There’s something magical about fall in Lethbridge. The leaves start to change into those warm golden and fiery red tones, the air gets crisp, and suddenly you’re reaching for your favorite sweater instead of your sandals (well… maybe still your sandals, at least until it snows for the first time!).
It’s also the perfect time to tackle one of those sometimes forgotten seasonal tasks, like packing away all things summer. From patio cushions to camping gear to those shorts you lived in during July’s week-long heat wave, getting organized now means you’ll thank yourself next year when summer rolls back around.
Here are my top tips for making seasonal storage a breeze:
1. Don’t store what you didn’t use
If those flip-flops never left the closet, or the giant inflatable flamingo stayed in the garage all summer, ask yourself if you really need to hang onto them. Storing unused items just takes up space. Instead, consider donating, selling, or letting go. You’ll free up room for the things you do love and new-to-you things you invest in next year to support your summer goals.
2. Don’t put anything away dirty
It’s soooo tempting to toss the camping gear or lawn games straight into storage, but future-you will not appreciate it. Take the time to wash, wipe, or air out anything before packing it away. Whether it’s sunscreen-sticky totes, muddy hiking boots, or grass-stained sports gear, if you take the time to clean now, you’ll always be happy later.
3. Label, label, label
This might just be my favourite part. Oh who are we kidding, it absolutely is! When you’re pulling out your summer bins in 2026 (yes, it sneaks up that fast), clear and simple labels will save you from the “mystery bin shuffle.” In a pantry it’s good to keep your labels vague to accomodrate for changes at the grocery store, or in the recipes you’re making that week, but here we want to be specific! Instead of “summer stuff,” try “camping gear” or “kids’ swim + beach or “gardening tools.” Trust me, your future self will be doing a happy dance when you want to do some prep work for your garden next year and you don’t have to rifle through every bin looking for your seeds.
Final thoughts
Changing seasons is always a fresh start, and organizing your summer gear before you tuck it away is one of the best ways to set yourself up for a smooth year ahead. Bonus: it’ll make next summer’s adventures that much easier to dive into!
So grab a coffee, take a look at those bins, and give your summer gear the send-off it deserves. It’s all about setting up future-you (and your storage spaces) for success.
Want some extra help?
If the thought of tackling seasonal storage feels overwhelming, our Back to Basics Boost might be just what you need. In this two-hour session, I’ll help you make quick, confident decisions, decide on storage solutions, and even roll up my sleeves to get your bins in order. Together, we’ll make sure your space feels light, fresh, and ready for the new season.
Ready to book? Click right here to send me a message and let’s get your seasonal reset started!
