Steps to Organize Your Storage Unit

Self-storage units are meant to keep your things organized. Yet, most people treat self-storage and organization as two separate concepts. Therefore, when you’re purchasing or renting a self-storage unit, you must take the necessary steps to organize your storage unit. In this article, we list some storage unit organization ideas for your convenience.

List all the Inventory for Storage

If you’re feeling the need for a storage unit, then chances are you have many items to store for the long term. Many people use it seasonally, which can extend months. It’s a fairly long time frame to keep track of everything you have put inside the unit. Therefore, to avoid remembering everything, you should prepare a list of all the items you have to store inside the unit.

You can write everything on paper or maintain an Excel spreadsheet. Some people even create a map if the unit is big enough to access the boxes and items quickly.

Use Plastic Bins Instead of Cardboard Boxes

Cardboard boxes are the preferred choice for most people when storing items. But there’s a better option in the form of plastic bins. You should be using plastic bins because they tend to be transparent, and you can see the items stored inside. 

Even though opening the boxes and sorting through the stuffed items might not sound like a big deal, you’ll feel the pain when you do it.

You may have to pay more for the plastic bins, but the extra price is well worth it. 

Label Everything

Labelling is another task that everyone seems to skip. But as experienced handlers will tell you, it’s essential when you’re using a storage unit.

By labelling every box and bin stored inside the unit, you make it easier to find it later. The large boxes will contain too many items. So how would you know what’s in there?

So writing down the list of items isn’t enough. Nor is the visibility you gain by using opaque plastic bins. You need to label the items so that you can later refer to them.

For best results, you must label using a permanent marker. Also, make sure it faces towards the opening of the storage unit and not the other way around.

Disassemble All Furniture Items

Furniture tends to take up too much space in a storage unit. Because of their extended pieces, there are a lot of empty spaces that remain underutilized. To maximize this, you must first disassemble all furniture and foldable items.

This includes the table and chair legs, headboards, bed frames, among others. If you’ve got mattresses, then roll them up so that they consume the least space.

Store Everything Vertical if Possible

Vertical storing is the way to go if you want to maximize the space inside a storage unit. Stack the boxes/bins high and the furniture upright. If bookcases are included in the items you need to store, you have to shelve them one on top of the other and pack them inside a box.

If you’ve got smaller boxes, then you have the option of adding wire shelves or hanging shelves. For tall storage units, you can add additional shelves by employing a ladder. Here you can find secure and convenient storage units Seattle.

Store Items You’d Need Frequently Towards the Front

Many people make the mistake of storing items randomly. But this isn’t a good practice. You should store those boxes and goods that you’ll frequently be using at the opening.

This way, you don’t have to sort through the boxes every time you open the container unit. Everyday goods may include clothes, books, utensils, coats, etc.

Likewise, you should place the heavy seasonal items towards the end of the storage unit, so you don’t have to move them every time. 

Repack Boxes if Needed

If you’ve packed the boxes and later found out that you’ve made a categorization mistaken (packed different items into different boxes), then you shouldn’t be afraid to unpack and repack the boxes. You may not realize it at the present moment, but this will save you a great deal of time later down the road. More importantly, it will keep things organized.

While it might be hard for you, you should clean the unit from time to time. It would ensure all the items are safe and in good condition. If it’s too big a task for you, don’t hesitate to employ an expert who could do it for you. As the saying goes, “One dirty fish spoils the whole pond,” you should get that dirty item at the earliest.

With that said, you can move ahead with storing your goods with the above storage unit organization ideas.