Storage units are a great way to protect your items, give yourself more space and even keep Christmas presents a secret. Whatever you’re using your unit for, you want to make sure you’re getting the most out of it. Here are our top tips for using a storage unit.
Best tips to use a self storage unit
Be organised
Filling a storage unit is a fine art – if you just throw things in willy-nilly, you’re going to regret it. First, make a list of everything you’re planning to store. You don’t need to write down every single ornament, of course, just a rough list should do.
Next, label each and every one of your boxes, even the ones you think you’ll remember what’s inside (trust us, you won’t). When placing your items in the unit, make sure you put anything you’ll need to frequently access at the front. Bulky furniture items can go at the back. If you don’t know what you may need to get from your unit over the next few months, create a pathway in the middle on your storage space. This will allow you to access everything. Clambering over boxes to reach something is dangerous and you could end up breaking some of your precious possessions.
Remember that heavier boxes and items should be placed underneath the lighter ones. If you want to prevent your items from getting covered in dust, make sure that all your boxes are sealed with packing tape.
Prepare your items for storage
Clothes and linens should be washed and dried before they get packed away for storage – you don’t want them to get mouldy or create a bad smell in your unit.
Delicate items, such as picture frames, mirrors and ornaments should be packaged in bubble wrap or newspaper, and placed at the top of your unit.
Any furniture items that can be taken apart should be. Not only does this make them easier to transport, it will create a lot more room in your unit.
Pay only for what you need
It can be difficult to estimate how much space you need, but you don’t want to pay for space that’s going to go to waste. At the same time, you shouldn’t be tempted to underspend and purchase a space that’s far too small. Trying to cram all your items into a tiny unit is only going to result in stress and possible breakages.
When choosing a unit, don’t just consider the price
It may be tempting to go with the cheapest storage solution you can find, but what’s the unit’s security like? Are they kept clean and dry? Can you access it whenever you want? Is there a minimum storage period? These are all things you need to take into consideration and questions you should ask when shopping around. The cheapest solution isn’t always the best.
Check what your local storage facility can help you with
You’ll already have a lot to think about, so it’s always a bonus if your local storage facility can help out with some of the basics. Some storage facilities, including Titan Storage, can provide you with boxes, bubble wrap and trolleys, as well as help with unpacking too.
Make sure you’re adequately insured
Your items must be insured before they go into a storage unit, so check your current policy to see if they’re covered. Some storage solutions offer insurance cover, the cost of which is typically calculated based on the value of your possessions. You don’t have to go with their cover, though. Just make sure your policy covers your items whilst they are in a storage unit as well as names the store you have chosen to use.
Have a clear out before you move in
When moving house, it is all too easy to assume you want everything that’s in your current property, but the chances are, you don’t. Before packing it all away for storage, sort through everything and decide which possessions you actually want to keep. After all, you don’t want pay for a large unit only to throw a third of the items out soon after you’ve moved into your new home. Be brutal!
Hire someone to move in for you
Paying for a van and having to lug all your items into a unit yourself is a stress that you could probably deal without. At Titan Storage, we work with removals companies on a daily basis – all of your possessions are packed and unpacked for you, so you have nothing to worry about! Plus, you can spread the cost of the removal over the lifetime of your storage product.
Give yourself plenty of time
Don’t start packing everything away the night before you’re due to move into your storage unit – doing so will only result in poor packing and organisation, meaning your items are at risk of getting broken or damaged. We know that packing isn’t a fun task, but you’ll be glad you took the time to do it properly.
Label and pack like a pro
When packing your things make sure you think about what needs to go where in the unit. Are you going to leave everything locked away entirely while it’s in storage or will you need to be able to access some things from time to time? If so it’s a good idea to make sure you have a good labelling system and an organised plan of where you’re putting every item. As tedious as this may seem – you won’t regret it!
Pack heavier items at the bottom of boxes, heavier boxes at the bottom of piles and larger items at the back of your unit. You don’t want anything unstable falling on you and hurting you or damaging the contents and items around them. Don’t spare the packing paper, bubble wrap or foam peanuts. Having got this far you want to make sure everything stays as safe as can be in the boxes.
Make sure each box is labelled clearly with what’s inside – and which way up things need to be kept. Make sure you leave an alley through your boxes in the unit so you can get to it at all times and see where everything is without having to take all the boxes out. Smaller boxes are easier to handle as a general rule and don’t overfill them with heavy things or they’ll break as soon as you try and pick them up. So with heavy items like books – spread the load across a good few boxes and pack them with lighter things too.
Once you’ve planned and packed and everything is safely tucked away in your unit you’re free to go and live your life, knowing your treasured possessions are in the best possible place, ready for you to release them when the time comes!
If you’re thinking about using a self-storage unit but still have some questions, check out our FAQs, or get in touch with us today.
