Spring Forward: 8 Smart Ways to Prep for Spring

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February 17th, 2026

February is that in-between month, still chilly, still dark early… but you can feel spring coming. If you’re itching to refresh your home before the season fully arrives, now is the perfect time to get ahead of the spring shuffle.

Here are a few practical, low-overwhelm ways to set yourself up for a smoother, lighter spring, without turning your whole weekend into a chaos project.

Start with a “Spring Launch Pad” bin

Before you deep-clean anything, create one bin or basket and label it SPRING. As you spot seasonal items you’ll want soon, gardening gloves, patio lights, kid outdoor toys, picnic blankets, toss them in.

It becomes your “when the weather turns” box, so you’re not hunting around when the first sunny day hits.

Do the 15-minute “winter leftovers” sweep

Set a timer for 15 minutes and walk through your home collecting winter clutter you don’t need out anymore:

Heavy blankets (extras)
Holiday décor stragglers
Snow gear or muddy boots
Bulky coats you’re not wearing daily
Seasonal candles/scents you’re ready to switch out

This is the easiest win: reclaim space fast, feel immediate progress.

Rotate your closet (the easy way)

You don’t need a full closet overhaul. Just do this:

Move winter items you still need to one side
Pull forward the “early spring” layers (light jackets, sneakers, rain gear)
Bag up anything you’re not wearing again until next year

If you have limited closet space, storing off-season clothes can make your daily routine feel so much calmer.

Prep your outdoor gear now (so you’re ready later)

Spring brings outdoor projects: yard cleanup, gardening, sports, camping, fishing, or even just patio season. February is a great time to:

Check for missing parts (tent stakes, hoses, gloves)
Clean and dry outdoor cushions
Organize tools so you’re not buying duplicates
Consolidate gear into labeled bins

When spring weekends arrive, you’ll spend time outside, not in the garage digging through piles.

Declutter by “future you” categories

Spring cleaning can feel huge because it’s vague. Make it specific with a few categories that actually matter:

Donate: clothes, small appliances, unused home goods
Keep but not here: sentimental items, seasonal décor, keepsakes
Trash/recycle: broken items, expired products, packaging

That middle category, keep but not here, is the one that changes everything when you want a lighter home but don’t want to toss meaningful stuff.

Get ahead of spring moves and life changes

Spring and early summer are peak months for moves, remodels, and “we need more space” moments. If you’re planning any of that this year, February is the ideal month to start staging:

Pack non-essentials early
Sort garage or storage closets
Create “move-ready” bins
Make room for contractors or home projects

A little prep now can save you a ton of stress later.

Keep what you love, just store what you don’t need daily

Sometimes it’s not about getting rid of things, it’s about making your home work better! If you’re constantly tripping over seasonal bins, sports gear, extra furniture, keepsakes, or boxes of “I’ll deal with this later,” it might be time to move those items somewhere safe and accessible. That’s where a storage unit can be a game-changer: you keep what matters, and your home feels open and functional again.

Label now. Thank yourself later.

If you do one thing this month, make it this: label your bins!

Best labels include:

What it is (“Patio Lights + Outdoor Décor”)
When you’ll use it (“Spring/Summer”)
Any key details (“Bulbs in side pocket”)

Ready for a Fresh Start?

A few small steps this month can make your home feel lighter, your weekends calmer, and the whole season easier to enjoy. If you need extra space while you declutter, prep for a move, or get your home ready for spring projects, Express Storage is here to help.

Stop by your nearest Express Storage location or give us a call, we’ll help you find the right unit for what you’re storing.

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