Packing & Moving Tips
With years of experience in the self storage business, the professionals at KO Storage have learned a thing or two along the way. If you’re looking for storage and packing tips to help at any point during the moving process, you’re in luck! We want to help make your storage journey go as smoothly as possible.
We’re a family-owned business that prides itself on creating a seamless experience for all our tenants. Whether you’re looking to rent personal storage or a commercial storage space, our goal is to set you up for success. Keep reading to learn some packing and storage tips that can help you out now and in the future.
Prepare To Move Into Your Storage Unit
The best way to make sure your self storage experience goes well is to prepare yourself ahead of time. Start by creating a list of all the items you plan to store and begin to visualize what can be grouped together. Label your boxes for easy identification, and keep a list of what is in what container so you don’t get slowed down later. Don’t forget to clearly mark boxes that contain fragile items.
As you pack up and get an idea of how much stuff you have, consider the size of the storage unit you’ll need. Whether it’s a 5×5 storage unit for extra closet space, a 10×15 storage unit for furniture and other things, or a 10×30 storage unit for the entire contents of your home, KO Storage has the space for you. Use our unit size guide to pinpoint what to rent.
Pack Your Things Wisely
Another important thing to keep in mind is that some of your belongings will require special treatment or care. In addition to protecting fragile items, packing your things smartly will allow you to get the most out of the space you rent. Here are a few packing tips that can come in handy:
- Hang your clothes. Put shirts, jackets, and more on hangers and use garment bags to cover them up.
- Cover upholstery. Use sturdy cotton dust covers to protect furniture and other upholstered things.
- Protect delicate items. Wrap up your fragile or sensitive things with bubble wrap, blankets, or newspapers.
- Wipe things off. Dry off metal items to prevent rust and clean anything that may be sticky or dusty.
- Upright and airtight containers. Store things like books, vinyl records, CDs, photos, and documents flat in boxes that are sealed tight and standing up.
Climate-Controlled Storage
For additional peace of mind, rent one of KO Storage’s options for climate-controlled storage. Keeping your things in a climate-controlled storage unit will provide them additional protection from the elements, as they’re kept within a consistent temperature range all year long. This will prevent fading, discoloration, warping, and damage from impacting fragile items such as furniture, electronics, or anything made of sensitive materials like leather, vinyl, or wood.
Moving and Packing Supplies
Properly packing your belongings for self storage requires more than digging out a few empty boxes in your basement. Investing in high-quality packing materials can help ensure your things are as protected as possible. Sturdy plastic containers of different sizes provide durability and easy stacking. Bubble wrap and packing paper can safeguard delicate items from scratches and scrapes, while furniture blankets shield furniture from scratches and dents.
Items You Shouldn’t Store
KO Storage has affordable and convenient storage solutions that can accommodate many different types of renters. However, there are a few things you can’t keep in a storage unit. Here’s a list of some of the things we prohibit:
- Perishable items (plants, produce, meat)
- Explosives
- Fireworks
- Flammable, hazardous, or toxic materials
- Kerosene
- Gasoline
- Propane tanks
- Animals or people
- Acid
- Narcotics
- Biological waste
- Radioactive equipment or supplies
Sort and Organize Your Items
Don’t lose track of your belongings during the move! Stay on top of your things by labeling everything and creating a detailed inventory of where you place all your stuff. This will help you know where to go whenever you need to retrieve anything and save you the trouble of scouring through multiple boxes. You should also plan to put anything you may need on top of stacks or near the front so you have to dig around as little as possible.
Find Affordable Storage Solutions With KO Storage
With these helpful storage tips and tricks in mind, we hope you feel more confident about the self storage process. If you plan ahead and remember to be mindful and make smart decisions throughout, you’ll have a comfortable and successful experience.
Looking to get the ball rolling on finding your perfect self storage unit? Locate the closest KO Storage facility to you today! You can also check out our blog and list of frequently asked questions to learn more.