Proper organisation is key if you want to make the most out of your self-storage space. By being organised, you can find the things you need with ease while protecting your belongings from damage. You can also make it easier to navigate your unit, so you don’t end up bumping into things or knocking items over. If you want to learn more, contact Amberley‘s Ipswich self storage facilities.
How to optimise your self storage unit
Prepare your Storage Unit
First of all, you need to prepare your storage unit. Clean out the unit to make sure that nothing is taking up extra space. You then need to decide if you want to add shelving, to store your items. Preparing your unit may be a bit of a time-consuming task, but it’s an important one if you want to avoid issues later down the line.
Pack Properly
The next step would be for you to pack your items. If you want to maximise space then you need to pack as much as you can into each box. Taking furniture apart is a great way for you to fit more items in, not to mention that it makes it easier to move around. If you intend on taking furniture apart, tape any screws together, and put them in a plastic bag. You can then stick the bag onto the furniture it goes with. This is a convenient and easy way to make sure that nothing gets lost and allows you to maximise space as much as possible.
When packing individual items, try and make sure that they match in a way that makes sense to you. You may want to put your holiday decorations in one box, and then your clothing items in another. This is where having a list comes in handy. Attempt to make a list of all the things you have to store, and then categorise them. Putting your holiday decorations together may make sense for you, especially if you pack them in the same section as your winter clothes as you’ll need them at the same time.
Label your Boxes
When you have a good system, take the list you have made and stick it onto the corresponding box. There’s nothing worse than you looking for a sentimental item, and having to unpack every box in your unit just to find it. It’s panic you don’t need and it’s the best way for you to plunge your storage unit into chaos. By attaching a detailed label to each box, you can find any item you need by simply checking the list, which makes your life easier in the long run.
Choose the Right Materials
Careful packing is so important. You want to make sure that you pack all of your items efficiently, so you can maximise space. With that in mind, you also need to make sure that your items are protected. To reduce worry, you need to choose the right materials for the job. Decide whether plastic boxes or cardboard boxes are the way to go. Plastic boxes can be stacked without worry of weight, but cardboard boxes are more space-efficient. At our Ipswich self storage facilities, we recommend trying to put boxes you know you are going to need soon on top as it will make it easier for you to access them.
Organising your Unit
When you have packed your items and cleared everything out, you need to then move everything in. This is where proper organisation comes in handy. You may need to store items you intend on using frequently, at the top, near the front of your unit. If you have boxes that aren’t fragile, such as cookware, consider putting this next to dishware. You can also put your children’s clothing next to old toys, as it’ll make it easier to find what you need later on.
Leave an Aisle
Having a well-organised storage unit is great, but not if you can’t move around in it. Packing to the brim may be an efficient way to use your space but with that in mind, you are probably going to have a hard time getting to the boxes at the back. Leave an aisle down the middle, so you can access anything you need. Leaving an aisle won’t take up too much space, if you simply utilise vertical storage, and take the time to stack your boxes properly.
So it’s now easier than ever for you to make the most out of your self-storage unit. If you don’t have a unit yet, or if you want to explore what’s out there, why not check out our Ipswich self-storage facilities? Amberley Self Storage is a highly affordable and reputable solution.
