Pro Tips for Organizing a Storage Unit
For many people, a self-storage unit can be an excellent tool in carving order out of chaos on the home or business fronts. Things that you don’t use often can quickly clutter your home or business, and storage units offer an effective, affordable way to add temporary or long-term storage capability in a way that’s easily managed. There are even options for drive-up climate-controlled storage in Metairie, LA, that can make storing and accessing your belongings as simple as possible.
However, the tendency among many who use self-storage facilities is to simply pile belongings and inventory into the unit haphazardly to get it out of sight and out of mind as quickly as possible. Doing so comes with its own set of headaches, however, as poorly organized items can clog your storage unit. That creates accessibility issues and can even lead you to lose track of your belongings. Fortunately, there are some tactics that you can use to keep your climate-controlled self-storage units tidy and organized so that you can easily find the things you need when you need them. Keep reading for a few tips that can help you organize your self-storage unit like a pro.
Make a List, Check It Twice
One of the most important keys to good organization is maintaining an up-to-date list of what’s in your storage unit and where you can find it when you need it. Whether you get fancy with a spreadsheet or simply handwrite a record of your inventory, having a list handy to remind you what’s in storage and where it’s located can be a lifesaver. Keep that list current and up to date; that will make it easy to know what you’re storing. You can even add a rudimentary map or grid of your storage unit to provide a visual reminder of where in the unit your items are stored.
Plastic over Cardboard
The tried-and-true cardboard box has been largely replaced by professional organizers, and the new king of storage is the plastic tub or bin. Cardboard may be cheap, but it comes with a set of problems. It can trap moisture, it can soak up and retain bad odors, and it attracts vermin. It’s also not that resilient, and it’s hard to stack. Also, most people have had the bottom of a cardboard box drop out while moving, which can be frustrating. Plastic corrects all those issues because it’s durable, moisture proof, inert, and inorganic. That means it won’t absorb odors and doesn’t attract insects and rodents. Plastic totes and bins are also stackable, which will improve organization and make the most of your storage space by providing vertical arrangement. Finally, if you opt for clear bins, you’ll get the added advantage of knowing exactly what’s inside them without labeling.
Heavy Stuff Goes to the Back
Heavy items, such as furnishings, should always be stored towards the back of your storage space. These items can comprise the bottom tiers of your storage unit since they are made to be weight-bearing in most cases. Also, you don’t want to move those bulky items to access things you’ll need more frequently. Even better, you can partially disassemble things, such as tables, and stack them upright in the read of the unit. That’ll help you effectively manage your space and get the most bang for your storage buck.
Get Vertical
When you rent a storage unit, you’re not just renting the floor space, so why only use the square footage? By going vertical, you can also utilize the cubic footage of the unit, which allows you to include exponentially more content in the same amount of space. If you’ve used sturdy plastic bins, you can stack them to the ceiling without fear of turnover. If you’ve properly organized your furniture and disassembled pieces that can be stacked vertically against a back wall, you’ve further magnified the impact of your vertical storage space. Remember to use not just the width of your storage unit but the height as well.
Climate-controlled storage in Metairie, LA, can provide you with an excellent option for storing your excess belongings, but only if you take full advantage with proper organization techniques. To rent you own self-storage unit, contact Affordable Self-Storage at (504) 833-1717.
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Affordable Self Storage
1015 Central Ave Metairie, LA 70001 | Phone: 
(504) 833-1717 | Fax: (504) 831-4840
(504) 833-1717 | Fax: (504) 831-4840