How to Pack a Self Storage Unit: Tips and Tricks

Renting a storage space is a great way to help you out when you need some extra room, whether you’re just decluttering, or you’re moving to a new house. But, when it comes to your self storage unit, it’s all to easy to simply shove your stuff inside, lock the door and leave. But, if you take the care and attention to pack your unit properly, you can make much better use of your space.

Packing a Self Storage Unit: Preparing your Belongings
Correctly packing your items and investing in the right materials can go a long way towards keeping them in perfect condition and helping you make the most of your space in the unit.

• Gather everything you need before you get started: 
  Ensure you have all your supplies ready and in hand, before you get packing. You’ll need cardboard boxes, packaging materials such as tape and marker pens. And don’t forget your protective materials such as bubble wrap and dust sheets or old blankets. You’ll also need a good sturdy padlock too, to secure your unit.
• Choose the right boxes:
  When it comes to packing your unit, purchasing good quality cardboard boxes can help you keep your items secure. If you’re using used ones, fully inspect them before you start packing to check for any damage, damp patches or missing flaps as this can weaken your boxes and potentially damage your items. If you can, using the same sized boxes will make it much easier to stack them securely and avoid any toppling accidents.
• Pack your boxes the right way:
  This may sound obvious, but by ensuring that heavier items are kept at the bottom of your boxes, with smaller and lighter ones towards the top, will help keep your belongings safe and avoid any damage, as well as allowing for better stability when stacking them. Remember to take care to ensure you can properly lift and move your boxes once they’re packed. There’s nothing worse than injuring yourself while trying to battle with a box you can’t move yourself.
• Categorise your items:
  While it might be easy enough to simply pack everything in together, organising your items into categories will save you time in the future when it comes to moving out, repacking or finding one specific item. The best way to do this is to separate your items depending on their location within the home or office, then grouping similar items together.
• Label your boxes:
  Remember to label your boxes as you pack and make a list of where everything is located. It will save time and be less stressful when it comes time to find what you need. It’s also a good idea to ensure that your labels are clear to read and understand, and that, when you’re stacking items, they can easily be seen.

Organising your Storage Unit - Start with a Detailed Inventory.
Before you start unloading into your unit, it’s a good idea to make a list of everything you’re storing inside. Not only can this help you know what you have and where it is, helping to avoid any stress, but it also acts as proof in the event of a disaster if you need to file an insurance claim.

Similarly, creating an organised layout for your unit and drawing a basic map to highlight exactly where everything is inside, will help you to visualise the interior organisation of your unit.

A good idea is to put a copy of your list inside your unit, that way, you’ll never need to remember where everything is – especially handy if you’re storing a lot of stuff!

How to Pack a Self Storage Unit
Organisation is the key to making sure your items are secure and can go a long way to saving you time and keeping your belongings safe.

• Pack heavier items first: 
  The best way to maximise the space in your unit is to place your heaviest and bulkier items against the walls and at the back of the unit, and then to work by stacking the rest of your boxes inwards.
• Make use of small spaces:
  Once you have your larger items in, it’s a good idea to stuff any gaps or unused space with smaller items and ensure your belongings are packed in tightly to best utilise the space available.
• Keep your most frequently used items close to the door:
  There’s nothing worse than rooting around desperately trying to find that one thing you’re looking for. Our advice is to put those items you’ll need more frequently at the front so they’re easier to access.
• Make full use of the height of your storage space:
  If you’re planning on storing any larger boxes or furniture such as wardrobes or beds, make sure to place them sideways and make the best use of the vertical space.
• Utilise shelves and racking:
  Investing in some shelves or storage racks can help you to store those awkward items that don’t quite fit in a box without taking up unnecessary space.
• Keep open aisles for easy manoeuvring:
  Make your life easier and take the hassle out of finding what you need by putting a bit of thought into the way you organise your self storage unit. If you can, stack your boxes and belongings in such a way that allows you to leave walkways or aisles clear for easy movement through your unit – this is great way to avoid having to take everything out the next time you do something.
• Utilise dust sheets: 
  While storage units are cleaned before you move in, it’s a good idea to buy a few dust sheets to cover your stuff once you lock up. You can even lay a sheet on the floor before you unpack for extra protection.
• Make sure you’re aware of what you can and can’t store:
  Remember that there are a number of things you can’t store in a storage unit, such as flammable, hazardous or corrosive materials, along with food or live animals. Check with your provider if you’re unsure.
• Consider upgrading your unit:
  While you never want to pay for more space than you actually need, it’s useful to factor in some additional space when deciding on the size of your unit. Having the room to move around inside and not having to play a game of Tetris every time you enter your storage space can go a long way in minimising accidents, while giving you extra room to search through boxes or organise new items.

Remember, taking the time to properly organise your items and organise your self storage unit can save you from searching for hours through disorganised and unmarked boxes, while helping you make the most of your space. Not sure what size unit you need? Contact us today and we can help you find the right unit that is ideal for your specific needs.