As summer winds down, your garage is about to become one of the hardest-working spaces in your home. The lawn still needs attention, temperatures are starting to drop, and before you know it, you’ll be pulling out winter gear, holiday decorations, and everything else that comes with the colder months.
The problem? Your garage probably already has plenty of stuff in it.
Between bicycles, patio furniture, lawn equipment, sports gear, seasonal decorations, and boxes you haven’t touched in months, finding room for your car—or simply being able to walk through the garage—can become a challenge.
Instead of trying to squeeze everything into the same space, fall is a great time to rethink what actually needs to stay in your garage and what can be stored elsewhere.
Make Room for Your Car Before Winter
One of the most practical reasons to reclaim your garage before winter is your vehicle. Being able to park inside can be especially convenient once cold temperatures, snow, ice, and freezing rain arrive.
But garages often become storage spaces long before they become parking spaces. Bikes lean against the walls, furniture takes up valuable floor space, and boxes end up stacked wherever there’s room.
Moving some of those less frequently used belongings into a storage unit can help you reclaim your garage without getting rid of things you still want to keep.
Put Summer Furniture Away
Outdoor furniture can take up a surprising amount of space once patio season comes to an end. Chairs, tables, umbrellas, cushions, outdoor games, and other summer accessories may sit unused for months.
If your garage doesn’t have enough room to comfortably store everything, self storage can give you another option. Rather than stacking patio furniture around your car or squeezing it into a corner, you can store it safely until warm weather returns.
Just be sure to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for cleaning and preparing outdoor furniture before storing it.
Give Lawn Equipment a New Home
Fall doesn’t mean your outdoor maintenance is finished, but eventually many of the tools and equipment you rely on throughout the warmer months will go into seasonal storage.
Lawn mowers, gardening supplies, outdoor tools, hoses, and other equipment can take up significant garage space. Storing larger or less frequently used items elsewhere can make it easier to access the things you actually need during the fall and winter.
It can also help keep your garage from becoming so crowded that every trip inside requires moving three other things first.
Don’t Forget About Bikes and Summer Recreation Gear
Bikes, camping equipment, outdoor toys, beach supplies, and recreational gear tend to get plenty of use during the warmer months. Once fall arrives, however, many of these items move to the back of the rotation.
If you aren’t planning to use them regularly during the colder months, consider storing them outside of your primary garage space.
This is particularly helpful for families. Kids’ bikes, sports equipment, scooters, camping gear, and outdoor toys can quickly add up, leaving very little room for everyday household needs.
Make Space for Holiday Decorations
It may feel early to think about the holidays, but September is actually a smart time to start making room for them.
Holiday decorations have a way of multiplying. A few boxes of lights and ornaments can eventually turn into artificial trees, wreaths, outdoor decorations, inflatables, wrapping supplies, serving pieces, and decorations for every room in the house.
If your garage is already full, bringing those items out later in the year can become a major challenge.
Moving other seasonal belongings into storage before the holiday rush can create the space you need while keeping your decorations accessible when it’s time to use them.
Keep Winter Gear Within Reach
While you’re moving summer items out of the way, think about what you’ll need in the months ahead.
Winter coats, boots, snow shovels, ice melt, sleds, winter sports equipment, and other cold-weather essentials should be easy to access. The goal isn’t to put everything into storage, it’s to use your available space strategically.
Keep the items you’ll reach for regularly at home, while moving belongings that won’t be needed for several months into a storage unit.
When Your Garage Simply Isn’t Enough
Sometimes the issue isn’t organization. You simply have more belongings than your garage was designed to hold.
A storage unit can give you the extra space your home doesn’t have without requiring you to sell, donate, or throw away things you still need.
MyPlace Self Storage offers convenient storage options at participating locations, including a variety of unit sizes and amenities designed to make storing seasonal and household belongings easier. Depending on the location, options may include climate-controlled storage and drive-up access.
Whether you’re storing summer furniture, recreational equipment, household overflow, or seasonal decorations, having a dedicated storage space can make your garage much more functional.
Reclaim Your Garage Before the Seasons Change
Fall is the perfect time to take a fresh look at your garage before winter arrives. Think about what you actually need close by, what you’re unlikely to use for several months, and what is taking up valuable space simply because you haven’t found somewhere else to put it.
You don’t have to get rid of the things you enjoy just because you don’t have room for them right now. Sometimes, the better solution is simply giving those belongings a different place to live.
Ready to reclaim your garage before fall and winter? MyPlace Self Storage can help you create more usable space at home while keeping your seasonal belongings safe and accessible. Find a MyPlace location near you and discover the storage solution that fits your needs.
