Organizing My Storage Unit

A storage unit rental can be the best solution to a cluttered home. However, if you're not mindful about planning before you move things in, the unit can quickly become another cluttered space. If you're hoping you can avoid mess and disorganization in your storage unit, use some of these planning suggestions.

Only Store Essentials

The first mistake for many is that they aren't sure they want to keep the items they're storing. It's much better to pare down the amount of things you plan to store beforehand so you can have a simpler time locating things later. Don't store something unless you are sure it's wanted.

Use Boxes

Plastic bags are easy to toss clothing and other items into, and because they aren't rigid, they're easily packed into a vehicle and any storage space. However, when you are looking for something in the unit, it's not a simple task to find just the right bag. Boxes might seem to take up more room, but you can clearly mark them and see each one; that is good when you've got to do a search.

For additional clarity when seeking out specific things, you may want to attempt color-coding with tape using different colors for the different living spaces.

Draw a Diagram

Your memory could be fantastic, but once you lock up the unit for the first time, your recall of the interior layout won't be as clear as you expect. A quickly-drawn diagram can assist your memory and point you toward anything you'd like to retrieve.

Leave a Walkway

If you have a lot of things, it's so tempting to pile as high and as densely as you can. However, it's smart to consciously remember to make room for a narrow path through the unit. The walkway will ensure you won't need to dislodge boxes just to get to the right area. Since you won't be mindlessly moving boxes out of your way, you can continue to count on your drawn diagram for the approximate location of items.

Take Personal Responsibility

Sometimes clutter and chaos happens in a unit because too many people have access to it. If your spouse or teenagers want something, you may dispatch them to the unit only to return later and see a mess. Take personal responsibility for the unit and if at all possible, designate yourself as the only person who can go in and out of it until your family is ready to empty the unit.

With attention to all of these planning ideas, your storage rental should remain neat. Your rental company might have additional guidelines and pointers.