If you've run out of space in your home, and you're ready to clear out the clutter, consider renting a storage unit. One of the great things about renting a storage unit is that you don't have to toss out those seldom-used items. Instead, you can pack them up, and send them off to a storage unit. That way, they're out of the house but still available should you need them again. Here are some tips to help you avoid problems when renting a storage unit.
Know the Restrictions
If you're going to rent a storage unit for your belongings, the first thing you need to do is understand the restrictions. You might not realise this, but most storage companies have specific restrictions regarding the use of their facilities. Most storage facilities will limit the type of items you can store inside the units. For instance, you may not be allowed to store chemicals or flammable materials inside the storage units. You'll also want to discuss the types of activities that are allowed inside the storage unit. This is especially important if you want to use the space for do-it-yourself projects.
Give Yourself Space
When it comes to utilising your storage unit effectively, the best thing you can do is coordinate the space. You might think that simply filling your storage unit from back to front is the best course of action, but that's not necessarily the case. Following that method might block off the essential items. Not only that, but you might run out of space before you're done moving boxes into the unit. Instead, start by placing boxes along the outer edges of the storage unit. That way, you can leave yourself a path down the centre of the storage unit. This will give you access to all of your belongings.
Use Colour-Coding
If you're going to be packing up items from various rooms in the house, set up a colour-coding system. Colour-coding the boxes will allow you to store items in groupings. This process will allow you to locate specific items, without going through all of the boxes in the storage unit. This also is a good method for shared storage space. Colour-coding ensures that the belongings within a shared storage unit don't get mixed up.
Elevate the Boxes
Finally, if you're going to rent a storage unit for your belongings, make sure you elevate the boxes. This can be done with either storage shelves or with wood pallets. Elevating boxes protects your belongings in a number of ways. First, it keeps pests out of the boxes. Second, it protects against water damage. Finally, it allows air to circulate around the boxes, preventing mould and mildew.
