Getting the most out of your storage space means organising it effectively. Good organisation is about more than just cramming as much stuff into the available space as possible; it's about making your self-storage unit easier to use. In order to achieve this goal, start the day you move your belongings into storage.
Basic storage
If you're like most people, most of what you move into storage will be in cardboard moving boxes or resealable plastic tubs. The simplest way to store these is just to stack them one atop another, but this method has a lot of disadvantages. It makes it harder to find what you need when you have to retrieve something, it can lead to fragile items being crushed and it can even be unsafe if you try to create very tall stacks of boxes. If you can, try storing your boxes on a set of shelves. If you're also storing furniture in your storage unit, a bookcase can work well here, while a bench, desk or table can also act as a simple improvised shelf.
Storing other items
Not everything you need to store will fit in a simple storage box, so make sure to leave some space in your storage unit for other options. As with shelving, you can reuse some items of furniture here. For instance, if you want to avoid wrinkling suits or dresses by packing them in boxes, consider hanging them in plastic bags from a portable clothing rail. Other items you can make use of in a storage space include filing cabinets, laundry hampers and wardrobes, as well as more unconventional storage choices, like refrigerators.
Mapping and labelling
If you're using transparent plastic containers, you may be able to tell what's in every box in your storage space at a glance. If you're not, though, or if you just want to be sure you can always tell what you're looking at, you'll need to label your containers. Use adhesive labels or write directly on the boxes with a permanent marker. You should keep a spare marker and some labels in the storage unit itself to update boxes as needed. Similarly, sketch out a map of your storage unit when you move in. On moving day, you may feel like you'll never forget where anything is, but over time you'll find that it helps to have a reminder. Keep the map near the entrance together with your marker and labels.
Reach out to self-storage companies to get more tips.
Share23 March 2020
I'm going on a year of foreign exchange, so I am moving all of my stuff into a storage unit until I get back so I can save money on rent. I don't have much money so I am trying to do this for as little money as possible as I want to make sure that I know the best way to pack things to save space and get the smallest possible unit. This blog has some of the tricks that I have picked up in packing my household in the most space-efficient way and should be useful for anyone else packing up a household for storage.