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Renting a storage unit can literally be a lifesaver when you run out of room at home or at work. But here’s the thing. If you just start piling boxes and furniture inside without thinking, you will run out of space much faster than you expect. The trick is to use the space wisely so you can fit more in without damaging anything or making it impossible to reach your things later.
With a little planning and some simple yet super effective techniques, you can turn even the smallest unit into a neatly organised storage spot that works for you. Let’s break down how to make the most of every inch.
Plan Before You Move Anything In
It’s tempting to just load everything into the unit as soon as you get it, but you need to make sure that you plan things properly before you move ahead.
This will give you the exact idea of how much storage you will need and how many boxes you can fit.
Stick to Boxes of the Same Size
One of the biggest space-wasters in storage units is mismatched boxes. When the boxes are different sizes, they don’t stack evenly, and you end up with gaps you can’t use. If possible, use boxes that are all the same size.
They’re easier to stack and much more stable. Make sure to label each box clearly on at least two sides so you don’t have to move everything just to see what’s inside. Put heavier boxes at the bottom, which is the common rule.
Fill Boxes to the Top
Half-filled boxes aren’t just a waste of space; they’re also risky. They can collapse as the weight of other boxes could be more, damaging the contents and making the stacks unstable. If you don’t have the right items, you can use towels or other similar protective materials for storage to fill it up.
Add Shelving
If you really want to take your organisation to the next level, invest in some freestanding shelves for your storage unit. Instead of stacking boxes on top of each other, you can place them on shelves.
This makes it much easier to see what you have and to grab what you need without pulling everything apart. Shelving is also great for airflow, which helps keep your items in better condition.
Dismantle Large Furniture
Furniture can easily take up a lot of valuable space, but you can reduce the footprint by taking it apart. Remove legs from tables, dismantle bed frames, and stack chairs upside down on top of each other.
Keep all the screws and fittings in a small bag, label it, and tape it securely to one of the furniture pieces so nothing gets lost.
Store Items Inside Other Items
Make use of every bit of available space. Fill drawers, suitcases, and even the inside of appliances with smaller items. Just remember to clean appliances first and leave their doors slightly open to prevent moisture build-up.
Think Vertical
Your storage unit isn’t just a floor. There’s height to work with, too. Use tall shelving units or stack items to make use of the vertical space.
If you are stacking without shelves, always put the heaviest and sturdiest items at the bottom, then work upward with lighter pieces. Check your stacks for stability before walking away.
Leave a Path to the Back
It’s tempting to pack your unit wall-to-wall, but if you don’t leave yourself an aisle, you’ll end up moving half the unit to get to something you stored months ago.
A small walkway through the middle or to one side makes a huge difference. It also means less heavy lifting when you only need one or two things.
Store Items by Priority
Keep the things you’ll need most often at the front of your unit. Items you won’t touch for months can go toward the back. This way, you won’t have to dig through everything every time you visit.
Protect Your Belongings
Fitting more into your unit is important, but keeping your items safe is just as critical. Use covers for furniture, store fragile items in padded boxes, and use plastic bins for anything that could be damaged by moisture.
Go with Experts All in One Experts
If you want to make sure your unit is set up properly from day one, getting advice from storage professionals can make all the difference. At Hills Self Storage, the team has been helping people store their belongings since 2001. That’s over two decades of experience in knowing what works and what doesn’t.
They can help you choose the right size unit, suggest the best way to arrange your items, and give tips on how to keep things in good condition while they’re stored. Their experience means they’ve seen every storage challenge you can imagine, and they know how to solve them.
Avoid the Common Mistakes
- Overstacking boxes at a higher height.
- Using flimsy boxes with weird shapes
- Forgetting to label items, which turns retrieval into a guessing game
- Packing directly against the walls without leaving room for airflow, which can lead to dampness
Check and Reorganise
If you’re keeping items in storage for more than a few months, visit your unit regularly. You might be able to remove things you no longer need, donate unused items, or rearrange the layout to make more space for new additions.
Keeping the unit organised will help you make the most of the space you’re paying for and prevent it from becoming a mess you dread dealing with.
Final Thoughts
Maximising space in your storage unit is about being smart with the way you pack and arrange things. Start with a plan, stick to sturdy boxes of the same size, make use of shelving, dismantle big items, and think vertically as well as horizontally.
And if you’re unsure where to start, reach out to experienced storage providers like Hills Self Storage. With their years of hands-on experience, they can guide you in setting up your unit in a way that saves space and keeps your belongings safe.
With the right approach, your self-storage unit can hold more than you think, and you’ll still be able to find exactly what you need when you need it.Still confused? Use our “Storage Calculator” to know how much space you will need.
