How to pack a self storage unit

From freeing up more space in your home or office, to protecting your belongings and even helping you have money, there are many advantages that come with renting a self storage unit.

However, there are a few important things to consider when it comes to packing everything up if you want to make the most of this dedicated storage area.

There’s much more to it than lugging all your boxes inside and rolling down the door, and in this post, our experts here at The Storage Team share their top tips for packing your self storage unit.

Before you get started

Before you start packing for storage, make sure you have all the essentials on hand.

Items you’ll need include:

• Different-sized boxes (classic cardboard or reusable plastic tubs, the choice is yours)

• Bubble wrap

• Packing paper (old newspaper will do!)

• Packing tape

• Permanent markers

• Packing peanuts

• Furniture protection (like plastic sheets or old throw blankets)

Packing boxes for storage

When packing the boxes themselves, make sure to use high-quality packing materials. This way, you can be confident the contents are safe during transport and during their time in the storage unit.

Don’t overload your boxes either, as tempting as this might be, and label their contents to save yourself the frustration of looking through everything later down the line.

You should also leave a bit of space at the top of each box, to avoid tightly packed boxes that could burst open without warning, and wrap any fragile items in bubble wrap or old newspaper to avoid damage during transit.

Top tips for packing your storage unit

Once you’ve got everything you need and your boxes are safely and neatly packed, it’s time to move them into your self-storage unit.

Regardless of how long you’re renting your unit for, it’s important to load it properly, to further protect your belongings, make the most of your space, and make the unloading process easier, too.

When loading your unit, we recommend you:

Create an inventory

Before taking your packed boxes and other items to your storage unit, it’s a good idea to make a detailed list, or take photos of everything, in the unlikely event of needing to make an insurance claim.

Use uniform-sized boxes

To help you maximise all available vertical space, and make stacking less tiresome, you should pack your belongings into strong, uniform boxes.

Here at The Storage Team, we’re proud to supply a range of high-quality packaging supplies, including a variety of different-sized boxes, to help make packing your storage unit a smooth, stress-free experience.

Make use of moving equipment provided

The majority of storage units will have moving equipment that’s free to use, which will help make transporting your boxes much easier.

When you arrive, unload everything in our designated loading bay, and speak to a member of staff about using our moving trolleys and other equipment to help get everything to your unit safely.

Protect the ground

Before you start moving boxes in, lay a dust sheet or a suitable alternative on the ground to keep your items from getting dirty and damaged.

Sort by priority

Now you’re (finally!) ready to start filling your self storage unit, organise your boxes by priority, placing the heaviest boxes at the back and setting aside any items you’ll need frequent access to at the front.

If possible, you should also leave an aisle so that you can easily access anything as and when you might need it.

Pack from back to front

We think this goes without saying, but you should stack your boxes from the back, leaving gaps for smaller items as you work your way to the front of your storage unit.

Utilise hollow spaces

Finally, if you’re storing furniture items like bookshelves and wardrobes, or other household items like laundry baskets and suitcases, it’s definitely worth considering using the space inside to store smaller items like clothing, bedding, and soft furnishings – among other things.

Need more expert advice?

Whether you’ve got a house move creeping up soon, you’re planning a big renovation, or you’re tidying up around the office, we’ve got the ideal storage solution to suit your needs.

With a range of different-sized domestic and business storage units available, you’re guaranteed to find exactly what you need to assist with your project.

To find out more about our self-storage solutions, or for more expert packing tips, get in touch with our friendly team today!

Alternatively, you can get your price and reserve your storage unit online today. Simply select your closest facility, choose your storage type and unit size, and enter your details when prompted, and we’ll get back to you with your bespoke quote!