Need a place to store your things? Consider renting a self-storage unit in your nearest climate-controlled storage facility. These storage units provide a solution for those who need temporary or long-term storage Florida before, during and after moving. Just make sure you pack and organize a storage unit so you don’t lose what you have. After all, what good is a storage unit if you cannot find what you need? Hint: not at all very good. If you do not know how to organize the unit, we are here to help. Our simple organizational and packing techniques will help you maximize the space inside your unit, as well as increase storage efficiency in general.
Packing
When it comes to packing for your storage, the best advice we can give you is to hire professional packers Florida. But, if you still want to do it yourself, then we have some tips for you. How and in what you pack your things will go a long way:
- Use boxes to pack and organize a storage unit. Boxes designed for storage are more durable and convenient to stack, taking up less space. Collect as many boxes as possible and avoid plastic bags as they trap moisture that can cause mold. Securely fasten the boxes by labeling each box with its contents.
- Fragile items must be individually wrapped using bubble pack or paper. Or, instead of packing materials, use towels and bedding to pack fragile items.
- Mark these boxes Fragile.
- Distribute the weight in the boxes evenly and make sure they are not too heavy.
- Pack books in smaller boxes as they are usually heavy.
- When storing garments, invest in a wardrobe box with an integrated hanging rod that protects your clothes from wrinkle damage.
How to pack and organize a storage unit like a pro
Create a list of all inventory
When placing a large number of items in the warehouse, it is difficult to remember all of them. While large pieces of furniture, such as a bed or sofa, are easy to remember, small items (such as works of art, paintings, electronics, and clothes) are often forgotten after several months of storage. For everything to be straightforward, you will need to create and maintain a list of all items stored inside the unit. When you begin the packing process, we recommend that you indicate each item in a spreadsheet. Taking pictures of stored items is also a great way to find out what’s in your storage. It is a good idea to save all photos and inventory descriptions in one place. It’s also nice to create some kind of map showing where your things are inside the unit.
Consider storing items inside transparent containers instead of cardboard boxes
Do not get us wrong: cardboard boxes are quite suitable for use in storage. They are also generally cheaper than plastic containers. However, plastic boxes make it much easier to keep track of what’s inside your storage. In our opinion, they are often worth extra dollars. Unlike opaque cardboard boxes, transparent plastic containers allow you to see what is inside the container without having to dig into it. This will facilitate and speed up the search for what you need when you need it. And the best thing is – you can get them online!
Disassemble furniture and store things upright
Just like when packing for a move, to maximize space and organize more efficiently, disassemble large pieces of furniture before storing them. This includes dismantling headboards, bed frames, and mattresses, as well as table legs – among other items. We recommend storing individual items in an upright position to the back of the storage unit (except for mattresses that should be stored in a horizontal position). By storing furniture such as the headboards vertically and sideways, you will free up more space for other items. Tip: if your dining table doesn’t disassemble, try using it as an extra shelf inside a unit for stacked boxes.
Store large, heavy objects on the bottom towards the back
When you start packing inside the store, start with large, heavy items, such as furniture and heavy boxes. Place them toward the back of the storage unit at the bottom. Remember: if you do not want to break smaller or lighter boxes, heavy items should always be stored at the bottom of the storage unit. This creates a stable base for lighter items.
Place items that you need more often, forward
Most likely, you plan to use some items more often than others. For example, this extra bed you no longer have space for most likely will not see the light of day, while your child’s backpack for playing will. Other things you’ll probably need most often include seasonal clothing such as heavy coats, boots, hats, slippers, and swimwear. While you don’t need these items every day, you will travel to the vault to get them at least once a year. These types of items should be placed in the front of your storage in well-labeled boxes or bins. Placing them in an easily accessible place near the door will save you from having to dig into the mountains of boxes every time you go to the storage.
Do not forget to go vertically
When you pack and organize a storage unit, do not forget to go upright with your things. Boxes should be stacked high and furniture should be kept upright. If you happen to store bookcases or anything with shelves, use the extra storage space. To make room for boxes and smaller items, consider adding wire racks or hanging shelves to the storage unit.
Label, label, label
We cannot emphasize how important it is to label each box and bin inside the storage unit. You might think that you will remember where you put these family photo albums – but believe us, you won’t. Especially if they sit in the warehouse for a long period of time. Brightly label each box with either a permanent marker or printed labels. Make sure that the marked part of the box faces the front of the storage unit, so you will see it at the entrance.
When renting a storage space, be sure to also:
- Find out what you can and cannot store inside the unit.
- Make sure to pick the right size storage unit for your needs.
- Use quality packing materials.
- Place small electronics and cords in waterproof plastic bags.
- Thoroughly clean the unit and your items before placing them inside.
Your planning in advance when you need to pack and organize a storage unit will pay off. Check-out will be easy and you will have peace of mind knowing that your belongings are well protected and easily accessible.