If you’ve run out of places for storage in your home and begin to see bunches of boxes creeping their way up from the basement, investing in a personal storage unit can be an excellent way to reclaim your space. However, without proper techniques and strategies, you might not be utilizing your storage unit to its full potential.
This guide to self storage organization tips is here to educate on how to use self storage like a pro with practical advice and packing tips to maximize space and make your belongings easy to access. Read on for tried-and-true tidbits to help you have the best storage experience possible.
Storage Unit Organization Ideas
Preparation for moving into your storage unit will begin long before you unlock its door. Just like how you need to prepare to move homes weeks in advance, transitioning your belongings into a storage facility should be done with a great deal of forethought and intentionality. As you begin drafting your master plan for moving in, bear in mind the following storage tips for organizing storage units.
Preparing for Self Storage
- Distinguish storage items from donations. To help keep your storage unit from becoming cluttered, begin by deciding what belongings actually need to be stored versus what you can part ways with by taking them to a local donation center.
- Clearly label everything. An abundance of brown boxes in a storage unit will begin to blend together very quickly, and you may have trouble differentiating between bins of books and cartons of clothing. Use a thick marker to clearly denote what is being stored and where, and be sure to label all fragile boxes as such.
- Make an inventory list. As you pack, keep a detailed list of what has already been packed. This can save you from rummaging through sealed boxes as you load your U-Haul.
- Use clear boxes. While cardboard boxes are easy to come by, clear storage bins are reusable and transparent, making finding your belongings in a storage unit much easier.
- Disassemble your furniture. To maximize the amount of stuff that can fit in your storage unit, remove the legs from your furniture if possible, and disassemble any headboards, bed frames, and chairs. Otherwise, plan on stacking your tables and furniture top to top, keeping boxes in the space underneath them when possible.
Efficient Storage Unit Setup
- Craft a map. After choosing your ideal storage unit, you should already have a good idea of how much space you’ll have to work with. But even still, make a rough drawing of what belongings will fit where to avoid any surprises upon arrival.
- Stack it up. Utilizing the total volume of your storage unit will involve filling it from top to bottom, which means stacking. Be sure to place heavier items and boxes underneath it all and gradually work your way up with lighter, more fragile belongings.
- Allow for airflow. Whether you have a standard or climate-controlled storage unit, air circulation is critical to helping your items stay ventilated. Place wooden pallets on the floor to let air flow below, and leave space between your storage and the walls and ceiling.
- Keep popular items toward the front. If you know of any seasonal equipment, documents, or decorations that will need to be taken in and out of storage, plan on putting them close to the door so you won’t have to dig for them.
- Forge a path. As you load into your unit, create a central aisle through the middle so you can easily access storage toward the back of the space, eliminating any mountain climbing you would have to endure and creating an easy-access storage unit.
- Add in some shelving. Too much stacking can weigh down on items that shouldn’t have boxes piled on top. You can add shelves to your storage unit to create a dedicated space for fragile belongings to be kept.
Find the Ideal Storage Unit for You at Bluebird Self Storage
As you search for the perfect storage solution for your home or business, finding a convenient, secure space is of the utmost importance. At Bluebird Self Storage, we are committed to providing you with a wide range of storage unit options for individuals, families, and businesses in New England. From true climate control capabilities to our Nokē Smart Entry System, we want to give you a storage unit you can feel confident in.
To find the storage unit you’ve been searching for, contact us today and find us at a location near you!