Decluttering your home can give you more space and improve your organization, but it's possible to go too far in your cleanup efforts. Some items may not necessarily be needed at the moment, but they may still be useful, or even irreplaceable. Before dropping boxes of donations off at your local charity or tossing items in the trash, consider putting the following belongings in storage instead.

Items You Should Never Throw Away

1. Electronics

Most electronics can be recycled, but before handing off old computers, cell phones, and printers, be sure they're cleared of all personal information. Otherwise, you could be putting personal information at risk. If the item is inoperable, remove and destroy the physical hard drive or SIM card.

2. Books

Books that are water damaged, or otherwise unreadable, can be recycled. Otherwise, donate your unwanted books to a local charity or library, or upcycle them into decorations. The same applies to your collections. Whether it's snow globes, paperweights, or shot glasses, only throw out those that are broken or damaged, and put the rest on display or in storage.

3. Photographs

Have you ever been exploring a second-hand shop, only to find collections of old photos that someone dropped off? Imagine it's snapshots from your family that found their way to the thrift shop bargain bin. It's fine to clear out duplicates or images that are poor quality, but preserve meaningful photos, especially irreplaceable vintage prints. If you don't want to display them in frames, used archival photo albums or storage boxes to keep them safe.

4. Family Heirlooms

Just because a family heirloom doesn't fit your current decor or living arrangements doesn't mean you should get rid of it. Consider passing it on to another family member, or if it's not priceless, refreshing it with new hardware or paint. If that's not possible, store it in a safe place so it can be passed on to a future generation.

5. Important Paperwork

Vital documents, such as birth, marriage, and death certificates or property deeds, often get mixed into piles of old cards and other assorted paperwork. There's usually no need to keep a lot of those documents, but before you dump the whole box, check for essential items. You don't want to accidentally toss your Social Security card or passport in the process.

If you need a safe place to store items you can’t part with, turn to All American Self Storage. They provide residents of the High Point, NC, area with an array of storage solutions in different sizes, all with 24-hour surveillance. Call (336) 889-6534 to review their options, and visit them online to learn more about the various discounts they offer.