Living on your own can be lonely and expensive, but a roommate can ease the burden on both fronts. However, there might also be drawbacks to living with a roommate if you’re not equally up for the task, which is why communication is important. Before you decide to move in with someone or let someone share your space, make sure you know the person well enough. You might also consider using a storage unit in Capitola, CA to free up some space so clutter doesn’t build up and stress you out. Everyone has their own boundaries, and you shouldn’t be afraid to make yours clear from the very beginning.

Know Your Roommate

Having a roommate can be a blast, especially if you’re living with someone whom you’ve been good friends with for a long time. This isn’t always the case though, and you might not know your roommate very well before moving in. If you’re looking for a roommate to make your living space more affordable, do your best to get to know your potential options before making anything official. Learn about the person’s preferences, allergies, and any other pertinent information that might come up when you share a living space.

Create Space

When you invite another person to live with you in your home, you have to be ready to deal with their belongings as well. You can free up some space and make your home a little more comfortable by using a storage unit. This is even more helpful if you don’t have an attic, basement, or garage where you can store the things you don’t use so often. Storage space will help cut down on clutter and the stress that comes with it, making your relationship with your roommate less challenging and more harmonious.

Identify Your Boundaries

Some people are relatively open, while others prefer their privacy and personal space. Talk to your potential roommate before moving in and make your boundaries clear from the start. Then you can organize the house in a way that meets both of your needs.

When the holiday season ends and it’s time to take down the decorations, remember to take care of them and store them properly so you can use them again and again over the years. If you don’t have storage options in Capitola, CA inside your house, you can always use a storage unit. Watch this video and learn about the right way to store an artificial tree.

Artificial trees don’t require the same amount of care as live trees, and they can last for years if you care for them the right way. Don’t store your fake tree in its original box, as it can break down over time and let moisture, dust, and bugs inside. If you use a plastic container, make sure you use one that seals tightly so the air stays out. You can also use a storage bag, and many of these bags have wheels attached.

Storage rental in Capitola, CA can help a family start using their garage and closets again, and college storage is convenient for students who study far from home. Commercial storage rental can be a lifesaver for your business as well. If your business is growing and your demand for inventory increases, you’ll need somewhere to put it. Working from home is nice until your work starts to take over your home, but having a place to store your tools can take the burden off your family. Read on for signs that your business could benefit from renting a storage unit.

You’re running out of room for your inventory.

Many businesses work hard over the span of years or decades to get to where they are now, but sometimes businesses explode overnight. If you’re suddenly hit with a huge demand for your products, you need somewhere to store your inventory. Your office space might not be huge, especially if you’re a young company, but a storage unit can clear up some room. You can keep your inventory in a storage space until you need it, so you won’t have to trip over it when you walk back to your desk from the water cooler.

You work from home.

Working from home has its advantages, but it has drawbacks as well. If your apartment doubles as your home office, you’ll probably have even less room to store your inventory, equipment, and necessary business supplies. This is a bigger problem if you live with other people. Not only do you have to worry about clutter getting in the way, but you also must protect your business equipment from damage. Consider turning your spare room into a legitimate home office and putting its contents in a storage unit.

You need a place for your tools.

If you work in an industry like plumbing or home improvement, you can be your own boss without having headquarters to work out of. You may not have too much paperwork or office equipment to worry about, but a storage unit can house your tools, so you don’t need to keep them at home.

If you decide that renting a storage unit in Capitola, CA could be the right choice for you, make sure you work with a storage facility that allows you to access your things when you need them. At JD Mini Storage, we make it as easy as possible for you to get to the belongings that you leave with us. Some people like to come back to their storage units on a monthly, weekly, or even daily basis—if that sounds like you, then you should know exactly how to get to your unit. Read on and learn how you can access your storage units at JD Mini Storage.

No matter what kind of vehicle you drive, you should have no problem accessing your storage unit when you rent at JD Mini Storage. All our units are on the ground floor, and they are all 10 feet high. Getting into our facility requires keypad access. As long as you come by between 7:00 in the morning and 7:00 in the evening, you should have no problems getting to your belongings. We keep these hours open every single day of the year, so you’ll never be kept away from your things.

If you are preparing to place artwork or mirrors in a storage unit near Santa Cruz, CA, it is important to pack your items carefully. In order to pack your picture frames, you will need brown packing paper, mirror boxes, a roll of packing tape, and a marker. When you are packing your mirrors or picture frames, you can start by folding your packing paper around your item. With the paper carefully folded, you can tape your frame securely. For a look at how to store frames and mirrors, watch this video.

A company offering portable storage units will be able to provide you with handy tips on how to pack, move, and store your belongings. With services from a top-rated storage rental company, you can ensure that your personal items are fully secured when they are not in use.

When you rent a storage unit, you will trust your storage rental facility to protect and preserve your stuff when it is under their care. Before you choose a storage facility, it is a good idea to ask about any pest prevention methods that they have in place. A quality storage rental facility will have methods in place that are designed to keep rodents, insects, and other unwanted pests away. Let’s take a closer look at some common pests that are found in storage units, and how they can be prevented.

Rodents

Rodents are among the most notorious pests that can invade a storage unit. Rats and mice like to build their nests in the dark, out-of-the-way spaces that are located throughout an untouched storage unit. If a storage facility has signs of droppings or unused nesting materials, this may indicate a rodent problem. By implementing rodent exclusion methods, a properly equipped storage unit facility will be able to keep these nasty pests away.

Cockroaches

Cockroaches are familiar with pests that can be found in storage units around the world. When cockroaches invade a storage facility, they can bring nasty diseases and pathogens, such as salmonella, E. coli, and more. To keep cockroaches away, it may be necessary to treat the interior and exterior surfaces of a storage unit with a special repellant. Traps and other physical methods can also be used to control and eliminate a cockroach population.

Bed Bugs

Bed bug infestations are on the rise around the country, and storage units are not immune to these dreaded insects. A bed bug colony can make its home on mattresses, furnishings, and in any other carbon-based materials. In the unfortunate event that a bed bug infestation breaks out in a storage facility, it may be necessary to treat each individual unit. If you have concerns about pests and your stored items, your storage rental company will be happy to answer your questions.

You’ve found a storage unit in Capitola, CA and you’ve packed up all the belongings you plan to leave there, but now you have to figure out how to transport them. It’s easy to hurt yourself if you try lifting heavy things without the right techniques, and you might even lose time at work. Watch this video for safety tips for lifting boxes and heavy objects.

Don’t try to lift something that’s too heavy for you to handle by yourself. Try to lift one corner of the object to determine how heavy it is, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. Look for handles or another good place to grip before lifting. Standing next to the object, bend your knees and spread your feet to about shoulder width. Keep your back straight as you slowly lift the object, and keep it close to your torso.

If you’re the type of person who likes to go all out during the holidays, you’ll probably have quite a bit of cleaning up to do when the season ends. Since you won’t be needing your holiday decorations until next year, a storage unit rental in Capitola, CA can be a safe way to store your seasonal decor until you need it again. A storage unit rental will keep your things safe and protected, but you still need to pack everything properly. Be extra careful with your fragile ornaments and decorative lights, and use a bag or a box for your tree. Here are some storage tips to know when you’re cleaning up after Christmas.

Use a Storage Unit

Not all homes come with an ample amount of storage space, but a storage unit can solve the problem. Christmas only comes once a year, so there’s no real reason to keep your wreaths, trees, lights, and other decorations in your house during the rest of it. Instead, you can keep your festive decorations safe in your storage rental unit. Even though you’ll still have access to everything in your storage unit throughout the year, you probably won’t need to check up on your Christmas decorations for a long time.

Be Careful with Ornaments and Lights

Using your holiday ornaments and lights responsibly and storing them properly will help them last year after year, but you must be careful. Ornaments and lights are both easy to break if you don’t pack them up the right way before bringing them to the storage unit. Try wrapping fragile Christmas ornaments in newspaper or bubble wrap to give them some extra cushioning. You can also fill in any extra space in the box with packing peanuts, so your things don’t slide around.

Get a Bag for Your Tree

Natural trees should be thrown out after the holiday, but artificial trees can be preserved for years. Instead of using the box, the tree came in, buy a bag specifically designed for storing Christmas trees to avoid moisture and pests.

Some people like to have all the space they can afford, while others are more comfortable with a smaller living space. The drawback to smaller homes is that they get filled up with clutter more easily. If you love your small house but the clutter is getting hard to control, you might consider working with a storage rental company in Capitola, CA. You’ll have multiple storage options to choose from, and you can clear up your clutter without having to get rid of anything permanently. If you’re tired of all the clutter, read on and see how renting a storage unit can help.

Clutter can be an annoyance, and for some people, it may be a source of anxiety. If you want to take back some of the space in your home but you don’t want to give your stuff away, then a storage unit may be the answer. You can take the things you don’t need on a regular basis to the storage rental unit and leave them there until you do need them again. This really comes in handy around the holidays, when you have seasonal decorations that only go up for a few weeks.

You might be excited to get your things into your own storage unit in Capitola, CA so you can free up some space around the house, but don’t rush into the process and make thoughtless mistakes. People often put themselves at risk for injury, because they use improper lifting techniques that can hurt their backs. It’s also a good idea to research the storage rental company and make sure they’re right for you. Here’s more on what not to do so that you don’t make any common mistakes.

Don’t Use the Wrong Moving Techniques

When it comes to the actual process of putting your things into your storage unit, you should know how to pack and lift your belongings correctly. It’s much easier to transport your belongings when they’re packed the right way, as they won’t shift around in their boxes or give you problems when you’re hauling stuff to and from the moving truck. Use boxes that were designed for moving, not old and broken boxes from your local grocery store. When you move a heavy piece of furniture, have a friend help you. If you can take on the load yourself, remember to keep your back straight and lift with your legs.

Don’t Neglect to Research Your Storage Rental Company

A storage unit could be exactly what you’re looking for, but the company you work with can make a big difference in your experience. There’s no reason to work with a company that you don’t trust. A small amount of research can go a long way, and simply checking out a storage rental company’s website can teach you a lot about them. Look at your options, and don’t work with a business that doesn’t make you comfortable.

Don’t Stack Your Boxes Too Tall

Your belongings should be just the way you left them when you come back to your storage unit. If you stack your boxes too high, they could crumble over time and end up falling over and destroying some of your stuff. Consider what’s in your boxes, and keep the stacking to a reasonable height.

Not all storage options in Capitola are the same. JD Mini Storage has distinguished itself during our three-plus decades of serving the community. When you choose our storage rental company, you’ll get superior customer service, and customized billing and payment options to suit your needs. Plus, there is no minimum stay required. We make it easy to save on your temporary storage needs. After your first month, we’ll give you a prorated refund if you move out before the end of the next month or any subsequent months.

Our storage rentals are all ground units that are 10 feet tall, and are available in a range of sizes. You can access your unit 365 days per year, from seven in the morning to seven at night, every day. We secure your possessions with an electronic keypad access system, and our managers live onsite for your peace of mind. When you select your new storage rental, be sure to ask about our discounts for prepaying for long-term storage.

College campuses can get pretty dull over long breaks. Most students prefer to go home for the holidays, but this can create some logistical challenges. College storage is a smart solution for students who prefer not to haul their belongings home for the winter break. If you’ll be switching dorm rooms after the break, you’re in off-campus housing and plan to sublet, or your dorm is being renovated over the break, consider renting a storage unit in Capitola.

Sell some books.

There are likely a few books you’ll keep from this past semester’s classes, but you probably don’t need to lug all of those heavy books into your storage rental. Plus, selling them back to the campus bookstore or to an online textbook hub will give you a little extra cash for books for the next semester.

Store electronics carefully.

College storage units are an excellent way to keep your expensive electronics safe over the winter break. Even if you don’t plan to switch dorm rooms or sublet your off-campus apartment, it’s worth taking the extra precaution of storing electronics at a secure, off-campus location. Get some bubble wrap for your computer, monitor, printer, and music system to protect these items. Place these, along with all electrical cords, into a sturdy plastic bin before storing it.

Keep clothes safe from moisture.

Always launder your clothes before storing them. Make sure they are completely dry, and then wrap each item in acid-free tissue paper. Stack the clothing in plastic storage bins. You could add some mothballs to keep insects away, but some people prefer all-natural cedar.

Clean out your mini-fridge.

If you’re renting a mini-fridge with a two-semester rental agreement, it will need to be stored over the winter holidays. Unplug and defrost the fridge, and scrub it thoroughly. Remember to scrub the microwave, if you have a combination fridge/microwave unit. Slip a tray or towel underneath the entire unit, and leave the door open overnight. The next day, dump out any accumulated water underneath, and wipe down the unit to ensure it’s dry. Use heavy-duty tape to stick the coiled cord on the back of the unit. When you get the fridge to the storage unit, store it with the door open to allow air to circulate.

Temporary storage is a great solution for individuals who are downsizing or deploying overseas. After you find a storage rental company in Capitola, be sure to assemble the right sort of packing supplies for your items. You’ll need a dish box or two for breakable possessions, along with a few cell dividers and plenty of large sheets of packing paper.

When you watch this featured video, you’ll see demonstrations of the best ways to pack your fragile items for self-storage. First, watch as this packing expert wraps three plates together, separated by a sleeve of packing paper. The same technique can be used for bowls. Wrap all of your glasses and mugs individually. For your stemware, use a folded, long piece of packing paper for the stem, and then another piece to wrap the entire item.

The first step to making sure your furniture is well-preserved while in storage is to select a reputable storage rental company near Capitola. It should have clean, leak-free storage units, as water damage can be disastrous for furniture. After you rent the right size of storage space for your furniture, lay some thick plastic sheeting on the floor of the unit, and then start loading up the moving truck.

Clean and repair the furniture.

Slide each piece away from the wall, and wipe it down thoroughly. There could be mildew in areas where you don’t often clean, and one moldy piece of furniture in a storage rental will contaminate the rest of it. If any of your furniture needs repairs, this is a good time to take care of it.

Take your furniture apart.

There’s no point in throwing out your back and testing the goodwill of your friends by trying to move a huge credenza as is. Instead, take off everything that can be removed. Slide out drawers and take out shelves. On some pieces, you might even be able to remove doors and legs. Disassembling your furniture lightens the load, and it might be easier to grip while moving it. Be sure to label each disassembled piece so you can put it back together again later. You can use adhesive labels for this. Put nuts, bolts, and screws into a plastic bag, and tape the bag to the furniture. Use a separate bag for each piece of furniture.

Protect your furniture in transit.

It’s inevitable that furniture will shift around inside a moving van. Wrap each item with padding, such as blankets. Do not stack furniture inside the moving van—if it topples over, it will sustain damage, and it will likely damage other pieces of furniture.

Load the storage unit.

When you arrive at your self-storage unit, position the largest, heaviest pieces of furniture toward the back. As you bring pieces in, try to leave space for one or two walking paths. This way, you’ll be able to access the items in the back of the unit if you’ve stored lighter boxes of possessions on top of the furniture.

The opportunity to spend some time with out-of-town relatives is one of the wonderful parts of the holiday season. Make the most of your time with your houseguests by eliminating the possibility of cramped conditions. There are affordable storage options available in Capitola, CA, and you can choose from self-storage rentals in a range of sizes to suit your needs .

If your home is relatively roomy and uncluttered, rent a small self-storage unit. Or perhaps you’ve been using your guest bedroom as a catchall place to put random items. Don’t let your houseguest trip over odds and ends—make him or her feel welcome by clearing out the clutter and stowing it away in temporary storage. Consider how your guest plans to arrive at your home. If he or she is driving, it would be courteous to offer space in your garage for your guest’s car. This means it’s time to gather together your yard tools, bikes, and miscellaneous junk, and store them safely until your houseguest leaves.

No matter what distance you’re traveling during your move, there are a few tricks you can use to make the process easier. First, give yourself more time to plan your move than you think you’ll need. Next, explore your storage options in Capitola, CA, deal with unnecessary clutter, and stock up on packing and moving supplies.

Reserving a Self-Storage Rental

A disorganized move is stressful and inefficient. An effective way to keep your family organized is to rent a temporary storage unit, especially if you’re a military family. Military families move often, and they don’t necessarily take all of their belongings with them each time they move. If you or your spouse is headed for an overseas deployment, start checking out the rates for self-storage. Talking to a storage rental company is also a smart idea if you’re a college student. You might not want to move all of the contents of your dorm room back home each summer. Rent a storage unit near your campus to streamline your move when the new school year starts.

Dealing with Clutter

The day of the move is the wrong time to deal with clutter. As soon as you decide to move, start sorting through your possessions. Get rid of items that you can discard, recycle, sell, or give away. Inevitably, there will be some items with sentimental value that you might not need any longer. If you can’t decide what to do with these items, you can put them into storage, and deal with them after you’ve settled into your new home.

Stocking up on Moving Supplies

It’s a waste of time to run out to the store for packing supplies in the middle of your move. Stock up on more supplies than you think you’ll need. Get plenty of:

• Boxes of all sizes
• Tape
• Scissors
• Markers
• Packing peanuts

Delegating Tasks

Your move will go smoothly if you delegate tasks to each family member. For example, adults and older children can wrap and pack the breakable items. Younger kids can help by packing their own clothes and stuffed animals into plastic bins. When everyone pitches in, the move will go faster than you think.

If you have ever needed to move or ship a fragile item, you probably used bubble wrap to ensure it arrived unscathed. This common packing material is loved for its unique structure—flat on one side with small, air-filled bubbles on the other, resulting in an insulating and cushioning material that protects goods during transit.

Bubble Wrap has an interesting origin story. Engineers invented this material in 1957, intending it as a new form of wallpaper. When that idea didn’t take off, they considered marketing it as greenhouse insulation. However, in the late 1960s, IBM recognized the true potential of bubble wrap and started shipping its computers in this protective packaging material.

Today, the bubble wrap you know and love is indispensable for packing, shipping, and storing fragile items. Its wide availability, affordability, and versatility make bubble wrap a staple in homes, businesses, and storage facilities. If you need a refresher on how to pack with bubble wrap, you’ve come to the right place.

When to Use Bubble Wrap

Bubble wrap is ideal for protecting items prone to breakage, scratching, or damage, including:

• Plates and bowls: China and ceramics can easily chip or crack. Wrapping each piece individually prevents such damage.
• Glasses and stemware: These delicate items benefit from a cushioning wrap to protect their fragile rims, bases, and stems.
• Vases: Whether made from ceramic, porcelain, or glass, bubble wrap protects vases from impacts.
• Electronics: Laptops, televisions, cell phones, and other gadgets often require extra protection to prevent damage during transport.
• Glass shelves and tabletops: These thin, delicate surfaces scratch easily. Bubble wrap provides a protective barrier.
• Mirrors, paintings, and picture frames: To prevent these items from cracking, protect them with bubble wrap while moving.
• Furniture: Cover vulnerable protruding parts and glass elements with bubble wrap.
• Other fragile items: From collectibles to home decorations, any valuable or delicate belonging can be safely packed using bubble wrap.

Sizes of Bubble Wrap

Bubble wrap comes in different sizes, which impacts the level of protection it provides:

• 1/16-inch bubble wrap is perfect for small, lightweight items like jewelry or tabletop figurines. The small bubbles offer just enough cushion without adding bulk.
• 1/8-inch bubble wrap is intended for slightly larger but still relatively lightweight items, offering a balance of protection and compactness.
• 3/16-inch bubble wrap is the most common bubble wrap size. Its versatility makes it good for small to medium-sized items needing a bit more cushioning.
• 5/16-inch bubble wrap is designed to cover medium-to-large items and protect against drops.
• 1/2-inch bubble wrap is the largest size available, ideal for covering hefty items and filling voids inside boxes.

Estimating Your Bubble Wrap Needs

When preparing for a move or packing items for storage, it’s important to gauge the amount of bubble wrap you’ll need. Consider the number and size of items you’re packing, and remember that it’s always better to have too much than not enough. In general, a 10-meter roll of bubble wrap should be enough to pack up one room.

How to Use Bubble Wrap for Packing

Here are some useful tips for packing different breakables correctly:

• How to pack dishes with bubble wrap: Start from one corner of a 5/16-inch bubble wrap sheet and cover each plate or bowl diagonally, overlapping the edges and tucking them in. Secure with tape.
• How to pack glasses with bubble wrap: Cover each piece individually in 1/8- or 3/16-inch bubble wrap, ensuring the wrap extends into the glass’s opening and completely covers the stem. Secure with tape.
• How to pack flat-screen TVs with bubble wrap: Cover the entire surface with 5/16- or 1/2-inch bubble wrap, paying close attention to the corners, which are particularly vulnerable. Secure with tape.

Additional Bubble Wrap Tips

Keep these tricks in mind to get the most out of your bubble wrap:

• Wrap items individually to ensure ample cushioning between each breakable and the box.
• Double-wrap especially fragile or valuable items.
• For maximum cushioning effect, wrap your items with the bubbles facing inward.
• Cover sharp edges or protrusions with cardboard protectors in addition to bubble wrap.
• Secure the bubble wrap with high-quality packing tape to prevent it from coming undone during transit or storage.
• Don’t rely solely on bubble wrap to protect your items. Before sealing each box, fill the void with additional materials like packing peanuts, crumpled newspaper, or 1/2-inch bubble wrap to prevent shifting.

The Importance of Quality Storage

Clearly, bubble wrap is an invaluable tool for protecting your items during a move or while in storage. Of course, the effectiveness of your packing job also depends on the quality of your storage unit. JD Mini Storage in Capitola, CA, provides clean, dry, secure units to help safeguard your belongings. Contact us today at 831-440-7325 for storage unit availability, pricing, and answers to any questions you have.

A cluttered house can be a stressful home, especially if your at-home storage space is minimal or you have a large family. Take advantage of affordable self-storage to clear out your home of seasonal items at the end of the summer. A storage rental company in Capitola, CA can offer clean, secure units in a variety of sizes.

Summer Clothing

Gather together any hot weather clothing you don’t intend to wear until next summer. Make sure each item is clean and thoroughly dry to discourage mildew. One of the most effective ways to protect clothing in temporary storage is to place it in vacuum-sealed bags. Then, stack the bags in a sealable plastic bin. While you’re at the storage unit, take the opportunity to get your chilly weather clothing out of storage.

Recreational Gear

Californians are able to enjoy the great outdoors year-round, but there are still some recreational items you might not need once summer is over. Use your self-storage rental to put away tents, portable camping stoves, and coolers. Any other recreational gear you don’t plan to use for a while can also be stored away, such as rollerblades, kayaks, golf clubs, and mountain bikes.

Pool Accessories

Once you’ve closed your pool for the season, there’s no need for all those accessories and cleaning equipment to take up space in your garage. Your storage unit can easily accommodate pool floats and cleaning chemicals. Or, perhaps you have a kiddie pool that your children won’t be using until next summer. Protect it from the elements by storing it.

Holiday Gifts

Did you know there’s a right time of year to buy certain things? By taking advantage of end-of-year sales during the fall, you can finish your holiday to-do list ahead of schedule. You can store bulky gifts in your self-storage rental so that prying eyes won’t find them prematurely. The fall is a great time of year for deals on toys, housewares, electronics, and BBQ grills.

Harvest Wine

Even if your home lacks a wine cellar, you can take advantage of the fall harvest deals on wine by storing extra bottles in your self-storage unit. Fall is one of the best times of the year to buy wine, as it’s when vineyards introduce new vintages.

The beauty of a storage unit in Capitola, CA is that you can use it to store just about anything you want. From seasonal decorations that would otherwise clutter up your living space to valuable family heirlooms that you don’t have room for but don’t want to lose, you can keep your belongings safe until you want to come back to them. At JD Mini Storage , we want the best for our customers. That means that we do our best to keep our premises safe and your belongings protected. Read on and take a look at JD Mini Storage’s security measures.

The point of using a storage unit is to keep your belongings safe when you don’t have room for them in your house or apartment. When you rent a unit from JD Mini Storage, you will get a personal access code that lets you get through the gate. Without the access code, you can’t pass through the gate, and this does a good job of keeping potential thieves and vandals away from your unit. You can also count on the presence of at least one manager onsite at every hour of the day for further protection.

Clutter leads to stress for many people, and both can build up quickly and affect your mindset. If you’re the type of person who needs a clean space to think clearly, then you need a plan for getting rid of the clutter. College storage in Santa Cruz, CA offers an excellent solution to this problem, and college storage units are a popular commodity. Additionally, you can identify belongings that you don’t use frequently and give them away to friends or to charity. Continue reading for your how-to guide on decluttering your home.

Use a College Storage Unit

A college storage unit might be a lifesaver for confused students and concerned parents alike. When a young adult moves out of the house to go to college, he or she will typically come back in between semesters and during breaks. If bringing everything back to the nest isn’t a viable idea, college storage is. A college student who doesn’t commute to school will probably live in different dorm buildings or apartments throughout his or her college career. If college is far away from home, you can use a college storage unit to keep furniture, textbooks, and other belongings close to school instead of taking up space at home.

Give Things to Your Friends

You and your friends probably have similar tastes, at least in some areas. When you realize that you have too many throw pillows, an extra loveseat, or a centerpiece that’s too big for your table, consider giving them to your friends. This frees up some space in your house or apartment while still keeping the things you like “in the family.” Plus, your friends will be grateful that you thought of them and it can even strengthen your relationship.

Donate to Charity

An even more altruistic alternative to giving things away to your friends is donating to a local charity. There are countless types of charities out there, and there’s a good chance you’ll find one that is looking for some of the things you’re getting rid of.