There comes a time in your life when you have to find somewhere to store your belongings.
Whether it's because you are transitioning from one living arrangement to another, or just running out of room due to accumulating more possessions.
Once you find that perfect facility to store your belongings, here are some tips to help you make the best of your rented area.
Starting from a corner, place your biggest squared and rectangle shaped pieces in first.
These pieces should be strong enough to stack other possessions on top of.
Since this will be the corner stone of your storage, it is important to remember to only put what will be stored the longest in the back of the unit.
Back corners are ideal for desks, large heavy boxes, dressers, bookshelves, appliances and so on.
Stack all pieces that will be stored the longest on top of these large square pieces in the back.
Stack it to the very top.
Remember, the heavier the piece, the lower you place it.
Any breakables should be placed on the very top to prevent being crushed.
Next, stand the mattresses up as well as any other tall and long pieces.
These will act as second layer of walls to reinforce all the pieces stacked in the back.
IE: Desktops, bookshelves, couches, mattresses, etc.
Now that we are halfway through the storage unit, we need to think about what we may come back for soon and what can be stacked on top of what.
Once you have figured that out, storing your pieces should pretty much be all downhill.
Storage Tips by Piece Appliances: Refrigerators should be completely cleaned and dry before being stored.
The door should remain slightly open to prevent the growth of mildew and bacteria from high humidity.
If possible, empty out any water in the washer machine.
Books & Documents: Do not stand books on their spines.
Pack them flat to protect their shape.
Do not stack books flat on cemented floors because they will absorb moisture.
Instead, place the books on top of a pallet, box or any other type of surface other then cement.
Use packing paper to fill in loose areas to have a strong sturdy box.
Dishes & Glassware: Ideally you would place dishes in dish packing boxes, which are boxes twice as thick as regular boxes and made for storing glass and related material.
Use newspaper or packing paper and surround every piece with at least 1 layer.
Place largest plates in first, then the bowls.
Fill loose areas with heavily wrapped mugs and cups.
Another way to pack your dishes is to nest the bowls and cups and stand the plates and saucers up on the sides, making sure all items are individually wrapped.
This is the best way for the dishes, but when packing this way, it is best to place higher up on the stack-"totem pole".
Glassware should have it own box with double wrapping.
Mirrors and Glass Tops These items should always be standing up on the edges.
It is best to place these items between mattresses or between bookshelves, dressers and walls.
Lamps: Lamps should be wrapped in newspaper or wrapping paper and placed in a box surrounded by more paper.
The lamp shape should be placed in its very own box.
Do not use news paper for lamp shade covers; the ink from the newspaper can stain the shades.
Do not store any heavy items (if anything) on top of lamp shade boxes.
Use wardrobe boxes for bedding, clothes, curtains, linen and any fabrics to avoid permanent wrinkles and sitting directly on the floor.
This all prevent moths and other bugs that find homes in stored clothing.
When storing items in your storage unit remember 2 major things; store things that you will less likely need longest in the back and heaviest things on the bottom.
Also, do not to store anything flammable, poisonous, live or editable.