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How To Organize a Storage Unit Like a Pro
By Susan Doktor MONEY RESEARCH COLLECTIVE
There are lots of reasons why you may want to rent a storage unit. Cases in point:
- You’re leaving town for an extended period — a year-long backpacking trip across the US or a sabbatical in Rome? — and need to let go of your apartment or rent your home while you’re away.
- Your kid has moved out of your family home and you’ve repurposed his/her/their bedroom into an entertainment room or home office, but you want to hold on to their bedroom furniture, books and precious mementos until they return.
- Your elderly mother has taken up residence in an assisted living facility. She has no room for the many antiques in her apartment but you’re loath to get rid of them right now.
- You just have too much stuff. It’s time to declutter. You’re not sure you’ll need all of it again, but to be on the safe side, you have to find a new home for it.
So which storage facility should you choose? How much will it cost? And how should you organize your belongings so they’re safe, easily accessible, and fit into the smallest space possible?
Table of Contents
- Ten Steps to Organizing a Storage Unit Like A Pro
- How To Organize a Storage Unit Like a Pro FAQs
- How We Chose the Best Tips to Organize a Storage Unit
- Summary of Our Best Tips to Organize a Storage Unit
Ten Steps to Organizing a Storage Unit Like A Pro
Step 1: Choose a good storage unit company
When choosing a storage unit company, you’ll likely have your choice of plenty of storage solutions if you live in a sizable town. If your home is in a smaller community, you could have fewer local choices and may have to store your belongings in a nearby city. Either way, you’ll want to choose the best storage unit facility in terms of security, amenities and value.
Make it a point to tour any facility you’re considering. Be on the lookout for signs that its storage units offer the best features:
- Weather-safe: look for puddling, signs of mold, and other clues that your belongings might be subject to damage from the elements.
- Locked up tight: look for a gated facility that offers a personal code for entry
- Open for business: Easy access that suits your lifestyle. Some storage facilities allow you to work in your unit around the clock. That’s handy for second-shift workers.
- Climate-controlled for temperature and humidity: your belongings are less likely to be damaged in a climate-controlled storage unit.
We’ve researched different types of storage facilities, including self storage units and full-service storage companies to help you compare options. Self-storage facilities are basically 100% DIY. Full-service storage units provide the materials you need to pack up your stuff and free-pick up and unloading services.
Prices quoted below are for a medium-sized (10×10 to 10×12) storage unit in a medium-sized Midwestern city for a period of one year or more.
| Company name | Services | Average cost | Discounts |
| U-haul facilities | Self-storage Boxes and other moving supplies |
$89.95/month | One month free (conditions apply) |
| Pods facilities | Free-standing storage units Secure storage in a warehouse Storage on your property |
$239/month Pick-up and delivery available for an additional one-time cost |
Discounts apply when you commit to a 3 or 6-month contract |
| Makespace (also known as Clutter) | Full-service storage Free plastic bins Pick-up and delivery |
$108 at partner location | One month free (conditions apply) |
| Locally-owned facilities | Vary by company but usually self-storage | $109/month | First or second month free (conditions apply) |
Step 2: Make an inventory of items to be stored
You’ll need organization skills throughout the process of moving your belongings. But it all starts with a master list of what you want to store. Look around your house. Start with large items that need to be moved immediately. Then move on to smaller items. Larger items that can’t be stacked will help you determine the minimum size storage you need. But once you put those items in your storage unit, there will be plenty of space left. You may want to store seasonal clothing and sporting equipment. Seasonal items like your artificial Christmas tree and beach or pool supplies may be next on your list.
Next move on to smaller items that are cluttering up your home. Consider items you have in duplicate — how many roasting pans or sets of dishes do you really need? — for storage as well.
Your master list will come in handy when you’re looking around the house for something you unexpectedly need. It will save you time searching around the house for an item you may have already put in storage.
Step 3: Determine the size of the storage unit you need
It’s best to wait until you have all of the items you want to store listed and packed up before choosing the size of your new storage unit. Then you can get a fair estimate of how much space you’ll need. Large items that can’t be stacked will determine the minimum amount of floor space you’ll require. But bear in mind that storage spaces have volume, not just length and width. While you probably don’t want to pack your storage unit floor to ceiling, you can stack boxes one on top of the other to take advantage of the height of your unit. In other words, you can cram a lot of stuff into a relatively small footprint.
Consider whether you’ll need frequent access to your stored items. If so, you may want to secure a larger unit — one that allows you to move around and access your items easily. Also try to anticipate whether you’ll need to store more items in the future. If so, it may be better to rent a slightly larger unit now rather than having to move to a larger unit later.
Step 4: Pack strategically
Packing is something of an art form. There are some standard rules you should apply when preparing to move your belongings anywhere — then some special considerations you should take into account when moving items into a storage unit.
- Acquire the proper supplies before you begin packing. Use sturdy boxes, packing tape and bubble wrap or packing peanuts to protect your items during transport.
- Label your boxes. Mark each one with its contents so you can find what you need quickly and easily when you need something from your storage unit in the future. Some experts recommend packing items for storage in clear plastic containers for even greater visibility. They may be more expensive than cardboard boxes but offer greater convenience when you need to retrieve something from storage. Their lids lift easily. So you won’t have to worry about re-taping boxes should you have to open them.
- Group similar items together. That may mean packing all of one kids’ belongings together. It may mean packing items by their function: all kitchen supplies or linens together, for example or packing them in anticipation of when you might need to use items again.
- Pack heavy items at the bottom of your boxes, with lighter items on top to prevent damage. But don’t pack any boxes any heavier than you can comfortably lift.
- Fill any empty spaces in boxes with packing peanuts, newspaper, or bubble wrap to prevent items from shifting during transport.
- Disassemble larger items such as furniture or appliances, to save space and make them easier to transport.
Step 5: Store small appliances and electronics in their original boxes.
If you had the foresight to save them, packing your espresso machine or George Foreman grill in its original box, including styrofoam inserts, is a smart move. The same is true of delicate stereo items like your vintage turntable.
Original boxes are designed to fit the appliance or electronic device perfectly, which helps to prevent shifting and damage during transportation. The original boxes usually include custom-fit foam inserts that protect the item from bumps, vibrations, and other movements during transport. This can help to prevent scratches, dents, or other types of damage that could occur during the move.
Original packaging also includes room for any manuals, cords, and accessories that came with the item, so you don’t have to hunt for them separately. This can save time and hassle when you’re unpacking an item for use in a new space.
Step 6: Dissemble your furniture or large items
Disassembling furniture and other large items can save valuable space in your storage unit. By breaking down your items into smaller pieces, you can stack them more efficiently and make the most of the available space. That’s an important money saving strategy. There’s no need to rent more space than you have to use. Consider separating headboards from their bed frames, removing table legs from your dining or kitchen table, removing mirrors from dressers and more.
Disassembled items are often easier to carry and transport. No one wants to pull a muscle trying to lift something too heavy. Your safety should be a top priority as you move your belongings into storage.
Disassembling furniture and appliances can help to protect them from scratches, dents and other damage during transport. In any case, be sure that all pieces and parts are well-wrapped and tied down before you drive your moving vehicle away from the curb.
Step 7: Plan the layout of your storage unit to maximize space
Planning the layout of your storage unit can help you to maximize the space available, save you money and make it easier to access your items. Here are some organization tips to help you plan the layout of your storage unit:
- Before you start moving your items into the storage unit, measure them to ensure that you choose the right size unit. Measure the height of the unit, as you may be able to stack boxes and other items vertically. Choose your storage unit size based on actual calculations.
- Group similar items together to make them easier to find when you need them. Create a path in the middle of the unit that allows you to access all of your items easily. This can also help to prevent damage to your items, as you won’t need to move items out of the way to reach others.
- If you plan to access your storage unit frequently, consider placing items that you will need to access more often near the front of the unit. This can help you to avoid having to move other items out of the way to access what you need.
- Shelving can be a great way to maximize the vertical space in your unit. You can use shelves to store smaller boxes, which can free up space on the floor for large items.
- Place mattresses along the walls of your unit to save horizontal space.
- Stack vertically: Stack boxes and other items vertically to make the most of the available space. Be sure to stack heavy items on the bottom and lighter items on top to prevent damage.
- Consider using pallets to stack heavy items more efficiently and safely.
Step 8: Use vertical space to your advantage
Remember, think in terms of volume and not just in terms of length and width as you consider your storage space needs. Even a small storage unit offers more space then you realize if you plan carefully and pay attention to our storage tips.
Before you begin moving your belongings to a storage unit, consider purchasing some sturdy, free-standing shelving units. You can often pick them up used at garage or closing home sales. Retail stores that are closing will sometimes liquidate their store furnishing, shelving units among them.
Sometimes you can use the belongings you store to increase your use of vertical space. You may have a sturdy kitchen table, for example, that can withstand the weight of a bunch of boxes. Be sure to cover the top of any table you use with a moving blanket or an old bedspread.
Step 9: Use covers or tarps to protect items from dust and moisture
Even if you’re renting a climate-controlled storage unit, you’ll want to take certain precautions to safeguard the items you store from damage. We recommend that you cover upholstered items in plastic to keep them from getting dusty and dirty.
Mattresses and box springs are especially susceptible to mold and mildew and should be wrapped up accordingly. Specially designed mattress and box spring covers are available at moving supply stores and at big box home improvement stores like Home Depot. These covers are made of a breathable material that allows air to circulate while keeping out dust and moisture.
If you’re storing outdoor equipment, such as lawnmowers, bicycles or paddle boards, you may want to invest in a few sturdy tarps to protect them. Make sure the tarp you choose is large enough to cover the item you intend to protect. Waterproof tarps are ideal for protecting your outdoor equipment in the unlikely event that your storage unit springs a leak. Rust damage isn’t uncommon on metal items that are stored for long periods.
How To Organize a Storage Unit Like a Pro FAQs
How We Chose the Best Tips to Organize a Storage Unit
We consulted with veteran self-storage unit renters to learn about their experiences and get their advice on how to choose the best storage company and pack a storage unit most efficiently. We visited the websites of several of the largest and best-known storage unit companies in the US for their professional advice. We also referred to our previously published UHaul review and Pods review.
Summary of Our Best Tips to Organize a Storage Unit
Here are the key points to remember when choosing and packing a storage unit:
- Get a clear idea of what and how much you’ll be storing in your unit.
- Decide whether you need self-storage or full-service storage.
- Estimate the space you’ll need in your storage unit using real-world measurements. Don’t guess!
- Pack strategically, keeping like items together.
- Label your storage boxes clearly.
- Load items into your storage facility so that you have ready access to the things you think you’ll need to use again soon.
- Protect items in your storage unit appropriately, using plastic, blankets, and tarps as necessary.
- Make sure you only pack approved items in your storage unit. Be mindful of safety. And don’t pack cash, other valuables, or irreplaceable belongings in your unit.
