It is important to think about organizing your storage units. If you do it right the first time, you’ll spare yourself a massive headache in future. The urge to get everything in your storage unit in as little time as possible is tempting, but without planning where things should go, you run the risk of needing to move everything around again just to gain access to something in the back at a later date. Despite the hassle this can cause, an unorganized unit can even be dangerous; improperly packed items could break or fall on you if you aren't careful. Try following these four steps to start off on the right foot and stay organized from the get-go. #1 - Take Stock of Everything You Plan to Store Count and take note of your entire inventory. Identify items that won’t fit into boxes or are awkwardly shaped. Start mentally grouping items together and try to pack them in manageable and easily-accessible ways. #2 - Identify the Correctly Sized Memphis Storage Units Finding the right sized storage unit to fit your needs is important. If you aren't sure what size you need, however, err on the side of going bigger than smaller. Too much space is better than too little. You will have the potential to fill up the extra space in time, and you will have space to move around now. Whatever size you get, however, make sure it meets the criteria of your storage needs. #3 - Group Items Together Think about your packing first. Place similar items together so they’ll be easy to find. Keep in mind which items you’ll need to use frequently and consider putting those up near the front of your storage unit. You may even want to consider a floor plan. Large pieces of furniture should go toward the back (unless you need them more immediately) and could be stood on end if it won’t compromise the integrity of the piece. Planning your item grouping is a crucial step for organization, so don't skip it! #4 - Pack and Label Items Correctly Wrap valuables, disassemble what you can, and put as many of your items as possible in similar-sized boxes. Label everything clearly. You can even use index cards with some tape to identify boxes so you can use the boxes for other items on a different date. If that doesn't work for you, John Donegan of the SpareFoot Blog suggests using a permanent marker so labels won’t fade. He also recommends using white label stickers instead of writing directly on boxes. Using correct packing and labeling will make organizing your storage units so much easier in order to stack boxes easily and comfortably. As a note about furniture and beds, try to make use of sturdy plastic covers. These help to keep the integrity of your belongings despite the weather, critters, or heat/cold that all could affect your unit. #5 - Moving Into Your Storage Units in Memphis Make sure you have a floor plan and stick to it. Heavy boxes should be at the bottom with lighter boxes and fragile items on top. Ensure that your labels are visible. Maximize the space in your Memphis storage unit by packing smaller items into bigger ones. For example, if you are storing a wardrobe, place smaller items in the wardrobe and take note of what you’ve put in there. You can even use a labeling system for furniture that is housing your other items. Maintain the Organization of Your Memphis Storage Unit Try to stick to your floor plan – even when adding items over time. US Storage Centers have a number of different sized storage units in Memphis to cater to your storage needs. Contact us today and our on-site managers will help you choose the storage unit that will make organizing it that much easier. US Storage Centers 3545 Hickory Hill Road Memphis, TN 38115 (901) 310-1721
