may want to clear a bedroom, closet, or bathroom for them. Instead of cramming your belongings into another room, you can move things you don’t need into storage. 

The same idea can help if you’re preparing your home for maintenance or repairs before your trip. Moving furniture and boxes out of the way can give workers more room to access the areas they need. 

What should you put in storage before going on vacation? 

Focus on belongings that you won’t need while you’re away and what you would want to protect if something happened while you were gone. A water leak, storm, or other unexpected problem could damage belongings left in vulnerable areas of your home.  

Depending on your situation, this might include: 

• Outdoor furniture 
• Seasonal decorations 
• Sports equipment 
• Camping gear 
• Holiday decorations 
• Bicycles 
• Extra furniture 
• Seasonal clothing 
• Collectibles 
• Business inventory 

Should you store valuables before vacation? 

Think carefully before moving valuable belongings into storage just because you’re going on vacation. A storage unit isn’t a substitute for a home safe or other security measures, and your storage agreement and insurance coverage may have specific terms for valuable items. 

For expensive jewelry, important documents, irreplaceable family items, or other high-value belongings, you may want to get a safe-deposit box at your bank instead. 

Choose the right storage unit 

The amount and type of belongings you’re storing will determine the size of the unit you need. A small unit may be enough for a few boxes of seasonal items. If you’re storing patio furniture, large equipment, or several rooms of belongings, you’ll need more space. 

Don’t automatically rent the biggest unit available. Measure larger belongings first, then estimate how many boxes you’ll have. Leave enough room to move around the unit and reach the things you may need later. 

If you’re storing belongings that could be affected by temperature or humidity changes, consider a climate-controlled unit. Climate-controlled storage can help reduce the risk of damage to items such as wood furniture, electronics, fabrics, and documents, although conditions vary by facility and unit. 

What shouldn’t you put in storage before vacation? 

Storage facilities have rules about what can and can’t be stored. Don’t assume something is allowed just because it isn’t dangerous or perishable. 

Public Storage, for example, prohibits items including food and other perishables, plants and animals, and hazardous materials such as toxic chemicals. Check your facility’s current prohibited-items list and rental agreement before storing cleaning products, chemicals, fuel, or other questionable items. 

If you’re unsure about something, ask the facility before bringing it in. 

Vacation storage checklist 

Use this checklist before leaving your belongings in storage: 

• Sort belongings into keep, donate, sell, dispose of, and store groups. 
• Clean and dry items before packing them. 
• Check your storage facility’s prohibited-items list. 
• Choose a unit based on the amount and type of belongings you’re storing. 
• Consider climate-controlled storage for belongings that may be vulnerable to temperature or humidity changes. 
• Disassemble large furniture when possible. 
• Label every box. 
• Create an inventory of stored belongings. 
• Leave a walkway through the unit. 
• Put items you may need near the front. 
• Check that your lock is secure before leaving. 
• Keep important records about valuable belongings outside the unit. 

Vacation storage FAQs 

Is it worth renting a storage unit for a short vacation? 

Usually, you don’t need a storage unit for a typical short vacation. Storage can make more sense when you’re leaving for an extended period, need to clear space in your home, or have belongings that you want to keep but won’t need while you’re away. 

Should I put my furniture in storage while I’m on vacation? 

You might consider storing furniture if you’re leaving for an extended period, need to clear a room, or want to protect certain belongings from potential problems at home. For a short trip, moving furniture into storage usually isn’t necessary. 

How do I keep track of what I put in storage? 

Make a simple inventory as you pack. Number your boxes, write down what’s inside each one, and take a photo of the storage unit after you’ve finished organizing it. 

Can I store important documents while I’m on vacation? 

You can store some documents in a storage unit, but consider whether you may need access to them while you’re away. Keep digital copies or other backups of important records, and consider climate-controlled storage for paper documents that could be affected by temperature or humidity changes. 

Should I store my car before going on vacation? 

It depends on how long you’ll be away and where your car will otherwise be parked. For an extended trip, vehicle storage can keep your car off the street or driveway while you’re gone. Check your facility’s vehicle-storage requirements before making a reservation.