Congratulations! You’re about to embark on a new life chapter. Whether you’re moving across the province or across the country, you’ve undoubtedly got a lot on your plate. But there’s something else you need to consider: what do I store in my self storage unit? It can be overwhelming trying to figure out what items will fit best into this temporary space. That’s why I’m here to help! Here are some of my favourite things that have been stored in self storage units over the years.
The Best Items For Self Storage
Clothing
When it comes to packing your clothing, the first rule is to be sure that your garments are folded, rather than stuffed into boxes. If you don’t have a lot of closet space at home, this may seem like an obvious point—but you’d be surprised how many people (myself included) tend to just shove their clothes in a box and call it good. Folded clothes take up less space and are easier to find when you’re looking for them later on.
And remember: don’t just pack by colour! When we all lived in caves and wore animal skins, this method might have worked fine—but today’s colourful world offers us so many more options than browns and grays. Break out of your monochrome rut by grouping items together according to type or usage: pants with pants; shirts with shirts; dresses with dresses; shoes with shoes; belts (and other accessories) with belts (and other accessories). This will make unpacking much easier when it comes time for moving day.
Mattresses
Mattresses should be packed in the same way as a bed, but with a few extra precautions to keep them safe. Remove the sheets and coverings from your mattress, then wrap it in a plastic bag before placing it in your storage unit. If you can’t remove the cover on your mattress, place it inside another plastic bag and then place that inside another larger bag (this will protect against moisture).
If you have a box spring, wrap it in plastic or other material and place it on top of the mattress—just like when packing up an IKEA dresser!
Dishes and Glassware
Dishes and glassware are not only heavy, but also fragile. It’s best to pack dishes in their original boxes or in dish packs. If you don’t have any cardboard boxes for your dishes, wrap them in blankets or sheets and place them at the bottom of your locker. Glasses should be packed separately from other items so they don’t break when other things shift during transport.
Electronics
If you’re storing electronics, make sure to remove all batteries and unplug them. Batteries can leak into the device and ruin it, while a battery left in the device can be dangerous if it begins to discharge while it’s being stored.
Pack up your electronics in their original boxes. If they don’t have boxes, use a protective case or padding material around them (bubble wrap is good) and tape them closed with clear packing tape.
When it comes to self storage, there are a lot of options. It can be overwhelming, but it’s important to make sure that you know what will work best for your needs. We hope this list has helped narrow down your choices so that you can find what works best for your situation!
