{"id":52578,"date":"2020-01-09T14:51:40","date_gmt":"2020-01-09T21:51:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/movinginsider.com\/?p=52578"},"modified":"2020-01-09T14:51:42","modified_gmt":"2020-01-09T21:51:42","slug":"5-tips-for-successful-storage","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.uhaul.com\/blog\/2020\/01\/09\/5-tips-for-successful-storage\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Tips for Successful Storage"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"760\" height=\"570\" src=\"https:\/\/movinginsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/11.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-52581\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.uhaul.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/11.png 760w, https:\/\/www.uhaul.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/11-300x225.png 300w, https:\/\/www.uhaul.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/11-640x480.png 640w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 760px) 100vw, 760px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>There will likely be a time (or a few times) in life when you have some extra things and you aren\u2019t sure what to do with them; storage closets and garden sheds can only hold so much. This is the perfect time to consider storage as an option. Before you dive in, here are 5 tips for a successful storage experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Determine Your Need<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>There are many different reasons to decide on storage, but you want to have a clear reason and goal in mind when you\u2019re making your decision. Here are just a few common situations when storage can help:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Your\nextra belongings are taking up valuable space in your home<\/li><li>You\nhave some items you don\u2019t use often, but aren\u2019t ready to part ways with them<\/li><li>Storing\nitems will temporarily create extra room in your home for guest or a remodel<\/li><li>Business\nmaterials, inventory, documents, and files need a safe place to be stored that\nisn\u2019t your home or office<\/li><li>It\u2019s\noff season and you need a place for your RV or boat<\/li><li>Neighborhood\nparking ordinances or limit space makes it difficult to park your motorcycle,\ncar, or other motorized vehicle<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Knowing why you want to store items can help you choose the right service and option for you. Don\u2019t worry, we\u2019ll cover more on that below. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"924\" height=\"691\" src=\"https:\/\/movinginsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/22-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-52583\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.uhaul.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/22-1.jpg 924w, https:\/\/www.uhaul.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/22-1-300x224.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.uhaul.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/22-1-768x574.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.uhaul.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/22-1-640x479.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 924px) 100vw, 924px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Make a List<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Now that you know why you want to choose storage, it\u2019s time to decide on what you will be storing. Organize all your items in one specific area of your home or yard if possible and make a list of everything. This will not only help you keep track of everything but assist you with selecting the size of a storage unit or number of containers or boxes a little later. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Make sure you don\u2019t have items such as food, plants, anything flammable, paint, and anything with a strong odor. For a full list of which items you shouldn\u2019t store, take a look at our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.uhaul.com\/Articles\/Tips\/16189\/The-Dos-And-Donts-Of-Self-Storage\/?utm_campaign=uhaulsm&amp;utm_source=facebook&amp;utm_medium=storage&amp;utm_content=20200109-5tipsforsuccessful\">Do\u2019s and Don\u2019t of Self-Storage guide.<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Know Your Options<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>There are many different options available to fit your needs, and it&#8217;s helpful to take a quick look at all of them before making a final decision. As we mentioned before, your need can help with determining which option is best for you.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Climate controlled and drive up <a href=\"https:\/\/www.uhaul.com\/Storage\/?utm_campaign=uhaulsm&amp;utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=movinginsider&amp;utm_content=20200109-5tipsforsuccessful\">Self-Storage<\/a> facilities are widely available in the United States and Canada, and each facility is unique to its market. Some facilities have features such as climate-controlled storage, heated storage, or 24-hour access. To find the perfect unit size for you, use our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.uhaul.com\/Articles\/Tips\/5019\/Self-Storage-Size-Guide\">Self-Storage Size Guide<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Another great option for storage is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.uhaul.com\/UBox\/?utm_campaign=uhaulsm&amp;utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=storage&amp;utm_content=20200109-5tipsforsuccessful\">U-Box<\/a>. These convenient, flexible, and secure containers allow you to move and store your goods on your time. U-Box moving and storage containers can be brought directly to your door where you can pack them at your own pace and then store them or ship to your new home when ready.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"997\" height=\"780\" src=\"https:\/\/movinginsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/33.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-52584\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.uhaul.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/33.jpg 997w, https:\/\/www.uhaul.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/33-300x235.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.uhaul.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/33-768x601.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.uhaul.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/33-640x501.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 997px) 100vw, 997px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Similarly, this allows you to travel without having to worry about extra cargo and enjoy flexibility with the timing of your move. Use our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.uhaul.com\/UBox\/Dimensions\/\">estimator tool<\/a> to get an idea of how many U-Box containers you will need. If you end up getting more containers than you need, we will be happy to pick up the unused U-Box containers and credit you the full cost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you are a college student looking to store your belongings during summer or winter break or while studying abroad, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.uhaul.com\/Collegeboxes\/?utm_campaign=uhaulsm&amp;utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=movinginsider&amp;utm_content=20200109-5tipsforsuccessful\">Collegeboxes<\/a> is likely your best option.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"912\" height=\"608\" src=\"https:\/\/movinginsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/44.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-52585\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.uhaul.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/44.jpg 912w, https:\/\/www.uhaul.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/44-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.uhaul.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/44-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.uhaul.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/44-640x427.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 912px) 100vw, 912px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Most customers find the 5 boxes contained in our Supply\/Starter Kit to be sufficient, but you can order additional kits as needed too. If you have bigger items or need to store a large amount, a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.uhaul.com\/UBox\/?utm_campaign=uhaulsm&amp;utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=storage&amp;utm_content=20200109-5tipsforsuccessful\">U-Box<\/a> container is also a good choice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. <strong>Get Organized<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Now you know why you\u2019re storing and what you\u2019re storing, and you\u2019ve\nselected a service that fits your needs. The next step is to make sure your\nitems are organized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A full storage unit can be hard to get around in. This can cause major headaches when you have a need for that one item that\u2019s in a box on the bottom in the back of your self-storage unit. To avoid this, create a walkway that helps you easily navigate through your unit. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Placement and labeling are also things you can do to better organize your stored goods. Put the items you will likely need the most toward the front of your unit or U-Box so you can get to them right away. In addition, clearly label all your boxes so you know exactly what is in them or which room or area they are from.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/movinginsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/55-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-52586\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.uhaul.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/55-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.uhaul.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/55-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.uhaul.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/55-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.uhaul.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/55-640x427.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.uhaul.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/55.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Finally, map out your storage space and even take photos. These will be your reference for finding what you need, and your labeled boxes will help you confirm that you\u2019re in the right area or close to where you want to be when looking for an item later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>5. Safety First<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Storage safety features: <\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Security\nCameras<\/li><li>Individually\nalarmed rooms<\/li><li>Electronic\nAccess<\/li><li>Fire\nSprinklers<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Although your stored goods with U-Haul are well protected, you can do a few things to make sure your items are safe as well. For instance, don\u2019t leave your unit <strong>or U-Box<\/strong> unlocked. This just leaves you open to having your items stolen. Also, only allow authorized people that you trust to access your self-storage unit, U-Box, or Collegeboxes.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"930\" height=\"620\" src=\"https:\/\/movinginsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/66.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-52587\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.uhaul.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/66.jpg 930w, https:\/\/www.uhaul.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/66-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.uhaul.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/66-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.uhaul.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/66-640x427.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 930px) 100vw, 930px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>If you want even more piece of mind, there are <a href=\"https:\/\/www.uhaul.com\/DamageCoverage\/\">damage coverage<\/a> options available to keep your stored items safe from unexpected events. In other words, if your goods are worth storing, they are worth protecting. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In conclusion, now that you\u2019re prepared with these 5 tips for successful storage, you\u2019re ready to get started! Don\u2019t forget to revisit these tips when you begin planning to make sure you have the best storage experience possible.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>There will likely be a time (or a few times) in life when you have some extra things and you aren\u2019t sure what to do with them; storage closets and garden sheds can only hold so much. This is the perfect time to consider storage as an option. Before you dive in, here are 5 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":198,"featured_media":52581,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[212,214,7],"tags":[625,154,239,381,464,310],"class_list":["post-52578","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-storage-2","category-storage-units","category-tips-tricks","tag-collegeboxes","tag-safety","tag-security","tag-self-storage","tag-storage-tips","tag-ubox"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.uhaul.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/52578","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.uhaul.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.uhaul.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.uhaul.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/198"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.uhaul.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=52578"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/www.uhaul.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/52578\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":52610,"href":"https:\/\/www.uhaul.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/52578\/revisions\/52610"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.uhaul.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/52581"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.uhaul.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=52578"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.uhaul.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=52578"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.uhaul.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=52578"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}