Smart Packing and Storage

One advantage of storing items outside of your home or business is that they can be organized to suit your needs, but you have to give it some thought. These mostly commonsense packing and storage ideas won’t apply to everyone, but they can help make the most of your time, effort, and investment. You can be creative, too: “Commonsense” is the key word.

Packing

  1. Make a written list of what you plan to store beforehand and leave yourself plenty of time to get it done. Keep it updated when things change.
  2. Pro Tip: For back-up photograph or videotape items.
  3. Pack as much as you can in sturdy boxes tightly so items won’t move around. And check out containers designed for storage and stacking.
  4. Label every box and container. If you have very many items, number them all, too, and be sure the numbers match up with your list.
  5. Self-storage is great for clothes or other items that are seasonal (lawn mowers or snow blowers, for instance). Be sure to repair and get them in shape—when you need them again, they’ll be ready to go!
  6. Business papers and files, especially, need to be clearly organized and easily accessible. Special boxes are available if you want them.

Storage

  1. Store the items you will access most often near the front of the unit.
  2. Arrange items with “line of sight” in mind. Once everything is in, take a couple of photos from different angles to jog your memory of where things are.
  3. Larger items work well up against walls on the sides and in the back. They’re less likely to fall over and to hide other, smaller items.
  4. Yes, you can pile things on top of each other, but be careful to put heavier items on the bottom and to balance your stacks and position them with support all around so they won’t topple over.
  5. It’s important to be sure the bottom items can support the ones on top without being damaged themselves. Sometimes, it’s best to pack foundation items in sturdy containers, not just boxes.
  6. Try not to stack items higher than you can reach without a stool or ladder. Pro Tip: If you think you might need a ladder or stool very often, just buy one and leave it in your unit. That’s one less thing to worry about in your busy life and to avoid teeth-grinding frustration.
  7. You can, of course, “cram everything in,” but if you do, be sure to leave yourself room to maneuver easily.