Packing Tips

You don’t have to move to understand that packing can be stressful. Pulling items out of your home to put into storage can be just as stressful as moving across town, especially if you’re disorganized. Thankfully, with a little help from The Storage Place, you can have an easy, stress-free move into your new storage unit.

Preparing for Your Move

Before you begin packing, you should gather all the materials you’ll need to pack the items you intend to store, such as tape, markers, packing tape, and backing material like packing paper, packing peanuts, etc. It’s especially important to find sturdy boxes that are of the same size to make them easier to stack when storing them. The boxes you choose should also be able to hold up to 25-30 pounds, although it’s best not to fill your boxes to that point.

Once you have all the materials you need to pack, start taking inventory of the items you have and keep that list either at your home or in a safe deposit box as long as the list isn’t in the unit. This will help you keep track of what you have stored in case something goes missing.

As you’re packing your items, be sure to list the contents of each box on the side and number them before sealing the boxes with tape. This will help you easily find the items you need whenever you make a visit to your unit

Preparing your Storage Unit

Before moving your items into storage, you need to prep your unit to ensure your items stay in the same condition you left them while in storage. Be sure to put down a protective cover on the floor before setting your items on the floor. If you’re renting a drive-up/exterior unit, place your storage items on 2×4 boards or on pallets to guard against dampness that might be on the floor.
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When putting your items into storage it’s important to think about how often you plan to visit your unit. If you simply plan to store your items for a set period of time, you can rent the smallest amount of space you need and pack your unit full. If you plan to make multiple trips to your unit, it’s best to rent a unit that will allow you enough room to make paths to move around your unit. If you’re not sure how much space you need for what you want to store, our unit size guide will help you determine how much each unit can hold.
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No matter how you pack your unit it’s always recommended to leave an aisle down the center of your unit and leave a little room between your items and the walls of your unit to allow proper airflow.

Storing Your Items

Now that you’ve prepared for your move and have packed your items, it’s time to store them in your storage unit. In order to make the most of the space in your unit, we have provided a guide to store the items we commonly see our customers moving into storage:

Dishware

Dishes and glasses should be wrapped in paper and packed in sturdy boxes. Stack them on top.
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Photos and Mirrors

Pictures and mirrors should be wrapped in cardboard, marked “FRAGILE” and stacked on end.
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Knick-Knacks and Other Small Items

Furniture with drawers can be utilized as storage places for pictures, knick-knacks, china, silverware, small items, etc. Wrap them in tablecloths, towels, or blankets to prevent breakage.
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Appliances

Larger appliances make excellent “packaging cases” for blankets, towels, tablecloths, and clothes.
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Electronics

TVs and other electronics should be stored toward the rear of your unit. If you no longer have the box for your TV, consider purchasing a foam cover for your TV to protect the screen from unwanted scratches and cracks.
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Garage Tools

Garage tools like shovels, hoes, rakes, and hoses can be stored together in empty trash bins. If you have multiple bins, stack them together to save even more space in your storage unit.
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Stuffed Furniture

Cover stuffed furniture with cardboard or blankets to protect against dust.
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Dining Room Tables

If you have a dining room table with removable legs, remove them to save space. Otherwise, tables should be stacked tableside down to make more space in your unit.
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Sofas and Loveseats

Sofas and loveseats should be stacked on their sides to save floor space.
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Sharp and Heavy Objects

Avoid placing sharp objects on top of upholstered furniture. Instead, store sharp objects in the drawers of other furniture like dressers or high boys. Heavy items, especially boxes, should be stacked on the bottom so as not to crush lighter, more fragile items underneath.
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Metal Items

Wipe any items made of metal—bikes, metal tables, tools, etc.—with machine oil to prevent rusting.
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Combustibles

It is against your rental agreement to store anything combustible such as paint thinner, gasoline, solvents, or paint.
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Rent or Reserve Your Unit at The Storage Place

Once you have everything packed for your big move or items from your garage clean-out, it’s time to find a place to put your items until you need them again. Luckily, The Storage Place can help with this too. Featuring plenty of units that can hold a little or the contents of your entire home, there’s a storage solution for your unique situation. For flexible storage in Texas, look no further than The Storage Place!

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Customer Storage Place branded moving boxes in a stack