Moving out doesn’t always mean moving everything out. Years later, childhood bedrooms, garages, attics, and basements often become long-term storage spaces filled with belongings that no one has touched in ages.
A recent Talker Research survey found that 46% of Americans still keep belongings at their parents’ home, with the average person storing about nine boxes there. While many items stay because of sentimental value, parents often wish their grown children would finally decide what to keep, donate, or throw away.
Here are some of the items that tend to linger the longest.
Memorabilia From School
Trophies, ribbons, debate medals, graduation programs, and science fair projects represent important milestones. Rather than leaving everything behind, consider creating one memory box with your favorite pieces.
Boxes That Haven’t Been Opened in Years
Many parents have stacks of mystery boxes labeled with a child’s name that haven’t been opened since moving day. If no one remembers what’s inside, it may be time to sort through them.
Childhood Clothing
Old jeans, high school hoodies, jackets, and shoes often remain packed away long after they’ve stopped fitting. Most of these clothes are simply taking up valuable closet space.
Sports Equipment
From baseball gloves and soccer cleats to skis and tennis rackets, sports gear has a way of hanging around for years. If it’s no longer being used, someone else could probably put it to good use.
College Textbooks
Many former students leave expensive textbooks behind thinking they’ll need them someday. In reality, most never get opened again once graduation is over.
Old Furniture
Desks, dressers, nightstands, and bookshelves from childhood bedrooms often stay because no one knows what to do with them. Parents usually appreciate reclaiming that space once these larger pieces are removed.
Related: Vintage Furniture Pieces That Sell Fast in Resale Markets
Childhood Collections
Whether it’s comic books, dolls, action figures, baseball cards, or stuffed animals, collections are often difficult to part with. If they’re worth keeping, they’re worth bringing home instead of leaving them behind indefinitely.
Related: The Strangest Collections People Actually Spend Years Building
Old Electronics
First laptops, outdated cell phones, DVD players, gaming consoles, and tangled cords frequently collect dust in drawers. Many could be recycled or donated instead of taking up space.
Holiday Decorations
Handmade ornaments, school crafts, and holiday decorations made as children often stay in family storage boxes. They’re meaningful keepsakes, but adult children should decide which ones they truly want to keep.
Books No One Reads Anymore
Children’s books, old novels, and school reading assignments often remain on shelves for decades. Keeping a few favorites makes sense, but many can be donated to someone who will enjoy them.
Musical Instruments
Guitars, violins, keyboards, and band instruments often sit untouched after school ends. If they won’t be played again, selling or donating them can free up valuable storage space.
Miscellaneous “I’ll Get It Later” Items
Almost every parent has a pile of random belongings their adult child promised to pick up years ago. Small appliances, lamps, storage bins, and odds and ends often become permanent fixtures simply because no one makes the trip.
