Moving house often prompts the need for short or long-term storage. Do you know how to pack a storage unit? If you’re moving to a new city and haven’t bought a home yet, you may put your non-essential items in storage. If you’re downsizing, you may also put items in storage so you don’t clutter your new home. When storage units aren’t packed properly, you risk damaging items, or making it really hard to find something when you need it. Here are some tips for the best results.

How much space do you need?

Work out how much space you need before you book your unit, otherwise you’ll be heading home with all the items that don’t fit. Aim to fit everything inside the unit with space to spare. You’ll be grateful for that decision further down the track.

Good planning makes this job easier. Make a list of the furniture, appliances and boxes you plan to store and be generous with your estimate of space required. We recommend making a full inventory if you’re putting items into storage. Read on to find out why.

What type of unit do you need?

Storage units come in different shapes and sizes and have different features. These can include any or all of the following: ventilation, climate control, pest control, weather protection, special access and security. A basic unit may be adequate for short-term storage, but if you plan to store electronics, appliances, clothing, soft furnishings or special items like musical instruments, it’s worth upgrading to a better unit.

Don’t skip cleaning and preparation.

Before putting anything in your unit, clean the unit thoroughly. Check for hazards such as leaks or cracks in the walls, which pests can get through. If it doesn’t have climate control or water or weather protection, put down pallets and cover them with a tarp.

Make an inventory

Once you’ve finalised what you’re putting into storage, make a list of all the items, including what boxes you’ve put them in. Include photos, makes, models and serial numbers where applicable. This may seem like lots of extra work, but it has two main benefits:

• You’ll be able to find an item easily if you need it.
• It’ll be easier to make an insurance claim if anything gets stolen.

Packing your storage unit

1. Furniture

Avoid wrapping furniture in plastic as this will only encourage mildew. Cover furniture with old sheets so the air can circulate around each item and to protect it from dust. Avoid using tape to secure sheets, as long-term application could damage fabric or finishes.

2. Appliances

Any appliance that uses water should be well-drained before storage. For each item, find out what the manufacturer recommends for storing the item while it’s not in use. Typically, items such as fridges, for example, need the door ajar to avoid developing odours and moisture buildup.

3. Electronics

If you have the original packaging for electronics, always use it, as it is designed for storing the item long-term and while not in use. If you don’t have this available, remove any batteries and wrap each item in bubble wrap. Tag and label cords and wires. Electronics need cool, dry storage environments, and are best stored in units with climate control.

4. Clothing

Pack clothing in plastic containers to protect them from dust and mildew. The best kind are stackable boxes with clip-on lids. Moth balls are also a good idea, as the odour is preferable to getting your clothes ruined.

How to organise your unit

There are two considerations you’ll need to make when organising your unit: access and maximising storage. You may take one approach or the other, or a combination of both depending on your needs.

1. Access to items

If you need access to various items, such as winter clothing or sports equipment, you’ll need to put these in accessible locations in the unit. This is where your inventory will shine. Any low priority item should go at the back of the unit. High priority items need to go at the front. Alternatively, consider putting metal shelving into the unit to make high priority items easier to store and find.

Make your life even easier by putting descriptive labels on boxes if you need to access any items. If you feel it’s necessary, you can also make a map as you pack your unit. Do this however suits you best. You may want to draw a map, or you may want to make a note on your inventory like, ‘left side, bottom, back.’

2. Maximising storage

If you don’t need access to items, pack your unit efficiently in the best method for long-term storage. Disassemble furniture if possible to reduce wasted space. Use drawer space to store small boxes and fragile items. Pack oddly shaped items into plastic, stackable boxes using any additional protection such as bubble wrap if needed.

Start at the bottom and work your way up. The strongest and heaviest items should go on the bottom. Work your way up considering weight, so the lightest items sit on the top layer. If you think you may need access at some point, consider leaving an aisle to access items stacked at the back.

That’s it, you’re done! We hope you found this article useful. If you need any further information or help with storage, we’re always happy to help.