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How to protect your seasonal items in storage

Posted on Wednesday, 26th March 2025

Storage can feel like constant battle for homeowners, and storing belongings like seasonal items can make our precious spare space feel crammed. 

We surveyed the nation to find out just how much seasonal items are taking up space in our homes, with over half (55%) admitting that they shove these belongings into their spare rooms, attics, basements, garages and even wardrobes. If you’re looking for more information about storing your seasonal items with Space Station, find out more about our personal storage options. 

How to protect your seasonal items in storage

Here are the top five seasonal items that Brits say take up the most room in their homes

  1. Holiday decorations (e.g. Christmas, Halloween, Easter)- 60%
  2. Suitcases- 57%
  3. Winter clothing (e.g. coats, boots, scarves, gloves)- 41%
  4. Holiday clothing (e.g. swimwear, beach towels, sunscreen)- 40%
  5. Gifting (e.g. wrapping paper, gift bags, tissue paper)- 36%
  6. Formal wear (e.g. smart dresses, prom dresses)- 35%
  7. DIY- 28%
  8. Seasonal furniture (e.g. garden furniture)- 23%
  9. Camping gear- 20%
  10. Sports equipment (e.g. skis, bikes, surfboards)- 13%

To help you feel more in control of your space, our storage experts have identified the top ten most common seasonal items contributing to household clutter, and our top tips to storing them like a pro.  

Holiday decorations: 60% 

From Christmas trees and twinkling fairy lights to Halloween costumes and Easter baskets, the sheer volume and variety of these holiday decorations often result in them occupying every available space, leaving little room for other essentials throughout the rest of the year.  

For maximum efficiency you should use labelled, stackable bins to store these decorations. You may also want to prepare each item for storage by wrapping them in protective materials such as newspaper and bubble wrap, which will ensure your more fragile decorations remain intact and undamaged throughout the year. Browse more tips on getting ready for holiday season

Suitcases: 57%

For those of you lucky enough to travel each year, you’ll know just how important a solid and durable suitcase is. But with our larger suitcases only making an appearance once or twice a year, it can be hard to know how to store them for the remaining time.  

Try nesting smaller suitcases inside larger ones, or alternatively you can use them to conceal seasonal clothes and other holiday essentials. If you have room under the bed, consider using rolling storage for easy access. A storage bench or ottoman can also serve as a stylish and discreet hiding spot for your luggage.

Winter clothing: 41%

When it comes to storing your winter clothes, many of the same rules apply as with your holiday garments. Make sure they are well protected from any unwelcome pests before stowing away and ensure you leave room for airflow to prevent musty odours building up.  

When choosing storage containers, opt for breathable fabric storage bags or plastic bins with secure lids to protect your clothes from dust and moisture. For bulkier items such as winter coats, many people opt for vacuum-sealed bags, however you should be mindful that while they save space, they can sometimes compress fabrics too heavily, potentially damaging some materials over long periods of time.

Holiday clothing: 40%

Before you even begin to pack away your holiday clothes for storage, you should make sure they've been thoroughly cleaned. This will help deter any moths who may be attracted to the smell of any persisting body oils or food remnants. As an extra step you may even want to enclose natural moth repellents within each item, such as lavender bags or cedarwood, to help further keep these critters at bay. 

Once you've prepped your items, the most important thing to remember is roll, don't fold. Rolling your clothes helps prevent deep creases from forming and saves space, making storage more efficient. This method also allows for better airflow, reducing the chances of musty odours developing over time. You should then choose a storage location away from direct sunlight to prevent fading or fabric deterioration. With these steps, your holiday wardrobe should stay fresh and ready to wear for your next getaway.

Gifting: 36%

Keeping your gifting essentials tidy and easily accessible is the key to stress-free gifting. Use a hanging shoe organiser with clear pockets to neatly store and display your supplies. Place rolls of wrapping paper into taller sections, tuck your gift bags into wider pockets, and stuff smaller embellishments such as ribbons and gift tags in the smaller pockets. This not only saves space but also keeps everything visible, so you're always ready for last-minute gifting occasions. Once filled, simply hang it in your wardrobe, spare room, or on the back of your door for an effortless, clutter-free solution.

Formal wear: 35%

Wardrobe space is the best place to store your formal and evening wear items, as it helps to prevent creases forming. Make sure to hang them on a padded coat hanger to help keep the shape in the shoulders. For prom and wedding dresses that have a fuller bottom half, stuff them with acid-free paper which will help to keep its form. Once your item is stuffed and hung, place it in a suit or dress bag so that other items of clothing can’t create any friction and damage.

If you’re tight on spare wardrobe space, place your item in an acid-free box and store it in a spot better suited to your needs. Line the box with tissue paper and carefully put in inside. Cover with more tissue paper and seal the box.

DIY: 28%

When taking on a DIY job at home, you may find that your space becomes overrun with random tools and equipment. To help keep on top of your belongings and to remain organised, designate a section of your garage or shed space. Not only will having your tools in a space away from your home, help to keep your living spaces uncluttered, but dust and potential spillages can be avoided.

Install shelving to your space to help house your DIY essentials. The sturdy shelves will stop your equipment from falling and will help to keep the space neat and tidy. 

Seasonal furniture: 23%

When it comes to storing away your garden furniture for those out of season months, there are some key tricks to remember to ensure that when you next come to use them, they are in pristine condition. 

Before storing away in your shed or garage space, wipe down your furniture to remove any dirt and grime. Once cleaned, place a cover over your furniture to stop damp and dust from building up over the cooler months. Make sure your storage space is weather-proof and neatly fold your table and chairs into their space. 

Camping gear: 20%

If your hallway currently contains an abundance of camping gear, there are some handy tips and tricks to help store them away like a pro. Use wall hooks to conveniently hang your folded camping chairs onto the wall, this will help to free up precious floor space. 

Storage bins and boxes are a great way to keep your camping gear all in one place. Use a clear box to store your tent, sleeping bag, plates and utensils, once stored you will be able to easily find them when they are next needed. 

Sports equipment: 13%

For the sports enthusiast, you will know just how much space your hobby can take up. For the tennis and squash pros, use wall hooks to hang your rackets. Not only will they look aesthetically pleasing but it will help to prevent any damage while in storage. For the golfers, under stairs storage is the perfect sized space to house your equipment. Once your space is free of any clutter, stand your cart bags in the free space.

If your hobby of choice is either skiing or snowboarding, you’re going to need a lot more space to store these items. Garages are the perfect location for these belongings, they are easy to get to and have the space needed. Place your skis and board in weather-proof bags and place them against your garage wall. This will protect them from getting damaged and make sure they’re taking up minimal space.