When it comes to renting storage, people like to make informed decisions.
This is why we’ve pulled together this awesome blog post. In addition to sharing helpful tips for storing your stuff, packing your unit and getting the most out of your unit, we also share some advice to help you find a self-storage facility that’s a good fit for you so you’ll have a positive experience during your renal period.
To kick this blog post off, here are some things to think about when renting a storage unit:
- Renting on the Upper Level: A lot of facilities are going the way of multiple levels, which is fine, but don’t forget to factor in the effort and time that go into getting your belongings onto an elevator and down a hall again. We’ve had a lot of people come to us because they couldn’t get their couch around the corner on the second floor of their other facility, or they started their move in and realized that it wasn’t going to work out. Storage Solutions offers exclusively ground level indoor heated storage and outdoor drive-up units so that our customers can move in easier and faster.
- Sprinkler Systems Can Malfunction: It’s not unheard of for a sprinkler system to malfunction, even for a short period of time, and soak all of your belongings. Chances are, you’ve packed your unit pretty tight to make use of the space and if things become wet or damp, they will not dry out and mold could spread. Storage Solutions offers a unique storage system in steel containers so there are no sprinklers to malfunction!
- A Front Desk Person is your Best Friend: There are a lot of unmanned self-storage facilities. Does this really matter? Yes - if your needs and your interest in security. If a facility isn’t manned, chances are, no one is walking around and checking locks, watching a suspicious person who claims to be your “friend”, and the facility is an easier target for vandal or theft. Also, in the dead of winter, it’s nice to have a person you can go to, or even better, a warm office you can sit in for a few minutes, in case something happens or you’re waiting for a moving truck. At Storage Solutions, our office is open Monday-Saturday to serve you better.
- Is it Easy to Change Sizes: For now, you know what you’re storing. But in a few months, you might decide to move down or up a size. It’s good to ask the self-storage facility whether they have availability in other sizes and whether that is always the case. You would hate to rent a large unit and realise you could get everything down into the smallest size.
These are just a few of the things to consider when looking at a self-storage facility. Of course, the obvious ones are sizes, prices, gate access, contracts and cleanliness!
Tips for Packing a Self Storage Unit
Once you have done your research, and have selected a self-storage facility (hopefully Storage Solutions!), you’re now ready to move your belongings into self-storage.
Before you pack the boxes and bins and bust out the bubble wrap and tape, take a minute to read through our self-storage tips – trust us, we’ve been through this before! Below we've share lots of expert advice and guidance on how best to pack your storage unit. While you can pack it anyway you like, there are things to be mindful of that will help you with 3 very important things:
- Maximize your space (do you get the most value out of your storage rental)
- Make it easy to find what you need & want when you need & want it
- Help prevent your stored belongings from getting damaged.
Here are helpful tips for packing your self-storage unit:
What Can’t I Store in a Self-Storage Unit?
You would think this is common sense, but there are a lot of items within your belongings that you cannot store. Here is a helpful post dedicated on what not to store in a self storage unit.
Additonal Tips for Packing a Self-Storage Unit
Tips for Packing Your Belongings:
- Put mattresses, sofas and chairs in storage bags
- Remove legs from tables
- Pack all heavy items in the bottom of a box with more fragile items on top
- Fill boxes to capacity to avoid tipping and collapsing
- Cover items to protect against dust
- Use quality boxes
- Pack heavy items in smaller boxes for easy lifting
- Protect fragile items by using bubble wrap
- Label your boxes!
- Seal boxes with packing tape to keep dust and moisture out
- Wrap all furniture with blankets or bubblewrap to protect them from scratches
- Smaller pictures can be wrapped in bubble wrap and stored with clothing or linen boxes
- Pack fragile items like glass with foam or bubble wrap and place crumped packing paper between the box and the items for cushioning
- Keep boxes under 30lbs for easy lifting
Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Storage Rental:
- Leave a walkway into the storage space in order to access items in the back of your unit
- Pack the items you will need more often at the front of the unit
- Stack pictures and mirrors on end to save space
- Sell or donate all unwanted items
- Keep refrigerators, washers and dishwashers clean and dry with doors open
- Disassemble tables, shelves and beds and wrap and store on end or side
- Use a heavy-duty lock on the unit
- Place cardboard or skids on floor of unit to protect furniture
Happy Storing!
Your friend in self-storage,
Storage Solutions