Are you looking to store furniture but don’t know where to start? Whether it’s a temporary solution while moving homes, a long-term way to get extra space in a crammed house, or for safe keeping of heirlooms and antique furnishings, our storage units in Vancouver can hold them all. When it comes to storage of furniture, there is a right way to go about it. Couches, tables, beds, and chairs are expensive. You don’t want to be haphazardly tossing them in a garage or shed to rot, mold, and decrease in value. Rather, you can follow these 8 tips for optimal storage of furniture to protect your investments and simplify the process.
1. Evaluate Your Self-Storage Options
When looking for a place to store furniture, there are a few factors that you need to consider. For starters, you need to know the conditions in which you’re storing your items. Choosing climate controlled self-storage units will keep your furniture safe from fluctuating temperatures and humidity. This is extremely important for the safekeeping of wood, metals, and fabrics. You also want to consider the location and accessibility of your storage units in Vancouver. Flexible hours, high security, and convenient location are all integral to Annacis Lock-Up Storage.
2. Clean Your Furniture
A great way to keep your furniture in perfect condition while in storage is by cleaning them beforehand. Storing unclean furniture could spread an unpleasant odour to the entirety of your unit. Cleaning your furniture also prevents mold growth, which is not only dangerous to your items, but your health as well.
To clean wooden furniture, use a gentle soap and water to wipe down all the surfaces. You can even use a wood cleaner to seal the finish of your item(s) and prolong their pristine condition.
For fabrics, use a designated fabric cleaner to wipe down the upholstery. When doing this, ensure you leave enough time for the fabric to dry completely. The last thing you want is to place a damp item in your self-storage unit.
If you’re storing metal items, a polishing cloth and cleaner will get the job done and keep them from tarnishing during their stay in our storage units in Vancouver.
3. Disassemble Your Furniture
Certain items like desks, chairs, tables, bed frames, etc. are much easier to store when disassembled. Of course, this isn’t crucial for safekeeping; however, you could get more bang for your buck in terms of available space in your self-storage unit. If you choose to disassemble your furniture, place any small pieces of hardware in a baggie and tape it to the piece it came from for easy access later.
4. Cover Your Furniture
While our climate controlled self-storage units do a great job of protecting your belongings from moisture and extreme temperatures, covering the furniture can keep dust and bugs at bay. Using a tarp, a sheet, or plastic to cover your stored items allows the pieces to breathe while keeping unwanted dust particles and bugs out.
5. Keep Items Off the Floor
If you can, avoid placing your items directly on the floor. Using palettes or cinder blocks can keep your furniture off the ground and out of reach from potential flooding or other unforeseen hazards. If you don’t have access to these materials, placing a sheet of plastic or a blanket can act as a barrier between the storage floor and your belongings.
6. Don’t Store Any Food
This is another reason why cleaning your furniture is crucial pre-storage. Any debris or food crumbs in your storage units in Vancouver could attract bugs and rodents. While our facilities are often treated for pest control, it’s important that you keep food out of your unit. Check between the couch cushions, inside the drawers, and throughout any nooks and crannies of your items for food.
7. Store Lightly
Of course, you want to utilize as much space in your self-storage unit as possible. However, you need to store strategically as overpacking your unit could damage your belongings. A good rule of thumb is to place larger, heavier items at the back of your unit, and smaller ones near the front.
8. Consult Our Self-Storage Team
Learning how to store your items properly can make your move a lot less stressful and much more efficient. To ensure you book the right size unit for your needs and have all the necessary tools and materials come moving day, consult our self-storage experts at Annacis Lock-Up Storage. Our storage units in Vancouver are affordable, secure, and climate-controlled to ensure your belongings get the luxury stay they deserve.