Woah! You’ve got a lot of stuff. Some people are great at envisioning exactly how much space they need in their Peoria storage unit, and their move-ins go off without a hitch. Others seek the guidance of on-staff experts to see how many sofas, bikes, or appliances usually fit into a space. However, only a handful of people who arrive ready to unload and then look nervously between the room and truck wondering “How am I going to make all this fit in there?” If you’re one of those people, here are a few things you can do to avoid the anguish. 1. Unpack the Large Items First A lot of the time, sofas can be stood on one end to maximize vertical space. Failing that, start with your largest pieces, and place additional overturned couches or chairs on top of them. It’s a good idea to remove legs or disassemble furniture whenever possible to make packing easier. Add smaller pieces in order by size, like a game of reverse-Jenga, to get the most overall use of space. 2. Use Space-Saver Bags If you have the foresight, invest in some space-saver bags that utilize your vacuum to suck out air. They work especially well to reduce the footprint of comforters, pillows, and bulky winter clothes. Because they come in all sizes, form a tight seal, and are great for storing any kind of fabric, you can get a lot more stuff in each box. Just be sure everything is clean and totally dry before using a sealed bag, or you’ll find your items covered in mold or mildew later. 3. Use the Right-Size Boxes It’s amazing how often people store partially-full boxes. If you’re standing at your Peoria storage unit and can’t squeeze everything in, condense your bounty and ditch some boxes. If you need the organization of keeping similar things together, check with the front desk. They’ll have boxes of every size, so you can repack things on the fly and still keep chaos at bay. Some experts say you should only use one box-size for everything. While it may provide stability and a sense of orderliness, it adds up to a ton of wasted space. As long as you keep heavy items on the bottom, and stack smaller or fragile items on top, it’s ok to use boxes of all dimensions. 4. Utilize Furniture Don’t overlook dresser drawers and cabinets. If you’re already stashing furniture, squeeze what you can into the built-in storage each item provides. If you use unconventional methods, like placing boxes in a clothes dryer, keep the door open to allow air flow. If these things don’t give you enough space, you’re left with a few choices. You can store less, you can get an extra unit, or you can check with the front desk about getting a bigger unit. Good luck and happy packing! Call or visit our Peoria self storage facility today at the address listed below: US Storage Centers 19315 North 83rd Avenue Peoria, AZ 85382 (623) 428-1111