A Beginner’s Guide - Tips and Tricks for Packing Your Self Storage Unit.

Taking the plunge and getting a self-storage unit is a significant step, both literally and figuratively. Now comes the hard part: packing up all your stuff and getting it into the unit, creating that ideal extra space in your life. If you’ve never done this before, it can be a daunting task. But fear not, SelfStorageBooker.com is here to help! This beginner’s guide shares our top packing tips helping you store items in a way that helps maximise your space whilst keeping your belongings safe and secure.

The First Step to Any Good Packing Job Is to Have a Plan

You need to know what items you will put into storage and how you want them to be arranged. Write down all the things you wish to store away; it will make the whole process easier and less chaotic. Make sure you know the correct measurements of your self-storage unit beforehand, so you know exactly how much storage space you have to work with and create a rough floor plan of where you want everything to go. This doesn’t have to be perfect—a stickman-style sketch should do the job. It will give you a general idea of where things will go before you start packing up boxes.

If you’ve got a long container storage unit, it is advisable to keep an empty and walkable lane in the middle so you can access boxes from your entire unit, with the items you need to access most frequently near the front. Lots of small boxes? Consider adding racks to help you organise—check with your storage operator to see if they offer racking options. Otherwise, a quick trip to IKEA or scanning the free ads for cheap metal shelves might be a good call!

Sort Your Items by Category & Room Type

Once you know what’s going into storage, start sorting your items by category, such as different rooms in your home or office. This will make packing (and unpacking) a lot easier, as you’ll be able to put all the similar items together in one place. For example, put all your clothes in one area, all your books in another, and all your kitchen items in another. You can even label each area with a different colour code or label and highlight heavier items, so you know exactly where everything goes when you’re ready to unpack. Once your items are securely packed in their boxes, label them by room type too. If you’re using a house removals service, this will come in handy as they will know which boxes need to go to which rooms. And if you’re doing it solo, this will save you time and benefit your sanity, too!

Gather Your Packing Materials

Make sure you have all the packing supplies you need before you start packing up boxes. You don’t want to have to run out to the store in the middle of packing! This includes sturdy cardboard boxes (or plastic storage bins), bubble wrap, packing peanuts, labels, packing tape, and markers. Having everything on hand before you start packing for storage will make the process much smoother and less stressful. If you are packing for a potentially long time, think about protecting electrical and easily perishable items! You might find that your local self-storage facility has a store selling boxes and packing materials and if you check out places like Facebook Marketplace you might find people gibing away packing supplies.

Pack With Care and Organise Your Storage Unit

Now it’s time to start packing those boxes! But before you just start throwing things in willy-nilly, there are a few things you should keep in mind for packing efficiently and safely. Always use clean boxes that are in good condition; you don’t want your belongings getting damaged during the move or while in storage. Pack things tightly and securely into the boxes to prevent damage and save space. Avoid packing too much into each of your storage containers so that they're not too heavy to move around your storage unit and also ensure you store heavy items at the bottom of boxes so that they don't damage those underneath. Finally, label each box clearly with its contents and destination so you can easily find what you’re looking for. We recommend doing this on the top and also on the side of the storage box so that when you stack boxes you know exactly where things are when making the most of the vertical space available to you. You’ll thank us in the long run!

Protect Your Valuables in More Ways Than One

Some items are more delicate than others and require special care when it comes to packing them up for storage. Electronics, works of art, and antiques should always be protected with special care, so they don’t get damaged during the move or while in storage. For smaller items like jewellery, consider investing in a small safe that can be locked away securely. For extra fragile items like old paintings or sculptures, invest in some professional packing materials and services, so they arrive at their destination in prime condition. If you are packing for a potentially long time, make sure you think about protecting electrical and easily perishable items! Protecting your belongings when you're packing a storage unit is a great way to keep your belongings safe whilst in storage and is definitely a step not to be missed.

Conclusion

Packing for self storage doesn’t have to be a daunting task. With a bit of planning and organisation, you can pack your items efficiently and safely. Follow these tips to make your packing process smoother and more manageable. Looking for the best self-storage near you? Find what suits you and instantly make fuss-free reservations with our trusted listed facilities on SelfStorageBooker.com.

Ready to find the perfect storage solution? Visit selfstoragebooker.com to reserve your storage unit instantly or contact our self storage experts for personalized advice.