Time For A Self Storage Unit? 3 Ways To Use The Space Effectively

Are you tired of tripping over all the stuff you have stored in your garage? If you are, it might be time to rent a storage unit. You have things you want to keep, but that doesn't mean you have to keep all of it in your garage. When you start packing up your belongings, here are some tips that will help make the most out of your storage unit.

Use All the Available Space

When packing your belongings into a storage unit, you're going to be tempted to store everything in boxes. However, if you're not looking beyond those boxes and containers, you're going to waste valuable space. This is particularly true if you're going to be storing trash cans, dressers or refrigerators.

  • Trash cans – you can place your gardening tools or camping supplies inside trash cans.

  • Dressers – can be used effectively for storing important papers and family photographs.

  • Refrigerators – store books on the shelves inside your refrigerator.

Prevent Unpleasant Odors

Before you close the door to your new storage unit, be sure you're not leaving anything in there that could lead to an odor problem. Everything from smelly shoes to gasoline left in a lawnmower can leave your belongings with an unpleasant odor.

If you're storing lawn equipment or recreational vehicles such as motorcycles or ATVs, be sure to empty the gas tanks before placing them in the storage unit. If you're storing smelly shoes, place a few drops of lemon oil on cotton balls and place the cotton balls inside the shoes. The lemon oil will freshen the shoes so your belongings don't come out smelling like dirty feet.

Prepare For Later

You're probably going to want to get into your boxes as some point. You can make the project easier by preparing in advance. Here are two simple ways to make it easier to get to your things later on.

Make a Path

When packing your storage unit, make a path down the middle. Stack your boxes and belongings along the sides, but leave the center open. This will allow you to walk down the middle to get to the back of the storage unit.

Plan for the Top

Once you have all your boxes stacked, it's going to be difficult to look inside them. Leave a small step ladder inside the storage unit. That way, when you have to start digging through boxes, you won't have to strain, stretch or stand on your tip-toes to look inside.

Renting a storage unit can clear up valuable space in your garage. Make the most out of your self storage unit by following these handy tips.


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