What could I store in (dry) shed instead of house?

[Twoshoesnewshoes]

Following up on thread where I sought approximate costs for an extension-
we’re interested in a house which is much smaller than ours. We want to downsize, the one we like is a bit TOO small but we may wait years for the right property in that area.

we are planning to build a garden studio if we did move there and could build a shed too - a good insulated one with electricity.
what can I store in the shed instead of the house? What would you move out of the house?
im thinking, - boxes of children’s toys that we are saving for grandchildren
luggage?
spare bedding, or would it be too risky?
walking boots, coats etc? Or would they get damp?

No no, a properly built and insulated wood shed on a concrete base will not be damp if you buy a high quality one. Ours has a rubber roof, good guttering and double glazed windows and doors. Its as dry as the house - and has been for a decade. Cheap ones get damp as do the tin ones. The base and floor insulation is important.

Thanks @DrySherry
would you trust bedding in there? Eg spare sleeping bags, duvets in vacuum bags etc?

I guess if bagged properly, but dust is a thing I ours as it gets used for mending stuff too.

If you are downsizing perhaps think carefully about downsizing possessions before adding storage. Do you really want to keep old toys on the off chance grandchildren will want to play with them? How much bedding do you have that it couldn't fit in a drawer under a bed? It will be a huge adjustment but worth thinking about the value of things you are holding onto as you start this next chapter of your life.

I’d say let go of 75% if the stuff. Cheaper and easier

Sorry that sounded flippant but I speak as someone who left a 4 bed house (with garage and loft) to live with a partner who had a 3 bedroom house (with garage and loft) to live in a 2 bed flat. No other storage. Honestly, it’s liberating, life changing.

If you are downsizing that clear things out. You can buy the grandchildren preloved toys, they wont know the difference. Scan paperwork and keep on a portable hard drive. Ask yourself will anyone want this when I'm dead and why am I keeping this?

We store spiders and logs in ours. Lots of spiders 😧

Yep. Impossible to downsize without also downsizing possessions!

Declutter!

Yes, really good points, thank you- an opportunity to have a real clear out

Don't keep any childrens toys or books. If you want to replace them one day, you can find anything on Ebay.

Good god, kids toys you're saving for grandchildren?

My mother in law saved loads of stuff of exdh's for our kids and I ended up chucking everything when it was magnificently deposited/bestowed upon us. Even dh didn't remember playing with any of it, lots was rusty/chipped/dented and most was just very very old and musty.

Keep the bits which are sentimental to YOU, let your DC keep (at their house) anything sentimental to THEM.

If you have bedding spare enough to store it outside, you have way too much. Likewise walking boots and clothing.

If you're downsizing your living space, downsize your stuff too. Moving is a fantastic opportunity to look at your belongings and re-evaluate why you have them.

Having just emptied my late mum's house of her lifetime of (fairly recently de-cluttered) belongings it's really got me thinking about how much crap we actually keep

I have a few toys saved for grandchildren. Anything rusty has been thrown out but I though they might appreciate the wooden train set and a few other things that might appreciate in value. I've disposed of a lot to nieces and nephews but still have a few things left. If I had to store them in a loft or shed they'd have gone though.