There are many do’s & dont’s when it comes to what you should or shouldn’t put in storage. Your new home may not be large enough for all of your belongings, or you may want to downsize to make room for other things in your life.
Knowing what items in particular need to be put into storage sooner rather than later will also save you money in the long run by eliminating extra trips back and forth from your new home.
What to Put in Storage When Moving
You may have too many items to move in one trip, or you may just want some items stored rather than moved at the moment. What items should you put in a storage unit when you are moving?
1. Furniture
A lot of people will think of furniture first. Because of its large size, it is often difficult to move in one trip. Your furniture is likely important for your comfort, so you want it put into storage until you have more help and can take multiple trips to move your items. Make sure you disassemble the furniture so that it all fits in your storage unit.
2. Lumber and Tools
If you have large lumber items or tools that aren’t easily transportable, you might want to store them until later. You will probably want a carpenter to help you move all of your lumber, so you may want to get them on the job before moving everything over yourself. The same applies to any tools that are of substantial size or weight.
3. Books and Magazines
Your new home may not be large enough to accommodate all your books. If your books are all in good condition and you want to hold on to them to read later on, you might want to put them into storage. If they were damaged or incomplete, it would be a shame to waste space by having them sitting around.
4. Seasonal Items
Any seasonal items such as Christmas decorations or summer clothes are items that you may want to store away until next year. You may not have the space for them in your new home, or you may have limited closet space in your new home.
5. Appliances and Heating & Cooling Units
These items often take up a lot of room, and sometimes you won’t know where they belong in your new home. Put them into storage until you can figure out their permanent location.
6. Artwork
If you have any valuable artwork that is not easily packable, you might want to consider storing it until your move is completed. You don’t want to lose your prized artwork or have it damaged in the process of moving to a new home.
7. Heirlooms and Collectibles
If you don’t want to take any chances with your heirlooms or collectible items, you should definitely store them until after your move. These items can cost thousands of dollars, and you need to make sure that they are well-protected. Some storage facilities will actually have climate-controlled areas that you can use for your important belongings.
What Not to Put in Storage When Moving
While you may have many items to store during your move, there are some things that you might not want to put into a storage unit. For the safety of your belongings and other people’s belongings, there are things you are not allowed to put in storage units. What items are you not allowed to put in storage units?
1. Hazardous Substances
Some items that you may think are harmless can actually be hazardous or toxic. Common hazardous agents include chemical cleaners, adhesives, cleaning products, and shaving cream. Never put these items in a storage unit, as they can cause damage and even injuries to you or other tenants in the facility.
2. Animals
You should never put animals in a storage unit under any circumstances. It’s actually against the law to put animals in a storage unit and morally wrong.
3. Fluids and Spilled Materials
You may think that liquids like water or paint are harmless, but they can cause damage to other items in your storage unit. You definitely want to avoid any damage to other people’s items and your own. Also, avoid placing any spilled or exposed materials in the storage unit. While it may seem harmless, spills can cause damage over time.
4. Flammable Materials
Never place any flammable materials too close to each other or too close to heat sources. This can cause a fire and damage your belongings.
5. Plants
Plants should never be placed in a storage unit. If they are short-lived, they may die during the move and cause damage to your storage unit.
6. Food Substances
It’s a bad idea to keep food items in your storage unit. This is because food can get moldy, and the odor can be harmful to other people. They may also attract rodents, causing a potential health hazard to other tenants. Many storage facilities do not allow food items in their units.
7. Any Illegal Items
If you’re storing items like drugs, weapons, or stolen goods, you may be putting yourself in trouble as well as the company that is holding your belongings. You should never put illegal items in your storage unit.
Conclusion
When you are moving into your home, you want to be conscious of any items you may want to store in storage. Before your move, there is a good chance that you will not have the space for them in your new home. You can still utilize the storage facilities available when you move. When selecting a storage unit, make sure it has climate-controlled areas and sufficient security so that nothing gets harmed by other tenants or the staff at the facility.
