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The Most Common Items To Store When Moving

April 6, 2025 By Rod

The Most Common Items To Store When Moving

Europa Moving and Storage – Trusted Movers and Storage Experts in Toronto and the GTA

Moving to a new home is always an exciting experience, but it also comes with plenty of stress and logistics. Whether you’re relocating within Toronto, moving to a new condo across the GTA, or planning a larger move across Ontario, figuring out what to take immediately—and what can wait—is a key part of the process. That’s where temporary storage solutions come in handy.

At Europa Moving and Storage, we specialize in both moving and storage services tailored for people and families throughout Toronto, Ontario, and the Greater Toronto Area. Over the years, we’ve noticed common trends when it comes to the items to store when moving, and in this blog, we’ll explore those frequently stored items—and why people choose to store them during a move.

Why Store Items During a Move?

Storing items during a move can make the process much smoother and more flexible. Some of the most common reasons our Toronto clients choose to store items include:

A gap between move-out and move-in dates
Downsizing to a smaller home or condo
Renovations at the new property
Staging the old home for sale
Needing time to sort, sell, or donate items later

No matter your reason, understanding the most practical items to store when moving can help you make smarter decisions and reduce the stress of your move.

1. Seasonal Items

Toronto weather comes with four distinct seasons, so it’s no surprise that many movers store seasonal items that aren’t needed right away.

Common examples include:

Winter jackets and boots (during a summer move)
Holiday decorations
Snow shovels or summer patio sets
Space heaters or fans

By storing these seasonal items, you can free up space in your new home and unpack more efficiently based on what you need first.

2. Large Furniture

Bulky items like couches, beds, dining tables, and bookshelves often top the list of items to store when moving—especially for those moving into smaller spaces or temporary housing.

Common reasons to store large furniture:

Downsizing or transitioning to a condo
Uncertainty about room layouts or design
Protecting furniture during renovations
Delaying delivery until after painting or flooring is complete

At Europa Moving and Storage, we carefully wrap and protect all furniture before placing it in our secure, temperature-protected Toronto storage facility.

3. Sentimental Belongings

Not everything you move is immediately essential—but it might still carry emotional value. Things like photo albums, heirlooms, and childhood memorabilia are often stored safely until there’s time and space to revisit them.

Reasons to store sentimental items:

You’re not sure where they’ll fit in the new space
You want to protect them during the move
You plan to pass them down later

Storage gives you time to make thoughtful decisions without rushing or risking damage.

4. Extra Clothing and Linens

When moving in a hurry, not everyone takes the time to sort through all their closets. That’s why extra clothing, bedding, and towels are frequently included in the items to store when moving.

This is especially true if:

You’re moving in summer and want to store winter gear
You have duplicates you plan to donate later
You’re transitioning to a smaller closet space

Rather than cluttering your new home, temporary storage lets you sort at your own pace.

5. Appliances and Electronics

From fridges and microwaves to televisions and stereo systems, appliances are another top category of items to store when moving.

You might need to store them if:

Your new home comes with built-in appliances
You’re moving temporarily or into shared housing
Renovations make it unsafe to plug them in right away

Our team at Europa Moving and Storage ensures these items are unplugged, cleaned, and safely stored in a controlled environment until you’re ready.

6. Kids’ Toys and Furniture

When you’re moving with children, it can be overwhelming to unpack everything all at once—especially if their new room isn’t set up yet. That’s why many families store:

Extra toys or books
Cribs, bunk beds, or playsets
Outgrown clothing and gear to pass on later

Storing non-essentials helps families get settled with less chaos and more space.

7. Office Equipment and Files

With more people working from home in Toronto and the GTA, we’re seeing an increase in home office-related items to store when moving:

Desks and office chairs
Filing cabinets
Computer equipment and accessories
Archived paperwork

If your new place doesn’t yet have a dedicated office space, storage provides a temporary solution.

How to Choose What to Store

If you’re not sure what should go into storage, ask yourself:

Will I need this within the first few weeks of moving?
Do I have a place for this in the new home?
Am I keeping this for practical or sentimental reasons?
Is this item at risk of being damaged during renovations?

If the answer points to storing it, you’ll likely benefit from using a secure, local storage provider like Europa Moving and Storage.

Why Choose Europa Moving and Storage?

As a Toronto-based company with years of experience, Europa Moving and Storage provides full-service moving and storage solutions throughout Ontario and the GTA.

Here’s why customers trust us with their items to store when moving:

✔️ Clean, secure, and temperature-controlled storage facilities
✔️ Convenient pickup, packing, and delivery services
✔️ Flexible short- and long-term storage options
✔️ Friendly, professional team that treats your items with care
✔️ Local knowledge of Toronto neighborhoods and condo moves

Final Thoughts on Items to Store When Moving

Storing some of your belongings during a move can bring clarity, simplicity, and flexibility to an otherwise hectic process. From seasonal gear to furniture, sentimental treasures to spare linens, identifying the items to store when moving can reduce clutter, stress, and damage during your transition.

Whether you’re moving to a new condo downtown, a house in the suburbs, or between places in the Greater Toronto Area, Europa Moving and Storage is here to help you make it a seamless journey.

Contact Europa Moving and Storage Today

Need a safe place for your belongings during a move?
Let Europa Moving and Storage help you store what matters most—safely, affordably, and locally right here in Toronto.

The Most Common Items To Store When Moving; offered by Europa Moving and Storage;

Downsizing from a House to a Condo in Toronto ON – Tips

May 15, 2017 By Tibor

Thinking about moving from a house to a condo in Toronto, ON or any other city in Canada?

Toronto Movers - Home Downsizing Toronto
Even after adding up all the condo fees, you’ll probably come out ahead financially due to savings on utilities, property taxes and other maintenance costs. Here are some tips to consider to make the process of your residential move in Toronto easier:

Start with a List – Make a list of all the belongings that you can’t live without, i.e.: bed, couch, side table, lamps, TV etc. This will make parting with the other items easier and will help with the purge. You probably have doubles of most things hiding in the basement like DVD player, TV, couches.
Fit to Measure – Will your furniture fit in your new place? Make sure to get a copy of the floor plan and take measurements of your furniture in advance. What fits in your home now might be an eyesore in your new unit.
Declutter – This will be a fairly time consuming project, and an emotional one at that. Don’t overwhelm yourself and plan a few months in advance. Choose a room per day/week and make it your priority to go through every nook and cranny. Don’t forget the attic and the basement.
Purge – How much should you purge? If you use it regularly then it is a keeper. Ask yourself these questions as you go through the process:

Do I really need this?
Is this sentimental to me?
How many of these do I have?
Have I used/worn this in the past six months or a year?
Am I keeping this for someone else?

Give yourself a quota – you’re allowed to keep only so many sentimental items, the rest must be donated or given away. This forces you to be more disciplined when going through your belongings and puts a limit on how fast you accumulate “stuff” over the long term.

5. Recycle, Sell or Donate – Don’t throw your belongings away, think about the environment and what you will be saving from our dumps.

Clothing, books, sheets and blankets are always accepted at most Shelters or Good Will. Furniture, tools or accessories are accepted at most Habitat Centers.The garage will have lots that you can purge. Garden tools, ladder, lawn mower, rakes, and shovels can be sold or donated. Make separate boxes for Recycle, Sell and Donate, you might be surprised how much you can clear out.

6. Storage Space – After packing it all up, you realize you still have more than you thought. It isn’t easy to let go of sentimental items and memories that are attached to them. You might want to consider renting a Toronto storage unit. Whether is it short or long-term, think of a storage unit in Toronto as a temporary off site extension of your home.

Call Europa Movers Toronto (416) 604-9904 for a FREE Consultation in regards to our residential or commercial moving and storage services in Ontario and across Canada.

Reasons for Getting Storage for Long Distance Moving to or from Toronto

May 3, 2017 By Tibor

For many homeowners looking to move from to or from Toronto, ON or elsewhere in Canada, there can be some tough decisions involved. For example, not everything can be moved at the same time. And even when they can, the distance that needs to be covered can be too far for a non-stop journey to be practical. A lot, therefore, depends on your destination and the schedule you have. There’s a lot of aspects that need attention when moving, and storage offers some flexibility when the move is over long distances taking more than one day.

Toronto Storage Facilities - Moving and Storage Toronto
So what situations could come up that necessitate the use of storage facilities as part of your move? As some of the top Toronto movers, we happen to have experience in this area and prepared some tips for you below.

Reasons You’ll Need Toronto Storage Services

Renting Toronto storage facility can sometimes be a useful option for local moves, but when moving long distances in Canada, it becomes necessary because of the health and safety regulations preventing drivers from staying on the road for too long. Still, the 3 most common reasons for using storage facilities during a long distance move are:

1. Store to Wait – Generally speaking, whatever you pack will be unpacked at your new place of residence. But there may be some question marks over the space available until you see it for yourself. Your new place may be smaller, so you’re not sure if there will be room for your extensive personal library. Or maybe permanent fixtures in your living room mean the interior dimensions will not accommodate your present suite of furniture. In all the similar cases, you may want to store some of your items until you find a place for them. Once that’s worked out, you can pick them up from your Toronto storage.
2. Store to Declutter – Sometimes you already know what items are not coming with you on your move, but you have not made a decision yet on how to dispose of them. Perhaps a family member wants your couch, but can’t collect it for a few days. Or maybe you want to sell off your old golf clubs, gym machines and other hobby related items, but it may be necessary to keep them in storage for a few days before getting rid of them at a weekend market or yard sale. Often, homeowners looking to sell will store some items to ensure their home is uncluttered and is looking more attractive to buyers. The storage period can range from a couple of days while the property is open for viewings, or it can be for several weeks if the seller prefers.
3. Overnight Storage – The most common reason for hiring Toronto storage services is that long-haul journeys take several days. This is pretty logical when you consider the timetable adhered to by your long distance moving company. Toronto to Halifax is over 1,100 miles and will take about 24 hours to drive, while Vancouver is over 2,700 miles away and will take close to 48 hours to drive. While you might opt to make your own way (whether by car, train or plane), with your Toronto moving company moving your items, spending such long hours on the road means that at least one overnight stop will be needed. Having your items stored in Toronto storage facility is a lot better than parking overnight on the street or a truck rest, as getting your items to their new home safely is the priority.

Usually, because these stop-overs are agreed in advance as part of the moving itinerary, the cost of renting overnight Toronto storage facilities is included in the fees for the move. But it’s important to always ask about this and not to simply assume it.

Call Europa Movers Toronto (416) 604-9904 for a FREE Consultation in regards to our residential or commercial moving and storage services in Ontario and across Canada.

Useful Tips for Self-Staging Your House in Toronto

March 10, 2017 By Tibor

When potential buyers are viewing a house in Toronto for sale, they are usually “judging a book by its cover”. Consider your house an open book and encourage the buyers to make the offer that meets your expectations.

If a professional home stager is not included in your real estate contract, these tips could help you with self-staging your house in Toronto, ON for faster sale.

Curb Appeal – Clean, sweep and powerwash the front entrance of your house. Landscape the garden, remove weeds, cut grass and trim edges to give your home a clean look. A fresh mat outside and a pot of bright flowers will freshen up the entryway too.
Declutter – Pack all your personal belongings, such as: family pictures, collectible items, trinkets and all dust collectors. Minimize your furniture – fewer items in a room actually make the room look bigger. And don’t forget the closets!
Storage and Sell – If you’re not sure what to do with all your stuff, you can rent a storage space in Toronto for your boxes and large items. Many Toronto storage providers will rent on a month-to-month basis. Have a garage sale for all the unwanted items.
Paint and Touch Up – Patch-up cracks or holes in the walls, refresh the walls with a quick layer of paint. Think beige, taupe, white or pale blue, as rooms painted in light colours are calming on the eyes.
Brighten Up – Mirrors on the walls give the perception of a longer or wider room. Keep the temperature of your house at a comfortable level. Clean your windows to offer a clear view and a subtle hint of cleanliness. Open windows to air out any stuffiness.
Fresh scents – Fresh flowers on the dining room table or a single flower in a vase for the bathroom. Flowers give an elegant touch to any room. If you like to bake, feel free to indulge now. Everyone loves the smell of fresh baking. If baking’s not your thing, try this pro tip: boiling cinnamon in a pot gives a homemade pleasant smell.
Clean, clean, and clean – Once rooms are decluttered it will be easy to keep up with the cleaning. Make it your daily routine to dust, vacuum, and mop floors. Clear plates and cups, wipe down sinks, the fridge and cabinet doors. Entryways should be clutter free. Hang jackets, put bags and shoes away.

Remember that a first impression is important and memorable, and might be the only chance you get to impress a buyer.

Call Europa Movers Toronto (416) 604-9904 for a FREE Consultation in regards to our residential or commercial moving and storage services in Ontario and across Canada.

Tips: How to Downsize from a House to a Condo in Toronto

August 26, 2016 By Tibor

Thinking about moving from your house to a condo in Toronto, ON or elsewhere in Canada? Even after condo fees, you’ll probably come out ahead financially due to savings on utilities, property taxes and other maintenance costs.

Of course, thoughts of going through a lifetime of treasures may be your biggest challenge and may cause you headache and stress before it all begins but don’t fear. Here are some planning tips to consider to make the process of your your residential move a little easier:

Start with a List – Make a list of all the belongings that you can’t live without, i.e.: bed, couch, side table, lamps, TV etc. You probably have doubles of most things hiding in the basement like DVD player, TV, couches. This will make parting with the other items easier and will help with the purge.
Fit to Measure – Will your furniture fit in your new place? Make sure to get a copy of the floor plan and take measurements of your furniture in advance. What fits in your home now might be an eyesore in your new unit.
Declutter – Remember less is more! This will be a fairly time consuming project, and an emotional one at that. Don’t overwhelm yourself and plan a few months in advance. Choose a room per day/week and make it your priority to go through every nook and cranny. Don’t forget the attic and that hidden room in the basement!
Purge – How much should you purge? If you use it regularly then it is a keeper. Ask yourself these questions as you go through the process:
- Do I really need this?
- Is this sentimental to me?
- How many of these do I have?
- Have I used/worn this in the past six months or a year?
- Am I keeping this for someone else?
Give yourself a quota – you’re allowed to keep only so many sentimental items, the rest must be donated or given away. This forces you to be more disciplined when going through your belongings and puts a limit on how fast you accumulate “stuff” over the long term.

This would also be a great time to call the children and let them know it is time for them to claim their old keepsakes from their rooms.
Recycle, Sell or Donate – Don’t throw it away, think about the environment and what you will be saving from our dumps. Clothing, books, sheets and blankets are always accepted at most Shelters or Good Will. Furniture, tools or accessories are accepted at most Habitat Centers. The garage will have lots that you can purge. Garden tools, ladder, lawn mower, rakes, and shovels can be sold or donated. Make separate boxes for Recycle, Sell and Donate, you might be surprised how much you can clear out. Challenge yourself, once placed in the box you are not allowed to pull back out. Your trash might be someone else’s treasure.
Label EVERYTHING! Once you have decided what is for keeps, you can start packing it away. When packing up boxes months before a move, you will never remember where you put that favourite vase that aunt Martha bought you. Write detailed item lists on the boxes and colour code the boxes for each room. Trust me, this will save you time and frustration.
Storage Space – After packing it all up, you realize you still have more than you thought. It isn’t easy to let go of sentimental items and memories that are attached to them. You might want to consider renting a Toronto storage unit. Whether is it short or long-term, think of a storage unit as a temporary off site extension of your home.

About Europa Moving & Storage Toronto

Europa Moving & Storage Toronto is a professional moving and storage company operating out of Toronto, ON, providing high quality local and long distance moving services throughout Toronto, GTA, Ontario and across Canada. Thanks to our country-wide network we are also able to service our clients’ long distance moving needs throughout Canada.

Call Europa Moving & Storage Toronto (416) 604-9904 for a FREE Consultation in regards to your residential or office moving needs to and from the GTA and Metro Toronto area.

Useful Tips for Toronto Home Staging on a Dime

June 30, 2016 By Tibor

When potential buyers walk into a home in Toronto, ON or elsewhere in Canada for sale – they do what we were all told not to do when we were growing up: judge a book by its cover.

You should treat your home like an open book and encourage the buyer to make the offer that you expect.

Here are some tips for self-staging your home for a quick sale:

Curb Appeal – Clean, sweep and powerwash the front entrance. Landscape the garden, remove weeds, cut grass and trim edges to give your home a clean look. A fresh mat outside and a pot of bright flowers will freshen up the entryway too.
Declutter – This tip will probably be the most time consuming. Clear and pack personal belongings, such as: family pictures, collectible items, trinkets and all dust collectors. Minimize your furniture – believe it or not, fewer items in a room actually make the room look bigger. Don’t forget the closets too!
Storage and Sell – Don’t know what to do with all your stuff? Rent a Toronto storage space for the boxes and large items. Many storage providers will rent on a month-to-month basis and are a secure way to keep everything together. Organize a garage sale for all the unwanted items.
Paint and Touch Up – Patch-up cracks or holes in the walls. Refresh a room with a quick coat of paint. Rooms painted in light colours are calming on the eyes. Think beige, taupe, white or pale blue.
Brighten Up – Hanging mirrors gives the perception of a longer or wider room. Open curtains. Keep the temperature of your house at a comfortable level. Open windows to air out any stuffiness. Clean your windows to offer a clear view and a subtle hint of cleanliness.
Fresh scents – Don’t be cooking a fry-up or a spiced meal before a showing! Fresh flowers on the dining room table or a single flower in a vase for the bathroom. Flowers give an elegant touch to any room. If you like to bake, feel free to indulge now. Everyone loves the smell of fresh baking. If baking’s not your thing, try this pro tip: Boiling cinnamon in a pot gives a homemade cookie smell!
Clean, clean, and clean – Once rooms are decluttered it will be easy to keep up with the cleaning. Make a daily routine to dust, vacuum, and mop floors. Clear plates and cups, wipe down sinks, the fridge and cabinet doors. Entryways should be clutter free. Hang jackets, put bags and shoes away.

Remember that a first impression is important and memorable, and might be the only chance you get to show off to a buyer.

About Europa Moving & Storage Toronto

Call Europa Moving & Storage Toronto (416) 604-9904 for a FREE Consultation in regards to your residential or office moving needs to and from the GTA and Metro Toronto area.