Best Ways To Organize Your Storage Unit

We've seen it happen many times here at High Plains Storage in Chino Valley. Someone rents a unit, tosses everything inside in a hurry, and then six months later, they're standing at the door, wondering which of those identical brown boxes contains the items they’re looking for.

Here's the thing about storage units. You get the most out of them when you can actually find what you put in them. Sounds obvious, but you'd be surprised how many people lose track of where they place their items.

After working with hundreds of customers here in Chino Valley, we've picked up a few tricks that actually work. There is no need for fancy and expensive organizers. Just common sense and an hour of planning.

Start With the Least Interesting Stuff

Nobody we know wants to spend a Saturday afternoon making a list, but here's what happens when you don't. You could possibly end up renting a more expensive 10x20 when a 10x10 would've done the job.

Spend 30 minutes walking through your house and jotting down what's actually going into storage. Mark down your big items first, like your couches, beds, and that treadmill stored in the corner of the room. Then estimate how many boxes you’ll need. Most people tend to underestimate, though some definitely need more than they have. Getting the right size matters.

What Type of Boxes Do You Need?

Have you ever used flimsy boxes from the dollar store? Yeah, don't use those for anything heavier than holiday decorations. We've watched those things collapse under the weight of books many times.

Head over to your local moving supplies supplier. They often have uniform cardboard box sizes that stack better. Another valuable asset you should consider using is see-through plastic bins. They cost a little more upfront, but you can see exactly what's inside without needing to guess.

Label the side of the box. Not just the top. Because once you have boxes stacked in your storage unit, you won't be able to see labels on them.

Loading Your Storage Unit

A common mistake we see is people packing boxes so heavy that they can barely lift them. Then a couple of hours later, they feel like their back is sore.

Dense items, such as books, should be packed in small boxes. Clothes and pillows are better suited for big boxes. It shouldn't be too difficult if you plan accordingly.

Disassemble those items that come apart, like bed frames, table legs, and shelving. Remember to bag up the screws, then tape that bag to the furniture it belongs to. We’ve all been there and spent 45 minutes trying to figure out which set of bolts went to which bookshelf. Save yourself the headache.

Arranging Your Storage Unit

Consider what you'll need. If you're storing holiday items and you know you'll want those decorations sooner rather than later, keep them at the front of your unit.

Here's a plan that works. Create a hallway running down the middle of your unit. The items you'll need are located on one side, near the door, and are easy to access. Stuff you probably won't touch for months is stored at the back. Simple, but it makes a big difference when you're not shuffling 20 boxes around to grab one thing.

Stack the heavier boxes at the bottom and the lighter ones on top. Again, seems obvious until you're tired and just want to be done. Then physics reminds you why this rule exists.

Oh, and here's something most people don't think about. You can stand your mattress up on its long edge, or if your couch allows you to flip it, so it lies on its side, allowing it to fit snugly. You'll save so much floor space.

Stay on Top of It

The biggest mistake? Thinking you're done once everything's loaded in. Three months later, you add a few more boxes, and suddenly you don’t remember what went where.

We recommend keeping a sketch of your storage unit layout on your phone for easy reference. Nothing too crazy, just boxes and labels showing roughly where things are. Takes two minutes to update and saves you from tearing apart the whole unit when you need something specific.

If you're the organized type, you can label your boxes with numbers and take a photo of their contents. 

Why We're Telling You All This

High Plains Storage isn't some massive storage company. We're right here in Chino Valley at 975 E. Road 4-1/2 South, and we care about our tenants. We'd rather you have a good experience with your unit than deal with the frustration of a disorganized one.

Visit Us Today

If you're considering renting a unit or are unhappy with where you’re at, come to High Plains Storage. We offer cutting edge technology, all concrete drive aisles, and our units have insulated ceilings. We're happy to answer any questions you may have. Rent today, we’re at 975 E. Road 4-1/2 South, Chino Valley, AZ, 86323.