When you’re organizing storage units, it’s important that you organize them efficiently. If you’re meticulous about how you organize your storage locker, you’ll be able to maximize space.
This article will tell you how you can organize your storage lockers to get the most space possible:
Create a Master List
Before you even begin packing items away and storing them in your storage locker, you should create a master list. This list will contain the name of each item that you intend on storing in your storage locker. If you ever need to find a specific item and you’re not sure if it’s in your locker, then you can just refer back to your master list.
Plan a Layout
It’s also worth planning your locker’s intended layout on a piece of paper before you begin moving objects into it. This will give you the opportunity to take the locker’s measurements and properly organize them for maximum efficiency. Expert packers say that you should put furniture against the walls of your locker, boxes above, beneath, and around your furniture, and you should leave a path through the middle so that you can access everything when you need to.
Pick a Single Box Size
It’s important that you pick a single box size for most of your items. Same-size boxes are much easier to store and arrange. While you can fit more into a large box, it’s usually harder to move, and much heavier than a smaller box. With this in mind, you should go for small-to-medium-sized boxes. It’s also very difficult to move larger boxes if they’re at the bottom of a stack. With smaller boxes, this is not the case. You should also store Christmas decorations in ornament containers. They’re designed to keep everything safe and padded, and are worth the purchase for your more valuable Christmas items.
Larger boxes also take up a lot more space. This makes them very inefficient. You can fit much more, usually, into four smaller boxes than you can in a single large box, yet four smaller boxes will often only take up slightly more space.
Use Storage Racks
When you’re arranging your storage locker, it’s worth giving storage racks some thought. Storage racks are shelving units that are typically suspended from a locker’s walls. You can click here for ideas on how to hang your storage racks efficiently. Storage racks are definitely worth considering if you have a small-to-medium-sized locker.
Storage racks allow you to use 100% of your locker, instead of just the parts that you can reach. It’s worth also investing in a ladder so that you can reach items stored on these racks.
Identify Items You’ll Need to Access
There are probably going to be some items in your storage locker that you’ll need to access more frequently than others. Because of this, you should organize your locker so that these items are more toward the front and are easier to access. You could also put larger objects at the back of your locker to maximize space.
If you do not identify items that you’ll need to access, you could find yourself having to take everything out of your locker just to find a single item. This can be very time-consuming, especially if it happens again and again.
Reduce Clutter
To make your locker more spacious, reduce clutter. Ensure that all of your items are packed away properly inside boxes or containers. Do not leave items lying around on the floor. Clutter can make your locker feel a lot tighter, and it can also be dangerous.
Label Your Boxes
It’s also very important that you label your boxes. If your boxes are not labeled, locating items will become very confusing. If you do not have labels to hand, then you should mark the boxes with a code. Alternatively, you could just draw straight onto the boxes. Label your boxes meticulously to make it easier for you to locate specific items.
Invest in a Larger Unit
If you’re going to be really short on space, then it might just be worth investing in a larger unit. You can pack a lot into a small locker, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that it’ll be easy for you to get everything out again. Larger lockers do not cost much more than smaller lockers, and they can be much more efficient. It’s better to have too much space than not enough.
Using Pallets
It might also be worth investing in wooden and plastic pallets so that your belongings are not resting on the ground. If water gets into your locker, then your belongings can become damaged. Pallets also make it easier for you to get things out of your locker (provided that you have a forklift).
Stacking Boxes
When you’re stacking boxes in your storage locker, to maximize space, you should stack from the back to the front in order of need. The boxes that you need to access most often, as we mentioned above, should be at the front of your locker. The boxes you won’t need should go at the back. Larger, heavier boxes should form the base of your stacks. Stack lighter boxes on top of them.
When you’re stacking, avoid stacking too high and creating towers. Instead, use storage shelves like those mentioned previously. Boxes that are stacked too high can be dangerous.
Organize for Safety
Your locker should be organized for safety. Do not cram everything that you can into it, as this can be very dangerous. A locker that is not organized carefully can be a hazard for everybody that goes into it, and every item stored inside of it.
Create a Map
When you’ve organized your unit perfectly, you should create a map. This map will help you to locate items inside your locker. A map, in coordination with your master contents list, will make your storage locker much easier to access.
You could color coordinate your boxes and divide your locker into four sections. In each section, stack boxes of a specific color. This can be a very efficient way of organizing your locker.
Getting the most out of your locker means getting the most for your money. Instead of haphazardly arranging your locker, do it meticulously. The more careful you are, the more space you will have.
Instead of using cardboard boxes, think about keeping stuff in transparent containers
Do not misunderstand this; using cardboard boxes as storage is quite OK. They frequently cost cheaper than plastic dumpsters as well. Plastic containers, however, make it far simpler to keep track of the contents of your storage unit. The judgment is that they are frequently worth an additional few dollar. Clear plastic containers, as opposed to opaque cardboard boxes, allow you to see what is within a container without having to rummage through it. This will make finding what you need when you need it simpler and faster.
Dismantle furniture and upright-store items
Disassemble large pieces before storing them to make the most of the available space and before storing them to make the most of the available space and arrange them more effectively. This involves, among other things, dismantling table legs, headboards, bed frames, and mattresses. We advise placing individual objects vertically at the rear of a storage container (except for mattresses, which should be stored lying flat). You may make more room on the floor for other things if you store furniture, such as headboards, upright and to the side. Tips: If your dining table cannot be disassembled, consider utilizing it as additional shelves for piled boxes within the storage container.
Place bulky, hefty objects toward the rear, on the bottom
Start with big, hefty objects like furniture and bulky boxes when you start packing things into the storage container. Put them on the bottom of the storage unit, near the rear. Remember: Always place heavy objects on the bottom of the storage container unless you want to crush smaller and/or lighter boxes. For lighter goods, this establishes a solid foundation.
Put the things you use most regularly in the front
You probably have a few things in mind that you will use more regularly than others. For example, the spare bed you no longer have a place for probably will not be used for a while, but your baby’s pack ‘n-play definitely will. More frequently, you will also likely require seasonal apparel like thick jackets, boots, hats, flip-flops, and swimwear. Even though you will not need these things daily, you must visit the storage facility at least once a year to get them. These items should be stored in boxes or containers with clearly labeled compartments towards the front of your storage unit. You will avoid having to sift through mountains of boxes each time you visit the storage facility by placing them in an accessible location close to the door.
Make a central aisle
Your storage space might quickly turn into an impossible maze. Make a middle aisle instead of straining to reach the rear of your storage unit to save yourself the agony and humiliation. Your belongings will still have plenty of areas to spread out, and any boxes in the back of your storage unit are still within easy reach.
Allow them to breathe
Even if your storage container is climate-controlled, allowing air movement is still crucial. Packing boxes on top of pallets will allow air to circulate beneath them. Additionally, to allow for ventilation, think about leaving a little gap between the walls of your storage room and your belongings.
Get stylish and get shelving
Although you may not feel that your storage container needs shelves, it might be useful. By carefully stacking your belongings, you may make the most of the height of your storage space, but you might not want to put delicate items like glassware or wedding china on top of other items. Making the most of your available space with shelving also ensures that nothing will accidentally fall and shatter.
Never store mirrors or frames flat; always stand them up
Mirrors should be kept upright and in boxes; never flat. Additionally, it is strongly advised to use a safe and extensible picture box to store any mirrors and frames. By doing this, you can make the most of your storage space while ensuring that delicate things, such as picture frames and mirrors, are securely fastened inside your newly arranged area.
Use Arm & Hammer baking soda in appliances including microwaves, refrigerators, and cars
Baking soda from Arm & Hammer is a master at absorbing smells. For this reason, you need to keep major appliances, as well as any cars, in boxes. They will not smell while being kept thanks to the baking soda. Because baking soda also absorbs moisture, it will also lessen mold and mildew. Speaking of refrigerators, make sure to defrost yours before storing them.
Frequently Asked Questions
How should a storage unit be arranged?
With a strategy! The more planning and preparation you do before beginning to pack your unit, the more beneficial it will be in the long run. Labeling your boxes, making a master list, and planning out your storage space are some important suggestions.
How should furniture be arranged in a storage space?
Although taking apart your furniture, such as removing the legs, may seem difficult, doing so will improve the amount of room you have in your storage container. Stack tables and other furniture on top of one another if that is not possible. Try to load your furniture such that the foundation pieces are on a pallet or tarp instead of the floor. Make careful to wrap your furniture if you want to keep it for an extended period of time. It is also a wonderful idea to keep delicate objects, like furniture, in a climate-controlled storage facility that manages temperature and reduces humidity-related damage.
How should a small storage space be set up?
Making the most of your storage rental is crucial, especially if you have a tiny or compact storage unit with limited room. Stacking goods will help you make the most of your available space. Place the heaviest boxes at the bottom, followed by the lighter, smaller ones. Rakes, shovels, and brooms, as well as other objects with longer handles, can be stored inside trashcans.
What can I do to keep rodents out of my storage space?
Never keep perishable things in your storage facility to stop mice from moving in. No dry products, cereal, or even pet food. To avoid any unintended harm, you may also store products in plastic containers rather than cardboard boxes. Rodent prevention measures are in place at Store Space Self Storage to keep these invaders out of your storage space.
What is prohibited from being stored in a unit?
A few things cannot be stored in self-storage, despite the fact that they may be used for nearly everything. Toxic or flammable items should not be kept in storage. Additionally, you should not store perishables, live plants, weapons, and ammunition in a storage unit. Lastly, and maybe most obviously, never store anything alive, not even other people or animals. When deciding whether or not to place anything in a storage container, use common sense. Feel free to ask any of our storage specialists if you are unsure if anything can be stored!