When you realize you need a self storage unit and take the steps to acquire one, most people think they can’t really do anything to it other than just store their things. If you are going to have your unit for an extended period of time, one of the things you can do is customize your space beyond the norm. As a rule of thumb, you should always group your things according to area, and then possibly put everything in a “U” formation for easy access. This is a great start, but you can make your self-storage unit work for you. Here are some things you can do to customize your space:
Put a freestanding shelf system up – this is a great organization trick, especially in a self-storage unit. You can organize boxes, bins, documents, equipment and more with a good, reliable shelving system.
Create zones for easy access – this will allow you to make a good, structured system. You can take it one step further and make smaller zones within the large zone. For example, if you have an office zone, you can organize that zone by types of supplies, documents, equipment, etc.
Label your zones with hanging signs – this is very inventive and is overlooked when trying to coordinate things in your storage unit. Most storage units have breathing room, meaning they have metal framing at the top. You can make paper or cardboard signs or placards that will denote what zone you are entering. You can also make them color coded to match that section. This will help you in finding things quickly and efficiently.
Color code your zones with colorful bins.
Number your bins.
These tips work well for residential or commercial customers. You would be surprised how much of an impact being organized can make. Depending on what you have in your self-storage unit, you can get very creative with your space. You also need to make sure you have a detailed listing of what’s in each zone and what’s in each bin. Numbering the bins will allow you to have a running list of the contents of each one. When you have a lot of things to organize, the more detailed you get, the better.
Even if your things arrive before you do, having your movers organize your things into zones, if nothing else, will help make your transition easier. If moving from across the country, knowing that you have a head start on organizing your things is comforting. Find out the dimensions of your rental unit, draw a diagram, sort out your zones, and give it to your movers. Once they have a blueprint, it will be very easy to navigate through placing things where they need to be. Truth be told, movers work better when they know how you want your things. Make sure to clearly label your boxes by zones to ensure there won’t be any confusion. Then, all you have to do is show up and make your space your own!
