Why Renting a Storage Unit Before Having a Baby Is the Best Thing You Can Do

Having a baby is a life-changing event and we’re sure that as soon as you find out that a new member will be joining your family soon, you take all of the necessary measures to get your home in tip top shape for the baby. While this is not something often considered, renting storage space for a few months to a year during pregnancy and after the baby is born can make the world of difference to your space, leaving you with a lot less clutter and extra things to worry about!

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Sort out your living space

If this is your first child, then a storage unit will come in handy to help you clear up some space in your home. If you are one of the many that work from home but don't have a dedicated office space, then packing up a few of the items in your ‘office’ area such as your desk or chair, can already make a massive difference in how much space you have available to you. Have this sent to your unit the day your maternity leave starts to help open up some space in your home and use it as a play or feeding space for the baby- even if it is only for a few months.

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You might also want to look at your home as a whole and see what kinds of items you will not need to use as often once the baby arrives. That sharp, glass coffee table might look great in your living room but can be a potential risk for the baby. Other furniture like bookshelves that are not being used or items that are wobbly and old are also great to store - especially if you don't really want to get rid of them just yet.

If you already have kids, then getting a storage unit near you will be a great place to store all of their smaller clothes or toys that they no longer play with and that which you would like to pass down or keep for your new baby. This not only clears out some closet space, but also allows you to see what you need and what you have enough of - ultimately saving you money when preparing for the new baby!

If you plan on baby-proofing your home as soon as possible and want to get a few baby-safe furniture items, then storing your other, more modern pieces in a storage unit is a great solution - especially if you don't have much space in your home to store them. This not only ensures that they will always be safe but gives you some breathing room since you will have less to clean, polish and worry about once your baby starts to crawl.

Pack up the bigger things

While this is not necessary, packing up your bookshelf does make the world of difference, especially if your home is smaller and free space is harder to come by. Consider if you will really need all those books and ornaments during your postpartum and if not, then pack the shelves up (if you can) to make some space for more of baby’s items. This is also a great time to move anything that was already in storage boxes (like out of season clothing, sporting gear, Christmas decorations, etc.) in your home to your storage space which will help you effectively clear up as much space as possible.

Plan the nursery

If you are planning on having a designated room for the baby but the room is already in use, then clearing it out as soon as you can will help you ensure that it is the best version of itself once the baby arrives. Leaving something as important as the nursery to the last minute can cause you unwanted and unnecessary stress and will only make packing up and organizing harder as the time goes on. Ask your partner or a few friends to help you organize the room over a few weeks by unpacking every cupboard and shelf and either tossing, donating or storing the items that you will no longer need once the baby arrives.
If you really are struggling to find the space and can't really pack away your furniture but still need to make place for the baby, then consider getting baby items (like changing tables and feeding chairs) that are multitasking and can easily be folded up and packed away. Chances are that you will most likely only need to use the feeding chair in the day so why not store it in a cupboard once the baby is asleep? Similarly, getting a clip on, an expandable tray for your cot on which you can change, and dress the baby is a great way to save space and save money on buying only one item of furniture!

Location is key

Choosing a storage unit near your home is imperative when you are baby proofing. As your due date gets closer, you might find it harder and harder to organize and sort out your space and should you need to quickly drop or collect something, then having a place near you will be such a relief! At Rent-A-Store, we offer many self-storage locations which will make choosing a unit for you an easy task. Have a look at our website to find the location closest to you!