There is a wide range of reasons why you might need to make use of self storage services for longer periods. You might plan on traveling abroad but don’t want to get rid of all your furniture for when you return. If you are moving a lot it can also be tiresome taking all of your belongings with you each time, for example, if you are a student. But if you do plan on using self storage it can be a good idea to make sure you make the most of it and maximise your space. We give you some top tips on how to pack a self storage unit so that you make the most of your space.
How to Pack a Self Storage Unit Properly
You should pack a self storage unit in the same way that you pack boxes for moving home. To pack a self storage unit properly you should pack heavy and bulky items first as these are likely to take up the most room. If you have awkwardly shaped items like exercise bikes these can often go in last though, as squared items like furniture and boxes will stack much more neatly and maximize the space.
You should also pack heavier items first before packing smaller items in boxes and make sure the boxes include padding like bubble wrap. This prevents damage and also helps to insulate your items while in storage. Most reputable self storage facilities should be climate controlled though so you shouldn’t have to worry about this too much.
Where Do I Start?
One of the first things you should do when packing a storage unit is to make sure that you have put together an inventory of items. It can be easy to forget what you have and haven’t packed into your self storage unit so it is important you list each item as it goes into storage. You will also then have a list of belongings for when you move your items back out of storage. Marking each box and listing where each item is can also help if you need to retrieve one of the items before you move back out of storage. There are also a few other things you should consider;
-
Pack Your Storage Unit by Categories - you should make sure that you are packing your self storage unit by categories, such as kitchen, bathroom, or bedroom items. This can help to get your self storage unit organised and also make finding things much easier. Alternatively, you could also look at packing items based on when you will need to take them out. If you know you will need certain belongings in 6 months' time but others in a year, then pack those together and arrange your unit so these items are at the front.
-
Plan Your Space - before you start putting all of your belongings into the storage unit, you should make a map of how you are going to use the space. Using the dimensions put together a rough idea of where your boxes, furniture and other belongings will go so you can maximise the space and don’t have to end up paying for a much larger storage unit than you need.
These are some of the top tips to help pack a self storage unit and should help you to make the most of your space. Self storage is priced based on the length of your stay and the size of your storage unit so you should make sure you are making the most of it. If you are looking for self storage then Make Space can help, get in touch with us today for a quick quote!