How to organize a storage unit like a pro
It’s important to take time to design a plan on how to organize a storage unit once you have decided on the area of the house which you will turn into a storage area. What is a storage unit? In simple terms, a storage unit is a space usually in an enclosed structure and is used exclusively for — storage. The space which you have decided to use as a storage unit isn’t equipped with the same types of resources you would need or find in a home or a residence suitable for living.
The great benefit of a storage unit is that it allows you to store some, if not all of your valuable things safely and securely. Discover the best storage unit organization ideas to organize like a pro by following these tips on how to organize different types of storage units so that you can easily access your belongings whenever you need them.
- Create a checklist
It can be challenging to remember all your items when you are planning to place many of them in a storage unit without an inventory list or record of all the items you’re storing. Keeping track of large pieces of furniture such as a kitchen unit, bed or sofa may not be a tough task compared to the case for smaller items like jewelry pieces, artwork and clothes. It is important to keep a list of all the items kept in a storage unit to keep everything stored well and in good condition. Another method of keeping track of your stored items is to report each item stored on a spreadsheet or take photos of the items and save them in one place.
- Store items in clear bins
It is a better option to store your items in clear bins than storing them in cardboard boxes (Check out our Clear Storage Boxes available in store to help you with storing your products). Cardboard boxes are okay to use in a storage unit, however clear bins make it easier to keep track and see your items in the storage unit. Clear bins make it possible to view what’s inside the box without having to dig through it to find your items. As such, it makes it faster and easier to locate whatever you need whenever you need it and eliminates the risk of breaking or damaging items while digging through to find what you are looking for.
- Disassemble furniture and store them upright
Achieve a more organized storage unit and maximize space by disassembling large furniture items before storing them. A perfect example of items that you can disassemble include taking apart bed frames, headboards, and mattresses. You can also take table legs off of the matching table bases to save space. Another approach that is considered to organize a storage unit is by utilizing vertical space. To take advantage of vertical spaces, simply set large furniture items in a vertical position at the back end of the storage unit. Store your furniture upright, and boxes stacked high. To create more room for smaller boxes, you can add hanging shelves to the storage unit.
Mattresses should be stored in a horizontal position to help maintain their shape.
- Store larger, heavy items at the bottom and towards the back
Ensure that you start packing bulky, heavy belongings such as heavy boxes and furniture towards the back of the storage unit, and place the heaviest items or boxes at the bottom. Keep in mind that storing lighter or smaller items at the bottom of the storage unit may result in damage and this is the reason for storing heavy items at the bottom part of the storage unit.
- Store items that you frequently need towards the front
How many of us have put something away only to come back a few hours or the next day looking for it? There are items that you may plan or plan not to use more regularly than others, keep such items towards the front so you don’t struggle with getting hold of them or putting them back into the storage unit. Items that you will need to use frequently should be stored towards the front of your storage unit in clearly labeled bins or boxes to save you the trouble of having to dig through piles of boxes to locate them.
- Label every box and bin inside the storage unit
This is optional, but also very important to do. Make sure that every box and bin used to store items is labeled clearly and correctly. You may think that you’ll recall where you put that bag that your uncle gifted you on your birthday, but chances are you probably won’t, especially if it has been sitting in storage for a long time. Label all boxes clearly using printed labels or permanent markers. Ensure that the labeled part is facing the front of the storage unit such that you can easily spot it.
