Storage units will be useful for people who want to keep a lot of furniture in one place. You’ll continue to rack up fees the longer you keep your furniture in storage, so it may benefit you financially to come up with a long-term plan for your pieces.
A handful of odds and ends like an unused dining set or your grandmother’s antique bedside table may not be worth the monthly fees required to rent a storage unit. Keeping them somewhere out of the way around your home is a smart move. Survey your home’s extra space before you start moving things in and out. Some attics or basements have steep stairs and small entryways, which can make them impractical for storage purposes.
An average-sized closet can be used to store light fixtures, stools or boxes of cookware and decorations. Make sure not to clutter up the closet if its one you use frequently.
Allow ample space between stored furniture and vehicles, tools and other equipment. One advantage of storing furniture in a garage or shed is that you’ll have all the tools you need on hand to take things apart and put them back together.
Cover wobbly items in bubble wrap or towels and use them to brace one another. Paintings and mirrors should also be situated vertically, as it’s possible for them to collapse under their own weight over time when laid flat. [5] X Research source
Group disassembled items into clusters and keep them close together to avoid losing or confusing any parts. Keep track of screws, bolts, hinges and other minuscule pieces by placing them in a plastic bag and taping them to the furniture somewhere visible.
As much as possible, wrap items individually, rather than in bundles. Leave some distance between fragile objects and avoid stacking or leaning them together.
If you have items that you’re especially concerned about damaging, use wooden pallets to elevate them off the floor. [8] X Research source Track local weather conditions and take precautions against flooding. Standing water can ruin furniture if it’s not dealt with swiftly.
Furniture covers also prevent dust from settling on items that are in storage for long periods of time. [10] X Research source It’s usually best not to completely seal items in plastic, as escaping moisture can become trapped and cause mildew.
Heat can warp or even melt certain materials, while cold can cause others to dry crack, splinter or dry out.
Check for leaks, drafts or any other defects in the storage space that may let harmful moisture in. [13] X Research source Even without the risk of mildew, wood furniture can warp, swell or split when it’s exposed to moisture.
