There are many reasons for storing furniture and it seems most of us, at some point in our lives, run out of space; the spare room turns into a storage area, the garage has become an obstacle course and the garden shed is no longer just for the garden.
This could easily lead to damage and unnecessary repair costs later on but there is a simple solution though: your own self-storage unit.
Here are some common reasons for furniture storage:
- Unused furniture could be in your way
- You may have inherited valuable family heirlooms and have no space at home
- Moving house and you need a safe haven for your furniture
- You can’t seem to let go and want to keep your old furniture
- Redecorating your home – safely store everything until your house is ready
Whatever your reason, self-storage is a great solution and it’s important to note that storing furniture correctly should be at the top of your list. What exactly does this mean? You need to know how you are going to stack it, ensure that wooden furniture in particular is treated, covered and bigger items dismantled if necessary.
Also make sure you know the dimensions of your storage unit and pack your furniture in the most ergonomic way to maximise unit capacity and save on cost by not paying for unused space. When considering the cost, it’s not just the rental price you have to think about, there are other costs that could be incurred as well.
So, on the note of keeping your items in good condition while they are in storage, below are some pointers to keep in mind.
Always remember the basics – ensure that your storage unit is clean, dry and dust free. Excess moisture and water damage from inside or outside can be a serious issue, not to mention mould which could cause even further damage especially to fabric or wooden furniture, curtains, linen and other material.
Plastic is underrated – cover the floor and your furniture with plastic sheets which not only protects both furniture and floor, it also makes it easier to move heavy items around when packing and stacking.
Garden furniture – always clean your garden furniture and cushions before storing them and make sure everything is completely dry before putting it away for good. The way you clean and repair your furniture will depend on whether it’s wooden, plastic or metal. Our tips for preparing your furniture for storage can be found here.
Glass and mirrored items should be clearly marked and for extra safety, you could apply masking tape across the surface to minimise the shattering of glass in the event of an accident.
Antiques should be carefully wrapped and treated if required. It must also be clearly marked especially if it’s fragile. Furniture with sharp edges could break, damage or scratch other valuable items so be sure to use cardboard, foam padding, bubble wrap or soft quilts around the edges.
Assemble this, re-assemble that – most furniture items can be taken apart and re-assembled relatively quickly but don’t forget to keep the corresponding nuts, bolts and screws with the right furniture. One way of doing this is to keep it in a Ziploc bag and strapped to the furniture or placed inside locked drawers or cupboards.
Saving space is one thing but building the Leaning Tower of Pisa with your furniture is not recommended; if it falls over you could get seriously injured and you’ll just end up with broken furniture in the process.
If you have to stack items, make absolutely sure you pack correctly with big, heavy items at the bottom and lighter, smaller items on top. Items on top should be stable and securely fastened using cable ties, soft rope or plastic wrap with foam underneath to protect the surfaces.
Remember to use extra padding on the bottom furniture when storing fabric sofa’s on top of one another to avoid damaging the fabric or sometimes even the entire structure.
If you need self-storage in Gloucester, Stroud or North Bristol and aren’t sure of the unit size you need, get in touch. Our staff will be happy to answer any questions you may have and, if necessary, show you around our units.
Got any additional tips you want to share for cleaning and storing furniture safely? Share them in the comments box below.
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