With the cost of buying a home, saving for a deposit can take time. For some people, moving back in with parents or other family members is a practical way to reduce monthly expenses and build up savings more quickly.
There is just one problem.
You’ve already got a home full of belongings.
Sofas, beds, kitchen equipment, televisions, desks, clothing and boxes that comfortably fitted into your flat or rented house suddenly need to squeeze into a spare bedroom at somebody else’s property.
You could sell everything, but if you’re hoping to buy your own home in the foreseeable future, you’ll probably need much of it again.
At SecureStore, we provide flexible self storage and Removal + Storage across Bury, Manchester, Failsworth and Salford, giving you somewhere secure to keep your belongings while you concentrate on saving for your next home.
Why Move Back Home to Save for a Deposit?
Buying a property involves considerably more than simply finding somewhere you like.
Prospective buyers may need to budget for a deposit alongside other potential costs associated with buying and moving.
For up-to-date information about buying a home in England and Wales, the government’s GOV.UK guide to buying a home is a useful starting point.
Moving in with family can potentially reduce expenditure on rent and household bills, depending on the arrangement you agree with them.
But reducing your housing costs doesn’t mean you need to dispose of everything you’ve accumulated.
The Problem With Moving an Entire Flat Back to Your Parents
Moving home after living independently is very different from returning after university.
You may now own:
- A sofa
- Dining furniture
- A bed and mattress
- Wardrobes
- A television
- Desks and office furniture
- Kitchen appliances
- Crockery and cookware
- Books
- Garden furniture
- Sports equipment
- Boxes of personal belongings
Trying to fit all of this into the family home can make everyone feel overcrowded very quickly.
A storage unit effectively gives your belongings somewhere else to live while you don’t need them.
Don’t Sell Good Furniture Just to Save Space
Selling furniture can initially seem like the obvious answer.
But consider how much it could cost to replace.
A sofa from DFS, furniture from IKEA UK, appliances from Currys and household essentials from retailers such as Dunelm can collectively represent a substantial investment.
If the furniture is in good condition and you expect to use it in your next property, selling cheaply now and replacing it later may be a false economy.
Storage gives you another option.
Decide What You Actually Need at the Family Home
You don’t need to store everything.
Think about what you’ll genuinely use while living with family.
Keep items such as:
- Everyday clothing
- Laptop and work equipment
- Toiletries
- Personal documents
- Regularly used hobby equipment
- A manageable number of personal possessions
Then consider putting larger and less frequently used items into storage.
This keeps your temporary living arrangement much more comfortable.
Removal + Storage Can Make Moving Out of Your Rental Easier
If you’re leaving a rented property, there may already be plenty to organise.
You’ll need to pack, clean, return keys and potentially complete an inventory or checkout process.
Moving heavy furniture yourself adds another job.
SecureStore now offers Removal + Storage, allowing customers to speak to one team about both moving and storing their belongings.
Depending on your requirements, suitable possessions can be moved into storage while you take the essentials to your temporary home.
Storage Can Help You Avoid Filling Your Parents’ Garage
The classic solution is:
“Just put everything in the garage.”
A few weeks later, nobody can get to the lawnmower, bikes are trapped behind a wardrobe and the car hasn’t seen the inside of the garage since you moved back.
The same thing can happen with:
- Lofts
- Spare bedrooms
- Sheds
- Conservatories
- Hallways
Using dedicated storage means the family home can continue functioning normally.
What Should You Put Into Storage?
Good candidates include:
Furniture
Sofas, tables, chairs, desks and suitable bedroom furniture you expect to use again.
Kitchen Equipment
If you’re moving into an established household, there probably isn’t a need for two kettles, two microwaves and three sets of pans in the kitchen.
Decorative Items
Pictures, mirrors, ornaments and decorative accessories can wait until you have your own home again.
Seasonal Belongings
Christmas decorations, suitcases, camping equipment and seasonal sports gear don’t need to occupy the spare bedroom.
Books and Collections
Keep what you’re actively using and store the rest securely.
Use the Opportunity to Declutter
Although you shouldn’t feel forced to sell everything, there’s also little point paying to store possessions you definitely don’t want.
Before packing, create four categories:
TAKE HOME
STORE
SELL OR DONATE
RECYCLE/DISPOSE
For suitable unwanted possessions, eBay UK, Vinted UK and Facebook Marketplace can provide options for finding new owners.
The money raised could even go towards your house deposit.
Organise Your Storage Unit Like a Future Home Move
If the objective is eventually to buy a property, pack as though you’re preparing for that move.
Label boxes clearly by room:
KITCHEN
LIVING ROOM
MAIN BEDROOM
OFFICE
BATHROOM
GARAGE
Keep similar belongings together and maintain a simple inventory.
When you eventually collect the keys to your new home, you’ll already be substantially packed.
Keep Your House-Buying Paperwork Accessible
Don’t put documents you may need for your mortgage or property purchase at the back of a storage unit.
You may need ready access to financial records and identification during the buying process.
Mortgage lenders and solicitors can request various information depending on your circumstances.
The MoneyHelper mortgage guidance provides independent information for people considering buying a property.
Keep important paperwork somewhere secure but readily accessible.
How Long Might You Need Storage?
This depends entirely on your savings target and the property market.
You may stay with family for:
- Three months
- Six months
- A year
- Longer
Try not to put unnecessary pressure on yourself by predicting an exact date.
Storage can give you flexibility while you work towards your goal.
Start Looking Before You Hit Your Exact Target
Once you’re getting closer to being ready, you can begin researching the type of property available within your budget.
Major portals such as Rightmove, Zoopla and OnTheMarket can help you understand asking prices in the areas you’re considering.
Knowing what size property you’re likely to buy can also help you decide which stored furniture you’ll actually want in your next home.
Don’t Buy More Until You Know Where You’re Moving
Storage can also prevent unnecessary spending.
If you’ve already got a perfectly good dining table in storage, you don’t need to start shopping for another one as soon as your offer is accepted.
Wait until you’ve measured the new property.
You may find that much of the furniture you’ve kept fits perfectly.
When You Finally Get the Keys
This is where planning ahead pays off.
Instead of starting from scratch, you already have:
- Furniture
- Kitchen equipment
- Household essentials
- Decorative items
- Boxes packed by room
You can arrange to move everything from storage into your new property and begin turning it into a home.
And because you’ve been able to keep the family home relatively uncluttered in the meantime, hopefully everybody is still speaking to each other too.
How to Book Your Unit With SecureStore
Getting started is straightforward:
- Decide what you need while living with family.
- Separate the furniture and belongings you want for your future home.
- Sell, donate or dispose of anything you definitely don’t need.
- Contact SecureStore with an idea of how much you want to store.
- Choose a suitable unit.
- Ask about our Removal + Storage service if you need help moving.
- Keep everything securely stored until you’re ready for your next home.
Call: 0161 470 0288
Email: info@securestoreselfstorage.co.uk
Visit: 574 Manchester Road, Bury
No deposit required in many cases; same-day move-in may be available.
Moving Back With Family? Keep Your Belongings Without Losing Your Space
Moving in with family while saving for a house can be a smart temporary move, but bringing the contents of an entire property with you can make the arrangement difficult for everyone.
Self storage offers a practical compromise.
You can keep the furniture and household belongings you’ll need in the future without turning your parents’ home into a warehouse.
SecureStore provides flexible self storage and Removal + Storage across Bury, Manchester, Failsworth and Salford, helping you bridge the gap between your current property and your future home.
Call 0161 470 0288, email info@securestoreselfstorage.co.uk, or visit 574 Manchester Road, Bury to discuss your storage requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it worth storing furniture while saving for a house?
It can be if the furniture is in good condition and you expect to use it again. Compare the cost and practicality of storage with what it would cost to replace the belongings later.
Can SecureStore collect furniture from my current home?
SecureStore offers Removal + Storage. Contact our team with details of what needs moving and your collection location so we can discuss your requirements.
Can I add more items to my storage unit later?
Speak to our team if your storage requirements change. We can discuss the options available.
Should I store everything I own?
Probably not. Moving is an excellent opportunity to identify belongings you genuinely no longer need. Store items that have value or a realistic future use rather than simply storing clutter.
What happens when I buy my house?
Once you’re ready to move, you can arrange to remove your belongings from storage and take them to your new property. Speak to SecureStore if you’d like help with the removals side of your move.
