Self-storage units have an almost endless variety of possible uses, from short-term project storage to long-term storage of valuables and keepsakes. Surprisingly, they can also make ideal places to keep furniture. This can be a great option if you need to safely keep furniture out of your house during a renovation or if you have older furniture that is no longer in use but that you aren't willing to part with. Whatever the case, the key to keeping your furniture in good condition and ready to be used again is choosing the right storage unit and packing your furniture into it correctly.
Step 1: Know Your Requirements
Are you keeping your furniture in storage temporarily, or will it remain in storage indefinitely? Many storage facilities offer cheaper rates if you commit to longer-term rentals, so it's possible you can save a few bucks if you know up front that you will be keeping the unit for a while. It's also important to know exactly how much furniture you will be storing. While it is generally possible to get creative when packing smaller personal belongings into a storage unit, furniture is trickier (and potentially more dangerous) to stack. Make sure that your unit is large enough to fit your furniture and to leave some walking space.
Step 2: Prepare Your Furniture
Sticking unprotected pieces of furniture into a storage space is a recipe for disaster. Even in climate-controlled units, it is possible for your furniture to be damaged by moisture or by sudden temperature variations. The best way to keep your furniture protected is to thoroughly clean it. For wooden furniture, in particular, be sure that the furniture is both clean and completely dry. Once you're done cleaning, be sure that everything is wrapped in plastic at a bare minimum. Wrap sections that can potentially be damaged in old sheets or blankets to cushion against accidental blows.
Step 3: Prepare Your Storage Unit
Accidents can happen in even the best storage units, so you want to be sure that your furniture is as protected as possible. The best way to do this is to make sure that absolutely none of your furniture is touching the unit's bare floor. Plastic sheeting can help to protect your furniture from moisture, but it's even better to keep your furniture slightly elevated. Pallets provide a good, cheap option for raising furniture (or anything else, for that matter). For large pieces of furniture such as sofas or long dressers, balance each end on a separate pallet. Note that you should still keep a blanket or piece of plastic under your furniture so they are not in direct contact with the pallets.
Step 4: Pack Appropriately
It can be tempting to try to cram your stuff into every last inch of a unit in order to maximize its value, but this is generally a terrible idea with heavy items like furniture. Moving your furniture into and out of the storage space will be incredibly difficult if there isn't enough space, so leave wide aisles on at least two sides of everything that you are storing. This isn't just important for convenience — it is also important so that furniture can be lifted safely once you are ready to remove it.
For more information, contact a company like Knapp Sisters Self Storage.
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