How long does it take for any sort of storage to respawn? Is there a general rule of thumb as to what containers are always safe? (e.g. chests?) Do containers in houses such as Pinewatch, Drela's cottage, or the alchemist's shack respawn? I'd like to roleplay a character who is a part-time hermit, and generally keeps to himself, and I can't do this unless I can safely store my items and live where there is no civilization nearby.

The closest thing to this that I've found was mixwater mill, and gilfre (who can be married) lives here, so that's pretty cool. But, are the containers safe?

Sorry if there is another thread about this topic in particular, if there is, please just direct me to it.

If you're referring to the containers in the Worker's House adjacent to Gilfre's House, then no, they're not safe. I tested that out myself.

If you're referring to the containers in Gilfre's House, I don't believe they're safe until/unless you marry and move in with her.

As far as I know, the only true safe storages are in houses you own or guilds you have joined.
If you're looking for secluded storage space, I suggest the Dark Brotherhood.

How often do you visit? As I understand it, respawning only seems to happen if you don't visit for a set time. I use the barrels outside War-Maiden's in Whiterun, and I've not lost anything yet. But I visit at least once every couple of game days to drop off more stuff.

I'd have to agree with NVrayna on this... The only truly safe ones are in houses you own or guilds you are in but if you marry someone the containers in their house should be safe if you live there with them...

Well, you need to be careful with that (can't say much more without spoilers).

http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Skyrim:Houses


Free Shacks

There are several empty shacks around Skyrim, which contain a bed and a few non respawning containers.

• http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Skyrim:Alchemist%27s_Shack, has two barrels and an endtable for containers. Also has the benefit of an alchemy lab.
  
• http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Skyrim:Meeko%27s_Shack, has a barrel and an endtable for containers. However, the barrel respawns and so do the shelves, regularly filling the house with junk.
  
• http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Skyrim:Riverside_Shack, has one safe wardrobe and a bed. See http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Skyrim:Containers#Safe_Containers for more details on safe containers.
  
• http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Skyrim:Abandoned_Shack, this is where you take part in the initiation of the dark brotherhood
  
• http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Skyrim:Traitor%27s_Post, has two wardrobes and a cupboard that you can store items in. The chest there resets along with the bandits.
  
• http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Skyrim:Lund%27s_Hut, NNW of Rorikstead. Farm house with non-functioning bed. Only the chest and end table are safe containers.

Other shelters

• http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Skyrim:Helgen: The ruined inn in Helgen features a wardrobe and an end table that can be used for storage, both of which do not reset. The inn also features a perfectly preserved and functional bed. This makes for a very useful shelter at the beginning of the game, however the fort may spawn bandits if not visited for some time.
  
• http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Skyrim:Abandoned_House: The Abandoned House in Markarth can be lived in, as the containers do not reset and no other characters will enter the house.^{[verification needed — One report about not working correctly (in some way)]}
  
• http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Skyrim:Ivarstead: After completing http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Skyrim:Lifting_the_Shroud there is a bed that can be slept in for a Well Rested bonus.
  
• http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Skyrim:Sleeping_Giant_Inn: The chest in the secret http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Skyrim:Blades room is safe.

Free
Safe
Storage

Pick two.

That's really risky though, and those barrels you're using do respawn.

I know for a fact that the Alchemist's Shack is NOT safe for storing items, and that makes me skeptical about the rest of that list.

So UESP isn't save at all... good to know

I found early on using Lydia as your storage space is safest way.

The UESP indicates that the end table at the Alchemist's Shack is safe, and that appears to be true. It was the only container that hadn't respawned once I revisted it.

My Lydia is glitched and won't take any stuff, so i send her packing... she's a Blade now

Every time any follower is dismissed and reacquired, the game invisibly adds another set of default armor onto the follower. If you keep dismissing/reacquiring them, eventually they reach the point where they can't carry anything for you.

On the other hand, they need to be dismissed and reacquired in order to properly level up with you.

So, you have to basically choose which glitch you'd prefer to live with. I won't use followers anymore because of this.

The only follower i use these days is Shadowmere.... yippee ki yay mother [censored]

Anyway, back to Mr. Frodo-- I was intending to play a similar character (loner type), but I couldn't find any secluded storage that I knew to be 100% reliable.

Ultimately I married Sylgja (from Shor's Stone) and moved into her house with her. Best house I've lived in so far, and that's taking the actual player-owned housing into account.