Self storage is an affordable, efficient way for you to store your life’s possessions in a clean and secure environment. These hints will make packing and storing your belongings a breeze! Why crawl around a dusty attic searching for rarely used items, when you can walk into a clean and bright storage facility with all your items within easy reach. Self storage makes it easy to store items of all shapes and sizes in one convenient location.
How do I use it? What’s great about self storage is you can use it anyway you see fit:
| As an extension of your home to store rarely used items
| Store seasonal items, such as holiday decorations and winter apparel
| For belongings too sentimental to throw away or sell
| As a mini-warehouse for a growing home business
Self-storage units don’t have to be a space you visit once or twice a year to dig something out of a stack of boxes. They can be highly organized, easily accessible spaces that free up necessary space in your home or office. To get the most out of them, though, it is best to plan ahead before you start loading up the truck.
GET A PLAN
Step 1: Plan What You Will Store
1. Start by identifying items that will be packed in boxes and stacked.
2. Prioritize boxed items you will want to access most frequently (they’ll go closer to the front of the unit).
3. Group by fragility or weight – heavier, sturdier items should be stored on the bottom of stacked items, fragile items on top.
4. Consider awkwardly-sized items that won’t stack well, including how often you will need to use them, and how heavy they are.
Step 2: Choose the Right Size Unit
Nobody wants to pay for storage they don’t need. But a little extra space makes moving around within the unit much easier. It also gives you room to add those unplanned items that always seem to pop up.
Storage facility managers can be quite helpful in determining how much space you will need. Extra Space provides a ‘Virtual Storage Unit Selector’ (available at www.extraspace.com) is also helpful in calculating size requirements.
Step 3: Organize and Pack Your Items with a Plan in Mind
Organizing and efficiently packing your items will take time and concentration. However, the up-front effort will be well worth it when you’re able to easily unload and organize your items at the storage unit.
Packing Tips -
1. Use furniture drawers to hold delicate items. Wrap them in bubble wrap or newspaper.
2. When packing toys or smaller objects, remember to fill boxes completely, stuffing open areas with plain newspaper to prevent collapsing when stacked.
3. Be careful not to store anything combustible (such as paint and chemicals) or perishable (such as food that is not permanently sealed).
4. When storing lawn and garden equipment, drain any fluids prior to storage in order to avoid corrosive damage.
5. Use trash cans to store shovels, hoes and rakes.
6. Always use high quality locks on your unit.
7. When storing delicate heirlooms, use specially constructed boxes, such as wardrobe boxes, and utilize dehumidifiers to prevent mildew build up.
8. Store furniture carefully on boards or pallets.
9. Cover mattresses and store them flat on level surfaces.
10. Store small items like pots and pans in large appliances, such as stoves or refrigerators.
11. Break down items (such as table legs) and store large furniture (like tabletops and sofas) on end to save space.
12. Use protective covers and treat wood surfaces before storing.
13. When storing business files, label all boxes and construct aisles so files are easily seen and accessible.
14. Clean furniture, boxes and the storage unit of all food and perishables.
Step 4: Unpack and Arrange Items Efficiently
Before you load up the truck to take your packed items to your self-storage unit, check with the storage facility manager to make sure there is adequate space for the truck to maneuver to your unit.
As you arrive at the facility and begin to unload, arranging your furniture, equipment, boxes, and other odds-and-ends efficiently in your storage unit will make a big difference in maximizing its convenience.
You may be thinking that all this planning, preparing and setting up your self-storage unit may seem like a big project. You’ll find the time and effort are worth it, though, when you discover the peace of mind that comes with knowing your belongings are protected, conveniently accessible and well-preserved.
Extra Space Storage can help you with all of your storage needs. For additional tips, information and storage locations, visit www.extraspace.com | 1-888-STORAGE.
