Do you need a place to store your belongings before, during, or after the move? Do you want a solution to your lack of space for a shorter or longer period of time? If the answer to both of these questions is yes, consider renting a storage unit. That can be a perfect solution to all of your storage-related problems. Just make sure you know how to pack and store all of your items inside so that you make the most out of your storage unit. Do not worry if you do not know how and where to start – that is why we are here. So, if you are interested in some tips and tricks for organizing your storage unit like a pro, keep on reading.
Make an Inventory List
First things first, before you even start preparing all of your items and figuring out a way to pack them into your storage unit, consider making an inventory list. Keeping track of everything that is inside your storage unit is going to be really difficult, especially if you plan on placing your items there for a longer period of time. Thus, we recommend taking a piece of paper and writing down each and every item as you pack it.
Moreover, you can also consider taking pictures of all those items. That is a great way to always keep up with what is in your storage unit. Also, if you want everything to be even more organized, try creating a ‘map’. A map can help you indicate where each item is located in the unit. In the end, just remember to keep all of your photos, inventory lists, and maps somewhere safe and easy to find. This is one of the top hacks for having a happy move too, not only for storing.
Gather Packing Materials
It goes without saying that you can not just pile all of your stuff into a storage unit and forget about it. You need to pack everything and organize your storage unit neatly, of course, if you want to save money when renting as well as know exactly what you have in your unit at all times.
So, how to do that? By gathering packing materials and supplies first. For your larger pieces, you will need moving blankets, plastic wrap, and some sort of fabric for covering everything. For smaller items, you will need cardboard boxes, plastic wrap, packing paper, and duct tape.
If you have some money to spare, we recommend using plastic bins instead of cardboard boxes. They are more expensive, but they are also more long-lasting, easier for stacking and make finding what you need a piece of cake. So, if you were wondering which one is better – cardboard boxes or plastic bins, now you have your answer.
Disassemble Your Furniture
We are not saying that you absolutely must disassemble all of your furniture as well as all other bulky pieces you plan on storing. However, we say that by doing that, both transferring your items to a storage facility as well as organizing your storage unit will be a lot less burdensome. Moreover, by doing that, you will be able to maximize all the space inside too! Thus, consider doing that before Preferred Movers come to help you relocate all those bulky items to your unit.
What you can do is take apart bed frames, headboards, mattresses, table and chair legs, and whatever you can for that matter. The more you disassemble, the more space you will have inside your storage unit. Just do not forget to label each piece to avoid a headache later on.
Know How to Store and Stack the Items
In the previous section, we said that the more items you disassemble, the more space you will have inside your storage unit. That is absolutely true, but it will only work if you know how to store and stack all those items as well. Our recommendation is to first place all those large and heavy pieces on the bottom of your storage unit, towards the back. That will create a base for lighter items that you can place on top of them.
Then, if you have some items you plan on taking in and out frequently, place it somewhere towards the front where they will be easily accessible. Moreover, if you really want to maximize the space when organizing your storage unit, go vertical. Either add a shelving system (or even a ladder, wire, or a stool) or figure out a way to safely stack your lighter boxes on top of each other. You can apply this ‘storing system’ even when placing your items into a moving truck to ensure you have a happy move or when organizing your home storage.
Remember to Label Everything
We can not emphasize this enough. Labeling is the key to organizing your storage unit like a pro, as well as avoiding some of those common packing mistakes. By labeling every bin and box, you prevent turning your storage unit into a hodgepodge. If you do not do this, trust us, one day you will go to your storage unit searching for something and you will have to turn upside down each and every box there is until you find what you are looking for. So, save yourself from this trouble and label all your boxes and bins.
If you have the time and energy, consider writing down what is inside every box too. Do that while making an inventory for the best results! It is simple, just use a permanent marker or those printed labels made by a label maker. In the end, just make sure that that labeled part of the boxes and bins is facing the front end of the storage unit.
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