The holidays have come and gone for most of us. You might be left looking around your home and thinking, "Where did all this 'stuff' come from?". Your Christmas storage is overflowing because you had to buy those new decorations that seemed like a good idea at the time, so now there is no room in the garage. The thoughtful, useful kitchen gifts that aren't used every day are sitting on the counter, taking up space and making it hard to do anything. Let's not even start to talk about the extra toys the kids received from family and friends.
Christmas has just added new items to spaces that might already have been struggling.
If you’re sitting there thinking, “I don’t just need to reset from Christmas, I need to get my whole house under control,” that’s where using self storage can help. Storage King has self storage options available with locations all across Australia and New Zealand, which means more room to move for you and more options.
Organise your ornaments and decorations.
When you’re packing away the holiday magic:
- Sort as you go: Separate the fragile stuff from the sturdy bits and group them by category (tree, outdoor, garlands).
- Purge the junk: If it’s broken or looking a bit "tired," let it go!
- Hack your lights: Wrap them around a hanger or a wrapping paper tube to avoid detangling later.
- Upgrade your storage: Ditch the beat-up boxes and grab some new dedicated storage boxes and bags. Your future self will thank you!
Donate unwanted gifts or duplicate items
Start by taking an inventory of everything you received. If something isn’t right for you or you already have one, consider donating the one you don't want or need. It will prevent your cupboards from filling up with unnecessary things.
Keep a bag near the front door for any items or unwanted gifts you plan on donating. That way, it will remind you to grab them next time you're leaving the house and won't sit in the spare room for two months.
Clean the fridge and pantry.
Now is a good time to take stock of what's actually in your fridge or pantry. Are you going to eat it? Did you buy it and now don't actually want it? Anything expired can be thrown out, and anything that has not expired can be donated to a charity pantry.
Tackle one problem area at a time
Start with places that serve a functional purpose, like the entryway, your desk, the kitchen island or your bedside table. By fine-tuning these high-traffic spots, you'll set yourself up to be more organised.
Organise closets
Don't let your closet become a "catch-all" for the rest of the house. Grab some matching hangers for a clean look, group your clothes by category (tops, bottoms, dresses), and use shelf dividers to keep those folded stacks from toppling over. Seasonal or special occasion clothes can be stored to give you room for more of the everyday items you wear.
Forgotten instruments
We’ve all got an instrument or two sitting around collecting dust, maybe even sitting in the living room corner. Forgotten hobbies which we never picked up again, or sentimental items we’d rather pass on to the next generation. It might be time to consider storing these items out of your home; that way, you will have more space and still have the option to pick up your instrument or hobby later on.
Out With the Old (Tech!)
Christmas can mean a tech upgrade for many. But before you toss your old phone into that "junk drawer", deal with it now while you're still thinking about it.
- Wipe it clean: For phones, tablets, or laptops, back up your photos first, then perform a factory reset to remove your personal information.
- Small stuff counts: Old earbuds, fitness trackers, and those random tangled chargers can be cleared out in one go.
- Give it a second life: If it still works, sell it or donate it. If it’s truly dead, don’t just bin it! Use a recycling service, or check out the trade-in/recycling programs from Apple or Samsung.
Taming the Toy Chaos
If your floor is currently a minefield of new toys, it’s time for a quick edit. Before the new toys move in permanently, help your kids pick out the ones they’ve outgrown or haven't touched in months.
- Try a "Toy Rotation": Don’t put everything out at once. Keep a few bins tucked away and swap them every few weeks. It makes old toys feel brand new again.
- Save the Sentimental Stuff: For those "forever" toys like first teddies or special books, tuck them into a sturdy keepsake box at the top of a closet so they stay safe and clean.
- Share the Love: Once you’ve given everything a quick wipe-down, donate your "pre-loved" toys to charity, sell them for a little extra cash, or pass them on to friends.
Less mess, more room to actually play!
At the end of the day, decluttering isn't about getting rid of everything you love; it’s about making your home feel like a sanctuary again.
If you’ve cleared the decks but still find yourself tripping over bulky seasonal gear, sentimental keepsakes, or "someday" furniture, self-storage is a total game-changer. Tucking those extra items into a secure unit keeps them safe and out of the way, giving you back your floor space and your sanity.
After all, a little extra room is the best gift you can give yourself this year!