A self storage unit is a great idea to keep your personal belongings safe and secure, but it is easy to let things get out of control and use far more space than you really need if you don’t plan ahead. So, in this blog, we’ll look at eight ways you can organise your self storage unit, in order to keep your belongings safe and secure while reducing the amount of space required.
1. Use shelves or racking
This is pretty self explanatory, but you’d be surprised how many people don’t do it. By installing shelves or racking along the outside walls of the unit, you can increase the usable storage space by up to 50%. A well organised racking unit also makes it easy to find things later on when you need them. Just make sure you leave a two ft gap between the shelves so you can easily walk around them.
2. Use uniform sized boxes
Using uniform sized boxes allows you to stack them neatly on top of each other, limiting the amount of wasted space between boxes while also reducing the risk of them tumbling over. Make sure you stack the heaviest items at the bottom, but ensure they are not too heavy or you’ll risk damaging your back.
3. Label boxes on all sides
While we’re on the subject of boxes, make sure you label them clearly on all sides to display their contents. This ensures the contents are clearly visible no matter how they have been stacked and reduces the need to remove boxes to see what’s stored inside them.
4. Store the most frequently accessed items near the front
This one is another no-brainer, but most people don’t even think about it. Make sure you store any frequently used items near the front of your personal self storage unit. This reduces the size of access path required and makes it much easier to retrieve items when you need them.
5. Dismantle furniture
If you’re storing furniture, make sure you dismantle it before storage. This significantly reduces the amount of space required and reduces the risk of damage. Keep the individual components together and store fittings in a bag attached to the furniture. Label the components to ensure they don’t get mislaid. Of course, this only applies if you are not intending to use the furniture for long periods.
6. Use files to store paperwork
If you’re storing files or paperwork, consider investing in some cardboard hanging file storage boxes. This is an inexpensive way of keeping your paperwork together and makes it easy to find individual documents should you need them.
7. Keep an inventory
It’s a good idea to keep an inventory of what’s in your storage unit – a simple spreadsheet will do the trick. If you want to get really organised, you can number individual boxes and list their contents on your inventory. If you draw up an inventory, make sure you update it regularly, or all your hard work will be wasted.
8. Keep garden equipment separate from interior furnishings
Finally, if you’re storing garden equipment, such as petrol or electric lawn mowers, chainsaws or strimmers, keep them separate from interior furnishings, such as cushions and drapes. This reduces the risk of smells that may be difficult to remove later from transferring to your household items.
Chelsea Self Storage
At Chelsea Self Storage, we have a range of self storage units available to suit both domestic and business storage requirements. Our experts can help determine the size of unit you need for safe and secure storage of your documents or household items. With some of the lowest rates for personal self storage in London, we know you won’t be disappointed. Contact us today for a free storage quote.
