Moving house, downsizing, or simply making more space in your home can be a huge task. As you begin to sort through all your belongings, you may find yourself with a common problem: what do you do with the things you can’t part with, but just don’t have room for right now?

This is where self storage comes in, offering a flexible and secure way to store your possessions. But if you’ve never used a storage unit before, the whole process might feel a little confusing.

Don’t worry, at Lock Stock we’re here to help. We’ve put together a comprehensive checklist designed to make your first self storage experience as easy and stress free as possible. From finding the perfect unit to packing like a pro, this guide has got you covered.

 

Assess Your Needs & Find the Right Facility

Before you start packing, it’s important to have a full understanding of what you’re storing. This will determine the size of the unit you need and the features you should look for.

• Make an Inventory: Walk through your home and make a list of everything you plan to store. Be realistic about what you have. Are you storing furniture from a three bedroom house or just some boxes of old clothes and documents?
• Calculate Your Space: Most websites will have a size guide on their website which will give you an idea of what will fit in the units they provide. You can view ours here. It’s always better to slightly overestimate than to have a unit that’s too small.
• Choose the Right Features: Do you need 24/7 access to your belongings? Do you want to be able to drive up to your unit? Is the location convenient? Make sure you choose the features that are most important to you based on how you will be using your storage.

 

Packing & Preparation 

Packing in the right way can make everything easier in the long run, as well as making sure the contents of your storage unit are well protected.

• Use Proper Packing Materials: Invest in good quality sturdy boxes and consider bubble wrap, packing paper, and good quality packing tape. Label every single box clearly with its contents. This will save you so much time and frustration later.
• Disassemble Furniture: Take apart beds, tables, and desks to save space. Place all screws and bolts in a clearly labeled bag and tape it to the corresponding furniture piece. This is extremely useful when it comes to reassembly.
• Clean & Dry Everything: Before you pack items like kitchen appliances or garden tools, make sure they are completely clean and dry. This prevents mould and mildew from forming in your unit.
• Protect Fragile Items: Wrap delicate items individually. Use towels, blankets, or bubble wrap to provide extra cushioning. Fill any empty spaces in boxes with packing paper to prevent items from shifting.

 

The Move In Day Checklist

You’ve done the preparation, now it’s time to move everything in. A little strategic planning on this day will pay off big time.

• Arrange Items Strategically: Place the items you’ll need to access most frequently at the front of the unit. Put heavy items on the bottom and lighter items on top. Leave a small walkway or aisle down the middle so you can easily reach things without having to unpack the whole unit.
• Stack Vertically: Use the height of your unit. Stack boxes on top of each other to maximise space. You can use shelves or racks to create more organised sections. We offer racking as an option when you book your unit.
• Don’t Seal Everything Up: If you’re storing items that need to breathe, like mattresses or sofas, don’t wrap them in airtight plastic. Use a breathable cover to protect them from dust.
• Secure Your Unit: Once everything is in place, lock your unit with a high quality, sturdy padlock.

 

Maintenance & Access

Even after you’ve moved everything in, it’s important to have a plan for ongoing maintenance and access.

• Keep an Inventory List: Hold onto that initial inventory list you created. You might even want to take a photo of the inside of your unit so you remember how everything is laid out.
• Plan Your Visits: Try to consolidate your trips to the storage unit. Plan ahead for what you need to retrieve so you don’t have to make multiple visits.
• Review Your Contract: Take a moment to read your rental agreement, especially the parts about prohibited items. Most facilities don’t allow you to store flammable materials, perishable goods, or illegal substances.

By following the steps outlined here you should find your self storage experience to be hassle free, while ensuring your belongings stay safe and secure.

If you would like to find out more about how we can help then be sure to get in touch with us today or book your unit online.