Self-Storage Thursday Tips: Maximising Your Space and Keeping Your Belongings Safe
At Xtra Space, we understand how important it is to make the most out of your self-storage unit. Whether you’re storing seasonal items, moving house, or simply decluttering, our goal is to help you store your belongings efficiently and safely. To help you with your storage journey, we’ve compiled a comprehensive list of tips from our Thursday Tip series to ensure you make the best use of your storage unit.
Maximise Vertical Space in Your Storage Unit
As we always say in our Thursday Tip series, when space is limited, think vertical! By stacking boxes safely and adding shelving units inside your storage space, you’ll keep items easily accessible without cluttering the unit. Using vertical space, as outlined in our Thursday Tip, helps prevent damage and keeps things organised.
Secure Packaging for Electronics
For fragile items like electronics, our Thursday Tip suggests using their original packaging when possible. These boxes are specially designed to protect your devices during storage. If you no longer have the original packaging, our Thursday Tip recommends padded boxes or bubble wrap to safeguard your gadgets.
Use Sturdy Containers
Another Thursday Tip from our storage experts is to always use durable, high-quality boxes or bins. Sturdy containers protect against moisture, dust, and general wear, ensuring your belongings stay in great condition while in storage. As we frequently highlight in our Thursday Tips, this is essential for long-term storage.
Avoid Overpacking Your Boxes
While it may be tempting to fill every box to the brim, overpacking can make them too heavy to lift and could even lead to damage. Our Thursday Tip for this issue: keep your boxes at a manageable weight and avoid stacking fragile items beneath heavy ones.
Keep Track of Your Stored Items
Creating an inventory list of everything in your storage unit is a simple but effective tip. This ensures you know what you have in storage and helps you locate items when you need them without sifting through every box. A well-organised list can save you time and effort.
By following this Thursday Tip, you’ll save both time and effort.
Use Vacuum Bags for Soft Items
Our Thursday Tip for storing soft items such as clothes and bedding? Use vacuum bags for clothing, bedding, curtains, and other soft items. Vacuum bags compress your belongings, saving space while protecting them from dust and moisture.
Keep Perishables Out of Your Unit
This Thursday Tip is essential: Food and other perishables should never be stored in your unit. Not only can they attract pests, but they can also lead to unpleasant odours. Stick to storing non-perishable items to ensure your belongings stay clean and pest-free.
Protect Fragile Items
Wrapping delicate items such as glassware or collectibles in bubble wrap or packing paper is essential for preventing breakages. By cushioning fragile items, you can avoid damage during the storage process.
Store Books Flat to Prevent Damage
In a recent Thursday Tip we highlighted that books can easily become damaged if they aren’t stored properly. Stack books flat to protect their structure and prevent warping or damage to the spine. This method will also keep your books organised and easy to retrieve.
Place Heavy Items on the Bottom
To prevent your storage unit from becoming a hazard, always place heavier boxes and items on the bottom. This helps to create a stable foundation, reducing the risk of boxes toppling over and damaging lighter, more delicate belongings.
Colour Code Your Boxes
Make retrieval easy by using a colour-coded system for your boxes. Assign different colours for categories like seasonal decorations, paperwork, or household items, so you can quickly identify the contents of each box without opening them.
It’s a helpful Thursday Tip that ensures quick identification without opening every box.
Elevate Your Electronics
Always store electronic devices like computers and printers off the floor to avoid potential water damage. Placing them on shelving or pallets will protect your valuable electronics from dust, moisture, and accidental spills.
Store Mirrors and Frames Vertically
When storing fragile mirrors and picture frames, always keep them upright. Storing them vertically helps to prevent cracking and pressure damage. Be sure to use padding, such as bubble wrap, for extra protection.
Roll Up Your Rugs
In our Thursday Tip series, we often remind customers to avoid creases and damage, always roll up rugs before storing them. This simple step ensures your rugs stay in great condition, ready to use when you need them again.
Clean Garden Tools Before Storing
Before placing your garden tools in storage, give them a thorough cleaning. Removing dirt and debris helps prevent rust and prolongs the lifespan of your tools, ensuring they’re in top condition when you need them again.
Stack Similar-Sized Boxes Together
To create stable, uniform towers, always stack similar-sized boxes together. For extra safety, place the heaviest boxes at the bottom to ensure a stable foundation. This not only maximises your storage space but also helps prevent boxes from toppling over.
Store Items Inside Furniture Drawers
Get the most out of every inch of your storage unit by storing smaller items inside the drawers of furniture. This is a smart way to utilise space efficiently, keeping everything organised while saving room.
Get the Most Out of Your Self-Storage Unit with Xtra Space
By following these storage tips, you’ll be able to maximise your space and keep your belongings in top condition. At Xtra Space, we’re here to help with a range of storage unit sizes and options, from small lockers to larger units, perfect for storing anything from household items to business stock.
Whether you’re planning to store short-term or long-term, contact us today for more information on our services. Our team is ready to assist you with flexible storage solutions that suit your needs.
