How to Make the Most of Your Self-Storage Facility
Junk drawers—we've all got them. They capture the random pen you found under your couch cushions, the receipts you might need one day, and the random, tangled cords that you'll probably never use. Sometimes stuff just stacks up and if it's out of sight, it's out of mind.
The same thing might be happening to your current self-storage facility, or maybe you're about to rent a self-storage unit and you want to make the most of it. Your storage unit doesn't have to become a junk drawer for all of your belongings. With a little bit of planning, you can use these tips to maximize the space in your self-storage unit and keep it organized:
Create an Inventory of Your Stored Belongings
Pull out a piece of paper and make an inventory of everything in your self-storage or that's going to be. If it's already in one room, that'll make deciding your storage unit size a lot easier—most websites have a size guide that corresponds to your amount of belongings.
If not, you can draw a map of your self-storage facility: sketch a quick box and then try to draw things to scale. You can put your dining room table against the back wall, stack boxes on top of each other in one corner, and put your bike against the side wall. This will give you a visual guide to see how much space you'll have left over.
Get Rid of Things You No Longer Need
Purge! Before packing everything up, go through your items and decide what you really need to keep in storage—not just out of sight, but out of mind. Do you really need that old phone from ten years ago? Can you donate clothes or furniture that you haven't used in a while?
Be Detailed with Your Labels
Be specific with your labeling. Instead of just writing "Kitchen" on a box, list the contents inside like "plates, mugs, silverware." That way when you need to access a specific item, you can easily find it instead of digging through multiple labeled boxes.
Pack the Right Way (Yes, There's a Right Way)
Use the right packing materials. Make sure your valuable or breakable items have enough padding and protection—you might consider investing in some specialty packaging, such as for artwork or collectibles. Avoid plastic bags, shrink wrap, newspaper, and packing peanuts because they can trap moisture or smear your belongings with ink.
Use Strong Boxes and Maximize Vertical Space
Utilize vertical space in your unit and pack boxes on top of each other. Cardboard boxes are great for moving but if you want to store things for long periods of time, it'd be better to use hard-shell stackable boxes and totes. If you have large or awkward items, try stacking them up against the walls so you can fit smaller boxes in the middle.
Invest in Storage Accessories
Use storage accessories, like shelf units and hooks, to maximize the space in your unit. Don't let valuable floor space go to waste by stacking boxes—use shelves so that everything is easily accessible. Hang jackets or tools on the walls with hooks instead of cramming them into a box.
Don't Pack Your Self-Storage Facility to the Brim
Leave space to move around. It's tempting to cram everything in so that there's no wasted space, but think about this situation for a moment. It's the middle of summer and you know there's something you need from the storage unit. You get there and realize it's at the very back, buried under piles and stacks of boxes. Save yourself the headache and leave a small pathway in the middle so that you can easily access your belongings.
Self-storage units are great for decluttering or temporary storage solutions, and they don't have to be another junk drawer for all of your stuff. With some planning and organization, you can use your storage unit effectively and efficiently.
Optimize Your Space with Midgard Self-Storage
Whether you need a place for grandma's antique furniture or more space for that small business you've started, a self-storage facility is the way to go. With Midgard's quality self-storage facilities your belongings will be under 24/7 surveillance, you can access your unit at any time, and we can help you decide on the perfect size.
Make sure to utilize the tips above and maximize your storage space with Midgard Self-Storage. Happy organizing!