Preparing for Long-Term Travel? Top Tips for Storage

Many of our members whether housesitters or homeowners find themselves planning for long-term travel. But how should they prepare? Read on to learn our top tips for storage and finding housesitters to care for your home and possessions when you travel for extended periods.

Creative Storage Solutions for Homeowners Preparing for Long-Term Travel

long-term travel requires packing away your things — If you are planning long-term travel you need to pack your suitcases and consider what to do with your things at home

Image credit: Christopher Luther

We all love travel. In fact, we’re all travelling! For example, 56% of Americans are vacationing this summer, and if you are one of them, perhaps thinking of a long-term travel, there’s one nagging thought: what to do with all your stuff. You don’t want to give everything up, but you can’t exactly lug it all with you, either.

Your closets and corners are probably already brimming, so some creative thinking and a few clever storage hacks will be required before you dust off the suitcase.

Adding a shed to your property

If you’re always on the go or away on a regular basis or finally achieving the goal of planning for long-term travel, adding a shed provides an extra layer of security and organization for all the things you want to keep but can’t take with you. Store furniture, seasonal items, or family heirlooms in a well-built shed that offers a secure, weather-resistant solution that lets you safely tuck away your belongings until you’re back.

A 10×12 shed, for example, provides plenty of space without taking over your yard. This size works well for most homeowners, giving you enough room for large items while leaving space for shelving, boxes, or even a small workbench if you need a spot to handle last-minute packing tasks before each trip.

Prices for a 10×12 shed can range between $4,995 and $7,765, depending on materials, design, and any extra features, so there’s some flexibility to match your budget and style.

Investing in metal parts cabinets

Another creative storage option to help you prepare for long-term travel, is both durable and versatile. Plus it can be designed to help you organize everything from small tools and hardware to household items. There are lots of options and types to choose from, the most popular of which are wall-mounted cabinets for smaller spaces where vertical storage is necessary.

These cabinets allow you to use wall space, keeping items secure and easy to access without taking up valuable floor space.

Mobile cabinets on casters can be a fantastic option if you’re looking for mobility. You can move them around as needed, and many come with adjustable shelves and full-extension drawers to keep your belongings neatly organized. Another option is workbench-mounted cabinets, which attach directly to your workspace. The compartmentalized design of these cabinets ensures that everything has its place, and modular systems offer even more flexibility.

Store things with desiccant packs

An effective, low-cost solution for protecting items from moisture damage – desiccant packs. These are especially important during your long-term travel absence. These small packs contain moisture-absorbing materials, like silica gel, which helps maintain a dry environment by drawing in excess humidity.

We want to avoid dampness in storage, and desiccant packs protect your things from issues like mould, mildew, and rust that can develop in all kinds of spaces, especially in regions with high humidity or fluctuating temperatures.

Easy to find at most hardware stores or even to DIY with household items like rice or oatmeal, desiccant packs are highly versatile. Simply place the packs within storage containers, boxes, or bags where you need moisture control. It’s also wise to check on them periodically—when they start feeling heavy or saturated, they may need replacement or recharging.

Long-term storage units

Sure, it may be the least creative option in this article, but it would be remiss of us not to mention a long-term storage facility as an option. Look for reputable storage providers with solid customer reviews and good security measures, like 24-hour surveillance, gated access, and fire protection. Climate-controlled units may cost a little more, but the extra investment can be highly beneficial. Humidity-related damage is a real thing, especially when you are storing delicate items like electronics, wood furniture, and clothing.

If you do go this route, it’s important to understand the importance of the packing materials you use. Opt for high-quality, durable boxes that won’t easily collapse or warp under weight. Make sure your fragile items have bubble wrap or other cushioning materials, and use packing tape to prevent your boxes from opening accidentally.

For larger items, like furniture, covers are helpful to shield against dust build-up and dirt accumulation. Moisture-resistant materials, like plastic bins or the desiccant packs we mentioned above, can further protect stored items from potential mould or mildew, keeping them fresh and damage-free.

Pro tip: If you are planning on hiring one of these units for an extended amount of time, see if you can work out a negotiated rate. These prices aren’t usually on the standard list, so always ask!

traveller and backpacker in Paris looking at the Eiffel tower — You may decide to travel light to make long-term travel easier

Photo by Paulo Marcelo Martins

Find a housesitter when planning for long-term travel

Why bother finding a storage solution during your long-term travel, when you can leave everything where it is? HouseSit Match offers a practical and trustworthy solution for anyone looking to keep their home and stuff safe while traveling.

You can find reliable house sitters to care for your property, pets, and plants—at no extra cost. Many homeowners choose this service because it provides the peace of mind of having a reliable person on-site to handle daily tasks, address emergencies, and keep the property in top condition.

HouseSit Match thoroughly vets all house sitters on the platform, conducting comprehensive ID checks, police clearances, and gathering reviews from previous hosts. Find your perfect house sitter today!

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