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There are many reasons why renting out a self-storage unit makes a lot of sense: a move, a temporary housing situation, an upcoming estate sale, etc. But once you’ve got your storage unit, how can you organize it to make sure that all your stuff is easy to get to? One of the great perks of self-storage is that you should be able to access your belongings whenever you need to, but if your unit is a disorganized mess, that convenience all but disappears.
 
Here are some of our favorite tips for optimizing the accessibility of your storage unit.
 

Get the size right.

 
No matter how organized of a person you are, you can’t keep everything organized if your storage unit is too small. Take some time to figure out the right size unit for your needs. Many facilities have sizing guides that will help you know how much you can fit in different unit sizes. This is an important step in making sure everything stays accessible in your unit!
 

Come up with a strategy.

 
Depending on your reason for using self-storage, you might need to access certain items before others. For example, if you’re moving to a furnished rental property, you may not need your furniture for a while, but you’ll need more personal items, like clothing or dishes, much sooner. Or, if you’re using your unit to store seasonal items, which ones will you need first? You can organize accordingly or even set up a rotation system to keep things running smoothly. A little planning can make a big difference in the long run!
 

Pack smart.

 
You’ll want to put as much as you can in boxes. Since they’re easy to move and stack, it will help keep your storage unit uniform and well organized. (Bonus: it will keep things from getting too dusty!)
 

Label, label, label.

 
As you’re packing, make sure you are labeling everything. You want to have a clear idea of the contents of each and every box. This will make it much, much easier for you to find what you’re looking for in the future. You could also take it a step further and color-code your labels, whether by room or by season, so you can find the boxes you need at a glance.
 

Leave walking room.

 
When you’re finally ready to load your storage unit, make sure you have plenty of room to move around inside it. The last thing you want is to have to (literally) wade through boxes and loose items to find the things you need. One strategy for this is to stack the boxes around the walls of the unit, leaving working/walking space in the center. Another idea is to move shelving units into the unit, leaving walking space in between. That might seem like more work than it’s worth, but just think how easy it would be to find what you need!
 

A place for everything.

 
As you remove and replace things in your unit, try to keep everything in the same spot (or close to it). If you’ll be in and out of your unit multiple times, it will make your life much easier to have a general idea of where certain things are. If you really want to go above and beyond, you can map out your unit as you pack it, so you know exactly everything belongs!
 
Keeping your storage unit well-organized is the best way to make your storage unit as convenient and accessible as it should be. Follow these tips to organize your unit like a pro!
 
Need secure, reliable, convenient storage in the Phoenix area? Arizona Storage Centers offers units in a wide variety of sizes, so you can get exactly what you need for your belongings. We even have climate-controlled units to keep temperature-sensitive items safe. Visit a location near you (Phoenix, Glendale, Deer Valley, Gilbert, and Chandler), or call 480-386-6022 to learn more about our storage options.