30 December 2019
 Categories: , Blog

Secure self-storage is a great way to house business inventory, store items during a house move or just have a place to keep your excess belongings. To really get the most out of your storage unit, however, you'll want to make sure it's effectively organised. Here are a few tips to help make your storage experience easier. 

Plan in advance

When you're loading items into your storage unit, it helps to know which items you're going to need most often. Make sure that lesser-used items are toward the rear of the space while boxes you'll need to open frequently are near the entrance. Similarly, if you're using stacking storage boxes, don't put items you're going to need on the bottom of the pile. Sketch out a rough floor plan of your storage space and decide which boxes or items are going to go where before you begin; it'll be easier to arrange things if you already have a plan for where you're going to put them. Most importantly, label each box or item clearly. Just after you finish packing, you may think that you'll never forget what goes where, but after a few months you'll be glad for clear labels. 

Use vertical space

To get the most efficient use out of your storage unit, you'll want to take advantage of vertical space. Piles of boxes are traditional, but they're hard to access and can be unsafe if they get too high. Shelves are a much more effective way to use vertical space. Shelving units can be quite affordable, although you need to be sure you're buying one that can handle the amount of weight you're going to be putting on it. Alternatively, you can make use of other items you might be storing; if you're storing furniture, for instance, use bookcases and tables or even refrigerators to store other items. Align your shelves against the storage unit's walls, leaving a small gap to allow for air circulation.

Be creative

Storage boxes are relatively easy to stack or shelve, but some items can present more of a puzzle. After you've shelved your boxes and moved in your furniture, you may find yourself with a leftover assortment of everything from sports equipment to musical instruments that don't fit neatly on a shelf but shouldn't be allowed to lie on the floor. With items like these, you'll need to improvise. Lighter items could go on top of a shelf, for instance, while heavier ones should stay closer to the floor. Plastic garden bins are a good way to organise this type of item. 

A self-storage unit is a simple way to find affordable storage for your belongings; planning and organising it effectively will allow you to get even more space for your money.