Need more room? 6 things expats in Prague should always put into storage

Life in Prague has a way of filling up your home whether you mean it to or not. Basement storage isn’t always guaranteed in new builds, older flats are often short on closets, and balconies, if you’re lucky enough to have one, slowly turn into holding zones for everything that does not fit inside.

“Where can I put my stuff?” is a question expats in Czechia may ask more than most. Some are bringing their entire lives with them from overseas, while others are changing apartments locally. These folks and more all have belongings that need to come with them, but not every flat in Prague fits your belongings the same way,

Many find self storage to be a temporary or long-term fix. Companies like Less Mess Storage offer practical options to help you free up space, with flexible unit sizes and short-term rentals that adapt to the way expats actually live. Here are six things worth taking out of your apartment and putting into storage.

Sturdy winter gear is non-negotiable in Prague, especially for those moving from more tropical climates. Winter coats, ski gear, and thermal layers take over our lives for months, then disappear just as quickly when spring hits. The same goes for summer essentials that only see the light of day at specific times of the year.

Instead of rotating clutter through closets and taking up unnecessary space for half a year, move it out of your apartment entirely.

For seasonal clothing and accessories, 1–1.5 sqm should suffice. Households juggling multiple seasons and bulkier items will likely need 5–6 sqm. 

Hobbies are often highly portable, but it’s not always practical to keep your tuba in your 1+kk layout. The same can be said for camera kits, art supplies, and suitcases taking up space between trips. These are valuable items, just not ones you need decorating your hallway.

With access to three locations across Prague, self storage users can easily grab their gear whenever it’s needed. Smaller items can fit into 1–1.5 sqm units, while instruments, tripods, and travel equipment may need closer to 3 sqm or 5–6 sqm.

This is one of the most common scenarios for expats. You might be moving between furnished and unfurnished flats, or adding a major upgrade to your newly purchased home. Or maybe your lease dates don’t align, and you’re dealing with temporary housing. You can chill in a hotel or Airbnb for a while, but what do you do with your furniture in the meantime? 

Less Mess Storage recommends a 3 sqm unit for boxes and small furniture. One room of packed-up stuff usually needs 5–6 sqm, and Sabinina notes that a 10 sqm unit “is suitable for full flat or house renovations and larger moves.”

Books you aren’t ready to part with, photo albums from the 1990s, family heirlooms you brought from your home country – these are things you want to keep, just not necessarily under your bed.

That’s where archive boxes come in handy, for items that can fit into a 1–1.5 sqm unit. Scale up from there for larger collections or furniture with sentimental value.

If you’ve successfully opened a business in Prague, you know how quickly a home office or side business can create clutter. Czech bureaucracy loves its paper trails, but keeping documents, product stock, and equipment organized can quickly take over your living space. 

Offsite storage for business needs is a better solution. A 1–1.5 sqm unit is enough for document archives. Add products or equipment, and 3 sqm becomes more practical. Larger operations may even use as much as 7–8 sqm.

The blender you use twice a year. Baby items your kids have already outgrown, but that you might want to pass on to a friend or family member in the future. A spare chair you plan to sell when you have time to list it properly on Facebook Marketplace. Small appliances, boxes, or furniture you want to repair or sort through later.

These are often things you still need, may need again, or simply have not had time to deal with, but you don't want them to end up in a landfill, either. Think of offsite storage as a replacement cellar. A 1–1.5 sqm unit can handle a few boxes just to get them out of your hair. A 3 sqm space fits bulkier items, and if everything piles up, 5–6 sqm gives you room to organize it over time.

Less Mess Storage units can be reserved online. Choose between an indefinite and fixed-term contract, or, if you're unsure what size will work best for your belongings, consult their team of storage experts.