End-of-Summer Storage Checklist: What to Pack Away Before Labor Day

Labor Day is coming up soon and that weekend marks the unofficial end of summer, one last long weekend before the pace of fall takes over. It’s also one of the busiest few days of the year for two very different reasons: it’s a popular weekend to move, and it’s the moment most people finally admit summer is winding down and start packing away the gear that came with it.

Whether you’re using the three-day weekend to relocate or just trying to reclaim your garage before fall, self storage does a lot of the heavy lifting. Here’s what to get ahead of before Labor Day hits.

Why Labor Day Weekend Is a Popular Time to Move

Labor Day gives you an extra day off without burning vacation time, which makes it one of the most convenient long weekends of the year to handle a move. It also lands right before school schedules lock in and before the busiest summer moving rush fully tapers off, so movers and truck rentals can still book up fast.

If a move is on your calendar, a self storage unit takes the pressure off the actual weekend. You can move non-essentials in ahead of time, stage furniture you’re not ready to place yet, or use it as a short-term buffer if your move-out and move-in dates don’t quite line up.

End-of-Summer Gear: What to Store Before Fall

Summer accumulates stuff, and most of it doesn’t belong in the garage or driveway once the season turns. Before fall gets underway, this is the gear worth moving into storage:

Boats and personal watercraft: Once the last lake trip is behind you, a dedicated boat storage unit keeps your boat protected from the elements instead of sitting exposed in the driveway all winter.
RVs and campers: If your road-trip season is wrapping up, RV storage frees up space at home and keeps your rig secure until your next getaway.
Patio furniture and grills: Cushions, umbrellas, and outdoor furniture last a lot longer stored away than left out through fall weather.
Pool and lake gear: Floats, coolers, and water toys take up more closet space than they’re worth sitting unused for months, box them up and store them together so they’re easy to find next summer.
Seasonal clothing: Swap out warm-weather clothes for what you’ll actually need as temperatures shift, and store the rest.

Bundling these into one storage trip is also a good excuse to finally clear out anything from spring and summer projects that’s been living in the garage rent-free.

Back to Campus: Storage for College Students

If you’re a college student (or a parent of one) settling back in for the fall semester, storage solves a different problem: dorm rooms and off-campus rentals rarely have room for everything you own. Military and college storage options let you keep out-of-season items, extra furniture, or belongings from home nearby without cramming them into a shared space and pick them up easily when breaks roll around.

Tips for a Smooth Labor Day Weekend Move

If you’re moving over the long weekend itself, a few small decisions make a big difference:

Book early: Labor Day is a popular weekend for truck rentals and movers; lock in your date as soon as you know it.
Reserve your storage unit ahead of time: Walking in with a reservation (rather than hoping for availability) saves a headache on an already busy weekend.
Pack a “day one” box separately: Toiletries, chargers, and anything you’ll need immediately should never end up buried in storage.
Plan around the holiday hours: Confirm your storage facility’s Labor Day hours before you show up with a truck full of boxes.

Key Questions to Consider

Is Labor Day weekend a good time to move? It can be… the three-day weekend gives you extra time without using additional vacation days. The tradeoff is that movers and truck rentals book up quickly, so reserving early matters more than usual.

When should I put my boat or RV into storage for the season? Right after your last planned trip is the simplest approach. Many people use Labor Day weekend as the natural cutoff point since it marks the end of peak boating and camping season.

Do I need climate-controlled storage for patio furniture or seasonal gear? Standard storage is usually enough for furniture, coolers, and outdoor gear. Climate-controlled storage is worth considering for anything sensitive to temperature swings, like electronics, wood furniture, or fabric that can warp or mildew.

How do I know what size storage unit I need for boat, RV, or seasonal gear storage? It depends on the size of your vehicle or how much seasonal gear you’re storing. Use a size guide or size calculator to find the right fit before you book.

Get Ahead of Fall and Reserve Your Unit Before the Long Weekend

Between end-of-summer gear and Labor Day move dates, storage units fill up fast this time of year. Whether you need a spot for your boat, a place to stage your move, or just room to breathe before fall, find a storage unit near you and get set up before the holiday weekend arrives.