Getting the Most Out of Your Storage Space

Whether you're moving or just looking to find some extra space for your belongings, a storage unit is a good way to keep your items safe. To really get the most out of a storage space, though, it helps to make a few simple preparations. 

Clean in advance

Packing up your items provides a great opportunity to clean and dust them. This will also help prevent books and fabric from developing a musty smell. If an item you're storing has a fuel tank or water reservoir, empty it out and let it air until completely dry before you put it in storage. Even a mild fuel odour can spread quickly in a storage area.

Pack containers efficiently

To make the most use out of your space, you'll need to fill your cardboard storage boxes efficiently. Partly empty boxes waste space and are harder to stack. However, you can't simply fill a box to the lid with heavy items such as books; it will be too heavy to stack or carry safely. Instead, fill the lower layer of the box with heavy items and fill the rest of the space with lighter items such as clothes or bedding. 

Label and stack 

Label each box clearly with a description of its contents and destination. Stack the boxes into towers, leaving aisles between them for you to move around if you need to. If you're going to need access to your stored items, make sure that the ones you need are in positions where you won't have to move too many other boxes to get to them. 

Group irregular items together

Ordinary storage boxes won't hold larger or oddly-shaped items such as rakes, vacuum cleaners or musical instruments. One way to deal with these unusual shapes is to store them together in an upright plastic rubbish bin. It may feel strange to put a prized possession in a litter bin, but it will help keep these items organised and off the floor. 

Use the available space

Efficient storage means taking advantage of every possible space. If you're storing a refrigerator, a chest of drawers or another item with plenty of internal room, don't let it go to waste. When you arrive at your storage unit, fill those open spaces with smaller, loose objects that you don't want to risk in your storage boxes. Don't forget to unload these objects before moving; they could easily be damaged in transit.