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The holidays bring joy and a huge amount of extra stuff: décor, gifts, guests, winter gear, kitchen tools, party supplies, and cold-weather clothing. Seasonal storage gives you a simple way to open up space, stay organized, and keep your home functional during the busiest time of year.
Below are the most common holiday scenarios where storage can make a meaningful difference, plus expanded recommendations, decluttering checklists, and the best storage unit sizes for each.
1. Hosting Holiday Parties
Hosting usually means rearranging furniture, clearing counter space, and making room for guests, serving dishes, and holiday activities. A storage unit helps you refresh your main living spaces without feeling cramped.
What to Declutter Before Hosting
When guests arrive, they naturally wander through the living room, dining room, kitchen, and everywhere in between. Clearing these spaces makes your home more functional (and protects the fragile items Aunt Dolores is notorious for knocking over).
Living Room
The living room becomes a major gathering spot during the holidays, so clearing unnecessary items helps maximize seating and keep the space comfortable.
Remove extra accent chairs, bulky side tables, ottomans, and small shelves.
Store non-seasonal décor (frames, vases, plants) to reduce visual clutter.
Box up kids’ toys, pet supplies, and hobby items that take up floor space.
Temporarily move exercise equipment like stationary bikes, yoga mats, or weights.
Dining Room
The dining room is one of the busiest spaces during holiday meals. Decluttering helps you create room for serving dishes, seating, and a smoother traffic flow.
Store extra dining chairs, mismatched seating, or small stools to widen walkways.
Move sideboards, bar carts, or console tables you aren't using as serving stations.
Clear space for kids’ seating, folding tables, or drink stations.
Store everyday centerpieces, candles, plants, and décor to make room for holiday table settings.
Remove extra placemats, chargers, and linens you won’t use this season.
Clear countertop clutter if your dining room is open to the kitchen.
Place delicate items, like fine china or Waterford vases, in a hutch or cabinet.
Kitchen + Entertaining Areas
Holiday cooking requires extra space for prepping, serving, and plating. Decluttering the kitchen early keeps cookware accessible and countertops open.
Store large pots, baking equipment, roasting pans, and specialty appliances you only use occasionally.
Remove everyday countertop items (air fryers, coffee pod drawers, utensil caddies) to make room for serving dishes.
Clear pantry shelves and cabinets by packing up bulk items and overflow.
Best Storage Unit Sizes for Hosting
5x5 — Holiday décor, small appliances, pantry overflow
5×10 — Extra dining chairs, bins, kitchen gear, small furniture
10×10 — Full living/dining/kitchen reset: furniture, shelving, appliances, totes
2. Holiday Gifts & Deliveries
Holiday shopping fills closets and corners fast. Seasonal storage helps you stage gifts, hide surprises, and keep clutter under control.
What to Declutter for Gift Season
Holiday shopping brings bags, boxes, shipping materials, and gifts of all sizes. To keep your home from feeling crowded, start by freeing up space in closets, spare rooms, and home offices. Clearing out older items makes room for new gifts, helps you stay organized while wrapping, and gives you a dedicated area to hide surprises from kids and guests. Seasonal storage makes this easier by providing off-site space for anything you won’t need until after the holidays.
Clear Closet Space
Move summer clothes, accessories, or coats you don’t need.
Store luggage, duffel bags, camping gear, and travel items.
Remove old toys, outgrown clothes, or hobby gear to free up shelf space.
Create a Gift-Wrapping or Staging Zone
Store unused craft supplies, printers, or office equipment.
Pack away seasonal sports gear (soccer, baseball, softball, bikes).
Remove infrequently used electronics and entertainment items (older consoles, DVD sets, speakers).
Use Storage as a Gift HQ
Keep large presents like bikes, dollhouses, gaming chairs, or toy kitchens off-site.
Hide high-value items safely away from kids (and curious adults!).
Store shipping boxes, wrapping supplies, and totes for easy organization.
Best Unit Sizes for Gift Management
5×5 — Closet overflow, wrapping supplies, small gifts
5×10 — Bikes, large boxes, toy sets, lightweight furniture
10×10 — Large gift staging + decluttering + décor storage
3. Garage Winter Prep
A full garage makes winter harder. Storing warm-weather items gives you the space you need to keep your car safe from ice and snow—and prevents winter-morning headaches.
What to Declutter in the Garage
Your garage is one of the easiest places to reclaim space — especially before winter hits. Over time, it fills with warm-weather gear, tools, project leftovers, and outdoor items you don’t need during the cold months. Storing these items seasonally helps you protect your vehicle from snow and ice, prevents damage to equipment, and gives you a clean, functional garage all winter long.
Store Summer & Outdoor Gear
Set aside anything that won’t be used until warm weather returns. Group these items together so you don’t have to dig through them next spring.
Bikes, scooters, and skateboards
Camping equipment (tents, coolers, portable grills)
Kayaks, paddleboards, life jackets, fishing gear
Beach bins, pool toys, and water gear
Tip: Pack smaller items into labeled totes (e.g., “Camping Gear,” “Pool Stuff”) so next year’s setup is easy.
Move Yard & Garden Equipment
Clearing out lawn equipment frees up floor space and reduces tripping hazards during icy weather. Storing them indoors prevents rust, moisture damage, and rodent issues.
Lawn mower
Weed trimmer
Edgers
Gardening tools
Potting soil, planters, hoses
Drain the fuel from gas-powered tools before storing to extend their life.
Clear DIY & Project Overflow
Garage shelves tend to collect half-finished projects. Storing these materials off-site helps you reduce clutter and keep tools accessible for winter chores.
Duplicate tools, saws, drills, and extension cords
Leftover paint cans, lumber, adhesives, project supplies
Last year’s holiday décor or broken lights
Keep frequently used winter items (shovels, ice melt, windshield scrapers) within easy reach.
Reorganize Outdoor Living Items
Winter weather can damage outdoor furniture and soft materials. Moving these items into storage keeps them in better condition for next season.
Patio cushions
Fire pit accessories
Folding chairs
Outdoor heaters (only if rated for safe storage)
Tip: Wrap cushions or fabric items in plastic or airtight bags to prevent moisture buildup.
Best Storage Unit Sizes for Winter Garage Clearing
5×10 — Yard tools, totes, outdoor gear, 3–4 bikes
10×10 — Patio furniture, lawn equipment, tool benches
10×15 or 10×20 — Full garage reset, large equipment
4. Preparing the Guest Room
Most guest rooms double as office space, craft rooms, or storage areas throughout the year. Seasonal storage helps you quickly transform the room into a comfortable, hotel-like space for visitors.
What to Declutter for Guest Comfort
Guest rooms become catch-all spaces throughout the year, collecting furniture, hobby supplies, office materials, or anything without a permanent home. Before visitors arrive, clearing out unnecessary items helps you create a welcoming, hotel-like environment. A small storage unit lets you quickly remove bulky furniture, boxes, and seasonal items so the room feels clean, relaxing, and ready for guests.
Move Extra Furniture
Large or unused furniture pieces take up valuable floor space and make the room feel crowded. Removing these items instantly makes the room more welcoming and easier for guests to walk around in.
Filing cabinets
Old desks
Side tables
Bookshelves
Unused chairs
Keep only the essentials: typically a bed, nightstand, lamp, and maybe a small dresser. Everything else can temporarily be stored in furniture storage.
Store Household Overflow
Guest rooms often become the default storage area for things that don’t belong anywhere else. Clearing these items out not only freshens the space but also reduces visual clutter that makes guests feel like they’re staying in a storage closet.
Craft supplies
Sewing materials
Holiday wrapping supplies
Extra bedding and pillows
Seasonal clothing
Kids’ keepsakes and memorabilia
Pack sentimental items (kids’ artwork, old baby clothes, heirlooms) in labeled, airtight bins to keep them protected while in household storage.
Prep Closets for Visitors
Guests appreciate having a little closet space for their luggage, coats, and outfits, especially during winter travel. Clearing even one small section goes a long way in making them feel at home.
Clear a hanging section for clothes
Remove old coats or unused boots
Store luggage or duffel bags
Move hobbies, office items, or overflow elsewhere
Add a few empty hangers, a small basket for personal items, and space at the bottom for a suitcase — simple touches that make the room feel intentionally prepared.
Best Unit Sizes for Guest Room Prep
5x5 — Linens, craft items, clothing, small boxes
5×10 — Desk, chair, bookcases, totes, small furniture
10×10 — Mattress, dresser, shelving, workout gear, larger items
Holiday Storage Comparison
With so many different rooms to prepare and items to organize during the holidays, it helps to compare everything at a glance. This table highlights the top seasonal storage needs, what to declutter in each area, and which unit sizes work best, so you can quickly find the right storage solution for your home.
| Holiday Scenario | What to Declutter | Recommended Unit Sizes | Examples of What Fits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hosting Parties | Furniture, décor, kitchen tools, toys | 5×5, 5×10, 10×10 | Chairs, side tables, bins, trays, appliances |
| Gift Shopping Overflow | Closet items, toys, gifts, electronics | 5×5, 5×10, 10×10 | Bikes, playsets, gifting totes, wrapping supplies |
| Garage Winter Prep | Yard tools, bikes, outdoor items, supplies | 5×10, 10×10, 10×15–10×20 | Lawn mower, patio furniture, camping gear |
| Guest Room Reset | Office furniture, craft supplies, seasonal items | 5×5, 5×10, 10×10 | Desks, dressers, linens, hobby gear |
Why Rent Seasonal Storage at Storage Star
Storage Star offers the flexibility you need during the busiest time of the year. Whether you’re hosting a big family dinner or making space for winter weather, you get secure, convenient storage built for short-term and seasonal use.
What Storage Star Offers
Drive-up, indoor & climate-controlled units
Flexible month-to-month rentals — no long-term commitment
Secure gated facilities with surveillance
Easy online rentals and account management
Clean, modern properties in convenient locations
Ready to Rent Seasonal Storage?
Seasonal storage is one of the easiest ways to simplify the holidays and reduce stress. Storage Star makes it convenient and affordable! Your favorite stores aren’t the only ones offering deals for Black Friday. Storage Star’s holiday promotions make it even more affordable to get the extra space you need. You can take advantage of:
- Up to 60% off web rates
- First month for just $1 on select units*
Whether you need short-term holiday storage or long-term space, Storage Star offers secure, affordable, and convenient locations near you.
Find your nearest Storage Star location and rent your storage unit online today.
FAQs
Why should I use a storage unit during the holiday season?
Seasonal storage helps you clear space for hosting, decorating, guest stays, and gift storage. It lets you move furniture, décor, or bulky items out of the way so your living areas stay organized and functional throughout the holiday rush.
What size storage unit do I need for holiday décor?
Most holiday décor fits in a 5×5 storage unit, which holds bins, lights, wreaths, trees, and small boxes. If you’re storing oversized trees, inflatables, or multiple bins, a 5×10 offers more flexibility.
How can storage help when hosting holiday parties?
A storage unit lets you temporarily remove extra chairs, side tables, décor, and kitchen tools so you have more room for guests, food prep, and serving. It also keeps fragile items safe while your house is busy.
What should I store to make room for overnight guests?
Common items include office furniture, craft supplies, seasonal clothing, workout equipment, and boxes that accumulate in guest rooms. A 5×10 or 10×10 works well for clearing and resetting the space.
Can storage help me clear my garage before winter?
Absolutely. Storing summer gear, patio furniture, lawn equipment, and outdoor tools helps you open up garage space so you can keep your car protected from snow, ice, and freezing temperatures. Most homeowners use a 5×10 or 10×10 for this.
How long should I rent a storage unit for holiday needs?
Most customers rent from November through January, but seasonal storage is month-to-month — so you can keep it only as long as you need. Many renters extend into spring for post-holiday organization.
If you live in an area with cold, snowy winters, hang onto your storage unit until spring. It'll make moving out easier (think better weather!) and give you extra space for all your seasonal gear that can't fit in your garage just yet.
