Untitled

How to Choose a Right Size Self Storage Unit

You can easily estimate how much storage space you need, if you know what you want to store. Make a list of all the items to be stored, and group them to make it easy for you to organize them. Try to use boxes there are same in sizes. Keep the heavy and sturdy boxes on bottom, light and fragile boxes on top. Label your boxes and keep the items you are going to need to access often, together in the same group. Boxes you are going to need access frequently, must be placed closer to the front. There are also storage bins, heavy-duty stack-able drawers you can use for different items.

Here is quick-reference guide to help you figure out what size of unit you will need. This unit size recommendations based on commonly-stored personal or business items:

Storage of Personal/Household Items:

5' x 5' Unit (25 sq. ft.) – Will hold a chest of drawers, a small mattress set, boxes and small items. Good for garden tools, or seasonal decorative items.

5' x 10' Unit (50 sq. ft.) – Will hold furnishings of a mid-size bedroom, including a queen-size bed, dresser, TV, and a few medium size boxes.

10' x 10' Unit (100 sq. ft.) – Will hold the contents of an entire family room or two full bedrooms.

10' x 15' Unit (150 sq. ft.) – Will hold the contents of up to three bedrooms in this unit. Recommended for larger items such as pianos, couches, tables, or large-screen TVs.

10' x 20' Unit (200 sq. ft.) – Will hold the contents of a five-bedroom house, including a refrigerator, washer/dryer, dining room table, chairs and large boxes.

10' x 30' Unit (300 sq. ft.) – Will hold the contents of a 5- to 7-bedroom house, including large items such as a couch, bed, fridge, and entertainment center.

Storage of Business Items:

5' x 5' Unit (25 sq. ft.) – Will hold the contents of a large office closet filled with files, books, office chairs, and a few storage boxes.

5' x 10' Unit (50 sq. ft.) – Will hold the contents of one office room, including desks, bookcases, filing cabinets and large storage boxes. Ideal for storing equipment and tools.

10' x 10' Unit (100 sq. ft.) – Will hold the contents of an entire office, including desks, chairs, computers and a few storage boxes.

10' x 15' Unit (150 sq. ft.) – Will hold the contents of three office rooms could fit in this size unit, including several desks, computers and boxes.

10' x 20' Unit (200 sq. ft.) – Will hold the contents of five office rooms (desks, computers, bookcases and file cabinets) in this size, or a five-year supply of business and tax files.

10' x 30' Unit (300 sq. ft.) – Will hold the contents of five office rooms – many desks, several large boxes, seasonal storage, a few sets of large storage shelves and/or a few pallets of inventory, depending on how high you stack them.

Use furniture drawers to hold delicate items. Wrap them in bubble wrap or newspaper.
When packing toys or smaller objects, remember to fill boxes completely, stuffing open areas with plain newspaper to prevent collapsing when stacked.
Be careful not to store anything combustible (such as paint and chemicals) or perishable (such as food that is not permanently sealed).
When storing lawn and garden equipment, drain any fluids prior to storage in order to avoid corrosive damage.
Use trash cans to store shovels, hoes and rakes.
Always use high quality locks on your unit. Space Station sells locks on-site; ask the Store Manager for details.
When storing delicate heirlooms, use specially constructed boxes, such as wardrobe boxes, and utilize dehumidifiers to prevent mildew build up.
Store furniture carefully on boards or pallets.
Cover mattresses and store them flat on level surfaces.
Store small items like pots and pans in large appliances, such as stoves or refrigerators.
Break down items (such as table legs) and store large furniture (like table tops and sofas) on end to save space.
Use protective covers and treat wood surfaces before storing.
When storing business files, label all boxes and construct aisles so files are easily seen and accessible.
Clean furniture, boxes and the storage unit of all food and perishables.

Choosing Boxes and Packing Materials

Once the decision to move things into storage is made, the next step is to decide how to pack them correctly. The first step is finding boxes. Many of us have made the mistake of going to local liquor stores or grocery stores, only to find that they break down boxes almost as soon as they receive them. If they do save boxes, they typically are a variety of different sizes, somewhat damaged, or contaminated with bugs or food residue.

Buying boxes may seem at first to be a luxury expense, but the purchase is certainly worth the investment if it safely preserves your belongings. Here are several reasons for purchasing boxes:

Reasons for Purchasing Boxes

-The total number of needed boxes can be purchased in one trip, rather than hunting from store to store and relying on what’s available.

-The sizes of boxes are standard and predictable (Small, Medium, Large, Extra-Large), rather than working with whatever sizes are available.

-Boxes are often grooved so that the flaps can be bent to accommodate different sizes.

-Although most boxes are standard in dimension and intended for general use, there are unique boxes specifically designed for a purpose, such as telescoping boxes for large mirrors or pictures, and wardrobe boxes with built-in hanging rods.

-Using boxes of the same size and shape makes stacking easy.

-Durability and cleanliness are guaranteed.

-Sturdy, quality boxes provide extra protection for fragile items and won’t collapse as easily under other boxes.

-Moving companies typically require quality, well-sealed boxes and may repack them at an extra charge if they are flimsy or dirty.

-Whereas discarded boxes are intended for temporary use, purchased boxes can be used and reused over the long term; one way to reuse them is to cut the tops off boxes and stack on them on their sides to create shelving in the storage unit.

-When boxes are no longer needed, they can be broken down in neat stacks and donated or given away.

The expense of purchasing boxes can be mitigated with smart choices when it comes to packing materials and methods. Here are some steps to save money and avoid headaches:

Tips for Choosing & Using Packing Materials

-When choosing box sizes, keep in mind not just what they can store, but how easy they will be to transport; choose smaller boxes for books and heavy items, and larger boxes for linens and clothing.

-Avoid using newsprint to wrap items – the ink can transfer and stain; consider using clean, plain wrapping/butcher paper, quality paper towels or thin foam sheets for inexpensive items, and felt or bubble wrap for valued breakables.

-Estimate how much tape you’ll need to secure both the bottoms and tops of boxes (they may be turned upside down or topple during the move) and then buy double that amount of tape (it goes fast).

-Dish pack and glass pack kits are boxes that come with cardboard dividers and foam pockets for easy packing; plastic, fabric-lined dish storage containers can be purchased at house wares retailers.

-Fill boxes full, but not too full – boxes with loose contents can wobble and shift, and boxes that are too full can crush contents when being moved; use packing peanuts, clothing or towels to fill in spaces.

-Rolls of shrink wrap can be purchased to wrap cabinets, appliances, dressers and desks to keep drawers and doors shut; remove shrink wrap after relocation.

-Mattress covers and sofa covers can be purchased for the move; sealed plastic covers should not be left on for long-term storage as moisture can promote the growth of mold and mildew – a canvas tarp or sheet is recommended for a storage period lasting more than a week.

Storage facilities and packing supply stores offer a variety of packing supplies, boxes, locks, covers and other handy items. Your self-storage facility manager can be a great resource for creative ways to use these materials to solve packing and moving problems.

How to Store Clothing and Furs:

Just folding garments and putting them in a box, bag or bin, however, can be a costly mistake. There are specific ways to pack clothes – especially those made with quality fabrics, leather or fur – to preserve them well. The following are steps you can take to prevent damage to fabrics and furs, and get the most out of both your clothing and self-storage.

Choosing a Storage Solution

Choose a space that will be cool and dry all year long. Your garage may seem like the logical place to store extra clothing, but fluctuations in temperature, exposure to sunlight and pests can cause significant damage to fabrics, leather and fur. Cooler temperatures help prevent mold growth, the presence of pests, molting of furs and drying out of leather.

A climate-controlled self-storage unit keeps the temperature between approximately 50 and 80 degrees with the use of central air and heat. When comparing storage facilities, ask about the availability of climate control, air conditioning and dehumidifiers.

Sunlight can cause fading and attract insects. Using see-through plastic storage containers may make it convenient to see what’s inside, but if stored in a windowed garage or basement they can open up the possibility for some unpleasant surprises. Self-storage units offer the necessary darkness needed for proper preservation.