How To Organize Your Self Storage Unit For Optimal Use

Renting self storage is a smart way of optimizing your space at home — but your storage unit also needs optimizing. Most people usually pay little attention to organizing belongings in their storage unit. That’s unfortunate, because, on one hand, you might be underutilizing a space that you’re paying for. On the other hand, a poorly organized self storage unit makes it difficult to find specific items when you need them. Thus, you might end up spending money on stuff you already own, solely because you can’t find it.

Here’s how to organize your self storage unit so that all your belongings are stored safely and are easy to locate when you need them:

Start by selecting the right unit size and type

Pick a unit size that allows you to store all your belongings comfortably. You can’t truly organize the space if you have to fill it to the brim. Leave pathways so that you can reach every item stored in the unit without having to move your belongings around. To do that, you need to rent a unit big enough for all your things — with some room to spare.

Some comparisons might help you understand how much space some of the most popular unit sizes provide, and which one is the right choice. For example, a 5’x5’ unit is about as big as your standard home closet, while a 10’x10’ storage unit can be compared to a small bedroom. A 10’x20’ unit, on the other hand, resembles the size of a standard home garage, so it provides plenty of space for a variety of belongings, from furniture and appliances to a vehicle. A second weighty decision, at this point, is about the type of storage. You can get non-climate-controlled units or climate-controlled ones. The latter tend to be a bit more expensive, but they are a better choice in case of long-term storage, particularly when it comes to fragile belongings, like antiques, collectibles, electronics and so on.

Separate your belongings based on category

Category-based organizing is one of the most efficient ways of dealing with your belongings, whether at home or in your self storage unit. Regardless of the unit size you are renting, separating your belongings into categories will help you find everything faster, without digging through stacks of boxes. There are two main categories of belongings people keep in self storage: bulky items, such as furniture, appliances, and large tools, and small items that usually are packed in boxes. We’re talking about items such as seasonal decorations, collectibles, sports gear, memorabilia, clothing, books and so on. While you’re not going to have issues finding a sofa in a storage unit, the small items are trickier.

Start by separating them — set all your belongings on the floor and create separate piles for each category of items. Then, pack them in boxes (color-coded boxes for each category of belongings is a neat trick). Label each box, depending on its contents — holiday decorations can be a broad category that includes everything from Halloween costumes to Christmas decorations. It helps to be as specific as possible when labeling the boxes.

Set up zones inside the unit

Separating your belongings into categories certainly helps, but you need to take things a step further and apply the same principle to the unit itself. Create zones inside the unit for each category of belongings: one area for sports gear, another for home appliances, a different one for clothing and so on. This type of “zoning” should be based on how often you need to access each type of item. Things that you use more frequently should be located close to the storage unit’s entrance, or at eye level, in a spot that’s easy to access. Similarly, the items that you normally use only once per year, such as holiday decorations, can be placed in the back of the unit.

Disassemble the furniture

Disassembled furniture takes significantly less space in the storage unit than in its bulky, assembled state. If you are storing furniture long term, take it apart when possible. It’s not just a matter of saving space inside the unit — it’s also safer and easier to transport and store the furniture this way. Make sure that each element of the furniture is wrapped individually, and pack all the fittings in sturdy bags, taping them to the furniture component they belong to. Don’t place the furniture directly on the storage unit’s floor. Instead, use pallets or a sturdy tarp to avoid any damages associated with moisture and mildew.

Maximize vertical storage

Most storage units are eight feet tall, which means there’s some vertical space that’s worth using. If you are renting a unit for long-term storage, it’s worth installing shelves inside the unit. This will make organizing the storage unit a lot easier, and your belongings will be safer. Line the walls of the storage unit with sturdy metal shelving. Use the shelves for boxes and other smaller items. This way, the area in the middle of the storage unit remains free for larger items, such as appliances and furniture. Just make sure you leave a pathway so that you have access to all the shelves.

If you don’t want to install shelving, you can still maximize the vertical space as long as you follow some rules to prevent damage to your belongings. Always start with the heavier items at the bottom — however, make sure you don’t pile excessive weight on things like furniture or appliances. As a general rule, avoid placing boxes on top of varnished surfaces (like a wooden table) or on upholstered furniture, as it can damage them. Also, don’t stack anything on mattresses. Lay them horizontally on a flat surface to ensure that you’ll be able to sleep on them comfortably once they’re out of storage.

Lastly, keeping a master inventory list to track what’s stored and where will simplify future visits to your storage unit and ensure nothing gets lost in the shuffle.