How To Organize Your Storage Unit for Frequent Access?

Most people think of a storage unit as a place to dump things they don’t want in their house but don’t want to get rid of. While some renters do use storage units for this purpose, equally as many renters use a storage unit as an extension to their house. They regularly access their storage unit and use the possessions they store there.

If you’re planning on accessing your storage unit routinely, then you should organize it carefully! Here are some tips for organizing your storage unit for maximum accessibility.

Prioritize Frequently-Used Items

The items you’ll use most should get the front row in your storage unit! Some examples of frequently-used items include:

• Seasonal items and decorations
• Seasonal clothes
• Trip and camping supplies
• Business documents and inventory
• Hobby supplies
• Tools
• Toys

Choose the Right Box

The boxes you pack your possessions in might be the biggest factor in careful organization. You want sturdy, same-size boxes that let you easily access your possessions. Here are some tips for finding the right box:

• Sturdy: Using flimsy cardboard boxes might seem like the easiest and cheapest option, but they won’t hold up after years of handling and rotation. Invest in some heavy-duty cardboard boxes or plastic Tupperware boxes that can be easily labeled.
• One Size: The best way to keep your unit tidy is by using the same-sized boxes for most items. These will stack the best and let you maximize your storage space.
• Not Too Big, Not Too Small: Consider the items you’re storing; you don’t want the box to be so big that it will be too heavy to lift, but you don’t want it so small that you can’t fit most objects inside.

Stack Heaviest to Lightest

It’s best to put your heavier items at the bottom of your stack of boxes. This will promote the longevity of your boxes–and your back! It’s easier to lift light boxes and bend over to the items in your heavy box than to lift the heavy boxes down and back up.

Only Stack to Shoulder Height

It’s tempting to stack boxes to the ceiling to maximize your unit space, but this makes boxes very inaccessible without a ladder. For most people, boxes begin to become poorly accessible above their heads. Although some very light boxes might be accessible above shoulder level, it’s best for your body mechanics to only stack boxes to shoulder height. You never know if you’ll have back, neck, or shoulder pain the next time you access your unit. This method can also prevent back, neck, and shoulder injuries.

Label, Label, Label

Make best friends with your Sharpie and label everything in each box. And by everything, we mean everything. You never know when you need to find that one thing and can’t quite remember which box you put it in. Just an extra minute during packing will save you lots of time and frustration later.

It can also be helpful to number each box for your master list (see below).

Create a Master List and Map

If you not only label the contents of each box but give each box a number, you can create a master list for the inventory of your storage unit. This can save you lots of time and frustration! You can easily look at your master list to see where your possessions are, and can even send someone else to the unit to get it for you because you can tell them exactly which box it’s in.

You can also create a map of your storage unit to show exactly how the boxes and possessions are laid out in your unit.

Stack Unimportant Boxes at the Back

Although it’s common sense, it’s worth reminding renters to put their unimportant items at the back of the unit. This allows you to put your frequently-used items at the front where they are most accessible.

Ready to rent a self-storage unit with Peavler Moving & Storage? Contact us today to get started!