Individuals often utilize spaces such as storage units or any available space within their residence as a means of concealing infrequently used possessions. Nevertheless, it is imperative to maintain a sense of order and control over these items and spaces. Despite the infrequency of use, it is essential to ensure that the items stored within the designated storage space are properly organized.
The reason is very simple. The time you actually need something from the storage unit, it shouldn’t be hard to find that item. Also, items stored properly can’t get damaged easily and are going to be safe, no matter how long you need to store them for. First of all, learn how to choose the right size storage unit. And then, use our tips and organize your storage unit once for all.
Before You Pack
The key to an organized unit is knowing your items. That’s why you need to make a list of the items you are about to store in your storage unit. It would be also great to label the boxes clearly. Write down what is inside each box, especially if it contains fragile items.
Please be advised that boxes containing valuable and fragile items should be placed on top of other boxes to prevent any potential damage. It is recommended to create a layout or map of your storage unit and label the location of each box accordingly. Additionally, it is advisable to display both the list and map on a visible wall or door upon entering the unit.
Pack Smartly
Sometimes, throwing items into plastic bags and putting them in a storage box is not enough. To organize your storage unit the right way, the items inside need to be packed smartly. Here are some of the packing rules you can try out:
- Don’t use plastic bags – even though plastic bags seem like the best and easiest idea, it’s not really like that. Items you store in plastic bags can’t be organized properly, it is often messy and mildew is a common guest, too;
- Use similar-sized boxes – in order to save space, and organize your storage unit properly, it is best to use the same (or similar) size cardboard moving boxes and bins. The reason is that if your boxes are of a similar size, you can easily stack them and keep them organized; If you don’t know where to find good moving/storage boxes check with the storage professionals in NYC.
- Label, label, label – no way to stress this enough. Even though labeling seems like an extra, unnecessary step in packing, you will thank yourself a thousand times you did it once you can find something easily later on.
Use Shelves to Organize Your Storage Unit
Shelving units can serve as an effective means of organizing your storage space. In the event that your storage unit lacks shelving, consider installing wall-mounted shelves or purchasing pre-constructed storage shelves. Placing boxes, particularly those containing delicate items, on these shelves can significantly enhance the organization of your space. This will result in improved visibility and clarity, thereby facilitating ease of use.
Stack the Boxes Carefully
When putting the boxes one on top of each other, there is a way to sort out things in your storage unit, too. First of all, think about how often you use items in all the boxes. Therefore you can stack the boxes in order of how frequently you use them.
The items you use often should be put close to the door or in the front. This way it will be easy to find and reach them whenever you need them. You need to think about the weight, too. Heavy boxes should be put on the bottom, followed by lighter ones.
If you stack your boxes correctly, you will avoid them falling on you when you need them. Furthermore, you will not risk damaging the items inside if the boxes are not sturdy enough.
Protect Fragile Items
It is very important to pay special attention when you are packing breakables or valuable items. If you are relocating, NYC moving companies will help you pack those items professionally, so make sure to hire them when moving.
However, if you plan on packing those items by yourself to organize your storage unit, be sure to do the following. Protect the fragile items with pieces of bubble wrap, packing paper, or simply old towels and clothes. Again, label the boxes and use special stickers that show that those boxes contain fragile items.
Have a Space to Walk Through
The aforementioned packing recommendations are rendered futile if access to the boxes is impeded. It is imperative to create aisles between the stacked boxes to facilitate movement and accessibility. This ensures that all boxes can be reached with ease at any given time.
Additionally, it is crucial to allocate some vacant space within the storage unit to allow for proper air circulation and ventilation, thereby enabling the items to remain fresh.
Raise the Boxes
Having your boxes a couple of inches above the ground will help with many storage problems. Mildew, water leakage, ants, rats, etc. Before you put the boxes inside, clear the unit and cover the floor with wooden palettes. They are cheap and provide a great support to the boxes and raise them from the floor.
Save Some Space
There are several effective methods for optimizing storage space within a unit. One such approach involves disassembling furniture items such as tables and shelves. Additionally, utilizing the vacant areas within furniture pieces, such as sofa boxes or the interior of a fridge, can also increase storage capacity. It is important to maintain a record of the location of stored items to facilitate easy retrieval in the future.
As you can see, in order to make a good organization of your storage facility you should include a couple of steps. However, it is absolutely worth it. The moment you finish packing and organizing, you will be happy that you did it. All the boxes will be easy to reach, and you will know exactly where your items are. Good luck!