SOS – Save Our Summer! How Self Storage Can Make For Happier School Holidays

Did you breathe a sigh of relief when that bell rang for the last time in June? 

Finally! Time for a break from the school run, the uniform washing and the lunchmaking. Once you’ve cleared the schoolbags of completed workbooks and forgotten bananas, that’s it for the next eight weeks or so and you can look forward to calmer mornings, happy days of contented outdoor play when it’s sunny, and even more idyllic pursuits like baking, colouring and reading when it’s not.

As if.

Primary school holidays are definitely more likely to be served with a side of chaos than calm as routines disappear, toys and clutter are everywhere, bedrooms overflow – it can all start to feel a bit much having those extra little people – and their stuff – around the house more than you’re used to. 

At Storage World, we feel the pain of parents everywhere as the summer recess kicks off but we’ve got the perfect solution.  It’s affordable, practical and it couldn’t be easier – self storage, of course!

Using self-storage short term for the summer holidays can be a huge help in saving both space and sanity during these potentially chaotic months – and it could even turn summer into a blissful time – who’da thunk it! 

The Struggle Is Real

The long summer break can really cause a monumental shift in household dynamics. Let’s face it, even with the best of intentions, no one can manage to keep kids occupied and happy 100% of the time. FilIng each and every day with educational outings, fun trips and calm activities, can really draw on all your resources of time, patience and money. And is it such a bad thing for kids to learn to amuse themselves and deal with the dreaded boredom? 

As the long, free days of summer settle in, suddenly, the house begins to fill up – there’s Lego as far as the eye can see, the Barbies have colonised the living room and there’s a Teddy Bear’s Picnic that’s somehow the same size as Glastonbury. 

Getting out and about is great but suddenly there’s footballs, and football boots, tennis rackets, goalposts, skateboards and swimming gear all over the place.

And for the more artistically-minded? Firstly there’s all those lovely creative projects that came home in the schoolbag that you cannot throw out! Add to that the new endeavours that help to pass a rainy day and it’s crayons, paint, paper and glitter everywhere!

Clutter isn’t just messy, it also creates stress. Any parent wading through the sea of stuff can just feel overwhelmed and if you’re working from home it can be really difficult to focus on those spreadsheets when you’re knee deep in home-made slime and there’s a giant Squishmallow taking up half your desk. 

There comes the time when the adults in the house simply have to take back the space!

Self Storage To The Rescue!

So how exactly is renting a self-storage unit going to be of benefit? 

Room to Move

You’d be amazed how much space the temporary relocation of non-essentials can create. Winter woolies, heavy coats and The Big Duvet along with other blankets and bedding all fill up the cupboards but while they’re not needed for summer, why not pop them into a safe storage unit and ta-dah! – you’ll find you’ve got tons of space for the fun summer stuff that’s driving you mad. While you’re at it, fire in those school bags, books and uniforms until they’re needed again along with uniforms. 

It’s worth taking a look at temperature-controlled self storage options for items like these which will keep fabrics and paper in tip-top condition for when the next academic year creeps around.

Equipment Overflow

Having a storage unit near home can really help you manage those larger summer items. Trampolines, bikes, camping gear, bulky garden toys, paddling pools, sandpits; sports equipment from rackets to footballs to goalposts to canoes and paddleboards – items like these turn a dull day into something more action-packed, but they all take up space and they’re not necessarily in constant use either. 

A self storage unit is a fantastic way to keep these items to hand, but out of the way. The ease of accessibility of a self storage unit means that a simple glance at the weather forecast can determine what comes out and what goes back in – and it’s a great way of keeping those large garden items in good nick during a wet spell. 

Rotation, Rotation, Rotation

We all know that the dreaded ‘I’m bored with all my toys!’ is coming sooner or later – and probably sooner if you make the toyboxes Access All Areas from the off. One great way to keep things interesting for kids is to introduce a toy rotation system. Keep half in play, and half in self-storage and then swap them out at various times to freshen up playtime. Works like a dream!

Keep it Crafty

Encouraging artistic talent is so good for little minds and it keeps little hands busy too! Craft gear can take up a lot of space, however, and that half-finished giant papier maché pig might look amazing but it would be nice to be able to use the dinner table for, well, dinner. 

A self-storage unit is ideal for keeping those craft supplies safely out of the way when they’re not being used.

Why Is Self Storage Such A Game Changer?

Uncluttered space is so good for your mental health. It reduces stress, promotes a sense of calm and gives you mental clarity and control. Check out how self storage can benefit your mental health here https://www.storageworld.ie/blog/putting-the-self-in-self-storage/

And goodness knows you need all the mental clarity and control you can muster when the little darlings are at home!

The extra space can also be useful in creating fun activity opportunities – dedicated play or designated activity zones, for example. And what could be more fun than setting up an indoor camp or having a sleepover with all the gang? 

Summertime is a great time for visitors like friends and family too – storing excess furniture in your unit, or work equipment if you’re taking some well-earned summer leave, creates plenty of space for guests. Why should the kids have all the fun?

Making The Best Of It – Handy Tips For Self Storage

There are plenty of ways to maximise the opportunities created by renting a unit. 

Do your research first – have a look out for flexible terms and  consider what size unit will work best for you. Keep an eye out for safety  features and access control as well as proximity to home for convenience.

If affordability is a concern for you, why not keep an eye out for summer promotions? Or maybe you could look into sharing with another family? With almost 560,000 children in primary school in Ireland be reassured that there are plenty of families in the same boat at the start of the holidays. Sharing could halve the cost, fill your existing unit (meaning better value for money), or it could enable you to avail of a larger unit. Sharing is caring, after all and parents gotta look out for each other at these trying times! Check out our tips for sharing storage here https://www.storageworld.ie/blog/sharing-is-caring-good-practices-for-shared-storage/

Make it a family affair. Roping the kids in to help with the organisation of the unit can be a real life lesson for them and a few extra pairs of hands for you!

Cruel Summer? Not With Self Storage On Your Side!

Take a breath, grown-ups. The kids’ summer holidays don’t have to mean chaos. With a bit of planning you can reclaim your house space, garden space and head space and turn something stressful into the best season of all. 

And who knows, once you’ve seen how well self storage works for your family in summer, it may well become your year-round best friend! Check out how here https://www.storageworld.ie/blog/storing-summer-get-packed-up-for-autumn-with-self-storage/

Unlock the freedom of extra space. Get in touch with Storage World today or get a quote online.