Self Storage Ideas

Sometimes a move or the accumulation of too much stuff can force you to find new places to store items temporarily. Self-storage can mean the use of a public storage facility, or it can mean finding a way to stow all of your personal property so it is manageable. Whichever method you use, remember to embrace some helpful storage ideas to make the process simpler, safer and more efficient. Does this Spark an idea?

Dispose of Clutter

The fact is that most people have more things than they need. Some people place too much importance on certain items, often feeling like they should never be willing to part with anything. These folks tend to accumulate too much and have a difficult time when circumstances call for the storage or part of their belongings.

Getting rid of clutter and unnecessary items right away helps immensely when it comes time for storage. There is no need to store things that you won't ever need again. Consider selling them in a garage sale or online --- or simply throw away junk that no one in the world thinks is valuable besides you.

Consolidating your belongings and reducing clutter in your life should be a priority before moving forward with storage. You may even find you don't need to store anything.

Sealable Containers

One of the most useful items to a person with belongings to store is sealable plastic containers. These large bins are available in most department stores and are relatively inexpensive. They can hold a lot of things, have handles and include a snap-on lid that will seal out moisture and protect long-term storage items from damage by insects or rodents. They are simply a must for stored clothing or other cloth items or things that may be damaged by moisture.

Buy Double Duty Furniture

If you would prefer not to store anything off site, but you have already thrown out or sold what you can and still don't have room for it, consider buying more things. Yes, it sounds crazy. But you should look into buying furniture that serves double duty. A cedar chest that doubles as a coffee table or a sofa table that has lots of big drawers for storage can mean the difference in a monthly storage fee and keeping all your stuff at home.

Get All the Facts

If you run out of other options and you see no way around putting some of your belongings in a public self-storage facility, don't do it without first getting all the facts.

Ask management if the units are climate-controlled. If you put temperature-sensitive items like electronics in storage, they will not react well to extreme cold or heat. Ask about all the rates for different size storage units. Ask when the rent is due, how late payments are handled and what the company policy is regarding late payments. You want to make sure that if you're a few days late with the rent that they don't sell off all your things. Also find out what all the amenities are and if the management has a right to inspect the units without your consent. Finally, rent the smallest unit you can manage to stack your items into. Wasted space means wasted money.