No matter how big of a home you have, it always seems like you can never find enough closet space. This is even more evident when the time comes to switch out seasonal wardrobes. When you need to pare down your closet’s contents and make a drastic change, visit a Prime Storage location near you. Our storage facilities offer plenty of locker-sized (or bigger) spaces to help you organize your belongings, from sweaters and skirts to your collection of cowboy boots or sneakers.
If you’re in the market for storage for your summer (or winter) clothes and don’t know where to begin, we can help. Let’s look at some of the most common tools for storing clothes that won’t break the bank.
Common Clothing Storage Options
Finding the right kind of container to store your clothes means setting a budget. On the economical end of the spectrum, there is the most minimal, basic tool of all: the humble Hefty bag. But if you’ve spent quite a bit of money building your wardrobe, it feels disrespectful to shove sweaters and shirts into a garbage bag and toss it in storage. Instead, consider opting for one of the following options (or all of them).
Vacuum Sealed Bags
Before you pack away a single item, head to your local home goods store and pick up some space-saving, vacuum-sealable bags. You could fold your clothes and place them into a box without compressing them, but using these bags can condense your packing considerably. Bulky clothing and blankets that would originally take ten boxes to move might take as few as five. That can save you time and money.
Space-saving bags come in a variety of sizes, from small bags that are meant for maximizing suitcase space to extra-large ones that can hold up to ten sweaters at once. The best part about these bags is that they’re reusable. We’re big fans of swapping their contents as the weather begins to turn each fall and spring. They’re great for bulky items, too, like winter coats or other jackets.
Cardboard Boxes
There’s nothing more reliable for moving and storing clothes than cardboard boxes. Whether your plans involve multiple medium-sized boxes or a handful of wardrobe boxes to keep hanging items upright, cardboard boxes are a great go-to for when the time comes to store your clothing.
The best part about cardboard boxes – aside from being affordable – is their uniform size. Cardboard boxes make stacking and organizing the contents of a closet (or storage unit) simple. As long as you don’t overstuff them and tape them securely, cardboard boxes can be moved again and again.
Cardboard does have a downside, as it does not protect against moisture or wetness as well as other options. If your clothing sits directly in the box with no kind of barrier, you might end up with some damp sweatshirts. Anything delicate – such as wool or silk – should also be stored in a different type of container. If that’s something you’re concerned about, you might want to explore another option.
Airtight Tubs or Totes
Airtight plastic totes come in a variety of sizes, much like boxes. They also have the added benefit of being water and insect resistant, which can be a big deal if you’re worried about damage to your garments. If plastic totes are your preferred option for clothing storage, opt for dark-colored bins. Clear plastic ones may allow you to see what’s inside, but they can also make items stored inside them susceptible to fading if exposed to too much light.
The only real downside to plastic totes is that sealed totes can give items stored inside them a unique, plastic-like scent – but that’s nothing a quick wash or dry-clean can’t take care of.
Suitcases and Garment Bags
You likely already have a few suitcases in your closet, which makes them an affordable option for storing folded clothing and shoes. Garment bags are also a quick and handy solution for hanging items.
Fabric Bins
Fabric bins and baskets are a breathable, convenient, and attractive option for clothing storage. If you’re not moving these items out of the closet and are simply seeking a way to organize them, fabric bins can be a good way to condense items with delicate fabrics, such as wool or silk.
Once you narrow down how to store your extra clothes, it’s time to determine where to store them. You could place them in an attic or basement, but that runs the risk of heat damage (depending on where they’re stored). Leaving them in your closet doesn’t actually solve your space issues, either. That means it’s time to consider self storage.
Choosing a Storage Unit for Your Clothing
You have a few options when you choose a self storage unit for your belongings. Many facilities offer a mixture of both drive-up and climate-controlled storage space. Which one makes sense for your needs, however, depends on your priorities. Storage units are available in a variety of sizes, from smaller locker-sized spaces all the way up to whole-home accommodating warehouse-sized units.
Drive-Up Storage
Drive-up storage is an easily accessible storage option when quickly loading or unloading your belongings into your unit is a priority. Drive-up units are often available in a variety of sizes and don’t require you to trek up a flight of stairs to reach your unit. If your storage needs only last a few weeks or the climate in your area is fairly mild, drive-up units can be a good choice.
Climate Controlled Storage
Climate controlled storage features units kept at a steady, consistent temperature throughout the year. In periods of both extreme heat and bitter cold, these regulated units maintain their internal temperature through air conditioning and/or heating—which makes them a great option for storing clothing. If your storage needs involve delicate items such as silk, cashmere, or wool, a climate-controlled unit can function as a second (or third) closet for your belongings.
Store with Prime Storage for Added Flexibility
No matter what kind of clothes, shoes, hats, or handbags you’re planning on stowing away, the storage professionals at Prime Storage can help you get organized. From moving supplies like boxes and bags to all the space you need to store them, our facilities offer plenty of options to help downsize your wardrobe or switch things out with the weather.
To learn about storage at Prime Storage—or see other tips related to moving, storage, and more—explore our blog.
If you’re ready to use our available space to get organized, rent your unit at one of our accessible locations today!
