The Ultimate Checklist Before Moving Your Items Into Storage

Preparing for self storage takes more effort and planning than throwing your items into miscellaneous boxes and placing them in your storage unit at random. Carving out a little time to prepare for storage before you move in can save you a world of hassle down the road.

Let our team at Overflow Garage guide you through our checklist of what to do before you move into your storage unit.

Assess Your Needs

Before you bring out the boxes and sort through your belongings, ask yourself why you need self storage. There are many reasons to rent self storage, including general decluttering, home improvement projects, and moves.

Think about how you’ll use your storage unit and make your remaining decisions from there. Knowing what you need helps avoid frustration over misused space later on.

Declutter and Sort Your Belongings

After you determine your storage needs, remove your belongings from your closets, drawers, and cabinets, and organize them into groups. We recommend sticking with themes such as kitchen items, clothing, seasonal items, and media. If you don’t have space for it in your home, put it in storage. You’ll be shocked at how much space you’ll create.

Select the Right Storage Unit Size

Once you have your belongings sorted and grouped, browse the available storage unit options at your local storage facility to find the space that's perfect for you. Popular storage unit sizes include:

• 5x5 storage unit. Equivalent to a walk-in closet.
• 5x10 storage unit. Equivalent to a large shed.
• 10x10 storage unit. Equivalent to half a small garage.
• 10x15 storage unit. Equivalent to a large bedroom.
• 10x20 storage unit. Equivalent to a small garage.
• 10x30 storage unit. Equivalent to a large garage.

Use our storage unit size guide for more details about each of these popular options.

How To Pack for Storage

Learn how to protect your belongings with a few packing tips throughout your storage preparation. Here are some pieces of advice to consider:

Choose the Right Storage Boxes

A critical part of packing is getting the ideal set of supplies. Determine whether you need cardboard boxes or plastic bins for storage and find corresponding container sizes for your items. If you plan to clean out your wardrobe, look into storage bags for clothes.

Avoid Overpacking

Think about move-in day and how many heavy items you want to carry. Not overpacking can help smooth out your move into your storage unit, as you don’t have to strain your back to unload or load your belongings. It also helps the free margins in your box be used to add padding material for added protection on your more fragile items.

How To Prepare Furniture for Storage

One great way to maximize space in your storage unit is to dismantle any furniture. Clean all parts of your furniture once dismantled. Keep all loose parts, such as nuts and bolts, together and organized for each piece of furniture. For added protection for those items you can’t disassemble, invest in furniture coverings.

Find Your Ideal Storage Unit Today at Overflow Garage

With the perfect storage unit in mind, come to Overflow Garage and rent the space you need. We have several state-of-the-art storage facilities, each offering a range of storage unit sizes and types to meet various needs. Contact our team online to rent or reserve your storage unit today!