How Do You Pack A Storage Unit?

Whether you’re moving home, or simply trying to free up space within your house, office or yard, a storage unit can prove to be an invaluable asset. After all, it’s a great way to rid your home of clutter without having to throw away treasured belongings.  

However, as space can be limited, you must know how to arrange your belongings within them to make the most of your unit.

Key Takeaway Table

What should you not pack in a storage unit?

Storage units can be used to store a wide variety of home and business items, such as furniture, old toys or even paperwork. However, some items should never be placed in your storage unit, as they may become hazardous. For example, this includes: 

• • Combustible or flammable materials. This includes items such as gas canisters, petrol, paint or cleaning products. 
  • Perishable food items. This includes any food products which may go out of date, causing them to rot. 
  • Living things. Any living thing, from animals to plants, should not be stored in a storage unit, since they are not a suitable environment for them.
  • Chemicals. No chemicals or radioactive products should be stored within your storage unit, due to health and safety hazards.
  • Illegal items. Illegal items, such as stolen goods or firearms should not be kept in storage units.
  • Money. While storage units are secured and often monitored through CCTV and security staff, money is best stored elsewhere.

• Wet items. Many owners use storage units to store items such as surfboards, kayaks and canoes – i.e., sporting goods that would otherwise take up a lot of space within their home. However, you must ensure that everything you place in your storage unit is dry, to prevent the build-up of moisture and mould. 

How do you arrange items in a storage unit?

The way in which you arrange your items within a storage unit often dictates 

how many belongings you can fit into the space. Thankfully, there are many tips and tricks you can use to maximise the space within your unit. For example, you should: 

• Pack all items into boxes and containers. This also reduces the chances of your belongings being damaged through exposure to moisture, heat and other elements. 
• Stack boxes by size. You should ensure that the heaviest, bulkiest boxes are placed at the bottom of the pile, and smaller boxes to the top. Treat it as a game of Tetris and move things around to find the optimal fit. 

• Install shelving. Another way in which you can make the most of the space available to you is by installing shelving, as this means you can use both floor and wall space when storing your belongings. Learn more about effortless self-storage organisation ideas here.

How do you pack a 10×10 storage unit?

When packing a 10×10 storage unit, the above method (using stacked boxes and containers, or shelving units) is likely your best approach. This is because it will allow you to make the most of every inch of space available to you. However, it’s important you think carefully about the items you intend to store ahead of time, so you can figure out which layout is best. For example, you should ensure any boxes containing items you’ll need to access frequently are stored close to the front of the unit, so you don’t have to remove every other box to get to what you need.

Another way in which you can make the most of your space when packing a 10×10 storage unit is by trying to find ways to make your items take up less space. For example, clothing, blankets and other soft furnishings can be vacuum packed, which reduces the amount of space they’ll take up overall. Discover more about packing a storage unit here.

How should you arrange furniture in storage?

If you’re going to be storing furniture in your storage unit, this can sometimes present a challenge when it comes to making the space work for you. After all, it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to fit bulky items into boxes. However, there are many ways in which you can make it a little easier to store furniture in a storage unit. For example, you can:

• Dismantle furniture where possible. Dismantling furniture often means it’s less bulky or takes up less space, as a result, it’s easier to stack or store items in your storage unit. For example, removing the legs from a table makes it much easier to manoeuvre from place to place and store safely. 

• Stack items vertically. Stacking pieces of furniture, such as dismantled tables, vertically also allows you to make better use of the floor space within your storage unit. 

• Use furniture as storage space. Some items of furniture are easier to dismantle than others, however, when it’s not possible to dismantle them, they can be used as extra storage. For example, you can fill wardrobes and cupboards with other items from your storage unit to maximise your space. 

• Use furniture covers. In order to reduce potential damage from the elements, you should also make sure that you use furniture covers. This means your belongings will stay in good condition for longer and you can continue to enjoy them for years to come. 

• Choose your layout carefully. Again, it’s important that you think carefully about the layout of your storage unit to make the space work for you. In most cases, your best bet is to place the heaviest or bulkiest items at the back, and smaller items at the front. This makes the space easier to navigate overall.

Final Thoughts. 

There are many times throughout your life when having access to a storage unit will come in handy – and these top tips will ensure you can use the space to the best of your advantage. If you have any further questions or would like to hire out a storage unit, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

We’d be happy to answer any questions you might have about the process! For more information about our storage units, visit Mammoth Self Store.