How to Get the Most Out of Your Storage Unit

At Rent-a-Store, we offer various storage solutions to suit exactly what you need at any time in your life. Whether you plan on packing up your belongings and travelling or are simply planning on downscaling but want to save a few things, we’ve got your covered.

Easily book your unit online right now within 15 minutes! Reserve online with no obligation or reservation fees.

While it might sound daunting to move some (or most) of your belongings into a storage unit, there are a few simple things you can do to ensure that you are making the most out of your storage unit. Follow our tips below to help your storage unit work for you!

Download our "Get More Space" guide to declutter your house in just 3 weeks

Map Out Your Storage Unit

No matter the size of the storage unit you decide to get, a good thing to do before you start is to map out the area on a page, noting down the measurements, height and any other details like the width of the door, if the unit has a light switch or any plugs. This is especially useful to do before taking anything to the unit since it will help you plan exactly what you can fit in and whether or not you will have extra or less space than planned.

Having this list on hand when packing up your belongings is also useful since it will help you envision how the storage unit will look like. Taking the measurements of bigger furniture or the boxes filled with items you want to store and jotting it down on your page can be a great help when it comes to ensuring that everything will fit.

Have someone to help you

Packing up a few things (or nearly all your belongings) is no easy feat. Because it can get quite challenging and might make you feel overwhelmed, having someone to help you when it comes to organizing your space will make the task so much easier and might even help you keep a clear head. Having the support of a loved one can also help the process go a lot smoother and definitely a lot more fun.

Get shelving

If you are lucky enough to have some space left in your storage unit, then a great product to get is a small shelving system or even a slim bookcase. The plastic draw set that usually holds children’s toys is also a great and inexpensive option to get to help you maximize your space in your storage unit.

Label everything

Since you are more than likely to take a few boxes to your storage unit, it is a good idea to make sure that all of your boxes are labelled. Simply take a few plain A4 sheets and write clearly in a dark marker what the box contains. It’s not always a good idea to simply write out the words “kitchen” or “tools” since you might have more than one of those boxes. Instead, we recommend numbering each box and making a note of exactly what is inside them such as “toolbox”, “Dad’s tool set”, “cable ties” etc. This will not only inspire you to pack your storage unit in a more organized and neat way but will help you find what you’re looking for at just a glance.

Create an inventory list

Once you have labelled everything or simply even decided on what to take to your storage unit, create an inventory of every single item and categorize it going by each box's number. It is essential to have this list printed out twice and saved on your cloud so that you always have it at hand. Keep the one printed list inside your storage unit and the other, in your home or on an easy to find spot. Take this step up a notch by photographing the items that will be stored which could come in handy if you have more than one of the same items. Be sure to save these images on your cloud along with the inventory list.

Package your items carefully

While it might seem inexpensive to just wrap your belongings up in paper, this could potentially be a very bad idea. Some papers can tend to get mouldy or even start breaking down. An easy way to solve this is to wrap your items up in bubble wrap which not only helps when you need to transport them but limits breakage. Wrapping items in bubble wrap also makes packing and stacking items inside boxes easier since you won't have to worry about chipping or breaking glass items that are stacked on top of each other.

Invest in plastic storage boxes

While cardboard boxes are the most affordable option, investing in a few plastic storage boxes with wheels will make your storage space look and feel a lot more organized. Most of the plastic storage boxes also come with a lid which means that you can stack 4 or 5 on top of each other and clearly see the contents.

Store smart

If you plan on storing large furniture items that will take up a bunch of space in your storage unit, then it might be wise to disassemble as many of them as you can. Most tables, chairs and desks can be disassembled - just be sure to clearly mark each part and keep all screws and nails in a clear packet that is taped to the item. If your tables and chairs aren't able to come apart, then use them as smart ‘shelves’ storing boxes on and underneath them to maximize your space.

There you have it, a quick and easy guide to help you make the most of your self-storage unit. To find a self-storage unit that is suitable to your needs, be sure to visit our website to view all of our storage options.