Getting new furniture can be an exciting new chapter for your home. Out with the old and in with the new! But maybe you just aren’t quite ready to get rid of your old furniture. Maybe those pieces of furniture hold too many memories. Or, maybe you’re hoping to hand it down to someone who’s college-bound or moving out on their own. It may be impossible to bring yourself to sell or donate it so, what do you do?You could try storing it all in your garage, but it’ll most likely get damaged over time because let’s be honest, the garage is where everything gets dumped. Self-storage is quite possibly the best place to store what matters to you most but, before you do, we have some useful tips that will help you store it all more efficiently and safely. Here are 4 useful tips to remember when storing your furniture.
Find the right size self-storage unit
First thing’s first, before you store your old furniture, find the right storage size to fit all your stuff. The worst thing you can do is rent a unit that is too small. People tend to underestimate the size they’ll need. A good rule of thumb is to choose one slightly larger, so you’ll have just a little extra space. Check out our storage sizes in advance of your reservation or schedule a visit with one of our managers to ensure you get the right size.If you are trying to preserve your furniture or are storing antiques, it would be best to choose a unit that is climate-controlled. Fortunately, most units these days are; however, in cases where they’re not, consider wrapping your furniture with old sheets, drop cloths or store-bought wraps for long-term protection.
Store correctly, don’t cram
When it comes to storing things in a self-storage unit, the worst thing you can do is cram. Whether you are storing furniture or boxes, always arrange them in a way where they’re easy to access to prevent the hassle of moving things around. Making an isle with your boxes by stacking them in rows is one way to keep everything easily accessible and the unit neatly organized. Move your biggest pieces of furniture first, and place them in the very back of your unit. Use the front of the unit to store the things you may need access to more frequently. It is also a good idea to store your furniture off the floor by placing them on pallets. This will provide an extra layer of protection from flooding and problems arising from non-climate-controlled floors.
Disassemble furniture before storing it
Another important thing to remember when storing furniture is to disassemble when possible. We know, it seems tedious but, the idea is to maximize the amount of space you are using so that you can fit everything you need into the unit. This will also make it much easier when moving items in and out. Make sure you put any assorted screws and bolts into a labeled plastic bag along with the piece of furniture it goes with. This way it’ll be impossible for you to lose them!
Clean thoroughly and wrap your furniture
Before moving your furniture into the self-storage unit, clean it thoroughly to prevent any aging, mold or deterioration—especially if you are storing it long-term. Wrapping your furniture is also just as important as cleaning it. If you are planning on storing your furniture for more than a few months, wrapping can be really beneficial. It will also protect it from incurring any damage during the moving process. Whether it is old furniture or personal items, storing your stuff in a self-storage unit doesn’t need to be complicated or stressful. Following these tips will help ensure that your furniture is properly protected. Remember that Key Storage has many locations in 7 different states. Our climate-controlled units are the safest and most secure way to store your belongings year-round.
