Top Storage Solutions for Compactly Storing Luggage and Travel Gear
Home & Garden Insider
Top Storage Solutions for Compactly Storing Luggage and Travel Gear
Discover innovative ways to maximize your storage space for luggage and travel gear. This comprehensive guide offers practical solutions, from nesting suitcases to utilizing under-bed containers, all backed by expert insights. Whether you're a frequent traveler or simply looking to declutter, these space-saving techniques will revolutionize how you store your travel essentials.
- Nest Suitcases for Space-Saving Storage
- Vacuum-Seal Bulky Items in Nested Luggage
- Use Packing Cubes in Nested Suitcases
- Pack Clothes in Ski Bag for Travel
- Utilize Under-Bed Containers for Travel Gear
- Compress and Stack Travel Gear Efficiently
Nest Suitcases for Space-Saving Storage
When it comes to stowing away luggage and travel gear, I'm a big fan of utilizing the luggage itself as storage. Suitcases of various sizes can nest inside one another like Russian dolls, saving a significant amount of space. This method keeps everything together and prevents individual bags from cluttering closets or spare rooms.
For smaller items like packing cubes, toiletry bags, and travel-sized essentials, clear storage bins work wonders. These allow you to easily see what's inside without having to rummage through multiple containers. I like to categorize items - one bin for tech accessories, another for first-aid and medications, and so on. These bins can then be stacked neatly in a closet or under a bed.
Finally, for items that don't fit neatly into luggage or bins, like duffel bags or backpacks, consider hanging storage organizers that can be attached to closet rods or the back of a door. These organizers have various pockets and compartments, making it easy to keep everything tidy and off the floor. This way, all your travel necessities are organized and readily accessible for your next adventure.
Vacuum-Seal Bulky Items in Nested Luggage
My go-to solution for storing suitcases within suitcases (Russian doll style) is as follows: I start by putting my small travel items like travel adapters, neck pillows, first-aid kit, and packing cubes into the smallest suitcase (my carry-on style one). Then I zip this small suitcase into my larger suitcases.
For my bulkier travel clothes, such as my ski jacket and pants, which I only pull out once a year for the annual ski trip, I use vacuum storage bags. You vacuum seal the clothes into the bag and don't even open it when packing. I put the sealed bag into my luggage so it takes up less space.
Use Packing Cubes in Nested Suitcases
My favourite storage solution for luggage is nesting suitcases and storing smaller cases inside larger ones like Russian dolls. It keeps everything compact and tidy, and I use packing cubes inside the smallest one to keep travel accessories like adapters, medication bags, wash bags, and laundry bags in one place. With everything inside one suitcase, it's easy to slide the whole thing into the bottom of a wardrobe or under the bed at your destination, so it's out of the way but ready to go.
Pack Clothes in Ski Bag for Travel
Anyone who owns their own ski equipment knows that while the advent of budget airlines brought cheap flights, it also meant paying for ski carriage; something that had always been included as a standard in the past. There are still some airlines that include this, but they are few and far between. Although simply renting skis and boots in your ski resort is an option for many, if you've already invested several hundred pounds in your kit, you want to make sure you can take it with you to the slopes. The simplest solution we've found is to look at the problem in reverse and instead of viewing your ski kit as the issue, consider your main luggage the problem. How does this work, you might ask? Quite simply, pay for the ski carriage but then pack your clothing around your skis, inside the ski bag. There is normally ample room to fit it all in, and this handy solution ensures you're only paying for one luggage item, but benefiting from all the unused space that ski bags offer.
Utilize Under-Bed Containers for Travel Gear
Under-bed storage bins or rolling containers
These are ideal for stashing suitcases, packing cubes, and duffels when you're not traveling. Soft-sided bags and backpacks can be collapsed to save space, while hard-shell suitcases can "nest" inside each other if you own multiple.
Compress and Stack Travel Gear Efficiently
My favorite storage solution for travel gear is using compression packing cubes combined with durable, stackable bins for off-season storage. When I'm traveling, the cubes keep everything organized and reduce bulk inside my suitcase, especially for clothes and smaller items. Once back home, I transfer everything into labeled bins that fit neatly under my bed or in a closet. Before storing, I use vacuum bags for bulky items like jackets or sleeping bags to minimize space. This two-step approach—compression cubes for travel and vacuum-sealed bins for storage—lets me keep gear accessible without clutter. It also protects my equipment from dust and moisture. Over time, this system has saved me hours of digging through piles and keeps my living space tidy, which is critical when managing a busy schedule and limited storage.
