Decluttering in Central PA? How a Storage Unit Can Help Reclaim Space
In this blog, we’ll explore why clutter causes stress, how self-storage can help, and practical ways to declutter your home.
Many families who live in Central PA tell us their homes have picked up more “stuff” than they expected. It happens slowly over time. Holiday décor piles up, hobby gear takes over the basement, and suddenly the garage has no room for an actual car.
Clutter steals important square footage from your home and can chip away at your sense of calm. Having too much clutter around can make day-to-day life feel a little more chaotic than it needs to be.
The good news is that you don’t have to reclaim your space from clutter by undertaking a full-blown purge of your belongings. Many Central PA homeowners turn to self-storage units as a way to open up living areas without saying goodbye to the things they still care about.
Declutter Without the “All-or-Nothing” Purge
Self-storage gives Central PA homeowners breathing room: clear your living space now, keep the things you still value, and reduce the mental load of constant clutter.
Why clutter feels heavy
Visual noise competes for attention, adds stress, and makes daily life feel more chaotic than it needs to be.
The “middle ground” solution
Swap the hard decision (keep vs. donate) for an easier one: keep vs. store—without losing usable space at home.
Fast start that works
Go room-by-room (garage → basement/attic → office → closets → shared spaces) and create instant momentum.
Want your home back this week? Start with one space and move “not-daily” items off-site.
The Mental and Physical Toll of Clutter
Clutter takes a real toll on how our brains function day to day. Experts have found that crowded, visually busy spaces can increase stress hormones, trigger anxiety, and make it harder to focus (even if we’ve “learned” to ignore the piles of stuff over time). When your environment is constantly competing for your attention, your brain works overtime to filter out distractions, and that cognitive overload can lead to fatigue and reduced productivity.
And then there’s the emotional side of clutter. We attach meaning to objects (kids’ artwork, gifts from loved ones, expensive gear we keep “just in case,” and so on), and that makes decision-making harder than it seems when you go to declutter your home.
So, even though a tidy space can boost your mood, improve sleep, and make your home feel like home again, getting there can feel overwhelming.
Why Is Decluttering Your Home So Hard?
In reality, clutter rarely comes from laziness or lack of motivation. Most of the time, it’s tied to the way we live and the emotions we attach to the things we own.
As mentioned, we hang onto sentimental items because they represent memories. Or we keep “someday” belongings like camping equipment, craft supplies, or expensive tools we never use because parting with them feels like admitting defeat. Seasonal items, sports equipment, and bulky décor add onto this by taking up tons of space despite only getting used a few months out of the year.
Organizing and figuring out what to do with the things you’re not quite ready to let go of takes a real mental lift. No wonder decluttering feels so tough.
How a Storage Unit Can Help You Declutter Your Home
Storage units offer a middle ground between “keep everything forever” and “get rid of it all right now,” which is a huge relief for anyone who struggles with letting things go. Instead of tossing items you still care about (like family keepsakes or that kayak you only use at Pinchot Lake in the summer), you can store them without sacrificing valuable living space.
And because nothing is permanently gone, the decision-making pressure associated with decluttering drops dramatically. That alone can make the process feel much easier, because the choice isn’t between keep and donate; it’s between keep and store. Doesn’t that sound much more doable?
Plus, storage units also protect belongings that don’t fare well in basements, attics, or garages. Moisture, temperature swings, and pests can be surprisingly destructive, especially in older Central PA homes. A climate-controlled unit keeps your belongings in better condition for the long haul.
In short, using a storage unit to declutter and reclaim your home gives you mental and physical breathing room without forcing you to part with things you still value.
What to Store When Decluttering Your Central PA Home
Start with items that take up space but aren’t part of daily life—these create the biggest immediate difference at home.
Holiday tubs, seasonal pillows, wreaths, yard décor
Coats, boots, bins of kids’ sizes, formalwear
Kayaks, bikes, camping gear, craft supplies, tools
Inventory, supplies, archived paperwork, signage
Extra chairs, tables, décor you rotate seasonally
Photos, letters, kids’ artwork, heirlooms you’re not ready to part with
If you’re trying to figure out what actually belongs in a storage unit, start with items that take up space but aren’t part of daily life. These are the things that make the biggest difference when moved off-site:
- Seasonal decorations and holiday items
- Out-of-season clothing and shoes
- Sports and hobby equipment
- Business supplies and paperwork
- Spare furniture and home décor
- Sentimental keepsakes
But how do you get started?
How to Start the Decluttering Process
When you’re staring down a whole house full of clutter, it’s easy to freeze up. Try taking it one room at a time.
- Start with the garage. For many Central PA households, the garage becomes a default dumping ground. Shifting bulky or rarely used items into storage frees up space for what the garage was built for (aka parking your car).
- Next, check the basement or attic. These spaces are tough on belongings thanks to humidity, temperature swings, and critters. Items like furniture, keepsakes, paperwork, and textiles are often better off in a climate-controlled unit.
- Home offices come next. With hybrid work seemingly here to stay, a cluttered workspace makes it harder to think, focus, and get things done. Move outdated electronics, old files, or spare furniture into storage and only keep the things that support your workflow.
- Bedrooms and closets benefit from seasonal rotation. Store winter coats during summer and vice versa.
- Finally, look at shared living areas. Removing extra furniture, toy overflow, and rotating seasonal décor instantly opens up the room and makes it easier to enjoy the space.
Decluttering doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing sprint. Having a simple system can make the process feel manageable. Try the classic Keep, Donate, Store, Discard
decluttering method or the “one in, one out” rule. You can also schedule seasonal reset days in spring and fall to reassess what’s piling up.
Reclaim Space in Your Mount Joy or Elizabethtown Home
When Central PA homeowners want to reclaim space without giving up the things they value, Garber Self Storage is the go-to option. We have local facilities that make it easy to grab what you need whenever you need it. Units come in a range of sizes, so there’s space for everything.
The security of your belongings is a top priority for us. We have climate-controlled units and security features, including gated access and camera monitoring, to provide you with peace of mind.
If you’re ready to declutter your Central PA home and reclaim your space,
contact us today.
A Simple Room-by-Room Plan (Start Today!)
Pick one area, clear the biggest items first, and move “not-daily” belongings into storage so progress is visible immediately.
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Garage first
Remove bulky, rarely used items so the space can function again (yes—park the car).
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Basement / attic
Move items vulnerable to humidity, temp swings, or pests—furniture, keepsakes, paper, and textiles.
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Home office
Clear old files, extra furniture, and outdated electronics so focus comes back fast.
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Bedrooms & closets
Rotate seasonal clothing—store winter gear in summer and vice versa.
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Shared living areas
Remove extra furniture, toy overflow, and off-season décor to instantly open up the room.
