It goes without saying that a new baby means major change – and preparing the space needed for a new arrival, can be stressful. Where do you put everything – not only the crib and other furniture, but also the gifts and toys from well-wishers, including that very odd looking cot mobile your Aunt sent? With over 61% of people in a Big Yellow survey admitting to hoarding useless items around the house and just under a third (26%) of us having a whole room in our home filled with junk, you're not alone if the thought of decluttering a room to create a nursery fills you with dread. But the good news is, it doesn't have to be a nightmare. Here are our top tips:

The first step is to decide what needs to be kept, stored or removed for good. Before deciding this, however, assess your storage. If all your cupboards are already heaving, it's a good idea to consider other storage possibilities – unused space that can be harnessed in a garage for example, enclosed staircases or in an attic. Remember that damp and pests can damage your stored things so invest in making the storage space sound and make sure to regularly check items once stored. A wardrobe – with its small footprint, is excellent for storing soft items allowing you to hang, fold and stack effectively. Think laterally when it comes to storage – a lot of unused space is either at our feet or above our heads (note: when going vertical: make sure not to store heavy things too high, and don't store anything you regularly use above your eye-line). Also remember that your storage will be subject to small, inquisitive fingers shortly, so make sure everything can be locked away or is outside of reach.

Terry from www.prestigedoors.co.uk said: ‘Finding storage room in an already full house can be difficult, one simple solution is to use an open garage as a storage room as well as parking, all it needs is the addition of a garage door.’

Now you've organised your storage space, you can start to fill it:

Storing Books

Books can be surprisingly heavy if too many of them are stacked together so the best way to pack these is to use small boxes for efficient use of the self storage space. Stack smaller books over larger books and make sure that they’re arranged horizontally (never vertically) because it can damage the spine.

Storing Clothing

Clothing should be stored in wardrobe boxes, on hangers, to retain their original shapes. Keep out of season clothes accessible, as you may need to store your clothing for longer than anticipated. Finally, place some moth balls inside the boxes where you store your clothes to prevent any damage.

Storing Mattresses

If you're turning your spare bedroom into a nursery, you may want to store a mattress or two. Wrap your mattresses in the special bags available at self storage facilities like Big Yellow and DIY stores. These not only prevent them from losing shape but protect them from absorbing moisture as well. If you store it for longer than a year, change the plastic covering once annually.

Furniture

A thorough waxing with wood varnish will protect your wooden furniture from moisture, while dismantling flat packed items will prolong their life. Avoid scratches to the components by placing cloth or old carpet between them. Sofas with hard wearing upholstery such as leather or micro-fibre can be stored upright – saving on floorspace – however those finished in delicate materials will be safer stored horizontally. Wrapping your sofa in plastic sheeting will give it extra protection.

Writing on all sides

Write down what each box contains and to what kind of room it belongs. Don’t just write it on one side, as sometimes it may be stacked in such a way that your label will be hidden from view.

This guest post was provided by Drew Davies who writes for Big Yellow Self Storage. To help declutter a room to turn into a nursery, Big Yellow has a range or storage rooms or lockers (from as small as 9 sq ft) that will help create the space you need.

Disclaimer: Financial compensation was received for this post