Autumn Storage Tips: What to Store Before Winter — and How

As the summer ends and autumn sets in across East Sussex, it's a good time to think about what's taking up space at home or in your business — and what could be safely stored away until spring. Getting this right now means a tidier, more spacious winter, and less stress when you need those items again.

What's Worth Storing Over Winter

Garden furniture and outdoor equipment

Garden tables, chairs, sun loungers, parasols, and patio heaters take up significant space inside and degrade quickly if left outside through autumn and winter. A storage container keeps them weatherproof and frees up your garage or shed for the season.

Seasonal business stock

Retailers and trade businesses often carry stock that peaks in summer — outdoor equipment, seasonal clothing, garden supplies, catering furniture for events. Once the season ends, that stock sits in valuable space. Moving it to a container for the winter makes commercial sense.

Vehicles and recreational equipment

Motorcycles, jet skis, kayaks, paddleboards, caravans, and similar equipment can sit idle for months over winter. A secure container protects them from the elements and from opportunistic theft.

Holiday let furniture between seasons

If you own a holiday property near the East Sussex coast, autumn and winter are typically quieter months. Storing surplus furniture, bedding, or equipment during this period frees up space for any refurbishment or maintenance work.

How to Prepare Items for Storage

• Clean everything before storing — dirt and moisture accelerate deterioration. Garden furniture should be cleaned and dried before going into storage.
• Wrap upholstered items — furniture blankets or dust sheets protect against scratches and dust buildup.
• Dismantle what you can — flat-pack furniture and dismantled garden sets take up far less space and are easier to move.
• Use uniform boxes — standard-sized cardboard boxes stack better, making it easier to maximise the full height of your container.
• Label everything clearly — you'll thank yourself in spring when you need to find specific items quickly.

How Much Storage Do You Need?

A 20ft shipping container — our most popular option — gives you approximately 1,170 cubic feet of space, roughly the size of a single garage. This is enough for a full garden clearance, a significant amount of business stock, or the contents of several rooms during a renovation. If you need less space, our internal storage units start from £100 per month.

Getting Sorted Before Winter

Chock-a-Block Storage is based in Bexhill-on-Sea, with easy access from across East Sussex — including Hastings, Eastbourne, Battle, Rye, Lewes, and St Leonards-on-Sea. Drive-up access means you can load your vehicle and transfer items in one trip. There are no minimum contracts, so you can store for exactly the period you need — whether that's three months or three years.

Call us on 01424 732643 or fill in our contact form to check availability and get a clear, all-in price. We can typically have a container ready within 24–48 hours.