Storage Tips & Messy Boxes

Tips and tricks for organising your self storage unit

Make the most of your self storage space

Packing a storage unit takes nothing more than common sense. However, storage is usually used at a time of desperation and common sense does not always prevail. So below is a little list of what seems like common sense to help you make the most of your storage space.

Tips and Tricks:
  • Make an inventory of everything you are storing. If possible, take photos and list the estimated replacement value of each item
  • How often do you plan to access your goods? This will determine how you will pack your self storage unit and what you will pack together in each box. Keep items you want to access close to the front
  • Wherever possible, use boxes for your packing. Boxes stack easily and sealing them will protect your items from dust or dirt
  • Label all of your boxes. Consider labeling some or all sides of each box so you can easily see what’s inside, regardless of how you stack them in your unit
  • Seal boxes with tape to keep the dust out
  • Clearly mark boxes that hold delicate items as FRAGILE
Self Storage Units Shelving | Store UR Stuff

Self Storage Units Shelving | Store UR Stuff

  • Fill boxes to capacity where possible, as this stops things from moving around. Don’t make them too heavy as this will make them hard to lift, and you risk the bottom of your box breaking with the weight
  • Full boxes will be sturdier to stack in your unit
  • Place your heaviest boxes at the bottom of your stack
  • If you regularly need to access your items whilst in storage consider shelving so that your items are easily visible
  • To make the best use of your storage space, dismantle furniture and fill anything that is hollow, such as wardrobes, washing machines or fridges, with small boxes and other items
  • Wedge the door of the kitchen appliances so that they can’t shut. This will help avoid mildew or odour build up
  • Store all bolts, nuts and screws to any dismantled items in a zip-lock glad bag and tape it to the item you have removed them from
  • Get a professional to stack your storage space. Removalists are experienced in getting all your items into their truck and stacking a storage unit is pretty much the same. They will ensure you are using every square inch in your unit

Please feel free to add to this list by leaving a comment

70 replies
  1. Kourtney Jensen says:

    I appreciate the tip you gave, to label all sides of the boxes you are storing, so you know what is in the box from any angle. My husband and I are going to be moving and might need to store away some things in between the time period. If we do, it’ll be nice to easily detect what’s in the boxes, which will make it a lot easier.

    Reply
    • Zara Hunter says:

      Hi Kourtney, Thank you for your reply. Great to hear our tips are going to help your move. Let us know if you need any storage. Good luck!

      Reply
    • Allan Ray says:

      You can even use different marker colours to easily identify what is inside the box. Then, you can arrange them depending on their use. Furniture removalist are really experienced doing this, but it can be done also by a DIYers. Here at our home, we store things we think we could use in the future, the rest are put up on our mini garage sale. The money we earned will be used to buy other important furniture. Thank you for sharing these tips Zara. Keep it up

      Reply
  2. Peterson says:

    We’re shifting and need a garage unit for in between homes. In view that we are already moving everything two times, I really like your point that we have to get a larger length, so we don’t run out of area after which transfer the whole lot to a bigger one.

    Reply
  3. Larry Weaver says:

    I like the idea of getting shelving to access items regularly so that they are easily visible. My mom owns some shelving that she isn’t using that I think would work well for use in storage. It might be time to consider getting some storage units with how much I’ve accumulated.

    Reply
    • Jodie Byrne says:

      Shelving certainly does make things easier as you can label them making your items organised and easily accessible. To open your unit and be able to see and assess what you have in there at a glance certainly takes the stress out of finding an item when you need it!

      Reply
  4. Kayla says:

    I agree that storage is usually used at a time of desperation and common sense does not always prevail. My sister will be moving to another city because of work and she has a lot of things at home. My mom suggested having a storage for some of her stuff and shared this article with her. It says to fill boxes to capacity where possible, as this stops things from moving around. Don’t make them too heavy as this will make them hard to lift, and you risk the bottom of your box breaking with the weight.

    Reply
    • Zara Hunter says:

      Hi Kayla,
      Thank you for your feedback. We would suggest filling each box to a comfortable weight, as you said, it can make them too hard to lift if you over pack them. If your sister needs any help with storage, we’d be happy to assist.

      Reply
  5. Alexandria Martinez says:

    My mother is looking into storage units since she wants to move soon. She has been asking her friends and family for tips and tricks when she starts putting things away. I will let her know that if she dismantles anything that she should keep the screws, and nuts in a plastic bag nearby the item.

    Reply
    • Zara Hunter says:

      Hi Alexandria,
      Thank you for your comment. We are glad you and your mum found our blog useful. All the best with her move.

      Reply
  6. Kayla says:

    My cousin will be moving to another city because of her new job and leave some of her things at home. My dad suggested having a self-storage and shared this article with her. It says that she should make first make an inventory of everything that she will be storing.

    Reply
    • Zara Hunter says:

      Hi Kayla,
      Thank you for your comment.
      Great idea! Making an inventory is the best way to keep organised and keep track of everything you have stored in self storage, especially if items are being stored long term. If we can be of any assistance providing quotes for storage, feel free to email us on [email protected] or send an online enquiry and one of our team members will get back to you.

      Reply
  7. Larry Weaver says:

    That’s good to know that full boxes will be sturdier to stack. I would like to put my art collection in storage, and having the self-storage facility be insured would be ideal. Finding a place that has good visibility and security would also be traits I would look for in a self-storage facility. I’ll also be sure to fill my boxes to make the most of my space.

    Reply
    • Jodie Byrne says:

      Hi Larry,

      Thanks for your comment. Fuller boxes does make for sturdier stacking but make sure you do not overfill them as this will warp the box and you run the risk of the box breaking. Pack a mixture of heavy and light items to overcome this. Make sure you research and visit the storage facility before deciding where to store your items as not all storage facilities are the same.

      Reply
    • Jodie Byrne says:

      Hi Aaron,

      Glad you found our blog useful. A little savvy packing can help you squeeze more items into a storage unit, just make sure you make an inventory so you do not forget where you put things.

      Reply
  8. Sutton Turner says:

    I like how you suggested making an inventory of everything you are storing in your storage unit. We are downsizing and are storing a lot of items long-term. Thanks for the tips on how to make the most of your storage unit.

    Reply
    • Jodie Byrne says:

      Hi Sutton,

      Making an inventory will help you stay organised and save time when you are looking for something, especially if you intend to have items in storage for a long period of time. Good luck with the downsizing and I am glad our tips are helpful.

      Reply
  9. Mariah Seagle says:

    My sister will be living in an apartment near her office and she has a lot of things that she will be leaving. It was explained here that boxes that will be placed in a storage unit should be properly labeled. Furthermore, it will be best to only go to a trusted storage company.

    Reply
    • Zara Hunter says:

      Hi Mariah,
      Thank you for taking the time to read our blog. Labeling your boxes makes it much easier to keep organised and to remind yourself what you have stored in each box.

      Reply
  10. Vanessa Blair says:

    My sister has a lot of books at home and it’s taking up so much space already. It was explained here that she should make an inventory of all the things that she’ll be storing to maximize the space. Moreover, it’s suggested to go to trusted storage space services.

    Reply
    • Jodie Byrne says:

      Hi Vanessa,
      Thanks for taking the time to read my blog and I am glad you were able to find it useful. It is definitely recommended to inspect a storage facility before you sign up to storage so you know your items will be well protected. By keeping an inventory of the books your sister is storing will also make it easier for her to find them when she needs them.

      Reply
  11. Amanda Drew says:

    I really like how you point out that you should take pictures and list the estimated replacement value of the items you store. Pretty soon, I’m going to be moving from one place to another, but I have to leave my current home about two weeks before I can move into the new one. I’m going to be staying with my sister during that time, but I need somewhere to keep all of my things. I’ll have to take pictures and make a list for once I find a storage facility to use for those two weeks.

    Reply
    • Jodie Byrne says:

      Hi Amanda,
      Keeping photos of your items are a good idea. I know that when I have written a list, I still forget what I have called particular items and if I had a photo reference it would remind me of what it was. With smart phones these days it is quite easy to do and I find less time consuming then writing a list. Hope your move goes smoothly and thanks for taking the time to read my blog.

      Reply
  12. Gerty Gift says:

    I liked what you said about making an inventory of everything you’re storing. We really need to get rid of some things in our house, but would prefer to put them in storage. I never considered taking an inventory, but it would really help with keeping track of everything.

    Reply
    • Jodie Byrne says:

      Hi Gerty,
      Thanks for taking the time to read my blog. As I mentioned to Amanda, taking photos of your items before putting them into storage is the quickest and best way to remember what your have put into storage.

      Reply
  13. Lilia Robberts says:

    During a move, sometimes I feel like my life is out of control. So I appreciate these tips and tricks on how to keep a storage space clean and organized. I think I will look into good storage units where the people will work with me. Thank you for sharing the advice about about using boxes wherever possible! That is great advice so I can stack everything neatly on top of each other.

    Reply
    • Jodie Byrne says:

      Hi Lilia,
      I agree. Moving is a very stressful and expensive time. It is always best to seek advise from your local storage facility when you are considering storage so you get the best storage solution that is right for you. Any good storage facility will have staff that will make sure your move into storage is as easy and stress free as possible.

      Reply
  14. Heidi Bookenstock says:

    My parents have recently retired and have decided that they want to take a year and travel. While they do this, they plan to rent out their house, so they are going to keep all their stuff in a storage unit until they get back.

    Reply
    • Jodie Byrne says:

      Hi Heidi,
      Thank you for taking the time to read my blog. I hope your parents enjoy 12 months of travel. At least their mind will be at ease that their stuff is protected while they are away.

      Reply
  15. Vanessa Blair says:

    My brother has a lot of comic books and action figures at home and it’s taking so much space in our living room. It was discussed here that before placing the things in a storage unit, it will be best to make an inventory first. Moreover, it’s advisable to go to trusted businesses for storage units.

    Reply
    • Jodie Byrne says:

      Hi Vanessa,
      I can relate to your brother. My husband inherited a comic book collection that we have completed a comprehensive inventory on. We are hoping to pass these onto our children when they are older if they want them. If they do not, the inventory will make it easier for us to price and sell them later on. By storing them in a trusted storage facility you have peace of mind they will be safe and well protected.

      Reply
  16. Jordan Miner says:

    I’ve bene looking for some self storage services, and I think that being able to get some information would be nice. I like that you talked about how you want to label all of your boxes when putting them into self storage would be smart. I’m going to have to look for a few good self storage servies here locally and see what we can find!

    Reply
    • Jodie Byrne says:

      Hi Jordan,
      Happy to hear you found my article helpful. It is important to inspect a storage facility before making a decision. Labelling your boxes is a must so you can find your stuff when you need it again. You can even go that extra step and take photos on your smart phone of the contents inside the boxes before you label them and store them. Happy storage hunting 🙂

      Reply
  17. Sariah Meagle says:

    My sister has a lot of books at home and it’s consuming a lot of space, so, my dad suggested having a storage unit. It was discussed here that she should first make an inventory of the things that she wants to put in the storage. Furthermore, it’s advisable to go to trusted businesses for reliable storage units.

    Reply
    • Jodie Byrne says:

      Hi Sariah,
      An inventory will save a lot of headache down the track – especially if there are multiple boxes of books that she may need to go through to find the one she wants. I always advise doing your homework before deciding which storage facility to store at. Hopefully your sister finds the right storage solution for her collection of books. Thanks for your comment 🙂

      Reply
  18. Lilia Robberts says:

    Just got kicked out of my home by my mother who technically owns the home. I don’t have anywhere to live yet, so I will need to find a great place to store my things. I need to figure out how I can pack and plan better. Thank you for letting me know that I should use boxes whenever I can, and I should make sure I seal them well with duct tape.

    Reply
    • Jodie Byrne says:

      Hi Lilia,
      I am sorry to hear about your situation. Storage is a great short term solution for anyone that needs to relocate and can help you sort through things in a more organised manner while you are dealing with more stressful things. Boxes will be your lifesaver when you move in a hurry as they are easily stackable in your car as you transport them and also in the storage unit. Securing your boxes with good quality tape will keep the items inside safe and clean while being stored. Thanks for taking the time to comment on my post in such a stressful time.

      Reply
  19. Gerty Gift says:

    I liked what you said about making an inventory of everything that you’re putting in the space. My friends have been telling me that I should put some of my things in storage since they won’t all fit in our new home. I’ll be sure to look into some of my options and see what would work best for me. I think that an inventory will really help me to keep track of my things.

    Reply
    • Jodie Byrne says:

      Hi Gerty,
      An inventory of my items in storage have definitely helped me when I am looking for an item – it has saved me hours! Your friends have some good advice as storage can help you stay organised and de-clutter space in the home. I always have a rule that if it has been in storage for 12 months or more and I have not missed it or needed it, then it is time to let go of it. Good luck 🙂

      Reply
  20. Heidi Bookenstock says:

    My family and I are going to be traveling for the next couple of months. We’ve decided to put some of our stuff in a storage unit and rent out some of the rooms in our house. I like the tips and tricks in this article, it’s a great idea to clearly mark fragile boxes.

    Reply
    • Jodie Byrne says:

      Hi Heidi,
      Keeping your stuff in storage while you travel is an inexpensive way to ensure your stuff is protected while you are away. Great idea to rent out some of the rooms in your house as storage can be cheaper than paying rent on a unit/house while you are gone. Happy and safe travels 🙂

      Reply
  21. Hazel Owens says:

    That’s good to know that removalists can easily get all your items into a truck and then pack them in a storage unit the same way so that it uses every square inch. My husband and I are going to move into an apartment for about half a year since we are waiting for our home to be finished being built but we’re trying to figure out how to store everything. We’ll have to find a storage unit big enough to fit most of our stuff and that will be secure and then see if we can get removalists to help us pack it in.

    Reply
    • Jodie Byrne says:

      Hi Hazel,
      I find removalists the best people to stack a storage unit – they do it everyday and are the experts! If you need to access your stuff regularly in storage it is not ideal to use every square inch but if it is just sitting in there until you move it again make sure you get a removalist to do it for you. What you are paying by the hour will ultimately save you on your monthly storage fee. What is also great about self storage facilities is that they have different size units so you are only paying for the space that you need. Good luck with the move 🙂

      Reply
  22. easton memmott says:

    I really liked your tip to seal all of your boxes with tape to make sure that dust will not get on the stuff inside of the box. I am using a storage container between moving houses. I will be sure to seal all of my boxes with tape to ensure that they will not get dust inside of them.

    Reply
  23. Sarah Smith says:

    When I would help my grandmother get belongings out of her garage, I was never careful enough with every box and consistently broke some china. Your tip to clearly mark boxes as fragile if they contain glass or something easily broken is really helpful. Since I am looking for an affordable storage unit, I’ll be sure to take your advice when I’ve found one.

    Reply
  24. joy butler says:

    I have so much random stuff in my house that just causes a clutter. But, I can’t just get rid of it since there are some valuable items in there. Self storage seems like a great option for me. I like how you brought up how often you’re going to visit your unit and how that should determine how you pack. That will be something that I have to think about because there are some things I would potentially store that I would need access too.

    Reply
  25. Gillian Babcock says:

    My sister has a lot of books at home and it’s taking up so much space in our living room, so, she’s planning to put some of it in a storage. It was suggested here that she needs to fill boxes to capacity because it will be sturdier to stack in a storage. Furthermore, it’s ideal to consult professionals when considering using storage services.

    Reply
  26. Gerty Gift says:

    I liked your advice to clearly mark boxes that are fragile. My husband and I are talking about how we want to label everything that we’ll be moving this weekend. We will definitely focus on labeling and keep an eye out for this specifically.

    Reply
  27. Camille Devaux says:

    I have a friend that is thinking about getting a self-storage unit. She likes that you can look for a professional to stack your space. This is something that she is determined to find in a service.

    Reply
  28. Gillian Babcock says:

    My brother is planning to store most of his books in storage because it’s taking up space in his apartment. It was explained here that before storing things, he should make an inventory. Moreover, it’s recommended to consult experts when looking for self-storage units.

    Reply
  29. Stefan Bradley says:

    I like how you mentioned that making an inventory of the things that you are storing and listing the estimated replacement value helps you keep track of anything that might get damaged or go missing. I am hoping to find a storage unit so I can free up some space in my attic. When I decide to rent a unit, I will make sure to make a list of everything that I store inside so I know exactly where everything is.

    Reply
  30. Shayla Cademis says:

    Thanks for the suggestion to use boxes for packing to stack them easily and to protect items from dust and dirt. My husband and I are moving to an apartment while he attends graduate school, and we don’t have as much space as we currently do in our home for extra furniture and storage. We’ll have to start looking for storage units in our new area to store these items in the meantime. Hopefully we can get ahold of lots of boxes as well!

    Reply
  31. Jenna Hunter says:

    I really liked what you said about making an inventory of everything that is going into storage. My husband and I are actually thinking about getting some self-storage. We really want to fit some of the bigger toys in there like dirt bikes so it would be nice to get a professional company.

    Reply
  32. Glenn Walke says:

    My wife and I have been talking about finding a storage unit for when we move this fall, and we want to make sure that we could keep our belongings safe. I love that you said to mark your delicate items with a fragile label. When we pack our stuff up, I will be sure to utilize the fragile label.

    Reply
  33. Eli Richardson says:

    Thanks for suggesting getting shelves to have easy access and better visibility of the items. My cousin left for college, and my aunt wants to keep his belongings at home. I’ll recommend her putting the in a storage until so she can use the room while he is gone.

    Reply
  34. Oscar Morrison says:

    It’s helpful to remember that I should label more than one side of a box so it can be read from wherever it is in the storage unit. We’ll be putting a bunch of non-essentials into storage for a couple of months while we renovate parts of our house, but we might want to pull things out from time to time. Labeling it well so we don’t have to unpack the entire unit for one item would be smart.

    Reply
  35. Charlotte Fleet says:

    I never would have thought about making an inventory of everything inside the storage unit to make sure you know what you have. My husband and I are downsizing while he is in school but we need to keep some of our things out of the house. I think we should find a self-storage unit rental that can hold all of our things and make a list of all that we have.

    Reply
  36. Logan Antonio says:

    Your tips and tricks related to the self storage to make them more spacious is very helpful. With the help of your tips everyone can manage their space very easily. Your post explains everything. Whether it is home or office or other place it will help in all these areas. Keep it up.

    Reply
  37. Charlotte Fleet says:

    I like that you explain that you should pack your stuff based on how frequently you plan on accessing your items. My husband and I have to move homes and we won’t have a lot of space in our new home. I think we should look into finding a quality self-storage facility that fits our needs.

    Reply
  38. Charlotte Fleet says:

    I like that you mention that you should try and put your most accessible items at the front to make them easier to get to. My husband and I need some extra space while we are moving. I think we should find a self-storage facility to help keep things organized while we move.

    Reply
  39. Faylinn says:

    Something that I had not thought about is how it is important to make an inventory of the things that you will be stored in the unit, and a good way to do this is by taking pictures, as you explained. My mom is looking to move to a 55+ community soon and during the move, she will need to find a self-storage unit that can help her keep her things during the process. If it was up to me I would make sure that everything is neatly organized and clean so I would not have to worry about messes in the future.

    Reply
  40. Darrien Hansen says:

    Thank you for explaining how you should consider how often you will be using your belongings so that you can store them in your unit appropriately. My sister has been looking for a way to store her camping supplies since she recently moved to a home that doesn’t have a garage, but she needs to make sure that she will be able to access her gear when she goes on camping trips during the summer. Hopefully, she can find a facility that will suit her needs.

    Reply
  41. Kate Hansen says:

    It’s good to know that you should seal boxes to keep dust out. My husband and I need to rent a storage unit. We’ll make sure to keep these tips in mind once we find one to rent.

    Reply

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