Self-storage units should be packed with efficiency in order to save space and have room for more of your belongings. Don’t just toss in your items or furniture, otherwise you won’t be able to find what you’re looking for and you may not allow yourself room in which to manoeuver and gain access to certain belongings. Here are just a few tips on how to best pack your belongings and then place them in your safe and secure storage unit in away that affords you much more space and in the end will save you both time and money!
Planning ahead what you want to store, be it from an office or home environment, for whatever reason is a necessary evil. Once you’ve sorted out what you want to keep in your self-storage unit you can then begin packing and boxing your belongings and wrapping any furniture to avoid any damage or dirt and grime ruining your upholstery!
When packing your belongings it’s important to use durable cardboard of plastic boxes. Never use plastic bags, as this will not give the necessary protection to your valuables. Sealed plastic bags collect moisture and humidity and create mildew or moss. Boxes also stack up very well, one on top of the other. While you might be tempted to scavenge for free used boxes at your local supermarket, it really is worth investing in some good quality boxes, all of equal size. This way you can place one above the other in a neat fashion and allow you more space in your storage facility. This is especially important when leasing a mobile self-storage unit, as perfectly stacked piles from floor to ceiling are less likely to topple over during transportation from you home or office to the storage facility.
Depending on the length of time you’ll be storing your belongings and possessions, it’s likely you may be returning to your storage space on a rather regular basis. This is generally the case if you’ve invested in business storage and need access to old archives or paperwork. If this is indeed the case, then remember to leave plenty of room between your boxes to facilitate easy access to what you might need. Remember to also clearly label any boxes or files.
Next you’ll need to choose the right sized storage facility or self-storage unit. They come in a variety of sizes. Make sure you don’t overestimate the space you’ll need, or you’ll be paying much more to lease a storage space than you ultimately need! Moreover don’t underestimate the scope or your belongings and take into consideration whether you’ll be adding to your self-storage room or unit. Storage facility managers can prove rather helpful in this regard and if you give them the measurements of all your items they’ll be able to determine just how much space you’ll need and which self-storage unit will be best for you!
There are so many options when it comes to the perfect storage solutions, so to find out which one suits you best, speak to the company you’ll be leasing your storage space from. Finding out if you will have direct access with your vehicle to your self-storage unit to facilitate easier loading and unloading of your belongings, particularly heavy items like fridges or sofas.
Another useful tip is to lay down a sheet of plastic on the floor of your self-storage unit. Even if it’s been cleaned, this will provide extra protection for your items, safeguarding them from any damp. For items you won’t need regular access to, place them at the farthest end of the storage unit. Where possible, break down large items of furniture. This will also grant you more storage space! Finally get creative with any unused space. Make sure to utilise the space in and around your furniture as places to store even more items!