The Tiny house Blog

Top Seasonal Storage Tips for Tiny House Owners in Colorado

By
Jason Francis
Designed and built over 100 custom tiny homes, lived on a sailboat for 9 months, and loves to live life to the fullest with his wife and their 4 kids.
Updated on:
December 16, 2024
Top Seasonal Storage Tips for Tiny House Owners in Colorado

Snow-covered winters, sun-kissed summers, and balmy springs and fall days – COLORADO HAS IT ALL. You can really experience every single season there. The weather is an absolute dream for anyone that loves being outdoors, but it can be a nightmare for those who live in tiny houses and don’t have a lot of storage. Snowshoes, camping gear, gardening tools, coats, floaties… It all needs a place to live, but in a tiny house, you have room for yourself and that’s it.

Where do you keep all your seasonal must-haves then? Storage, of course. But you probably already knew that. The trick is to make storage work in a tiny house, and that’s not always easy, but if you keep reading, you’ll see that it can be done. 

How to Make the Most of Seasonal Storage

Living in a miniature house doesn’t imply living in disarray but does entail being quite creative with regard to storage. Intentionality in space is really vital (to get the most out of it).

Most of the solutions would be multi-purpose furniture such as bed drawers, ottomans or hidden compartment bar stools, or tables that expand in size. You get furniture but you also get storage space all in one. These are the most obvious solutions.

Being organized is a must. Buy clear boxes, vacuum-sealed bags for clothes, and containers in case you have any outdoor gear (to protect them from the weather). Just make sure to label everything so that you know exactly what is in it. You might know what’s inside those boxes/bags today, but you (probably) won’t remember next year. Labeling is a very easy-to-do- and effective solution for this issue.

You also have to be reasonable for the things you have. But you cannot keep hoarding stuff. Some feng shui here and there, and you'll easily clear a whole load of clutter. Anything that’s unused in 12 months can go, because you already know you’ll never use it again. It's the only memory that you would keep attached to that particular object.

After discarding it, not just will the place be free of space, plus it looks tidier, but you'll also feel better.

Outdoor Storage Alternatives

The simplest option really is to purchase an outdoor shed. You don’t need to search for it for days, just google “storage shed near me” and find something that suits you swiftly and effortlessly.

Here’s some extra info on outdoor storage. 

How to Pick the Right Storage Shed

Colorado gets all kinds of weather, so the shed that you choose has to be made from materials that can handle it. Wood sheds are a classic, but they need more maintenance. Metal sheds are very durable and resistant to pests, and you can even go for a plastic shed. It’s lightweight and needs hardly any maintenance. 

The size depends on what you plan on keeping in it, but it’s always good to have shelves and hooks in there and, of course, doors that can be locked. 

Where to Place the Shed

Whatever you plan on using it for, you should place your shed on a flat, stable surface somewhere near your house so you can easily access it. You might want to think about placing it on a raised foundation or concrete slab because this will improve drainage and it won’t be so prone to water damage. 

If you need power for tools or lighting, it’s best to put the shed close to utilities you already have, or you’ll need to pay extra for installations. Keep it away from trees and bushes because branches might fall on it, and you’ll have a decent amount of debris on the roof. 

If you choose the right spot for your shed, you’ll have less maintenance and it will last you longer. 

Maintenance Tips

Unless you plan on maintaining it, it’s best not to even have it because it won’t stay in good condition for very long. Make routine checks for leaks, rust, and signs of wear. Do this regularly, especially after a storm and heavy rainfall (the integrity of the structure should be maintained in the event of bad weather).

This is mostly to avoid a pest-infested garage/basement and to help organize it. And pest or no pests, how useful will it be if you can’t find anything? Sweep the floor, wipe shelves, and check for mold or mildew, which both are very serious health risks.

Wood sheds need repainting and resealing every couple of years to keep off moisture. Metal ones would generally require rust-proofing treatments, whereas plastic ones just need to be washed down every now and then for aesthetics.

Conclusion

Even if your house is tiny, you can still be organized and neat. If you don’t have a lot of seasonal gear, you’ll do fine with just a few multifunctional pieces of furniture in your house. 

If, however, you have skis, winter boots, camping gear, floaties, etc., you won’t be able to fit it all inside so an outside shed is your best bet.

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