When you’re preparing to sell your home, one of the simplest improvements doesn’t involve a new kitchen, expensive furniture or a major renovation.
It involves creating space.
The way you live in a property and the way you present it for sale are two very different things.
Your family photographs, children’s toys, spare furniture, overflowing wardrobes and everyday belongings make the house your home.
But when potential buyers walk through the door, you want them to imagine their life there.
That can be difficult when every room is full.
Temporary self storage provides a practical way to declutter your property before estate-agent photography and viewings without forcing you to permanently dispose of belongings you’ll need in your next home.
And if you’re preparing to sell right now, SecureStore currently has a limited-time promotion:
2-Week Flash Offer: First Month’s Storage for Just £1
For the next two weeks only, eligible new SecureStore customers can get their first month’s storage for just £1, subject to offer terms and availability.
If you’re preparing a property for sale, this can be an ideal opportunity to move surplus furniture, boxes and suitable household belongings out before photography and viewings begin.
Call 0161 470 0288 to check availability and current offer conditions.
Why Decluttering Matters When Selling a Home
Most people accumulate possessions according to the amount of space available.
Cupboards fill.
Shelves fill.
The garage fills.
Eventually, even rooms that aren’t technically cluttered can contain significantly more furniture and belongings than necessary.
When you’re selling, the objective changes.
You want potential buyers to notice:
- Room sizes
- Natural light
- Storage
- Layout
- Features
- Condition
You don’t want their attention focused on everything you own.
Buyers Need to Imagine Living There
This is one of the fundamental principles behind preparing a home for sale.
A potential buyer isn’t visiting to admire your possessions.
They’re trying to imagine whether the property could become their home.
Too many personal belongings can make that harder.
This doesn’t mean removing every photograph and turning the property into an empty showroom.
It means creating enough visual space for buyers to concentrate on the house itself.
Start Before the Estate Agent Takes Photographs
Don’t wait until the first viewing.
Property photographs are often a buyer’s first impression of your home.
Before somebody books a viewing, they’ll probably see the listing online.
Platforms such as Rightmove and Zoopla mean buyers can compare large numbers of properties quickly.
Strong presentation can help your home stand out amongst competing listings.
Ideally, decluttering should therefore happen before the marketing photographs are taken.
Remove Excess Furniture
Furniture has one of the biggest impacts on how spacious a room feels.
A living room might contain:
- Two sofas
- Several chairs
- Coffee table
- Side tables
- Large television unit
- Bookcase
- Children’s furniture
Every item may be useful.
But does every item need to remain during the sale?
Removing one or two pieces can sometimes dramatically improve the flow of a room.
Self storage allows you to keep the furniture for your next property while temporarily creating more space in the current one.
Make Small Bedrooms Feel Bigger
Spare bedrooms are particularly vulnerable to clutter.
They often become:
- Home offices
- Storage rooms
- Laundry rooms
- Hobby rooms
- Children’s playrooms
If you’re advertising a property as having three bedrooms, buyers should ideally be able to clearly understand how the third bedroom works as a bedroom.
That may mean temporarily removing:
- Excess desks
- Exercise equipment
- Boxes
- Additional wardrobes
- Hobby supplies
The room doesn’t need to be empty.
It simply needs to make sense.
Clear the Hallway
The hallway creates an immediate first impression.
Unfortunately, it’s also where households naturally accumulate:
- Shoes
- Coats
- Bags
- Pushchairs
- Bikes
- Parcels
When you’re selling, try to keep entrance areas as clear as practical.
You want buyers to enter the property without immediately navigating an obstacle course.
Declutter the Kitchen Worktops
Kitchen storage is a major consideration for buyers.
If every worktop is covered with appliances, it can make the kitchen appear short of space.
You don’t necessarily need:
- Air fryer
- Coffee machine
- Blender
- Toaster
- Slow cooker
- Bread maker
all displayed simultaneously.
Keep frequently used appliances available and pack away things you rarely use.
If cupboards are already full, appropriate household items can temporarily go into storage.
Buyers May Open Cupboards
Decluttering isn’t only about what buyers can see immediately.
People viewing a property often want to understand the available storage.
An overflowing cupboard can unintentionally suggest that the property lacks sufficient space.
You don’t need completely empty wardrobes.
But creating some breathing room can make built-in storage easier to appreciate.
Consider moving seasonal clothing and rarely used belongings into temporary storage before marketing the property.
Deal with the Garage
Garages are major selling features for some buyers.
But if yours is filled floor-to-ceiling with boxes, it can be difficult for somebody to appreciate its actual size.
Before viewings, consider removing suitable:
- Boxes
- Seasonal equipment
- Spare furniture
- Camping equipment
- Christmas decorations
- Suitcases
Keep the garage organised enough that buyers can understand how it could be used.
Don’t Forget the Garden
The same principle applies outside.
A crowded garden can appear smaller.
Depending on the season, you may have:
- Children’s outdoor toys
- Excess garden furniture
- Bikes
- Sports equipment
- Gardening equipment
You don’t need to create an empty garden.
But removing surplus items can make outdoor areas easier to appreciate.
For seasonal gardening advice, Royal Horticultural Society provides extensive resources for UK homeowners.
Depersonalise Without Removing All Personality
You may hear estate agents recommend “depersonalising” a property.
This doesn’t mean stripping away every trace of family life.
A home should still feel welcoming.
Instead, consider reducing highly personal displays.
For example, if an entire wall contains dozens of family photographs, temporarily packing some away may make the room feel calmer.
The same applies to large collections and highly individual decorative items.
What About Children’s Toys?
Keeping a home permanently tidy while children are living there isn’t realistic.
The aim isn’t perfection.
Instead, reduce the overall volume of toys.
Keep current favourites at home.
Move outgrown toys elsewhere.
Store suitable toys you’re keeping for younger siblings.
Donate or sell belongings that are no longer used.
This makes the daily pre-viewing tidy-up considerably easier.
Create a “Viewing Ready” Home
Once the property is decluttered, establish a simple routine.
Before a viewing:
- Put away washing
- Clear kitchen worktops
- Make beds
- Open curtains or blinds
- Remove unnecessary items from bathrooms
- Tidy children’s toys
- Clear obvious paperwork
- Make sure access routes are unobstructed
If the house contains less stuff to begin with, this process becomes much quicker.
Pack for Your Move at the Same Time
There’s another major advantage to decluttering before selling.
You’re going to have to pack eventually anyway.
Why wait?
If you know certain belongings won’t be required before moving, pack them now.
Examples might include:
- Books
- Seasonal clothing
- Decorations
- Collections
- Spare kitchenware
- Rarely used furniture
- Hobby equipment
Move suitable packed belongings into storage and you’ve already completed part of the eventual house move.
Label Everything Clearly
Don’t create dozens of identical boxes labelled “miscellaneous”.
Use clear descriptions.
For example:
BEDROOM – WINTER CLOTHES
KITCHEN – OCCASIONAL GLASSWARE
LIVING ROOM – BOOKS
CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS
NEW HOUSE – GARAGE
This will save enormous amounts of time when you eventually move.
Selling Before You’ve Found Your Next Property
Property chains don’t always align perfectly.
You may receive a strong offer on your existing home before you’ve found somewhere suitable to buy.
Some sellers decide to complete their sale and move into temporary accommodation rather than lose the buyer.
That creates an obvious question:
Where does the furniture go?
Self storage can provide a practical bridge between properties.
Your suitable household belongings can remain stored while you stay with family, rent temporarily or wait for your next purchase to complete.
Storage Can Help Break a Property Chain
In some circumstances, sellers choose to move out before completing their onward purchase.
This isn’t right for everyone and financial and legal implications should always be considered carefully.
However, temporary storage can provide the physical flexibility needed if you decide not to move directly from one owned property into another.
For general guidance about buying and selling homes, MoneyHelper provides useful consumer information.
What If Your New Home Needs Renovating?
Perhaps you’ve sold your existing property and purchased another one, but the new house needs work.
You may be:
- Replacing flooring
- Decorating
- Installing a kitchen
- Renovating bathrooms
- Rewiring
- Plastering
Moving all your furniture into the property before the work begins can make renovations more difficult.
Temporary storage allows suitable belongings to remain elsewhere until rooms are ready.
Don’t Store Things You Don’t Want in the Next House
Moving is an ideal time to be selective.
Before paying to store something, ask:
Do I actually want this in my next home?
If not, consider selling or donating it.
Suitable unwanted belongings may be sold through platforms such as eBay UK or Facebook Marketplace.
Good-quality furniture and household belongings may also be suitable for charitable donation.
British Heart Foundation provides information about donating suitable items.
Self Storage Isn’t Just for Large Houses
You don’t need a four-bedroom detached property to benefit from temporary storage.
For flats and smaller houses, removing even a relatively modest amount of furniture and belongings can have a noticeable effect.
If floor space is limited, every additional box matters.
A smaller storage unit may be all that’s required.
Removal + Storage Can Make the Process Easier
Preparing a property for sale already involves enough jobs.
Cleaning.
Repairs.
Estate agents.
Solicitors.
Photography.
Viewings.
Moving furniture into storage is another task.
SecureStore also provides Removal + Storage solutions.
Speak to our team about your requirements and whether we can help move suitable belongings from your property directly into storage.
Storage Insurance
Belongings placed into storage require appropriate insurance.
Furniture, televisions, household equipment and personal possessions can quickly add up to a significant replacement value.
SecureStore can provide storage insurance at a very competitive price, helping make arranging suitable cover straightforward.
Make sure the value declared appropriately reflects what you’re storing.
Why Home Sellers Use SecureStore
Self storage can help at several stages of a property sale:
- Before estate-agent photographs
- During viewings
- While decluttering
- During renovation work
- Between completion dates
- While living in temporary accommodation
- Before moving into a new home
Rather than filling your garage or asking relatives to store boxes, you can keep suitable belongings together in one organised location.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can self storage help when selling my house?
Yes. Temporary storage can allow you to remove excess furniture, boxes and suitable household belongings before photography and viewings.
What is the current SecureStore offer?
For a limited two-week period, eligible new customers can get their first month’s storage for just £1, subject to offer terms and availability.
Call 0161 470 0288 to check current availability and conditions.
How much should I remove before viewings?
You don’t need to empty the house. Concentrate on excess furniture, crowded surfaces, overflowing storage areas and belongings you won’t need before moving.
Can I store my furniture between house moves?
Many types of suitable household furniture can be stored. Furniture should be clean, dry and properly prepared before storage.
Can SecureStore help move my belongings?
Yes. SecureStore also provides Removal + Storage solutions. Speak to our team about your requirements.
Do my belongings need insurance?
Yes. SecureStore can provide storage insurance at a very competitive price.
SecureStore 2-Week Flash Offer: First Month for £1
If you’re preparing to put your property on the market, this is an ideal time to get organised.
For two weeks only, eligible new SecureStore customers can get:
FIRST MONTH’S STORAGE FOR JUST £1
Use the space to temporarily remove suitable:
- Excess furniture
- Packed moving boxes
- Seasonal belongings
- Clothing
- Household equipment
- Hobby equipment
Get the house ready for photographs.
Keep it easier to manage during viewings.
And get a head start on packing for your eventual move.
Offer terms and availability apply.
How to Book Your Storage
Getting started is straightforward.
- Walk through the property room by room.
- Identify furniture and belongings that don’t need to remain during viewings.
- Sell or donate anything you don’t want in the next property.
- Pack and clearly label suitable belongings you’re keeping.
- Contact SecureStore.
- Ask about our 2-week £1 first-month flash offer.
- We’ll help you consider an appropriate storage option.
- Arrange suitable storage insurance.
- Move your belongings into storage or ask about Removal + Storage.
- Get the property photographed and ready for buyers.
Give Buyers More House to See
You don’t need to make your home look empty.
You simply want buyers to see the property rather than the possessions inside it.
Create clearer rooms.
Reduce excess furniture.
Organise cupboards.
Pack belongings you won’t need before moving.
And make every square foot easier for potential buyers to appreciate.
With SecureStore’s current flash offer, eligible new customers can get their first month’s storage for just £1 for a limited two-week period.
That makes now an ideal time to start preparing your home for the market.
Telephone: 0161 470 0288
Email: info@securestoreselfstorage.co.uk
Visit: 574 Manchester Road, Bury, BL9 9SW
FLASH OFFER: FIRST MONTH’S STORAGE FOR £1 – AVAILABLE FOR TWO WEEKS ONLY.
SecureStore provides flexible personal and business self storage, Removal + Storage and professional mailbox services across Bury, Manchester, Failsworth, Salford and the wider Greater Manchester area.
