Organising an Untidy Storage Unit

Many people use storage units as a place to store items they don’t use very often or don’t have space or a use for in their own home. However after a few years the unit may become disorganised or cluttered.

Here are some tips on how to organise a storage unit and make the most of the space available.

• Firstly, start with a good search through all the boxes and stuff you have and decide if there are things you no longer want to keep. This will take time but be determined to have a proper clear out. Remove the unwanted items from the unit and take to the skip or charity shop straight away. If there are items you now want to sell get them on to eBay sooner rather than later to free up space in the unit.
• Now all the surplus items are removed you can organise your storage unit correctly to protect your possessions from damage, and maximise space.
• Protect large items from dirt and damage with a plastic sheet, leaving a small gap in-between items to allow air to circulate
• Store smaller items in boxes. Use plastic boxes that are the same size so you can stack the boxes safely, and save space .Wrap fragile items up in bubble-wrap and seal boxes with tape. Avoid using sealed plastic bags as they produce humidity which can cause a build-up of mould inside the bag.
• Label your boxes stating specifically what is in them and number them. This will make it easier to find things when you want them. To stack the boxes safely, place the heaviest and tallest boxes at the bottom and work your way up to the lightest and smallest.
• Make an inventory of all the items in your unit and how much it is worth, this will make it easier to assess your insurance requirements.
• Organising the layout of the unit is important. Always leave a walkway so you can access boxes. The best place for storing valuables is hidden at the back of your unit, and items that you are most likely to use keep at the front. If possible make a plan of where your numbered boxes are within the unit so it is easier to find things.

Having reorganised your storage unit you may find you have more space than you thought!