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Organize Your Storage Unit for Maximum Storage and Convenience

January 16, 2015 | posted by admin | in Storage, Tips

Self storage units are a great solution for storing items you don’t have room for at home or that you don’t need access to frequently. It can also be a great place to store product inventory or documents for a home-based business. But like any space, without good organization it can quickly become cluttered and disorganized, making it difficult to find what you need when you need it. Some careful planning and organization will not only make it easier to locate items quickly but will also help you maximize your storage space.

The first step in your organizational plan is to take inventory of everything you intend to store in your self storage unit. This will help you determine what size of storage unit you will need. Make sure you choose one that has ample space so that you don’t have to cram everything in or dig through stacks of boxes when you need something. AAA Self Storage of Topeka has several sizes of self storage units to meet any needs and we offer month-to-month leases, allowing you to upsize or downsize your unit as needed.

Before you begin packing your items, make sure you have plenty of sturdy boxes, labels, markers, tape, and bubble wrap on hand. Plastic containers are a great option. They’re durable and will protect your belongings from moisture. Clear containers will allow you to see what’s in each box. Fill the boxes to capacity but don’t make them too heavy and make sure to distribute the weight evenly within the boxes. Wrap any delicate or breakable items with bubble wrap before putting them into the boxes. Be sure to put a detailed label on each box to make it easier to find items when you need them. AAA Self Storage of Topeka offers a large variety of packing supplies; boxes of all sizes, bubble wrap and packing paper, and tape to label and secure your boxes.

Next, draw a diagram of your storage unit and label where specific items will be placed. You may find that you need to make adjustments to your diagram as you move items into your storage unit, but having a diagram before you move will give you a good starting point. Keep the following in mind as you create your diagram:

• Consider using shelves to maximize your storage space and make it easier to access boxes placed down low.
• Place items you need to access frequently in the front of your unit and put items you use less often at the back.
• Furniture and appliances should be placed in the back and along the sides of your storage unit.
• Heavy items should be placed on the floor or on lower shelves.
• Put breakable items on high shelves or on the top of stacks.
• Arrange boxes so that like items are together.
• If you’re storing furniture with drawers or cabinets, fill them with smaller items.
• Create an aisle, or two if you have a large storage unit, to provide easier access to items in the back of the storage unit.

Once you have everything moved into your storage unit, make any necessary changes to your diagram and tape it to the wall near the door. You may also want to create an itemized list of everything in your storage unit to keep at home. Any time you add or remove something from your storage unit, be sure to also note the change on your diagram and inventory list.