How Self Storage Can Help During a House Move
Moving house is one of those jobs that looks straightforward until you actually start packing.
A few boxes quickly become dozens. Furniture that seemed manageable suddenly needs to be measured, protected and moved. Then there are removalists, settlement dates, cleaning, utilities and the small matter of getting everything into the new home.
And sometimes, the dates simply don’t line up.
You might have to leave your current home before the new property is ready. You may be renovating before moving in, or perhaps you’re downsizing and need more time to decide what is coming with you.
This is where self storage can make a house move considerably easier.
Instead of trying to move everything from one property directly into another, you can use storage as a temporary middle point. Your belongings are packed, organised and stored until you’re ready for the next stage of the move.
For people moving around Murwillumbah, Tweed Heads, Kingscliff, Chinderah, Coolangatta and the surrounding Northern NSW area, having that extra flexibility can take a lot of pressure out of the process.
Why Use Self Storage When Moving House?
The biggest advantage of self storage during a move is simple: you don’t have to do everything at once.
This sounds obvious, but it can make a big difference.
When people try to move an entire household in one day, they often end up rushing the packing, mixing important belongings with things they won’t need for months, and filling their new home with boxes before they’ve even had a chance to work out where everything should go.
A storage unit gives you another option.
You can move belongings in stages and keep your new home manageable while you settle in.
Self storage can be particularly useful when:
- There is a gap between your old and new property
- You’re renovating your new home
- You’re downsizing
- You’re preparing your home for sale
- You’re moving interstate
- You want to declutter before moving
- You need temporary furniture storage
- You simply want more time to organise your belongings
At All Time Storage, customers can choose from a range of storage sizes for personal, household and commercial storage requirements. The facility is located at 57 Quarry Road, Murwillumbah, close to areas including Tweed Heads, Coolangatta, Byron Bay, Chinderah and Kingscliff.
Moving Between Tweed Heads and Murwillumbah?
Let’s take a common example.
Suppose you’re moving from Tweed Heads to Murwillumbah.
Your current property needs to be vacated on Friday, but your new home isn’t ready until the following week. You now have furniture, appliances, boxes and everything else from your home that needs somewhere to go.
Once your new home is ready, you can collect everything and complete the second part of the move.
The same situation can happen when moving from Kingscliff, Chinderah or Coolangatta into the Murwillumbah area. The distance isn’t necessarily the difficult part; it’s often the timing between properties that creates the real headache.
You Don’t Have to Move Everything on Moving Day
This is one of the most practical advantages of using storage.
There are plenty of things in your home that you don’t need on the first night in your new property.
Think about:
- Christmas decorations
- Camping equipment
- Spare furniture
- Books
- Seasonal clothing
- Sporting equipment
- Garden equipment
- Collectables
- Artwork
- Garage belongings
These can be packed and moved into storage before moving day.
Then, when the actual move arrives, you’re dealing with fewer belongings and a more organised home.
It’s a small change to the moving process, but it can make the day feel much less chaotic.
Self Storage Can Help You Declutter Before Moving
Moving is also a good opportunity to take a serious look at what you own.
Most of us accumulate things over the years without really noticing. Then moving day comes around and suddenly you’re asking yourself why you still have three cupboards full of things you haven’t used in five years.
But you don’t always need to make every decision immediately.
A useful approach is to separate belongings into four groups:
Take with you
Items you use regularly and definitely want in your new home.
Sell
Items that still have value but no longer have a place in your life.
Donate
Useful items that someone else could make better use of.
Store
Items you’re not ready to part with but don’t currently need.
That last category can be particularly useful when you’re downsizing.
You can move into your new home first, get comfortable and then decide what you genuinely want to keep.
Downsizing? Give Yourself Time to Decide
Moving from a larger family home into a smaller property can be emotional as well as practical.
You may have furniture that has been in the family for years. There may be photographs, children’s belongings, old records or other possessions that you don’t use every day but aren’t ready to give away.
Trying to make those decisions while you’re surrounded by removal boxes isn’t ideal.
Temporary storage gives you some breathing room.
You can keep selected belongings safely stored while you settle into the smaller property. After a few weeks or months, you’ll have a much clearer idea of what you actually have space for.
Renovating Your New Home?
Another situation where storage can be extremely useful is renovation.
Maybe you’ve purchased a property in Murwillumbah and want to paint, replace flooring or renovate a room before moving your furniture in.
Keeping furniture in the middle of a renovation can make the work harder. It also exposes your belongings to dust, paint and the general mess that comes with building work.
Moving furniture and boxes into storage temporarily keeps the work area clear.
Once the renovation is finished, you can bring your belongings back into a clean and finished home.
Preparing Your Current Home for Sale
Storage can also be useful before selling a property.
A house usually feels different when it is heavily furnished or filled with personal belongings. Removing some of the excess can make rooms easier to move through and gives you more space to clean and prepare the property.
You might temporarily store:
- Excess furniture
- Children’s toys
- Large collections
- Seasonal decorations
- Garage clutter
- Spare appliances
- Personal items
- Packed boxes
You aren’t getting rid of these things. You’re simply getting them out of the way while your property is being prepared for sale.
Once the house is sold, you can decide what comes with you and what you no longer need.
Pack for Storage, Not Just for Moving
There’s a difference between packing something for a few hours and packing it for several weeks or months.
Before putting belongings into storage, take the time to prepare them properly.
Clean furniture first
Dust, dirt and food residue shouldn’t be left on furniture before long-term storage.
Give everything a proper clean and make sure it is completely dry.
Protect upholstered furniture
Use suitable furniture covers to help protect sofas, chairs and mattresses from dust and handling.
Don’t pack damp items
This is particularly important for clothing, bedding, camping equipment and anything that has recently been washed.
Make sure everything is completely dry before putting it into boxes or containers.
Use good-quality boxes
Weak boxes tend to become a problem once they are stacked.
Strong cartons make loading, stacking and moving much easier.
All Time Storage also provides moving supplies such as boxes, tape, bed covers, padlocks and other packing essentials for customers preparing for a move.
Label Everything
One of the most common mistakes people make is packing everything neatly but forgetting to label it properly.
Six months later, you have no idea which box contains the kitchen appliances and which one contains the Christmas decorations.
Keep labels simple and specific.
Instead of:
BOX 12 – HOUSE
Try:
BOX 12 – KITCHEN – SMALL APPLIANCES
Or:
BOX 18 – GARAGE – HAND TOOLS
If you have a lot of belongings, create a simple inventory on your phone or computer.
It doesn’t need to be complicated.
A list of box numbers and their contents is enough to save a lot of searching later.
Think About What You’ll Need First
When loading your storage unit, think about the order in which you’ll need things.
If you’re moving into a new house, you may need certain belongings within the first few days.
Keep those items towards the front.
Less frequently used items can go further back.
For example:
Near the entrance:
- Basic tools
- Cleaning supplies
- Important documents
- Frequently needed boxes
- Essential household items
Further back:
- Christmas decorations
- Seasonal equipment
- Spare furniture
- Long-term storage boxes
This simple bit of planning can save you from unloading half the unit to find one box.
Choosing the Right Storage Size
Getting the storage size right is important.
Too small and you’ll struggle to organise your belongings. Too large and you may end up paying for space you don’t actually need.
Start by making a list of your larger items:
- Sofas
- Beds
- Mattresses
- Wardrobes
- Dining tables
- Appliances
- Outdoor furniture
- Garage equipment
- Boxes
Then consider how much room you’ll need to move around the unit.
All Time Storage has a range of storage sizes, from smaller spaces for household overflow through to larger options suitable for the contents of a home or commercial goods. Its space calculator provides examples of what different storage sizes may accommodate.
If you’re still unsure, speaking with the storage team before booking is a sensible option.
Don’t Forget About Access
Storage isn’t much help if you can’t conveniently get to your belongings when you need them.
During a house move, plans can change quickly.
You might suddenly need a piece of furniture. A removalist may change the schedule. Or you may realise that an important box is still in storage.
All Time Storage provides access to storage units seven days a week from 6am to 7pm, with after-hours access available by arrangement. Customers receive an individualised gate PIN for access to the facility.
For someone in the middle of a move, that kind of flexibility can be useful.
Security Is Worth Considering
When your belongings are no longer inside your home, security naturally becomes an important consideration.
When comparing storage facilities around Murwillumbah or the Tweed region, don’t look only at price.
Consider:
- How the facility is accessed
- Whether CCTV is used
- Whether customers have individual access codes
- What type of locks are used
- Whether the storage environment is clean
- How easy it is to access your belongings
All Time Storage uses 24-hour CCTV surveillance, individualised gate PINs and individualised padlocks. The facility also provides a clean indoor storage environment.
Moving From Byron Bay or the Tweed Coast?
Longer-distance moves can create another reason to use storage.
If you’re relocating between Byron Bay and Murwillumbah, for example, you may not want to unload everything into your new property immediately.
The same applies when relocating from the Tweed Coast towards the Tweed Valley.
Having a storage facility close to your new home gives you the option of moving belongings in stages instead of trying to organise everything around one large delivery.
This can be particularly helpful when you’re moving with children, managing work commitments or completing renovations at the same time.
A Practical Moving and Storage Plan
If you’re planning a move, here’s a straightforward way to approach it.
Four to six weeks before moving
Start sorting your belongings.
Decide what you’re taking, selling, donating and storing.
Two to three weeks before moving
Arrange your storage space and start packing belongings that you don’t use every day.
One week before moving
Move non-essential belongings into storage where possible.
Your home should now contain mostly the things you need for the final week.
Moving day
Focus on moving the essentials into your new home.
Because you’ve already moved some belongings into storage, there should be less to deal with.
After moving
Settle into your new home first.
Then start collecting the remaining belongings from storage as you need them.
This is much easier than trying to unpack your entire life in one weekend.
What Shouldn’t Go Into Storage?
Self storage is suitable for many household and business belongings, but there are restrictions.
All Time Storage states that firearms and explosives, illegal objects or animals, animals/livestock, and dangerous liquids or substances are not permitted. If you’re unsure about a particular item, it’s best to speak with the facility before bringing it in.
Don’t assume something is acceptable simply because it fits inside the unit.
When in doubt, ask first.
All Time Storage for Your Next Move
For people moving around Murwillumbah, Tweed Heads, Kingscliff, Chinderah, Coolangatta and Byron Bay, All Time Storage provides a practical option for keeping belongings between homes.
The facility at 57 Quarry Road, Murwillumbah offers a range of storage options for personal, household, commercial and recreational storage needs. There are also dedicated options for caravans, boats and other vehicles, subject to the relevant storage arrangements.
For a house move, you can also make use of the site’s relocating checklist, which covers practical jobs such as arranging electricity and internet, changing your address, organising insurance and preparing access to your new home.
The idea isn’t to make your move more complicated by adding another step.
It’s actually the opposite.
Used properly, storage can remove some of the pressure by giving you somewhere to put things while you work through the move.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is self storage useful when moving house?
Yes. It can be particularly useful when your moving dates don’t match, you’re renovating, downsizing, selling your property or simply want to move your belongings in stages.
How long should I rent storage during a house move?
It depends on your situation. Some people only need storage for a few weeks, while others may need it for several months during a renovation, relocation or downsizing process.
What should I put into storage first?
Start with things you don’t use every day, such as seasonal clothing, decorations, books, spare furniture, camping equipment and garage items.
How should I organise my storage unit?
Label every box, keep an inventory and put frequently needed belongings where you can reach them easily. Leave enough room to access the contents without moving everything around.
How do I choose the right storage unit size?
Make a list of your furniture, boxes and larger belongings. Compare that list with the available storage sizes and use a storage space calculator if one is available.
Can I access my storage unit during the move?
At All Time Storage, customers have access seven days a week from 6am to 7pm, with after-hours access available by arrangement.
Can I store furniture while my new home is being renovated?
Yes. Temporary storage can be a practical way to keep furniture and household belongings away from dust, paint and construction work while renovations are underway.
Make Your Next Move a Little Easier
A house move doesn’t have to happen in one enormous day.
If your settlement dates don’t line up, you’re renovating, downsizing or simply need more time to organise your belongings, self storage can give you the flexibility to move at a more manageable pace.
For families moving within Murwillumbah, or relocating from Tweed Heads, Kingscliff, Chinderah, Coolangatta or Byron Bay, having a convenient storage option nearby can make the transition much easier.
At All Time Storage, the focus is simple: give you a practical place to keep your belongings while you get on with the move.
Planning a house move? Check the available storage options at All Time Storage, use the space calculator to work out how much room you may need, or contact the team at 57 Quarry Road, Murwillumbah to discuss your requirements.
