Before you pack: declutter and plan
The cheapest way to fit more in a unit is to store less. Before you move anything:
- Sort items into keep, sell, donate and discard (our guide to downsizing when you move can help you decide).
- Ask whether you would buy the item again. If not, think twice about paying to store it.
- Make an inventory list, even a simple one on your phone.
- Decide how often you will need access. Items you may want soon go near the front.
If you are still deciding on a unit, see our guides to unit size for a one bedroom apartment and storage costs for a three bedroom house.
Supplies
- Sturdy boxes in a few consistent sizes (uniform boxes stack more safely)
- Packing tape, markers and labels
- Furniture covers or blankets, and mattress bags
- Plastic sheeting or pallets to keep items off the floor, if the facility allows
- A good lock, and shelving if you want to organize items by category
- Bubble wrap or paper for fragile items
Pack boxes so they stack and stay protected
- Put heavier items such as books in smaller boxes and lighter items such as linens in larger ones.
- Fill boxes fully so they do not collapse when stacked, but do not overload them.
- Seal them well.
- Label every box on at least two sides with the room and a short contents list, and number boxes to match your inventory.
- Keep fragile items in clearly marked boxes on top.
Loading order: what goes where
- Clean the unit. Sweep it and check for damage or leaks before you start.
- Back and bottom: large, heavy, rarely needed items like appliances, dressers and mattresses.
- Middle: furniture and sturdy boxes stacked in even columns.
- Front: items you may need to reach, such as seasonal gear.
Some people sketch a map of the unit first. A basic layout helps you avoid reshuffling.
Leave an aisle and make things findable
A center walkway lets you reach items at the back without unloading. Put labels facing the aisle. Keep your inventory list handy, and consider a simple map of where categories live. Placing similar items together, such as kitchen, bedroom and decor, makes finding things much easier.
Fit more using vertical and dead space
- Stack boxes to a safe height with the heaviest at the bottom.
- Stand long items like sofas, mattresses and tabletops on their ends if they will stay stable. Check what your item manufacturer recommends first.
- Disassemble bed frames, tables and shelving to save space; see how to store a bed frame for the details.
- Use the inside of drawers, dressers, wardrobes and appliances for small items, unless the facility forbids it or the item should stay empty.
- Nest chairs and stack cushions.
Protect furniture, mattresses, appliances and electronics
- Use breathable furniture covers rather than airtight plastic, which can trap moisture.
- Keep mattresses upright or flat on a clean surface, covered in a mattress bag.
- Clean and dry appliances fully and leave doors slightly ajar to reduce odors, if appropriate.
- Wrap wood furniture and consider climate control for sensitive items such as electronics, photographs, artwork and wood pieces.
- Keep boxes off the floor if possible.
What not to store
Most facilities prohibit hazardous items such as flammables, fuel, explosives and many chemicals, and do not allow perishable food. Ask for the facility’s list. Avoid leaving irreplaceable documents, cash or jewelry in a unit. If you plan to keep tools and equipment, see whether using a storage unit as a workshop is allowed. For storage only, drain fuel and fluids from equipment as the facility requires. Our guide to proper storage of tools and equipment covers rust and moisture protection.
How much stuff can you store in a 10x10 storage unit?
A 10x10 unit is often described as holding the contents of a one bedroom apartment or a few rooms’ worth of furniture, but results depend on furniture size and how tightly you pack. Plan on the unit being full if you include a bed, sofa, dresser, table and a stack of boxes, and leave some room for walking if you need access.
Can you sleep in a storage unit during the day?
Storage facilities typically do not allow people to sleep or live in units, and leases usually say so. Units lack ventilation, lighting and safety features for habitation.
Keeping the unit organized afterward
- Update your inventory whenever you add or remove items.
- Visit periodically to check for moisture, pests or damage.
- Rotate seasonal items and remove things you no longer need.
- Re-evaluate your size and costs every few months. Our overview of the benefits and drawbacks of self storage has questions to ask when deciding whether to keep renting.