You may have decided to rent a storage unit for your belongings to get more space at home. Now, you may be wondering how to make the most out of your space. We’ve got you covered. Protect your belongings and make the most out of your space with the following self-storage tips:
Invest in Plastic Storage Bins
It is very common to use cardboard boxes for storing items in a storage unit. Using cardboard boxes is not wrong; in fact, it can help you save money when you store items. However, plastic storage bins are a better option if you want to keep your items safe during storage.
Plastic storage bins are durable and waterproof. They last long and they keep bugs out of your belongings. While they may be an added cost, you’re definitely going to get numerous benefits from investing in plastic storage bins.
If you buy clear ones, you will be able to immediately see what’s inside, which will help you save lots of time when you’re looking for specific items inside your storage unit.
Disassemble Furniture Before Storing
When storing furniture, you want to make sure that they are protected and stored right. At the same time, you also want to save space in your storage unit. To achieve all these things, disassemble your furniture before storing them inside your unit.
So, take everything apart. Disassemble beds and tables. Make sure not to lose the legs and wrap them in paper. Just remember to keep all small parts or screws. It may be difficult for you to organize things in your storage unit if you have bulky furniture. So, if you can disassemble them, then do so.
Dismantling furniture has numerous benefits: it will keep your furniture safe during storage and in transit and give you more space in your unit. So, before storing them, dismantle them first.
Stack Smart: Heavy Items on the Bottom and Stack Vertically
Don’t just pile things up randomly inside your storage unit. Stack in a smart manner. First, remember to store heavy items on the bottom. Start with the heavy boxes or plastic storage bins as you begin storing items in your storage unit. They create a stable base for lighter items.
Storing heavy items on the bottom will help prevent things from getting crushed. And of course, fragile items should not be placed at the very bottom.
Second, to make use of all the space in your storage unit, stack things vertically. Stack boxes or bins all the way up to the ceiling. Take advantage or make use of the height of your storage unit. Position furniture vertically to allow more floor space for more items. You can definitely have more space in your unit by stacking boxes and storing furniture vertically.
Invest in Shelving Units
Items in your storage unit should be stored vertically, and freestanding shelves can help with that. Additionally, a shelving unit can also help you organize your storage unit and keep your items safe. If you are worried about putting too much weight on boxes on the bottom, a shelving unit can help put less pressure on your boxes.
Like with plastic storage bins, shelving units may be an added cost, but you will certainly get a lot of benefits from using them. Shelving units will enable you to store things vertically and also keep boxes or plastic bins off the floor and away from bugs that might enter your storage unit.
Store Things Inside Drawers or Cabinets
There may be some furniture that you cannot disassemble or have space you can use. For instance, you can make use of the space in drawers or cabinets. Storing items inside drawers, wardrobes, or cabinets will definitely help you save space in your storage unit.
You can store small items, old items, or items you don’t often use. Storing items inside each other is a smart way of getting more space inside your storage unit. Additionally, remember to cover or protect the furniture.
Sort and Categorize Your Belongings
Don’t store things randomly. Group similar items together. This will help keep things organized and help you locate items easily. Sort your items into different categories, such as clothing, books, and seasonal decorations. This way, you can find items with ease and won’t have to mess things up by going through different boxes or plastic bins in your storage unit.
Additionally, when sorting your items, you may want to take this time to get rid of things you no longer need. Storing things you won’t ever be using again may just take up space in your unit, so sort your things and identify which ones to give away or donate.
Arrange Strategically: Place Items Frequently Used in the Front
To keep your storage unit organized and make it easier for you to retrieve items, arrange your items according to their frequency of use. Items that you often use should be placed in the front for easy access.
On the other hand, for items you won’t be using for a long time, store them at the back of your storage unit. This way, you won’t have to scatter things around to take back some of your items.
In line with this, you should store seasonal items strategically. If it’s not Christmas time or the months leading up to Christmas, store Christmas items at the back. Put the current season’s belongings in the front.
Use Wardrobe Boxes for Clothes
If you are storing clothes in a storage unit, make sure they are protected. There are some clothes that you can fold, although you should hang others to retain their original shapes. Blazers, suits, gowns, and easily wrinkled clothing should not be folded. Use wardrobe boxes with a built-in bar to store them so that they won’t get damaged.
Leave an Aisle
While it may be tempting to use up all of your space in your storage unit for things, remember to leave an aisle so that you can have easy access to your belongings. If you have an aisle in your unit, you won’t have to keep moving things around to locate a certain item. With an aisle, you can walk in and out of your unit with ease.
Don’t Overpack: Don’t Overload Storage Boxes or Bins
While you may be tempted to fill your boxes or bins with too many things and see how many things can fit inside, don’t. While fewer boxes or plastic bins in your unit can save space, overloading them won’t do good. Your items can get damaged if your boxes or bins are too full, so don’t overpack. Just arrange your boxes or bins in a smart manner, as mentioned earlier.
Are you interested in renting a storage unit? Contact us today!