When renting storage units, it’s easy to fall into the trap and gain a false sense of security over the ample amount of room you seemingly have at your disposal. Unfortunately, more often than not, we don’t realise exactly how much stuff we have until it comes to removing and storing it!
As sizeable as our storage rooms and containers are, It doesn’t take long before the generous space dwindles. The trick is to maximise the potential of your extra storage space, getting the most out of every last centimetre on offer.
Thankfully, the Container Self Store team can help; we’re here to show you how to use storage, both safely and efficiently.
Inventory, inventory, inventory
It’s a thankless task, but labelling your belongings should be essential and will make things so much easier in the long run. You want to avoid your storage container becoming an oversized version of “that cupboard” in your house. You know, the one where you shove boxes and mops attack you any time the door opens?
Itemising your belongings should be the first port of call, even before organising your storage unit. Making a list of what you’ll need to keep in storage will give you a better idea of the required square footage and the storage size you’ll need to rent.
What’s more, by creating an inventory of your items, you’ll make packing and retrieval much easier and more efficient. So many people come unstuck and root around the storage unit for something due to a lack of clear labelling; it’s best to do the legwork beforehand and avoid such a scenario.
Accessibility is essential
One common mistake self storers make is bundling their belongings into a storage unit or room without considering they’ll still need to access the space.
You should position more oversized items towards the back of the storage space; you’re less likely to need them, and they’ll take up the most space in the room or container.
Similarly, you should keep any items you may need during your period of self-storage (such as seasonal clothing and Christmas decorations) towards the front of the storage space. This way, you’ll be able to open up the storage unit and quickly grab what you need without disrupting the flow and structure of your other belongings.
Stack and store vertically
Unlike your home, where you’ll generally store belongings nearly on shelves or in small stacks on top of cupboards or surfaces, in a storage room or container, you can stack until your heart’s content!
Our storage units range between 7ft 10” and 8ft 6” in height, leaving a generous amount of vertical space to pile your items (safely) one on top of the other. But, of course, this will require some common sense and ingenuity! Start with sizeable, stable belongings such as cabinets and sofas at the bottom, then stack with boxes and drawers before topping off with softer furnishings and accessories.
Ensure that any stacking items aren’t too heavy; you should always reserve floor space for more heavy boxes. It also pays to invest in a collection of uniform boxes that feature grooves and attachments designed specially for stacking purposes.
Stacking your storage unit is one place where all those misspent hours on Tetris come into their own!
Plan clear pathways
Echoing our accessibility point from earlier and following on from stacking, it’s also essential that you factor some user-friendly pathways into your storage space.
Think of these as lanes to your belongings; without them, you’d be clambering over cupboards and scaling stacks of boxes to get to those more hard-to-reach items.
We suggest that you work with your unit’s shape and the items you need to store. For example, if you’ve got a large corner sofa to stow away, a diagonal intersection across the unit may be the best approach for access. If your items are a conventional shape, i.e., rectangular and square, a grid-style section of stacks and paths may be the best option.
If you’ve now got a clear idea of what storage you need and how to organise it, or you have any further questions, book your storage online or contact our team today!