Did you know that around 25% of people in the United States have a problem with too much clutter?
Accumulating items can help you hold onto memories, but some items are too large to keep in the home.
If you need to open up some space in your home, you should consider storing some of your furniture.
Keep reading to learn about the basics of furniture storage so that your items are kept safe!
Identify Items to Get Stored
One of the first steps for furniture storage is to identify what you want to store.
Getting a storage unit will be difficult if you don’t know what size you need. By taking measurements and writing a list, you can figure out what you need to fit inside of a storage unit.
Think about the items that you don’t use often or that you want to preserve. If you have antique chairs, you might want to protect them until the puppy is trained or your child grows up.
Consider a Storage Unit
Urban and rural areas have storage units all over town, making it easy to free up some space.
If you can’t store furniture in a garage, a storage unit is your next best option. Storage units come in a variety of sizes and some have certain features to protect your items. Many people recommend a storage unit since you can visit it at any time and the prices are typically worth the investment for a clutter-free home.
Before signing up for a storage unit, look at your local options and compare prices. You should also think about the items that you need to store so that you don’t get a unit that won’t work.
Depending on the storage company you go to, they might have outdoor or indoor access to the storage units.
Find Somewhere Secure
Figuring out where to store furniture in between moves can get overwhelming since so many places are vulnerable.
Wherever you decide to store your furniture, you want to ensure that no one can get access to it. Storage units, garages, and basements are often used since they can get locked. If you have expensive items to store, a storage company is your safest option.
Storage unit companies are safe since you need an access code to enter the premises. The unit doors are all locked and there are often cameras on the property. Having these security features can let you rest at night, knowing that your furniture will still be there in the morning.
Think About the Climate
Depending on where you live, you might need to consider the climate.
If you live in a hot and humid climate, moisture is more likely to impact your stored furniture. Humidity and temp controls come with certain storage units, which can prevent warping or damage to materials.
Another reason to consider the climate when storing furniture is that wood can swell when it gets too humid, and could also result in mold. During the cold parts of the year, you need to ensure that none of your furniture becomes brittle from below-freezing temps.
Expensive and rare items typically require climate-control units. When you are storing old furniture or something that you aren’t as concerned about, a normal unit should work.
Select a Good Location
Finding the cheapest way to store furniture is smart, but only if you remain local.
Even if you can get a better deal, it typically doesn’t make sense to get a storage unit far away. Try to get a unit within 10 to 15 miles of your home so that you can’t quickly access your items when needed.
You also want to consider the location to determine the safety in the neighborhood. Since storage places are all over, some of the cheaper ones tend to be in unsafe areas. Make sure that you feel safe and comfortable driving to the unit and leaving your belongings there.
Wrap Your Items
Dust, weather conditions, and time can damage your furniture and make it dull in storage.
The best way to protect the furniture in storage is to wrap the items. Cellophane wrap, tarps, and blankets are great options for covering your chairs and couches. Following this tip will help you preserve the colors of the furniture and prevent them from getting ruined.
Not only does wrapping your items keep them safe in storage, but it also prepares them for transportation. When you go to grab your items, they will already be protected for the transfer.
Add Additional Protection
Depending on the storage area you choose, you might want to consider additional protection.
No matter where you live, mouse traps and mothballs are always a good idea to keep in the unit. They will help prevent pests and moths from eating the fabrics and damaging your expensive furniture.
Tarps are also used for storing furniture since they are large and can prevent scratches. Make sure you put items on a shelf about 3 inches above the ground in case of flooding. These tips are especially important if you invested a lot of money into new furniture.
Do you Need Furniture Storage?
Whether your house is cluttered or clean, furniture storage can help make it better.
You can store items to protect them from kids and pets, or hold onto them for future generations. Since furniture can be such a large investment, you need to ensure that your items are safe from flooding, theft, and climate damage.
Take your time to find the most affordable and local option so that your belongings are never far.