Moving out doesn’t always mean taking every last thing with you. Plenty of adults leave behind childhood belongings, old furniture, boxes of photos, and items they haven’t used in years but still aren’t ready to throw away.
A recent Talker Research survey found that 46% of Americans who have moved away still store belongings at their parents’ house. Those who do leave things behind have an average of about nine boxes there, with Gen Z and millennials being the most likely to do so.
The habit isn’t always about putting off a cleanup. Many people hold on to these belongings because they have sentimental value, remind them of childhood, or might come in handy someday.
Here are 14 things adults often leave at their parents’ house long after moving out.
Childhood Photo Albums
Old family photos are hard to replace, so it’s understandable that people want to keep them somewhere safe. Many albums end up in a closet, attic, or spare room at their parents’ house rather than taking up space in a smaller home.
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Boxes of Old School Memories
Report cards, yearbooks, school artwork, graduation programs, and old projects can bring back memories of growing up. Even if they’re rarely opened, many people aren’t ready to toss out these reminders of their school years.
Childhood Toys
A favorite stuffed animal, a collection of action figures, dolls, or building blocks may still be sitting in an old bedroom. These toys might not get played with anymore, but the memories attached to them can make them hard to give away.
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Books From Growing Up
Children’s books, favorite novels, and old textbooks often stay behind after someone moves out. Some people hope to pass their childhood favorites on to their own children, while others simply enjoy having them around.
Old Clothing With Sentimental Value
Prom dresses, sports jerseys, letterman jackets, concert T-shirts, and college sweatshirts often remain in childhood closets. They may no longer be worn, but certain pieces bring back memories that make them difficult to part with.
Holiday Decorations
Handmade ornaments, family decorations, and boxes of seasonal keepsakes often stay at the parents’ house. Many are tied to traditions and celebrations that have been part of the family for years.
Family Heirlooms
Antiques, handmade quilts, vintage furniture, and inherited keepsakes may remain in the family home until someone has room for them. Parents often hold on to these belongings because they have family history attached to them.
Old Furniture
A childhood dresser, rocking chair, desk, or bookshelf may still be sitting in the same room it occupied years ago. It might not fit in an adult child’s current home, but leaving it behind can feel easier than selling or giving it away.
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Collections
Baseball cards, comic books, dolls, vinyl records, coins, and other collectibles can take up quite a bit of room. Some adults leave their collections with their parents because they don’t have space for them, while others prefer to keep them somewhere familiar.
Musical Instruments
An old guitar, piano keyboard, or violin from school may sit untouched for years. Some people keep these instruments because they remember learning to play, performing in school, or spending time with friends through music.
Childhood Keepsake Boxes
Many parents still have boxes filled with baby shoes, birthday cards, ribbons, trophies, and small mementos from their children’s younger years. These items may have little resale value, but they can mean a great deal to the person who grew up with them.
Sports Equipment
Old baseball gloves, skis, bicycles, tennis rackets, and other athletic gear often end up in a garage or basement. People may hold on to them because they think they’ll use them again someday or simply haven’t decided what to do with them.
Boxes of Miscellaneous Memories
Some belongings are too random to fit into any other category, so they end up packed into boxes and forgotten. Old souvenirs, concert tickets, journals, letters, and small keepsakes can sit untouched for years because sorting through them feels like a project of its own.
Things They Think They’ll Need Someday
This category can include almost anything, from old electronics to kitchen gadgets and spare household items. People often leave these things behind because they worry they’ll need them later or regret getting rid of them.
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