Here’s a topic you can benefit from, whether you’re currently renting one of our Pigeon Forge storage units or you’re considering renting one from us in the near future. It’s always important to get a space big enough to accommodate your needs, but once you start moving your belongings into the unit, it only makes sense to maximize that space as much as possible. Consider it getting the most bang for your buck and possibly saving you the cost of having to expand or overflow into a larger unit.
This time around, we’re going to pass along some tips for exactly how and where to put your things. This will be easy if you haven’t actually moved into your space yet. If you’re already there, maybe you have some extra time now for a weekend project – pulling everything out and starting from scratch. What better time to do a little spring cleaning, right?
Here are the guidelines, although note that this is not a sequence of steps. These can be done in any order. Just keep them in mind as you load in…
1. Heaviest things go on the bottom – Things like furniture pieces are a no-brainer. They’re the foundation everything else can go on. If you’re talking storage boxes, this works too, but be careful with how much you stack on top of them. Heaviest doesn’t necessarily mean strongest.
2. Put larger things in first – Same principle. Things like furniture and cabinets can go in first and in the back, making it easier to put smaller things toward the front and even in the cracks and spaces between the largest items. Maximize that space!
3. Frequently accessed items go near the front – This makes sense. If there are things you anticipate needing soon or on a regular basis, put them at the front where you can get them easily without having to pull other things out or dig through the clutter.
4. Consider using shelving racks – Portable shelving, which you can get at any home-improvement store, is an efficient way to store smaller items and maximize the space between floor and ceiling. It also helps you avoid having to stack multiple boxes on top of each other.
5. Boxes and bags – Cardboard boxes are good for holding non-clothing items. They’re symmetrical and stackable. But for clothes, use vacuum storage bags. They conserve space, and you can easily squeeze them into gaps and cracks.
6. Take inventory – Consider making a list as you load your storage unit, noting what you put inside and where it is. That way, when you need something in the future, you’ll be able to access it quickly!