Moving day is almost upon you, and you realize there’s no way that all your belongings will fit into your new house or apartment — at least not right away. You’ll have to rent a storage unit to secure the excess items until you can declutter and regroup. Or, maybe you have to be out of one apartment by the end of the month. In the meantime, you’re couch surfing until your new place is ready for move-in the following month and need somewhere to stash your stuff. Or, perhaps you’re like thousands of New Yorkers seeking extra storage space for seasonal decor, heirlooms, excess clothing, and other items that just don’t fit in your closets. Whatever your reasons for renting a self-storage unit, here are a few pointers to help you get your things packed and keep your space organized:
Find a unit.
While it may be tempting to call the first number that you see in the listings, it’s a good idea to do some research on the place that will be storing your belongings. At a minimum, you should look for a storage facility that:
- Offers on-site security and monitoring
- Boasts convenient 24/7 access
- Has an array storage unit sizes
- Is kept clean and pest-free
- Won’t cost a fortune!
At Imperial Moving, in addition to providing moving services, we also offer our clients access to cheap storage options. Store with us at one of our self-storage facilities in New York City. Our storage facilities meet all the criteria listed above, plus they are in NYC, making them easy to access. Alternatively, you can arrange on-demand storage as part of your move. Our movers will coordinate pick up of your belongings from your home or office and store them at one of our secure storage warehouses until you need them.
Organize and label your boxes.
Whether you’re moving or putting things away for an extended period, labeling helps you know what is in each box. This way, you don’t have to tear through several boxes trying to find that one thing you really need. During packing, decide which items are non-essential, and group those boxes together. Mark them clearly with the word “STORAGE” or something similar. Place a label on the top and the side of each box. When placing boxes in your storage unit, be sure to stack them with the stickers facing out, so you can quickly scan the stacks to see what each box contains.
Stack to the rafters.
You’re paying for every inch of that unit, so make the most of each one. Stack the boxes as high as you can comfortably reach them, putting the heaviest items on the bottom, and the most fragile on top. Again, make sure you label the boxes, so you’ll know if there’s anything breakable in there when you return. Have you stored any seasonal items you’ll need to retrieve soon? Put those boxes as close to the front as possible, so you can just unlock, grab and go.
Keep a clear path.
If you have a walk-in unit, be sure to stack furniture and boxes in a way that leaves a clear path through the space. This layout will enable you to still access items at the back of the unit without having to rearrange everything to get there.
Keep the no-nos in mind.
You should never store some items in a storage unit. Some are obvious — living creatures, anything toxic or hazardous — but others aren’t as well-known. For example, while it’s acceptable to store a vehicle, most facilities won’t allow you to include more than four tires, because it costs too much to dispose of them. Before moving in, make sure everything your storing meets the approval of your storage facility.
Moving & Storage NYC
At Imperial Moving & Storage, we’re here to make your moving experience more manageable. Just let us know how we can help! Whether you need help packing for storage, you’re shopping for a cheap storage unit, or you need on-demand storage service, our team can accommodate. To get started, just give us a call!
