This is the one-stop place to find out how to store suitcases, luggage & travel gear for easy access.
We love to travel and do a lot of traveling for our work.
This a simple, yet affective approach that has worked for us for many years.
simple living
We like to live with what we need and have everything easily accessible. Our luggage and suitcases are always within reach. In fact, they live in our wardrobes. This is our simple living approach as to how we store luggage.
Traveling well keeps travel fun and stress free. We can pack for any trip quickly and easily – all we need is always in easy reach.
Pack with me, store with me and keep it all accessible – simple solutions in a small home without much storage space.
The more stuff I have, the more I have to manage – this is why I have kept it simple.
I think that means I am a minimalist;).
That’s not my aim though – the more I have, the more I have to organise.
Whether it is getting out the door for a run or for going on a trip, I always try to keep it simple.
frequent travellers
We travel often and when we go I try to find the best way to take all that I need for work and also something to wear for a run. I love running in new places and I am always working on the best way to pack for all I need in either a large suitcase or a small suitcase.
The size of the suitcase often depends more on the reason for travel rather than then length of time we will be away. This does not mean that I have many choices – I can do all my traveling with either one or both of my suitcases or backpacks.
I keep it all ready and can pack really easily.
Traveling for work & sport, or going on a trip or even when packing for a longer journey away from home – the basics stay the same. By keeping a simple, accessible system – I can literally pack in an instant.
suitcases
We have tried all sorts of suitcases, large suitcases, smaller suitcases and we have even tried hardshell suitcases.
The larger suitcases tend to be heavy and not easy to squeeze into tight spots, so we avoid those. We like and have used soft top suitcases and backpacks because we find them easier to squeeze into a cramped boot or storage lockers at train stations.
this is what we always use:
- 70l backpack that zips open the whole way round
- 55l carry-on that also zips the whole way round
- one sports bag
how to store suitcases, luggage & travel gear for easy access
The 55l carry-on bags fit easily into the larger 70l backpack. The travel bags are always stored together and ready for the next trip.
The simple trick of packing one suitcase into the other is brilliant.
It saves so much space and everything can be stored together.
They live together in our wardrobes.
Inside the bags, the travel gear for easy access:
- packing cubes
- sleeping bag
- inner liner
- adapters
- toiletry/cosmetic bag
- travel kettle
Large backpack of 70l
The large backpack has been with us for over 20 years, it is a good idea to buy well. Having a 70l bag keeps the weight of the suitcase in check. Unless, you pack the bag full of books – we have NEVER been overweight at any checkin counter. This has been important when we have had to carry our bags for longer distances than expected.
I can store the luggage away quickly and easily after any trip.
Carry-on bag/backpack of 55l
This bag fits snuggly into the larger backpack. It is easy to access. We just unzip the larger backpack, take out the carry-on and leave in the backpack what we do not need for that particular trip. Pop it back into the cupboard where it is easy to put everything back away quickly when we get home.
Duffel bags/sports bags
The duffel bags that we use are mostly for traveling with gifts. It makes it super easy then to keep your personal things separate from the gifts. There is always enough space in the duffel bags as they expand really well. If we do not travel back with anything, then we simply fold them up and pack them into large backpacks or carry on. It works beautifully. Larger items use up this space rather well.
The sports bags that I own live in the duffel bag too. It is mainly used when I go to take part in a bigger race and need to carry more gear with me. The smaller sports bag, stays ready to go with my swimming gear in it. When the smaller ports bag is empty, it flattens very well and can either be taken in the carry-on bag or the larger backpack. It is very versatile.
where to store suitcases, luggage & travel gear for easy access
Whether you have a small apartment or a home without sufficient storage places convenient locations around the home can be found. Some homes have space in their living room where the couch has storage in the seating area.
- in a wardrobe
- on top of a wardrobe
- cellar
- heating room
- seating
We store our suitcases in our wardrobes.
The empty suitcases keep all the travel accessories together in one place.
Here is where we find the best options for storing the travel cubes, the sleeping bags and travel kettle.
The bottom of your wardrobe is a great place with a lot of space for storage – use it;)
If you have a high shelf or an easily accessible storage unit – that would be an option too. We are both limited in space and we also like the quick access to the luggage. We have never needed other bags, even if we have tried others – we constantly go back to traveling with our backpack.
Key features
The large backpack and the carry-on bag both open by zipping the whole way round. This makes all the contents in the bag easy to access. No one wants to unpack their whole bag if they are enjoying a cup of coffee in a coffee shop.
On both the backpack and on the carry-on we have backpack straps that can be neatly folded away. This is very convenient to be able to carry the bags on your back in any situation and freeing up your hands. Great solution.
The carry-also has wheels and that is convenient for wheeling it around.
We have traveled to many different places and arrived at different seasons and my simple wardrobe always has enough. Never have I felt that I traveled with too little, mostly it has been too much. Having a simple wardrobe also makes packing really simple. The changeover from summer to winter clothing is just a matter of layering. I also keep only one box for the change of seasonal clothing. More of that later.
Would this work for you?
How do you travel?
What bags do you use?
Are you a hard shell suitcases fans or a soft top fans?
What size bags or pieces of luggage do you prefer to use?
frequent travellers quick tips on how to store suitcases, luggage & travel gear for easy access & more
The first thing you do when you return from your trip is to empty out all your washing IMMEDIATELY.
Put dirty clothes/washing in a separate packing cube or laundry bag. No sorting needed when you get home.
Then unpack and put everything away.
Wipe down the bag with a simple damp cloth.
Do it straight away.
Put the bags away.
Relax and plan your next rip because you know where everything is easy to find and packing can be done quickly. I do not need an additional day to plan for my next trip because everything stand ready as it is.
We are frequent travelers and we love to find creative ways to simplify travel. We love our luggage storage options and can easily find the small items needed for any trip. As we pack everything we need all together – its so easy to find everything again.
The dead space in our wardrobes has turned out to be a great idea for what I call, our proper suitcase storage. The small space has given me a challenge. What is your challenge?