Storing seasonal items: decorations, camping gear, bikes and more

If your loft, hallway or garage is full of things you only use a few times a year, a small storage unit or locker can give you that space back. Christmas decorations, camping gear, ski kit, bikes and summer garden furniture are all good candidates. Pack them well, label everything clearly and choose a unit just big enough, and you can swap things in and out as the seasons change.

What seasonal items store well

• Christmas decorations. Artificial trees, lights, baubles and outdoor displays take up a surprising amount of room for eleven months of the year.
• Camping gear. Tents, sleeping bags, stoves (without gas canisters) and folding chairs.
• Ski and snowboard kit. Skis, boards, boots, helmets and bulky jackets.
• Bikes. Spare bikes, kids' bikes they will grow into, or a road bike you only ride in summer.
• Summer garden furniture. Tables, chairs, parasols, cushions and barbecues (cleaned, with no gas bottles).
• Sports equipment. Golf clubs, paddleboards and cricket or tennis kit out of season.

Remember that gas canisters, fuel and other flammables are not allowed in storage. Check our guide to what you can't put in storage before you pack the camping box.

Small units and lockers

You rarely need much space for seasonal items. Many stores offer lockers and small units from around 10 to 25 sq ft, which are ideal for boxes of decorations and smaller kit. If you also want to fit bikes, a tent and some garden furniture, step up to the next size or two. Use our size guide to check before you book.

Small units are also the cheapest. According to MyBuilder's price guide, small units of 10 to 25 sq ft typically cost £20 to £100 a month, depending on location and the store. Our guide to how much self storage costs breaks this down by region.

If you need to drive up with bikes or garden furniture, a container or drive-up unit can make loading easier. See container vs indoor storage for the pros and cons.

Packing fragile decorations

1. Use sturdy plastic crates with lids. They stack well, keep out damp and protect better than old cardboard.
2. Wrap glass baubles individually in tissue paper, or use egg boxes and divided trays for small ones.
3. Wind lights around a piece of card or a reel so they do not tangle. Test them before packing so you only store working sets.
4. Keep the original box for an artificial tree if you still have it, or use a tree storage bag.
5. Put heavy items at the bottom and fragile boxes on top, clearly marked.
6. Label the end of each box, not just the lid, so you can read it when stacked.

Looking after other kit

• Clean and fully dry tents and sleeping bags before storing, or they can go mouldy.
• Store sleeping bags loose in a large bag rather than tightly compressed.
• Wipe down bikes, lightly oil the chain and hang them or stand them on a rack if the unit allows.
• Wax skis and boards and loosen bindings at the end of the season.
• Clean garden cushions and store them in breathable bags, raised off the floor.

If anything is sensitive to damp, an indoor unit is safer than an outdoor one. Our guide to heated and climate-controlled storage explains the options.

Sharing a unit

Splitting a unit with family or a friend can cut the cost. If you do, agree a few things first:

• Whose name is on the contract and who pays the store.
• Who has access, and whether the store needs to know about them.
• How you will split the space so each person can reach their things.
• Whether your insurance covers items that are not yours.

Keep a simple list of who owns what. It saves arguments, and it helps if you ever need to make a claim. Our guide on whether self storage is safe covers locks and security for shared units too.