Mini Storage Tips & Best Practices
  • Use good quality storage boxes. We sell cardboard and plastic boxes
  • Fill boxes to capacity, as partially full or bulging boxes may tip or collapse
  • Heavy items should be packed into small boxes so that they are easy to lift
  • Label or number boxes for easy reference when you need to locate your goods
  • Make up an inventory of your stored items and keep it in a safe place at home
  • Protect your fragile goods in bubble wrap
  • Dishes and glasses should be wrapped in tissue paper or bubble wrap before storing
  • Garden equipment should be cleaned before storing
  • Wrap table legs with bubble wrap before storing
  • Wardrobe boxes allow you to store your clothing on hangers which keeps their shape
  • Place heavy or bulky items in the room first to provide a good stacking base
  • Plan your storage space - put those items that you need to get to most often near the front, close to the door
  • To maximize space stack similar sized boxes together
  • Do not place heavy items on sofas or mattresses
  • Always place a protective cover over your soft furnishings
  • Stack chairs seat to seat with cloth or paper to separate them
  • Leave refrigerator or freezer doors open for ventilation
  • Pictures and mirrors should be wrapped in boxes, marked fragile and stacked on their end
  • Avoid stacking or leaning furniture against outside walls to aid ventilation
  • Cover your goods with dust sheets to protect against dust


How to Choose a Self Storage Rental

Step 1

Locate a Storage Facility
Location is the biggest factor in choosing a self storage rental facility. Go to Google Maps (http://maps.google.com) and type in "self storage" + your specific city and country to get a mapping of the storage facilities nearest to you.

Step 2

Ensure the Storage Unit is Easily Accessible
Proximity is an important factor but also make sure the nearby locations are near a freeway, highway or other major road. Also, parking availability and the ability to drive right up to your storage facility is an important factor. It may be important to you to avoid any facility that involves hauling stuff up a staircase, narrow hallway or small elevator. Be sure to ask your potential facilities if they meet these requirements. In Google Maps you may have Street View available in that area which will give you a close-up view as if you're right there at the facility. Also, check the storage facility's website for pictures of their storage units.

Step 3

Determine Your Usages
Storage facilities can serve personal and commercial storage needs and sometimes both. Pay attention to the storage facility rules to make sure your belongings don't get seized! Things like perishable foods, animals, stolen goods and illegal substances are likely not allowed, hopefully for obvious reasons!

  • Personal
    For personal storage, where your living space is limited you may want to store seasonal belongings such as a bicycles, rollerblades, and skis until they are ready for use. Short term storage is a great idea for those who have excess furniture or appliances while waiting to move in to their new home.
  • Commercial
    For commercial and business storage you may need to store inventory (non-perishable, of course) or excess merchandise, office stationary, files or even all the furniture in the office.


Step 4

To get an idea of how much storage you require, check out this slick Space Approximator from EuroMiniStorage.com at http://www.euroministorage.hu/space-approximator.html. You can use it to measure how much storage you need based on the number of rooms, surface of your house, number of boxes or size of vehicle.
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Step 5

Determine the Security of the Facility
The worst thing to happen is to have your valuables get stolen or destroyed by fire. Ensure that your storage facility is equipped with individually controlled alarms. You may also want a facility that has video surveillance, and on-site security guards. You should decide for yourself if how much security you are willing to pay a premium towards. You may want to purchase insurance coverage to protect stored belongings from theft or damage.

Step 6

Enjoy your reclaimed living space!