7 Tips to Make More Room in Your Storage Unit
Looking for a place to store your extra belongings? Storage units provide people with both temporary or long-term storage for life’s many events. Storage units are great for those moving, wanting to store seasonal items, starting a business, downsizing, and more. Just make sure to pack and plan for your storage unit so you stay organized and make the most of your unit! A proper plan and following these seven tips can help you maximize the space in your unit.
1. Quality Boxes
The best way to maximize the space in your storage unit is to pack things away neatly. Enter boxes. If you are trying to put items away that are oddly shaped, you will not be placing your items in the unit as efficiently as you could be. Boxes allow for things to be easily stacked. Be sure to invest in quality boxes – whether they’re cardboard or plastic – especially when you’re packing them with heavy items. Having durable boxes will also make stacking them in your unit much more manageable, as they will not collapse from heavy weight on top of them.
Another plus to using boxes? You can label each, so you always know where everything is. Some containers already have pre-printed lines on them, so you can quickly list the contents inside. If you’re packing away items for your home or office, write what room you use those items in, as it’ll make unpacking easier.
Did you forget to purchase boxes before moving into your unit? That’s OK. Prime Storage facilities offer an array of different moving supplies and boxes for sale, including mattress covers, tape, and bubble wrap.
2. Work from the Outside In
Line the walls the best you can, putting the more prominent, oversized items against the sides. By packing the outside, you have a better sense of the space you have left on the inside. As you make your way to the middle of the unit, leave an aisle for yourself so you can later retrieve any items you may want. Overall, this will give you a better sense of how much space you have in your unit.
3. Big, Bulky Items on the Bottom
Pack your heavier items on the bottom; use these bigger pieces or boxes as a foundation so you can stack the smaller, lighter items on top. Avoid storing fragile objects first, as you may quickly run out of space if you start small. Plus, big items may be heavier, and you do not want them to crush delicate items if tossed on top.
4. Pack Items Vertically
Do what you can to pack items vertically with oversized items on the bottom (sofas, dressers, tables). It is best to leave large items on their side rather than laying them flat and then stacking things on top of them. If you needed those larger items, it would be more challenging to take out; you would have to remove all the items. If dressers, cabinets, and entertainment centers are stored on their side/upright, instead of flat, you can take advantage of their drawers and storage spaces! You just found valuable, extra room in your unit.
While it is recommended to keep things vertically, furniture, objects, and boxes should not be stored unsafely. Please be sure to assess the situation and ensure that the items you are placing in the unit are stable.
5. Disassemble Furniture
Although this might be an extra step, disassembling furniture will help open up a lot of space in your unit. Take apart furniture that you do not use often, that takes up a large footprint, or is easy to put back together. Tables are good examples of furniture that would be best stored dissembled. Taking the legs off a table prevents the awkward shape that arises when you rest a table on its side. You can neatly pack or wrap the legs in another box, placing it next to its top. If you have furniture, you cannot take apart, like dressers, – pack smaller items in the drawer/cabinets. Dresser drawers are a great place to pack away random little things that do not have a designated box. Just remember you might not be able to access those compartments later easily, so either leave these items on the side of an aisle or only tuck things away that you will not be needing.
6. Use Pallets in Your Storage Unit
Pallets are a simple yet very effective tool to use when storing items in your unit. Pallets are much stronger than other containers, and their strength allows heavier items to stack on a pallet without it breaking. This would be great for heavy furniture or any heavy items that are also very valuable; pallets are lifted off the ground, ensuring your items do not touch dirt or other loose debris. Pallets are also great for transporting your items. You can secure your items to the pallet and wrap the items, eliminating any bumping during transit. If you are moving and loading many things into a truck to drop off at Prime Storage, your items are more secure than if they were loosely out. Lastly, pallets can be recycled and used again! They are well worth the purchase.
7. Freestanding Shelving to Clear Floor Space
As mentioned, you should go vertical when packing – don’t forget about all the vertical space you have in your unit. Although you cannot install shelving in a Prime Storage unit, we permit freestanding shelving. Freestanding shelving will allow you to maximize your unit and will take up less floor space. You do not need to buy shelving to fit in your entire unit. Just one shelf will help you significantly organize your items. You can purchase shelving, whether metal or heavy-duty plastic, at any big box store or online! When storing anything on shelving, please keep safety in mind. Shelves need to be secure and stable, while boxes and objects on them must be placed with care. As always, assess the situation to make sure everything is stored safely.
These seven steps will assist you with trying to maximize your unit!
Also, Don’t Forget:
- To ask what you can and cannot store inside your unit
- To ask what size you should rent (Rule of thumb? It’s better to go bigger than smaller)
- To use quality packing supplies
- To place electronics and cords in waterproof bags/bins
- To check your current insurance policy to see if it covers remotely stored items. If not, your Prime Storage facility can provide information on getting an insurance policy through Storsmart insurance.
