As a fundamental tactic in the process of downsizing, self storage allows people and businesses to effectively and conveniently store household goods or excess inventory. These units provide a safe, affordable space for those seeking to reduce clutter around their homes or offices, with roughly 9.5% of Americans using them today. However, organization is key in maintaining a well kept facility. Below are just a few tips and tricks to best utilize your self storage unit.
Before packing boxes and carriers, make lists of what you intend to store, assigning each to their respective boxes. When marking these boxes, pay attention to what side you label, signifying the contents of each. An easily avoided frustration is having the names of each box hidden, forcing you to take down or unpack those around it just to confirm their contents. Be sure to have each name clearly displayed.
Be mindful of the weight of each box as well. A package filled with heavy household goods is destined to break, but could also be quite a burden when you have to lift and carry it. A good strategy to use in order to optimize the entire space of each box is to put the heaviest items at the bottom, and fill the rest of the space with lighter contents, providing a base to avoid tipping.
Once you’re packed, plan the layout of your self storage unit before storing. Mindlessly placing boxes here and there will only lead to more of the clutter you aimed to rid of in the first place. Mapping out where larger pieces of furniture will go versus smaller boxes prevents the irritation of certain items not fitting after all contents have been stored. If cardboard boxes, books, or carpets must be set directly on the ground, laying raised pallets down beforehand is crucial. Items containing starch or polysaccharides are at risk of being exposed to silverfish, which feed on such matter and can easily destroy products left unattended for extended periods of time. Make use of any shelves that might be available for the same reason.
If the items you wish to store exceed the space given, dismantling furniture can create much more room. Taking the legs off of tables, chairs, or couches for example, allows these contents to be stored in different positions. Another simple trick with furniture is to take advantage of the pieces’ “hollow” areas. For example, a dresser’s cabinets, if not stored with clothing, can be used as smaller storage areas for other boxes or items.
An important consideration in the layout of your storage unit is the accessibility of these contents. A common mistake people make when organizing their storage units is filling all available space, leaving no room to walk. Design your unit in a way that creates aisles for easy access without having to move things out of the way, placing boxes with items that you will most frequently need closest to the door.
Moisture absorbers, mothballs, and rat bait are also very important investments in order to keep your materials safe within the confines of your storage unit. Items sealed in plastic bags are at risk of developing mildew, and cotton, silk, or cashmere items of clothing are prime sources of food for moths.
The organization of your self storage unit is entirely up to you. However, those who invest in such spaces should consider several aspects to effectively utilize the amount of room given. If renting a self storage unit is in your near future, take the above tips into account to best optimize your newly acquired tool in downsizing.
Before packing boxes and carriers, make lists of what you intend to store, assigning each to their respective boxes. When marking these boxes, pay attention to what side you label, signifying the contents of each. An easily avoided frustration is having the names of each box hidden, forcing you to take down or unpack those around it just to confirm their contents. Be sure to have each name clearly displayed.
Be mindful of the weight of each box as well. A package filled with heavy household goods is destined to break, but could also be quite a burden when you have to lift and carry it. A good strategy to use in order to optimize the entire space of each box is to put the heaviest items at the bottom, and fill the rest of the space with lighter contents, providing a base to avoid tipping.
Once you’re packed, plan the layout of your self storage unit before storing. Mindlessly placing boxes here and there will only lead to more of the clutter you aimed to rid of in the first place. Mapping out where larger pieces of furniture will go versus smaller boxes prevents the irritation of certain items not fitting after all contents have been stored. If cardboard boxes, books, or carpets must be set directly on the ground, laying raised pallets down beforehand is crucial. Items containing starch or polysaccharides are at risk of being exposed to silverfish, which feed on such matter and can easily destroy products left unattended for extended periods of time. Make use of any shelves that might be available for the same reason.
If the items you wish to store exceed the space given, dismantling furniture can create much more room. Taking the legs off of tables, chairs, or couches for example, allows these contents to be stored in different positions. Another simple trick with furniture is to take advantage of the pieces’ “hollow” areas. For example, a dresser’s cabinets, if not stored with clothing, can be used as smaller storage areas for other boxes or items.
An important consideration in the layout of your storage unit is the accessibility of these contents. A common mistake people make when organizing their storage units is filling all available space, leaving no room to walk. Design your unit in a way that creates aisles for easy access without having to move things out of the way, placing boxes with items that you will most frequently need closest to the door.
Moisture absorbers, mothballs, and rat bait are also very important investments in order to keep your materials safe within the confines of your storage unit. Items sealed in plastic bags are at risk of developing mildew, and cotton, silk, or cashmere items of clothing are prime sources of food for moths.
The organization of your self storage unit is entirely up to you. However, those who invest in such spaces should consider several aspects to effectively utilize the amount of room given. If renting a self storage unit is in your near future, take the above tips into account to best optimize your newly acquired tool in downsizing.
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