Hosting for the Holidays? How Self Storage Helps You Make Room for Guests
The holidays are almost here, and if you're hosting this year, you're probably already looking around your home and wondering where everyone is going to fit. The home office that doubles as a guest room is buried in paperwork. The dining room needs space for an extra table. And the garage? Let's not talk about the garage.
The good news: you don't need a bigger house to host a great holiday. A short-term storage unit can give you the breathing room you need for a few weeks or a couple of months, then you can bring everything back home (or not) once the guests head out.
Here's how to use self storage to get your home holiday-ready.
Start with a Room-by-Room Walkthrough
Before you start moving boxes, walk through your home with your guests in mind. Ask yourself:
- Where will everyone sleep?
- Where will everyone sit for the big meal?
- Where will coats, luggage, and shoes go?
- Which rooms will guests actually see and use?
Make a quick list of what's in the way in each space. Most people find the same culprits: bulky furniture, overflow from a home office, kids' toys, exercise equipment, and boxes that never got unpacked after the last move.
1. Turn the Office or Hobby Room Back into a Guest Room
For many households, the "guest room" has slowly become a home office, craft room, or catch-all space. Rather than shoving everything into a closet for the week, move the extras into storage:
- Filing boxes and paperwork you don't need daily
- A treadmill, exercise bike, or weight bench
- Craft supplies and sewing materials
- An extra desk chair or bookshelf
Clearing the room completely makes it feel like a real guest space, and it gives you room to bring in an air mattress, a rollaway bed, or a borrowed crib.
2. Rearrange Furniture to Fit a Bigger Crowd
Hosting 12 people around a table built for six usually means some creative furniture shuffling. A storage unit lets you temporarily remove pieces that take up floor space, like an oversized armchair, a coffee table, a toy chest, or a console table, so you can add folding tables and extra chairs.
If you're storing upholstered furniture, check out our guide on how to store a couch in a storage unit to keep it clean and in great shape.
3. Rotate Out Fall Decor and Make Room for Holiday Decor
Once Thanksgiving wraps up, many families go straight from pumpkins to twinkle lights. Instead of stacking fall decor in a corner, pack it up and move it to your unit when you bring the holiday bins home. After New Year's, swap them back.
A few tips for decor that comes and goes:
- Use clear plastic bins with secure lids so you can see what's inside
- Label every bin by holiday and room
- Wrap fragile ornaments in tissue paper or newspaper
- Store artificial trees in their original boxes or a dedicated tree bag
- Keep an "open first" bin with extension cords, hooks, and tape
If you already followed our fall storage checklist, you're halfway there.
4. Hide Holiday Gifts from Curious Eyes
Kids are experts at finding hidden presents. A storage unit is one of the best places to stash gifts where nobody in the house will stumble across them. It's especially helpful for large items that are impossible to hide at home, like:
- Bikes and scooters
- Play kitchens and dollhouses
- Furniture or a new TV
- Bulk gifts for teachers, coworkers, or a big family exchange
Keep a list of what's stored and pick everything up a few days before the big day so there's time to wrap.
5. Clear the Garage for Parking or a Kids' Hangout
When relatives drive in, every parking spot counts. Moving lawn equipment, patio furniture, bikes, and garage overflow into a storage unit can free up space for an extra car, or turn the garage into a hangout spot for the kids' table.
6. Keep Seasonal Business Inventory Out of the House
If you run an online shop, sell at holiday markets, or have a side business that ramps up in November and December, your home can fill up with inventory fast. A storage unit keeps products, packaging, and shipping supplies organized and out of the way while you host. Learn more in our Business Storage 101 guide.
What Size Storage Unit Do You Need for the Holidays?
Most holiday hosts don't need a huge space. Here's a general starting point:
- 5' x 5' unit: Holiday decor bins, gifts, and a few boxes of paperwork
- 5' x 10' unit: The contents of a small home office or hobby room, plus decor
- 10' x 10' unit: Several pieces of furniture, exercise equipment, and boxes from multiple rooms
- 10' x 15' and up: Garage overflow, patio furniture, or business inventory
Still not sure? Our Storage Unit Size Guide shows what typically fits in each size.
Why Short-Term Storage Makes Sense
Storage doesn't have to be a long-term commitment. Most StoragePRO locations offer month-to-month rentals, so you can rent a unit for the holiday season and move out when you're done. Many locations also let you:
- Rent and pay online
- Choose drive-up units for easy loading
- Pick up boxes, tape, and packing supplies on site
- Get help from friendly on-site staff
And if you realize after the holidays that you don't miss half of what you stored, that's a pretty good sign it's time to declutter for good. (If that sounds familiar, check out 10 Signs You've Outgrown Your Apartment.)
Your Holiday Hosting Storage Timeline
- Early November: Walk through your home and decide what needs to go. Reserve a unit.
- Two weeks before Thanksgiving: Move furniture, office overflow, and garage items into storage.
- The week after Thanksgiving: Swap fall decor for holiday decor.
- Early December: Start stashing gifts in your unit.
- A few days before the holiday: Pick up gifts for wrapping.
- January: Bring back what you need, store holiday decor, and decide whether to keep the unit for long-term overflow.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I rent a storage unit for just one or two months?
Yes. Most StoragePRO locations offer flexible month-to-month rentals, which makes them a great fit for short-term holiday storage.
Is it safe to store holiday decorations in a storage unit?
Yes, with the right packing. Use sturdy bins, wrap fragile items, and avoid storing anything with batteries left inside. For temperature-sensitive items, ask whether climate-controlled units are available at your location.
Can I store gifts in a storage unit?
Absolutely. Just avoid storing food, gift baskets with perishables, live plants, or anything flammable.
When should I reserve a storage unit for the holidays?
As early as possible. Reserving in early November gives you time to move items before guests arrive and helps lock in current pricing and promotions.
Make This the Most Relaxed Holiday You've Hosted
A little extra breathing room can make a big difference when your home is full of family and friends. Whether you need to clear a guest room, hide the big gift, or just reclaim the garage, StoragePRO has storage options to help.
Find a StoragePRO location near you and reserve your unit online today.
