Planning ahead and organizing your possessions can be highly beneficial when placing them in a self- storage unit.

These are our top recommendations for preserving the quality of your items and optimizing the use of your storage space.

1. Create a Checklist

Before packing your items, take some time to think about what you want to store and create a checklist. If you're storing business documents, establish a filing system to organize them effectively. For personal belongings, write down the items you plan to store and label the boxes accordingly. This will help you locate specific items later on, making it easier to find what you need when you need it.

2. Label Your Boxes

Creating a checklist is helpful, but it will only inform you whether a particular item is stored in your unit. To easily identify which box contains what, it's important to label them properly. This will save you time and effort when you need to find a specific item, especially if you have numerous boxes.

3. Choosing Between Plastic and Cardboard Boxes

When it comes to storing your belongings, plastic boxes are a more durable option compared to cardboard. This makes them ideal for fragile items like ornaments or crockery. If you're storing your items indoors, dampness and mold shouldn't be a concern. However, if you plan to store your belongings in outdoor containers, plastic boxes can also protect fabrics from mildew.

4. Packing Your Items with Care

When storing your prized possessions, it's crucial to pack them correctly to ensure their safety. Here are some tips to protect your belongings while packing:

• For fragile items such as ornaments, use bubble wrap or other cushioning materials to protect them from impact or damage.
• Clean and polish leather items before storing them to prevent stains or deterioration.
• Use a mattress protector to keep your mattress clean and free from dust or stains.
• Place dust sheets on furniture to prevent scratches, dust, or other damage during storage.

By taking these precautions, you can ensure that your items remain clean and in good condition during storage, and will be ready to use once you unpack them.

5. Prioritize Heavy Items at the Bottom

When arranging your boxes in the self-storage unit, ensure that heavier items are placed at the bottom. This will prevent the boxes from becoming unstable or crushed under the weight of other boxes.

6. Place Frequently Used Items Near the Door

If you plan to access your self-storage unit frequently, consider placing the items you'll need most often towards the front of the unit, near the door. This will save you time and effort when retrieving items you need and prevent you from having to move other items out of the way.

7. Position Large Furniture Items Near the Door

When moving to a new house, it's important to place the larger furniture items near the door of your self-storage unit. This will make it easier for you to access them first when you need to load or unload them from the truck. If you're moving in stages, start with essential items like furniture and kitchen items, and leave non-essential items like out-of-season clothes and clutter at the back of the unit for the second trip. This will help streamline your moving process and make it more efficient.

8. Disassemble Furniture

If you plan to store your items for an extended period, it's advisable to disassemble your furniture to maximize your storage space. Disassembling furniture allows you to stack it more efficiently and fit more items into your storage unit. This can be especially helpful for storing larger items like beds, wardrobes, and tables.

9. When packing your belongings for storage, it's important to keep valuable items such as jewelry, important photographs, and sentimental possessions with you.

Even if these items are insured, it's better not to take any chances. Additionally, it's important to avoid packing anything that is flammable, as well as food and liquids.

If you require assistance in planning how to best utilize your self-storage unit, or need help estimating the appropriate size of unit for your needs, please don't hesitate to contact us at 0419 598 817. We're happy to help you make the most of your storage experience.