5 Tips to Stretch Your Space (and Dollar) with Self Storage
With the turbulent and difficult economic times, people are always looking for ways to save money until the economy rebounds. One way you can save money is by getting the most out of a self storage unit without having to pay for more space. This frees up space in your house as well. If you are looking for somewhere to store some seasonal stuff that you don’t need, ClearHome Self Storage has you covered. If you have a storage unit already, here are some tips on how to pack a storage unit to help make it feel bigger.
Get High-Quality Boxes
Though it may seem easier and more cost-efficient to reuse boxes that you or someone else has used to move or boxes that packages have arrived in, this can lead to more issues within the storage unit. Damaged boxes are not structurally sound enough to use for stacking, especially if you are placing heavier items on top of boxes that aren’t full. To avoid damaging the items you place in storage, you want to make sure you have sturdy boxes.
The sturdier a box is, the less likely pests and debris are to get into it as well. Even if there are only small holes in your boxes, you would be amazed at how rodents and insects are able to squeeze into them and mess with your stuff. The last thing you want is to move your boxes into your home to bring a horde of spiders or piles of dust with them.
You also want to make sure your boxes are relatively clean on the outside to easily and clearly label what is inside of them or which room they go to. This makes it easier to find boxes that you may need later.
Utilize Vertical Storage
Only placing items on the ground in a storage unit is a waste of space and makes your storage unit feel smaller than it really is. Though you likely already have some items stacked on top of others, you still may be wondering how to use vertical space for storage. There are more options than you think.
Big Boxes on the Bottom
Big boxes are almost an unavoidable part of your storage process, but they do not have to be an unnecessary evil when it comes to making the most of your storage unit. So long as you have sturdy boxes with non-breakable items inside them, you can use your larger boxes as the base to stack other boxes on top of them. If you have a tall box, you can also turn it on its side to take up less vertical space and provide you with more stacking room.
Be aware that any stacking should be done safely to make sure you won’t become part of a storage avalanche.
Use Other Stackable or Storable Items
Boxes aren’t the only things you can stack other items or boxes on. Couches, tables, and chairs are some examples of items that you can place other items or boxes on to use more vertical space. Another great way to use vertical space is to fill dressers or wardrobes with anything that will fit since they will already be taking up room.
Take Apart Furniture
If there are pieces of furniture that can easily be reassembled or pieces that you don’t often use, it can be more beneficial to deconstruct them for storage. Tables are excellent examples of furniture that can be better stored if it’s taken apart. This not only gives you more room but can help prevent the awkward bowing that happens when a table is stored on its side for a long time.
Use Freestanding Shelves
Another way to free up some floor space is to buy freestanding shelves to stack boxes or storage bins on. While there is some additional cost to purchasing the shelves, they are reusable and make great additions for storage in garages or sheds. Even if you aren’t able to use them after utilizing them for self storage, you can sell them or give them to someone else in need.
Work from the Outside
When it comes to the best way to pack a storage unit, it is important to work from the outside into the middle. Big and bulky items should be placed on the edges of the storage unit so you are maximizing the middle area for walking room instead of storage. By placing the larger items first, you also provide yourself with an opportunity to see how much vertical space you can use immediately. Be sure to leave an open area in the middle to be able to access anything you may need while you are using your storage unit.
Figuring out how to utilize any given space can be difficult. It can also be challenging to know exactly what size of storage unit you may need and when it’s time to move into a larger unit. If you are trying to stretch your dollar as far as possible, you likely want to use these tips to maximize all the space in your storage unit to avoid spending more money on room you don’t need. If you do find yourself having to size up, ClearHome Self Storage has plenty of storage options available!