Tips for Organizing Your Self Storage Suite
Plan ahead
Make a general plan of how you will place the boxes and furniture inside your storage unit before you get started.
Pallet/Tarp the ground
Before putting the boxes in, arrange raised pallets or lay down a heavy-duty plastic tarp according to your plan. This will prevent rats, silverfish and ants from making their home underneath your boxes. Placing a tarp down can also prevent boxes from getting wet should the concrete draw up condensation.
Avoid mildew
Avoid putting in wet items as these may invite mildew, mold and other types of water damage. When units are not climate control, the amount of condensation can depend on how fully packed your unit is. Be sure once all items are placed in your unit, that there is still room for air flow.
Avoid nasty situations
Place moisture absorbers and/or mothballs in key areas. Never store any food in a storage unit in order to avoid possible rodent infestations. Should you suspect there might be an issue, contact management immediately. Again, NEVER store any food items in a unit.
Use shelves for storage
If there are shelves available, make use of them! Store smaller items or things you would like to keep handy.
Store smart
Store mirrors and frames standing on end, never flat.
Maintain accessibility
Stack boxes in such a way that each box can be easily accessed. Don’t store stacks and stacks of boxes together. Make an aisle that will allow you to access a box without having to move anything out of the way. Avoid stacking boxes more than 3 boxes on top of each other.
Keep important things front and center
Place the boxes with the things that you’ll most frequently need at the front part of a storage unit.
Dismantle furniture to save space
For instance, to store a table, you can remove the legs. Just be sure that all bolts and screws are kept in a labeled container and that you actually know how to put the piece of furniture back again.
Save more space
Create more space in your storage unit by using the hollow areas of big furniture. For instance, you can put in a box or two inside a wardrobe. The same goes for refrigerators, washing machines or stoves.