If you are moving soon and de-cluttering your home to help it sell quicker, or your growing business needs extra storage for excess stock or equipment, then it might be time to get a self-storage unit. Not only can self-storage be a secure, cost-effective solution, but it also gives you easy access to your items. However, packing items for storage requires careful thought and planning, especially if you want to utilise the extra space properly.  With this in mind, we’ve compiled these top tips on how to pack a self-storage unit that will not only make your transition in to store smoother but also help you locate your items quickly and efficiently, when the need arises.

1. Put Heavy Items On The Bottom

This is the most important self-storage tip. Stack your larger and heavier items, such as sofas, tables and bigger boxes at the bottom of your storage unit. By packing heavier things together for storage, you avoid having bulkier items stacked at the top. This prevents the most delicate items from being squashed or damaged whilst they are in storage.

2. Label Your Boxes

When you start packing things for a self-storage unit, you’ve got to consider how you will find your items when they are packed into boxes. One tip is to make sure that you label each box clearly with a permanent marker pen, perhaps with the room it came from or the exact items inside. You will then be able to easily see what is in each box and quickly locate the items that you are looking for when you visit your storage unit. Another option is to choose clear boxes, that way you can easily see what's inside.

3. Make A List

The best way to ensure you know everything that is in your storage unit is by making a list. The ideal method is to make a list as you pack for storage and then cross- check this with another list as you put your items in to the storage unit. You can then see if anything has been forgotten or misplaced. Another reason we recommend this for how to pack your unit is it allows you to keep as much detail about the item's location as you need. For example, you could write down the box number it is in or where in the unit it is kept.

4. Balance your Boxes

Once you’ve packed things for storage, it's time to get them into the unit effectively. Make sure boxes are not overloaded and that the heaviest items are at the bottom of the box so that fragile items are not crushed. Your boxes then should be stacked evenly with the biggest on the bottom.

5. Place Frequently Used Items at the Front

Place any items that you think you may need in the near future at the front of your storage unit. This could include seasonal stock, clothing or tools. You will then be able to easily access them without unloading and repacking your entire storage unit.

6. Protect Fragile Items

It's no use putting fragile items into storage without considering how they will remain intact. Make sure you choose the right packing material and size container to store your items; this will protect them from being damaged while in a self-storage unit. For more, discover top tips for protecting processions.

7. Keep Occasional Items in the Same Place

If you're planning on storing decorations and seasonal items, keeping them in the same area of your storage is a top tip for keeping your unit organised. By having a designated area for all your summer camping/beach items, you know you'll grab everything without having to pull out the entire unit. The same goes for Christmas decorations—keeping all of them in one place is vital. Read here for more storage tips on storing your Christmas decorations.

If you’re looking for storage, Ease the Squeeze has various-sized storage units available to rent, plus a range of professional-grade packing boxes, wrapping paper, bubble wrap and tape on hand to buy - find your nearest self- store.