Nothing is more infuriating than having to dig through an unorganized storage unit trying to find one specific item. This is especially true when you are using a large unit for long-term storage. You can avoid this frustration by following some simple tips that we’ve provided below:
1. Keep your unit clean.
This starts when you first move in to your storage unit. Make sure the ground is swept and clear of debris. If you find yourself making frequent visits to your unit, make sure you aren’t littering it with trash or empty boxes. Think of your storage unit as a closet in your home – you wouldn’t want clutter or trash lying around your closet.
2. Take time to plan things out.
It’s always a good idea to spend some time listing the items you are planning on storing and coming up with some kind of order for where they will go in your storage unit. Strategize where you will place certain items based on how much need you will have for them and how often you will need to access them.
3. Your heavy items should be at the bottom.
We know this seems logical, but you would be surprised to see how many people try to place heavy items up high, which can lead to crushed belongings and avalanches. It can also make it very difficult to access certain items down the road. Always be thinking ahead as you load heavy items into storage so you have a plan in mind for getting around them to access other items.
4. Make sure you have a walkway.
This is very important if you are using a large unit and have stuff towards the back that you’ll need to access. Too often, people load their storage unit full without a way to access items in the back. This leads to having to unload part of the unit in order to get to what you’re looking for.
5. Keep items that you will need to access up front.
As you take stock of what items will go into your storage unit, make a plan to place the things you will need to access most frequently towards the front of the unit. This might include holiday decorations or boxes of seasonal clothing. You’ll be glad you did this down the road.
6. Use heavy-duty boxes or totes.
One common mistake we see often at AZ Storage is people using storage containers that aren’t up to snuff and easily breakdown. This can lead to disaster. Stay organized by using heavy-duty boxes that can stack well or plastic totes. This will ensure the items packed inside remain safe and ready to go when you need them. Be sure to distribute the weight when loading boxes. They can be tough to load and unload when they are too heavy.
7. When possible, use labels.
Labels will help you quickly find items you are looking for without having to rummage through half your storage unit. Be sure to use labels that will stand the test of time, i.e. permanent markers that won’t fade.
For more tips on keeping your storage unit organized and easy to use, give us a call at 480-386-6022.
