Planning on moving your belongings into self-storage? If so, chances are you’re already wondering how to organize a storage unit for easy and quick access to your items. While it might stand to reason that the larger the unit, the simpler the task, experience has shown that that’s not always the case. Sometimes, all that space can convince folks that they don’t need to be as thoughtful when packing their items away. After all, there’s space to spare…right? Well, not always. In fact, those renting a 10×20 or 10×30 storage unit must be extra-careful to utilize the space as efficiently as possible to avoid disorganization.
As someone in the market for large-size storage, you’re probably wondering how to pack a 10×20 storage unit, a 10×30 storage unit, or some other size. Wonder no more. We’ve detailed several large storage unit organization ideas below to get your process started. Read through the storage unit tips, and then contact a local CubeSmart with any questions. Our managers will gladly show you around and talk through your needs.
Plan Your Storage Strategy
When it comes to self-storage tips and tricks, our top one is to plan your storage strategy. Sounds straightforward, but many people skip this step and go directly to packing and moving. Follow the steps below for the best results:
Categorize Your Items
Start by thinking through what you need to store and jotting down main categories for your items. Common classifications include “household items,” “clothes,” “furniture,” and “tools.”
Create an Inventory
Once you have your items categorized, it’s time to write an inventory list. Add as much detail as possible; this will be your go-to reference document while your items are in storage.
Determine Accessibility
Lastly, create a ranking scale for how often you think you’ll need to access your belongings: 1 for often, 2 for sometimes, and 3 for infrequently. Rank each item on your inventory list to better understand where and how it should be stored.
Utilize Vertical Storage Space
No list of storage unit tips would be complete without encouraging you to use the entirety of the unit – and that means storing vertically as well as horizontally. In total, a 10×20 storage unit provides 1,600 cubic feet of space and a 10×30 storage unit provides 2,400 cubic feet of space, both of which seem like a lot…unless you place boxes or furniture on the floor without taking advantage of the unit’s full height. Keep scrolling to learn our vertical storage “best practices.”
Invest in Shelving
As we mentioned in a previous blog about how to prepare and organize your storage unit, freestanding shelving can be a non-permanent, inexpensive organizational solution that helps you keep valuables off of the floor – and make full use of the entirety of the unit.
Use Pallets
If you’re planning on stacking boxes or items in your unit, we suggest using pallets to keep your belongings off the ground. Pallets are both sturdy and cheap, and can make quick, safe work of moving your items in and out of storage while helping you take advantage of your unit’s height.
Hang Items
Though you can’t use nails or screws in storage units, you can hang items from wardrobe racks or adhesive hooks on the ceiling or walls. This option works best for long, light pieces (like mops, brooms, clothing, etc.) that you want to be able to access easily.
Pack Strategically
With your categorized inventory list in hand, you’ll be able to quickly determine where items should be placed in your unit – and how they should be packed. If you have camping gear, for instance, that you’re not planning on using anytime soon, you can pack it together towards the bottom and back of the unit, and stack other items on top. Scroll down for more specifics:
Disassemble Furniture
Any furniture piece you don’t anticipate needing in the short-term should be disassembled to take up the least amount of space. Be sure to keep related screws, bolts, and other small pieces in a plastic storage bag securely taped to the item.
Wrap and Protect
Wrapping your pieces in heavy duty plastic can be a great way to protect them over the long-term. Wrapping them with a pallet on the bottom can also make shipping and moving them easier and more secure.
Fill Empty Spaces
Some people fill their storage units like they would fill their homes: with tables and couches fully assembled and placed horizontally on the floor. If you want to make the most of your available vertical storage space however, you’ll want to store furniture and other bulky items on their sides – with lighter boxes stacked on top.
Label Everything Clearly
If you’re wondering how to organize your storage unit in the cheapest and most effective way, we have one word: labels. Taking the time to carefully label your belongings will save you worry and effort in the long run – especially when you’re dealing with the contents of a large storage space. While you may think you’ll remember everything you packed away – and where exactly you packed it – we can tell you from experience, you won’t. Check out some more storage unit tips below:
Use Clear Labels
Not only do we recommend using clear bins in your self-storage unit, but we also recommend using clear labels so your view of the contents is not blocked. Invest in high-quality waterproof labels that are durable and will stick well. If possible, include not only the contents on the label but the room they belong in (e.g., “Pots and pans / Kitchen”) which will help when you move items out of storage.
Create a Map
We’re not talking anything fancy, but a basic map of what lies where in your storage unit will help immensely if you’re ever tasked with finding something specific. If possible, try to organize your items in groups to make the mapping exercise – and accessibility in general – much easier.
Color-Code Boxes
Another of our favorite storage unit organization ideas is to color-code boxes based on contents, use, owner, or any other categorization. You can either buy clear plastic bins with color tints or spray-paint a swatch on cardboard boxes. Make sure to add your “color key” to the map so that you or anyone else who has access to the unit can easily identify different contents.
Leave Aisle Space
As tempted as you might be to take up every single inch in your storage unit, we advise you to leave space to easily maneuver. If you’re planning on accessing your storage often, it might even make sense to rent a larger unit to give yourself space to move around.
Create Aisles
Most people can get away with one center aisle, but if you’re planning on keeping inventory, work tools, or anything else in your unit that you will need to retrieve (and return) on a regular basis, it might make sense to make aisles in either a T-shape, a U-shape, or an L-shape. Think carefully about what you’ve got – and when you’ll need to get it – and then design from there.
Accessible Items
When configuring your large storage space, and determining how you’ll move around within it, refer to your inventory list and accessibility needs. Keep items you know you’ll need often near the aisles and free from anything stacked on top of them.
Regularly Assess and Reorganize
Finally, you should always consider your storage unit a “work in progress.” As your needs change, you may have to reorganize your belongings. Keep your storage unit map on your phone so that you can make changes in real-time, rather than trying to keep it all in your head. Other tips include:
Remove Unneeded Items
Regularly assess what you’re storing to determine if it’s still needed. There’s no use in hanging onto things that have no purpose for you anymore – especially if they would have purpose for someone else.
Reorganize as Needed
You should also regularly assess how your storage unit is organized and adjust as you remove and add different pieces. If your needs change dramatically, don’t be afraid to toss out what you’ve done and start fresh. This is your unit – and it needs to fit your needs.
While it may seem like the “sky’s the limit” when you rent a large-sized storage unit, the truth is it can easily become disorganized. Make sure you’re making effective use of the space – and taking good care of your belongings – by being mindful of how you will store and access them over time. Your future self will thank you.
