Top Storage Tips for Storing Your Things

Storage facilities may become necessary under many circumstances, both expectedly and unexpectedly. Whether bridging the gap between moves, storing away for college, or managing an inherited estate, renting a storage unit offers secure, convenient, and easy-to-find options for those needing a storage solution.

To help make your storage experience as smooth and hassle-free as possible, ACE Moving and Storage offers a list of helpful tips for storing and organizing your possessions. Here are some tips to get you started. 

Choose the Right Storage Facility

Before you pack it up, you first need to decide where, for how long, and what exactly you need to store. Some items such as leather couches and instruments may need a climate controlled setting and hours of accessibility may be important based on your needs. Here are some things to consider when searching for a storage facility:

• Self storage or Full-service storage 

• Climate control

• Degree of accessibility. 24-hour access to the storage units? Open Sundays and/or Holidays? Match facility’s hours to your availability before renting a unit.

• Number and type of locks

• Video monitoring

• In-person surveillance

• Pricing and contracts offered

• Sizes offered

• Overall safety and security of the facility

• Online reviews of the facility

Here at ACE Moving and Storage, we offer well-secured storage solutions in climate controlled and fire-proof buildings with 24 hour surveillance. Whether you want to self-store or require full-service storage, we have you covered! 

Contact us today for a quote and ask us about flate-rate storage units! 

Take Inventory of Your Belongings 

Before packing away what you need to store, take a comprehensive inventory of what you have. This will enable you to know and keep track of what is in your unit. It also offers some security for your belongings, especially if you decide to self store - in which the facility is not responsible for taking inventory of your unit. Full-service storing options often offer this as part of their service.  

Pack Properly

This is a vital step in moving and storing your belongings. It does make all the difference at the end of the day. We recommend cleaning your things before packing: dusting, wiping down, and washing (shelf items, kitchen utensils, fabric furniture, etc.). Also, consider going through each room and doing a declutter of things that will only take up valuable space in your unit (and time and energy packing!) Check out our insightful tips about packing to prepare for a move and kitchen packing to get acquainted with the process. You can also talk to us about packing for you. 

Loading Your Storage Unit

Once you have everything packed, it’s time to move! As with any move, having the right resources, help, and time is important. If you need assistance, we are here to help you! 

If you’re self storing, there are some special tips to keep in mind when loading the storage unit. 

• Stack Based on Fragility, Store Based on Accessibility

Start with heavier, more durable items on bottom, working up to more fragile and lightest weight. Stack evenly and ensure smaller boxes aren’t under larger boxes. As you’re packing your storage unit, ensure the items you think you might be removing regularly are packed up front for easy access. 

• Stack to the Ceiling

Save money by maximizing your space. Utilizing vertical space will help you use the full space of your unit, especially if you pack well! Sturdy boxes will negate the need for shelving, but if you want to limit weight on the bottom boxes, consider a shelving unit which will still utilize vertical space. 

• Make an Aisle

Fill your storage unit from the walls, moving inward. Leave a path or two for yourself, depending on your unit size. This will help you access boxes when you need to remove items from your unit. 

• Disassemble Furniture

This can take some time, but it will save space! Take apart all items designed to be 

assembled/broken down such as table and chair legs, lamps, some book shelves, and 

bed frames. Not only will this help these items fit into smaller spaces, but it will also 

prevent damage. Items that cannot be disassembled can have the hollows utilized. Hutches, cabinets, dressers, and garbage cans for example, can have lighter weight or fragile things stored on/in them. 

• Use vacuum seal bags

In the spirit of saving space, packing linens and fabrics such as clothing, bedding, 

towels, and curtains can save space as well as protect them from any potential moisture or pests (depending on the storage unit you choose). 

When in doubt, call us out!

Packing and storing is a challenging task for anyone, especially for anyone taking it on alone. Heavy items, oddly shaped items, fragile items, and just a large load of things or a short time frame may require some help. A reputable storage company like ours here at ACE can direct you to the proper packing materials and give you general storage advice for your unit and belongings. We can also do it all for you; from packing, labeling, loading, and storing your goods, let us ACE your next move!