Tips for Effective Self Storage Unit Organization

You've rented a storage unit. Now what do you do with it? The helpful tips

listed below can help you organize your stuff make storing it a breeze.

 

1. Choose consistently-sized boxes to stack more effectively.

You should choose just one or two types of boxes for maximum self storage

unit organization. We typically recommend choosing a small or medium,

durable corrugated cardboard box. Large boxes hold a lot of items –

but they can be crushed at the bottom of stacks, if improperly packed.

If all of your boxes are the same size, you’ll have a much easier time

stacking them, and using up all of the vertical storage space in your unit.

Not sure where to find many boxes which are all sized the same?

Also, consider plastic or rubber totes, especially if you are storing items for

long periods of time. When selecting a tote, look for one’s which are clear,

as it will be easy to see what’s inside them.

 

2. Think about what you may need to access, and plan accordingly.

Old family heirlooms or outdated electronics, for example, can be stored further away from the entrance of your storage unit. Things you may need to access in the future, like pieces of furniture or important documents, should be placed near the front. A little planning can go a long way, so you can avoid dismantling your entire storage unit to get the items you need. Along with specific needs to access, also consider what you will be storing. We strongly recommend for

anything coming directly from your temperature controlled home, to be

placed into a temperature controlled self storage unit. Not doing so may be

detrimental to your belongings, from damage caused by prolonged heat or

cold.

 

3. Label, Label, Label!

We recommend labeling every side of a box and the top of the box, clearly

marking the contents that are within the box. Consistent, legible labeling will

help you stay organized and prevent issues of searching without any direction

in the future. Labeling on every side of the box is useful in the situation where you have many boxes stacked.

 

4. Consider investing in shelving.

Shelving lets you easily access your boxes without unstacking them. As part of this shelving can make your self storage unit organization much simpler. If you have an unused shelving unit, or can spare the budget for one, making use of it in your storage unit is a fantastic idea.

 

5. Disassemble furniture to save space.

If you have older furniture that you’re not using any time soon, dismantle it to save pace. You can unscrew table legs and take apart IKEA style and other types flat-packed furniture. This tip could also give you quite a bit more room in your self storage unit.

 

6. Store items inside other items!

Don’t take apart all of your furniture! Dressers, file cabinets, and even appliances with compartments like ovens or refrigerators, offer additional storage! Simply use the empty space within these items to store other similar possessions – like a Russian nesting doll. This will help you minimize wasted space.

 

7. Plan a good layout for your unit with a “path”.

Your self storage unit will work best, if you define a “path” throughout your stored belongings. For example, you can put large and bulky items like furniture against the wall that is opposite to your boxes – this way you can access both of them, via a path going through the middle of your unit.

 

8. Create a “master contents” list.

If you’ve labeled all of your boxes, you’ve got a good head start on this step.

We recommend creating a digital “master contents” list. While packing boxes

and totes, note their contents, and write them down. Then, you can create a

list that will tell you what items are stored in which tote or box – making it far

easier to get an “at-a-glance” view of your self storage unit organization plan.

This may seem like a lot of work, but compared to the hours-long task of

sorting through unmarked and unlabeled boxes, it’s a total breeze! And the

usefulness of this tip grows exponentially if you rent more than one self

storage unit at a time.

 

9. Make a storage “map”.

Using your master storage list, you can also create a storage “map” which shows where each item or box is within your self storage unit. If you are stacking dozens of boxes on top of one another, your storage map could be a lifesaver. Using the map you’ll be able to quickly see where a particular box or item is.

 

10. Consider a second self storage unit.

Typically, it’s not a good idea to completely fill your storage unit – at least, not if you ever want to be able to access its contents! Because of this, we recommend renting a second self storage unit if your current unit is roughly three quarters full, or you’re having difficulty moving around within your storage unit, due to the sheer volume of items. Besides the self storage unit becoming more useful, there is also less of a chance you could knock something over – causing additional expense or injury.

 

Don’t be afraid to ask us questions! We're happy to assist you in making the most of the space you have available.

 

We hope these useful tips will give you some fresh ideas on how to take control of your self storage unit, and ensure you can always get to the stuff you need.

Don't Forget Insurance!

 

Many people go to self storage facilities with the intention of storing their valuable possessions whether it be wine, art, furniture or electronics. What some renters forget is these storage facilities do not protect your belongings in case of fire, tornado, flood or any other disaster which is why you need to get insurance for your storage unit.

 

Insurance is often overlooked and one of the last things renters think about even though it is one of the most important. There is no telling when a tornado, hurricane, fire or flood will strike a location. The minimal monthly cost of insuring your items is far outweighed by the peace of mind you will have knowing your items can be easily replaced if damaged. Contact your insurance agent for full details.

 

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