Self Storage for the Holidays: How to Make More Room for Holiday Guests

The holiday season is one of the best times of the year, as it summons feelings of joy, wonder, and all-around merriness. However, it also means the arrival of visitors, many of whom may be staying at your home. While spending time with loved ones is something we should all cherish, preparing to provide comfortable accommodations can sometimes be stressful.

Thankfully, there are ways you can make the holiday preparation process manageable. Namely, renting a holiday storage unit from an Absolute Storage-managed facility allows you to open up valuable space and make your home a winter wonderland where you can have a happy holiday season. This guide will provide a handy decluttering checklist, tips for decorating your small guest room, and more tips on self storage for the holidays.

Mentally Preparing To Host Holiday House Guests

Before you rearrange furniture and box up decorations, it’s important to mentally prepare for the responsibilities of hosting. Holiday guests can bring a mix of emotions—warmth, anticipation, and sometimes a bit of anxiety.  Recognizing this ahead of time can help you plan more effectively.

Start by considering how many guests you will host and how long they plan on staying. Consider how much they’ll need to eat, both for your festive holiday meals and quick snacks throughout the day. You’ll also need to plan some activities or provide entertainment options, which could be as simple as a trip to the park or a holiday movie marathon.

What’s the Best Guest Room Setup?

Your guest room setup plays a pivotal role in your holiday guest hosting experience. Decorating a small guest room may seem insignificant, but your guests will notice the care you put in and feel much more at home. This is especially true if you typically use this room as an office, gym, or other space throughout the year, as no one likes sleeping in an uncomfortable environment.

As you set up your guest room, prioritize comfort and simplicity. Make sure the bed has fresh sheets and is within reach of a nightstand or end table. Clear out the closet and/or dresser so they have enough space for their clothes if they’re staying multiple days. You can also hang up some family photos or other decorations to add a bit of life to the space.

How To Declutter Before the Holidays

Many people treat the end of the year as decluttering season, as getting rid of unnecessary junk can help you start the new year in a fresh living space. Go through your home and identify any items you can move into storage or throw out. Focus on high-traffic areas where your holiday guests will spend their time, such as bedrooms, your living room, and your kitchen. You should also check that your closets have enough space for everyone’s winter boots and bulky jackets.

Renting Self-Storage for the Holidays

One of the easiest ways to prepare for your role as holiday host is to rent a self-storage unit for your extra belongings. Absolute Storage Management offers many different sizes of storage units with month-to-month leasing terms, meaning you can keep your unit just for December or through the end of the winter. Keep reading for advice on how to utilize holiday storage.

Moving Non-Essential Furniture Into Storage

The focus of your holiday home preparation process should be your furniture. If you’re hosting several guests, you need to make sure you have enough seats at the dinner table and beds for everyone. You may also need to rearrange your living room or dining room to make enough space for everyone to feel comfortable.

Moving non-essential furniture into self-storage can free up space. Things like side tables, extra chairs, or large decorative pieces can make your home feel cramped, especially when extra people surround you. Ask yourself what is truly needed and what can be temporarily pulled out to make more room for festive joy.

Trading Out Summer Clothes

Closet space can become limited during the holidays, especially if your guests will be staying for a few days or longer. One way to free up room for their clothing and belongings is by trading out your summer clothes for winter attire.

Pack away things like summer dresses, sandals, and swimsuits into labeled containers and stack them in your self-storage unit. Large cardboard boxes or plastic tubs can hold your puffy jackets, mittens, and other cozy pieces. This extra room will allow your guests to unpack and settle in more easily, making for a more enjoyable trip.

Storing Out-of-Season Decorations

Holiday decorations bring festive cheer, but they quickly collect dust once they’re out of season. By packing up and storing out-of-season decorations—such as Halloween, summer, or spring-themed items—you can focus on showcasing your winter holiday décor without cluttering your living space.

Warm weather items like patio furniture, outdoor decorations, and pool gear can also take up a lot of room. Moving these to storage during the winter months can free up space on your porch or in your yard, giving you more room to add holiday lights or other festive outdoor decorations. Keep in mind that any decorations made of wood, vinyl, or other sensitive materials may need to be kept in a climate-controlled storage unit, which offers maximum protection.

Hide Holiday Presents in Self-Storage for the Holidays

One of the trickiest parts of the holidays is finding a clever place to hide presents where your family won’t find them. If you’re short on space or are worried family or house guests will go snooping, your self-storage unit can double as a creative spot to keep gifts hidden away until the big day. Just be sure to organize everything well so you can easily find what you need when wrapping them!!

Secure Self Storage for the Holidays With Absolute Storage Management

Rely on an Absolute Storage-managed facility to provide you with the space you need. We offer self-storage units at our storage facilities located across the country, with amenities like climate control and drive-up access available for your convenience. Whether you’re looking for somewhere to keep summer clothes, extra furniture, or other items taking up space in your house this holiday season, we can lend a helping hand.
Locate an Absolute Storage-managed facility near you to get started today! You can also explore our FAQ and blog for additional information.