What To Put In Storage When Moving

boxes, picture showing what to put in storage

Are you moving into a smaller house and need to downsize your living space? Maybe you are not so sure whether that extra coffee table will fit into your new living room, but you aren’t ready to sell it yet. Whatever your reasons may be, storage units are the right solution. No wonder they have become so increasingly popular! If your moving day is approaching and you’re a first-time storage user, your head is probably swirling with numerous questions. For this very reason, we’ve prepared a couple of tips so that you know what to put in storage before the move.

Know the storage restrictions

hand trolley
Knowing what items you can’t put in storage will result in more efficient planning

Before decluttering your home and storing things you no longer need or have space for, you should learn what items classify as restricted. Now, you might argue that, since you’re paying for this space, you might as well be allowed to store anything you wish. But, that’s where you’re wrong. It all really comes down to one word: safety. Safety rules exist in order to protect both your property, so make sure you respect them. Here’s a handy list of items unfit for putting in your rented storage space:

  • Food – It may seem obvious, but this is easily one of the most overlooked rules. Whether its open containers of spices or liquor boxes, keep them out of the storage unit. If the storage space is without climate control, the food will quickly perish and invite pests into your storage unit.
  • Valuable itemsDon’t keep items such as jewelry in storage units. The same rule stands for money as well. You don’t want to push your luck and find anything damaged or stolen. Take into account that most units don’t have overnight managers, so break-ins are common.
  • Plants Storage units are not greenhouses. Plants will simply not survive in an environment without enough oxygen or light. With this in mind, when relocating your plants, make sure to pack them accordingly. If you don’t have space for them in your new home, consider giving them away.
  • Hazardous or flammable material – To make it easier for you, that’s anything that can potentially create damage if opened or spilled. Flammable or explosive material is strictly forbidden as well. This means even your medical supplies! Ask the manager for a detailed list so nothing slips your mind.
  • Nonoperational vehicles – You are generally free to store vehicles in your storage unit, but only if it is registered, insured and fully operational. Also, know that many storage units limit the storage of tires. Usually, you will not be able to store more than four tires.

What to put in storage? Determine for yourself!

Knowing what items you cannot put in storage is one of the best tips for moving stress-free. The first thing to do is consider how many things do you plan on storing in your storage unit. This is especially important when it comes to choosing your storage size. The second thing you should determine is how close is the storage unit to your new home. For example, if you are moving from Newark to New York, pay attention when looking for local storage units in New Jersey, as they might not cover all the boroughs. This will save you lots of time in case you need to get this from storage. Without further ado, let’s take a look at what to put in storage when you move.

The most stored items

  • Holiday decorations – Since you’ll probably need your Chrismas tree only once a year, you are surely not going to let it take up your new living room space. In that case, box up your holiday supplies and keep them in storage.
  • Old and outdoor furniture – What happens when the old sofa doesn’t match the color of the walls in your new home? It’s best to keep it in storage where it will be available when you or another person needs it. The same goes for your garden furniture, which will be safest in storage until the summer season.

    storage unit
    Planning what to move in storage is an essential step for a stress-free move
  • Antiques – Your grandfather clock may not really fit with the decor of your new home, but you aren’t going to sell it either, right? Be careful, as they may require a certain controlled environment. That’s why it’s best to take your antiques apart and have them professionally packed to a climate controlled unit.
  • Clothing – If you don’t know what to put in storage and what to keep, organize clothes by season and put it in storage so it doesn’t take up space in your closet. Make sure to only pack clean clothes if you don’t want an unpleasant surprise when you end up opening the box after some time! One of the useful unpacking tips is to label the boxes – this way the unpacking will be easier.

Create an inventory list

checklist
Making an inventory list is an efficient way of remembering where your items are

Now that you know what to put in storage, the best thing to do is list all items before shipping them to the storage unit. The last thing you want is panicking over seemingly lost items when you’ve simply forgotten that you’ve put them away at that time when you were moving two years ago. By creating an inventory list, you will easily be able to keep track of your stuff in storage. It’s best to list all your items while you are packing them and labeling the boxes. This way, you won’t forget anything and it will be easier to break the list down into categories. This will be extremely helpful when you move things out of storage, especially during the unpacking process.

 

Speaking of which…

Consider creating an inventory list of things you will be moving to your new home. It is one of the best unpacking tips and will come in handy when the time comes to sort through all the stuff once you move in. If you’ve hired movers, you can use the inventory list that comes together with your Bill of Lading and save yourself the trouble.

 

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