Deciding to rent a storage unit is a life-changing move that will free you from having to tiptoe around clutter every day. However, this decision is not something you take lightly. We urge you to put more thought into planning how you’ll pack and store items in the beginning. Doing so can save you from being in a frustrating situation where you feel like you’re trying to find a needle in a haystack.
ARENA Storage provides hassle-free storage solutions in Dubai. We do our best to accommodate every customer’s unique storage needs. While we pride ourselves on having a dedicated staff ready to assist you at all times, we’re also here to help you help yourself with tips on how to organize a storage unit like an expert. Our step-by-step guide aims to spare you the headache of dealing with misplaced items and make your trip to our storage facility as seamless as possible.
10-Step Guide to a Clutter-free Storage Unit
Let Go of the Bulk
Bulky items like bed frames, cabinets, and tables take up substantial floor space. A simple hack to maximize your space is to disassemble furniture and appliances before moving them into your storage unit. Also, store them in an upright position towards the back so that they’re not obstructing your path. A bonus tip for cabinets and tables that don’t come apart easily is to utilize them as extra shelving.
Sort and Categorize Items
Avoid just throwing things into a box. Group similar items together and place them under a category. For instance, you can store seasonal items like wreaths and ornaments in one box and classify them as Christmas decor. That way, you always have a clue where things are. Doing so also enables you to preserve the quality of your belongings.
Label Everything
The process of packing and organizing a storage unit can be tedious. In this case, you may not be able to rely on your memory completely. Take note of everything you put inside boxes and label everything. We suggest you assign a number and category to each box followed by a list of its contents. Also, make sure the label is readable at the top and front side of the box.
Consider Using Clear Plastic Storage Bins
be a bundled mess. Not to mention, plastic bags can trap moisture and breed mildew which speeds up the deterioration of your possessions.
You won’t regret investing in clear plastic storage bins because the fact that you'd be able to see right through them makes it easier and quicker for you to find what you need. Plus, they’re waterproof, long-lasting, and do the job of keeping bugs out.
Cardboard boxes are the next best thing. However, you may want to consider that the money you save on clear plastic storage bins will be the cost to replace worn-out boxes and repack items inside them.
Mark Boxes with Breakable Items “FRAGILE”
The red “fragile” tape/ “this side up” sticker is more important than we give it credit for. It’s a reminder for you and the movers to be cautious when handling those boxes. Also, remember to secure fragile items with appropriate packing materials like old newspaper, foam padding, or bubble wrap.
Create a Master List
You can’t quite claim to be an expert on organizing a storage unit without a master list. As much as possible, don’t leave anything to chance, like the paper label getting compromised or lost. Creating an Excel sheet or a digital copy of your inventory is the ultimate cheat sheet you can have.
Design the Ideal Layout of Your Storage Unit
To be extra sure you won't get lost in your storage unit, draw up a map to help you navigate your way around things. We suggest you divide your storage unit into sections, whether by room or kind. For example, all the boxes from the kitchen are set to one area. In the same way that all gardening tools can be found in one corner.
It would be ideal for you to put items you’ll frequently need towards the front for easy access and to create aisles so you can walk through your storage unit without a hitch.
Stack Things Vertically
Take full advantage of your storage unit’s capacity by stacking things vertically. To prevent anything from toppling over or crushing smaller items, place heavy boxes on the bottom and lighter or fragile boxes on top. You can also level up with steel or hanging shelves to simply grab items or pull boxes out like drawers.
Having a step stool or foldable ladder will come in handy and using a uniform size for all your boxes makes stacking easier. And, try not to overstuff boxes to prevent the risk of hurting your back when lifting.
Make Room for Air Circulation
Climate-controlled storage units are great, but you’d still want to make room for air circulation. If possible, lay wooden pallets on the floor before stacking boxes and use slatted shelves so air flows freely underneath boxes. You can also facilitate air circulation by providing a small gap between the wall and the back of your items.
Put Baking Soda Inside Large Hollow Items
If you’re storing refrigerators, microwaves, and other large hollow appliances, put a container of baking soda inside them to help absorb moisture and reduce bacteria growth. The baking soda will also act as a deodorizer. Also, be sure to defrost fridges, chillers, freezers, and the like before putting them in storage.
Nowadays, every square inch of space matters. Knowing how to organize a storage unit will save you valuable time, effort, and money. At the end of the day, you can be proud of securing and establishing an efficient storage solution.
Once you’re all packed and organized, you can leave the rest to us. ARENA Storage guarantees peace of mind with 24/7 rental, round-the-clock surveillance, and full access to climate and pest-controlled units. What’s more, we offer flexible pricing for storage units.