A storage unit is a great tool for keeping items out of the way during home renovations, moving, or holding inventory for those watching their small businesses. Without proper preparation, it is easy to make the mistake of tossing everything into your unit while assuring yourself that you’ll organize it later when you have more time. Unfortunately, most people rarely have more time to organize. Instead of falling for the “easy way out,” take the time to organize your belongings and store them in ways you will be sure to remember.
But how exactly do you do that? Here are our favorite tips to organize your storage unit like the pros.
Think in Zones, Not Boxes
Staring at an empty storage unit waiting to be filled can be overwhelming at first. The struggle to know where to begin can lead to the desire to get everything in as fast as possible without thinking about getting everything back out again. Instead of giving in to this feeling, try dividing the unit into sections based on category, room, or frequency of use.
For example, if you’re using the “frequency of use” method, you can keep seasonal items in the back while keeping everyday items closer to the front. This can drastically help cut down on time spent digging through boxes while searching for something that is commonly used in your home. Whatever your organizational style, using specified sections to keep things looking tidy can help make the storage unit feel more like a small warehouse as opposed to a cluttered closet.
If you’re not sure where to begin packing up, here are a few ideas to get you started on preparing your storage unit to be packed like a pro:
- Take inventory before moving anything
- Group items by category or use
- Choose consistent box sizes
- Set aside frequently used items
Labeling That Actually Works
Everyone who has moved before knows the importance of labelling boxes. They are a great way to know what goes where, especially when a fully filled storage unit can look like a sea of cardboard boxes or plastic bins in a hurry.
Label boxes carefully, as vague labels can, though quick to make, tend to create more problems than they solve. This will help immensely when boxes and bins inevitably get turned around as you search through your storage unit. Be sure to use large, clear handwriting so you can see what each box or bin has inside at a glance.Consider using a labelmaker or printing labels onto paper and taping them onto your boxes and bins.
Also, be specific in your labelling. For example, you can use “Kitchen, small appliances” instead of just “Kitchen”. This will make unpacking easier in the future. Some facilities like CubeSmart Self Storage even recommend grouping boxes by use to stay organized while packing and unpacking.
Keep It Organized Over Time
If you plan to use your storage unit long-term, maintaining your organizational plan is key. This doesn’t mean you need to pull everything out and restructure your unit’s organization from scratch the moment you see something in the wrong place. The difference between a clean unit and a chaotic one usually comes down to small habits repeated over time.
One such habit is taking the time to update labels that are falling off or fading away. Another practice you can put in place is making a quick reset every time you visit the unit such as realigning any boxes that may have been twisted while searching for something else. Keeping a walkway through your grouped-by-use boxes can make it a breeze to search for exactly what you need.
