Whether you’re downsizing, moving, or simply looking to declutter your living space, renting a storage unit can be a lifesaver. A climate-controlled storage unit allows you to store your furniture without worrying about damage from extreme temperatures or humidity. It also provides you with a place that will keep your furniture safely locked away, but still easily accessible. While climate control should be a no-brainer, there are additional tips for furniture storage to help reduce damage and wear and tear over time. Here, we’ll cover everything you need to know about storing furniture in a storage unit and guidelines for each type of furniture to follow.

The Importance of Proper Furniture Storage

Furniture doesn’t come cheap. It can be quite an investment, so you want to do everything you can to keep it safe. In doing so, you can ensure that your furniture remains in good condition and preserve its aesthetic appeal for years. Following storage guidelines based on the material of your furniture can also extend the lifespan of each piece, as well cared for, high-quality materials can last for generations. This is especially important for antiques and furniture susceptible to damage. Finally, proper long-term storage for furniture pieces can help reduce the risk of damage such as scratches, dents, warping, and mold growth.

What to Know About Storing Different Types of Furniture

Different types of furniture require different storage preparations and conditions, so it’s important to take an inventory of what you’re going to put in your unit. Upholstered furniture, wood furniture, and antiques all require a unique approach.

If not properly cleaned before storage, upholstered furniture collects dust, dirt, and allergens more readily. Moreover, moisture can lead to mold and mildew growth in fabrics, leading to irreversible damage and harm to your health. Wooden furniture, including items such as tables, chairs, cabinets, and dressers, requires specific care during storage due to its unique characteristics. Otherwise, delicate wood furniture can become easily damaged. Since wood is highly porous, any excess humidity or exposure to water can cause it to warp, swell, or grow mold and mildew. Antique furniture, which often has historical, cultural, and monetary value, requires special care during storage due to its unique characteristics. Preparing antiques can help ensure that you preserve their value and authenticity for future generations. Just make sure you keep a record of your stored furniture, especially if it’s an antique, to reduce the risk of any issues. You may also want to take out an additional insurance policy on any pieces that have a high monetary value, especially if you’re planning to store them for longer periods of time.

10 Tips for Storing Different Types of Furniture

Whether you need self-storage for a week, or you need to store your furniture for an extended period of time, it’s good to have some storage tips in hand. Some of the best tips to keep furniture in good condition during storage include the following.

1. Consider All of Your Storage Options

Some people may want to store furniture in a garage, but that’s usually not the best option. Due to the vulnerabilities of certain materials, it’s better to consider renting a climate-controlled storage unit. While there are options for less controlled environments, anyone who lives in an area with fluctuating temperatures should consider climate control for long-term furniture storage. Additionally, you’ll want to research nearby storage facilities, inquire about their services, and assess whether they offer the right size units for your furniture. Finally, look at factors like location, security measures, and accessibility before you choose a storage unit.

2. Thoroughly Clean and Disinfect Each Item

Next, before putting furniture in storage, take the time to thoroughly clean and disinfect each item. This will help protect furniture and prevent the buildup of dirt, dust, and potential pests. However, the cleaning process varies depending on the type of furniture:

Wooden Furniture: Use a wood-appropriate cleaner to remove any dirt or stains. Polish wooden surfaces to maintain their luster.

Upholstered Furniture: Vacuum fabric thoroughly to remove dust and debris. Treat any stains or spots according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Metal Furniture: Wipe down metal surfaces with a damp cloth to remove any grime or smudges. Consider applying a rust inhibitor to prevent corrosion.

Leather Furniture: Clean leather furniture with a suitable leather cleaner to preserve its texture and appearance.

Antique Furniture: Clean and protect the furniture using material-specific techniques. Consider asking a professional for storage tips to reduce the risk of damage.

3. Ensure the Furniture Has Dried Completely

After cleaning and disinfecting, you’ll want to inspect each piece of furniture to ensure it’s completely dried. This will help protect furniture in storage from mold or mildew growth. To facilitate drying, place furniture in a dry and well-ventilated area. Consider using fans or dehumidifiers to expedite the drying process, especially for upholstery or porous materials. You can also open windows or doors to encourage air circulation.

4. Take Everything Apart Carefully

For furniture that can be disassembled, such as tables, bed frames, or bookshelves, consider taking things apart before finding space in your storage unit. Disassembling furniture not only saves space but also reduces the risk of damage during transportation and storage. Just make sure that you keep all hardware, screws, nuts, and bolts in a labeled bag or container with the corresponding furniture item to ensure you can reassemble them correctly later.

5. Wrap Furniture for Storage

Wrap your furniture to protect it from potential scratches, dents, or damage during storage. When doing so, pay special attention to corners and edges, as they’re vulnerable areas. Secure the materials snugly, but not too tight, to avoid unnecessary pressure on the furniture’s surfaces. Some wrap options include blankets, bubble wrap, and plastic covers.

Furniture blankets are thick and padded, providing excellent protection for wood furniture, sofas, and other large items. Ensure the blankets cover the entire surface (or at least the most vulnerable areas) and secure them with tape or straps. Bubble wrap can be used for delicate or fragile items, such as glass tabletops, mirrors, or decorative pieces. Plastic covers or shrink wraps protect upholstered furniture from dust and moisture. Just make sure you leave a small opening or vent to prevent condensation buildup.

6. Take Extra Precautions with Glass Furniture

Glass furniture, such as mirrors, glass tabletops, or cabinets with glass doors, requires extra precautions to reduce the risk of damage. Always cover glass surfaces with cardboard, bubble wrap, or foam padding to protect against impact and scratches. Once within the storage unit, try to place glass items in a designated area to reduce the risk of other items leaning or falling against them. Finally, avoid placing heavy objects on top of glass surfaces to limit the risk of damage.

7. Store Furniture Off the Floor

To protect your furniture from potential water damage, it’s good practice to store it off the floor. Moisture from concrete or other surfaces can transfer to your storage space, which can get on your furniture if not raised. Luckily, putting furniture on pallets can help improve storage conditions like airflow and reduce the risk of any water damage. Just make sure that everything is stable and evenly supported after you arrange your furniture.

8. Double-check for Food Scraps

Before storing any furniture, especially upholstered pieces like sofas or dining chairs, thoroughly inspect them for any food crumbs or residue. While this should be done when you clean things, it’s good to be sure, as even the smallest scraps can attract pests and increase the risk of an infestation.

9. Let Things Breathe

When preparing furniture for long-term storage, or short-term storage, make sure there’s plenty of ventilation. Avoid using materials that completely seal or trap moisture to allow for some degree of air circulation. To help, consider using blankets or breathable furniture covers instead of plastic wrap.

10. Choose the Right Size Self-Storage Unit

Finally, you want to make sure that you select the right size self-storage unit to fit everything comfortably without overcrowding it. Overcrowding can lead to damage and make it challenging to access your items when needed, so it’s best to move your furniture to a large enough space. Many self-storage facilities offer various unit sizes, so choose one that provides ample space for your furniture without having to stack tons of boxes on top of other furniture.

To ensure your furniture remains in great condition, consider renting a storage unit. At the Lock Up Self Storage, our climate-controlled self-storage units are perfect for all your furniture storage needs. We offer a variety of self-storage units in varying sizes to ensure all of your belongings fit without having to stack everything from floor to ceiling. With flexible leasing options, you can use our self-storage for as long as you need, whether short-term or long-term. Our facilities have top-of-the-line security features like perimeter alarms, gated access codes, and 24/7 CCTV. To learn more about our self-storage units at The Lock Up, give us a call today at 1-866-327-LOCK or stop by one of our locations for a tour of the facility.

Clothing items can withstand the test of time—if they’re properly prepared and cared for. That’s how museums still have garments that are thousands of years old. However, that degree of conservation requires some extremes. Luckily, the clothing you have in storage can last for years if you’re efficient and careful with your storage process. This means choosing the best location for storage, the method in which your clothes are stored, and preparations. Here, we’ll give you some great tips to store clothes for future use.

The Best Place to Store Clothes

Many people assume they can just pack away their clothes and toss them in the basement or attic, but it’s not that easy. To prevent damage, there’s a proper way to store clothes long-term. The attic can fluctuate in temperatures and humidity throughout the year, making it difficult for clothes to stay in good shape season after season. The basement is prone to flooding and more vulnerable to pests, so it can also be a risky space in your home. If you really want to keep your clothes in good condition, offsite storage in a climate-controlled unit is the best option.

Which Method is Best to Store Clothes for Future Use?

Finding the right storage containers to use can be a confusing endeavor. Different materials may require different containers, so if you want to protect your clothes, it’s important to keep a few things in mind.

Garment Bags or Breathable Fabric

One of the best ways to store clothes that are formal or sensitive is using garment bags. However, this will also require that you keep your clothes hung during long-term storage. Luckily, it’s easy to create a hanging space within your storage unit. All you need to do is invest in some free-hanging closet rods. Avoid wire hangers, as they can damage clothing over time. Instead, opt for plastic, wooden, felt, or padded hangers to store clothes long-term.

Plastic Containers

A lot of people put clothes in plastic containers or plastic boxes. This is one of the best storage options, but you need to take a few precautions to ensure you’re storing clothes properly. First, try to find polypropylene or polyethylene storage containers. These will have the numbers 2, 4, or 5 on the bottom within the recycling symbol. You can also use a container labeled HDPE, LDPE, or PP. You want to avoid using any plastic containers made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC), as this can start to degrade the fabric from the by-products it produces over time.

If you decide to store clothes in plastic boxes, you should also make sure to give them time to breathe every now and then. For those interested in using plastic bags for storage (i.e., vacuum-sealed bags), you’ll want to do everything you can to ensure they’re airtight. These types of airtight containers can cause mold or mildew if even the slightest bit of moisture gets inside, so be careful when packing them away. Ideally, vacuum-sealed bags should be avoided to reduce the risk of moisture and damage, as most textiles need circulating air.

Acid-Free Boxes

Storage boxes are another option that can help keep clothes in good condition. Still, cardboard materials are more susceptible to damage and pests, so you may need time to prepare your storage space. This includes putting pallets on the floor to elevate the boxes, finding a storage facility that offers climate-control self-storage, and being proactive about pest control. If you want to keep your wardrobe damage-free, it’s better to invest in high-quality plastic.

A Guide to Long-Term Clothes Storage

With some strategic preparations, you can maximize the lifespan of your clothing, whether you’re storing off-season clothing or putting away garments for years. To help you make the most of your efforts, consider the following storage tips.

Take an Inventory of Your Clothes

It’s easy to forget what clothing you have in your closet space or dresser, especially if you have a ton of different options. So, before you do anything, try to take an inventory of what you have. Write down what you’re going to put in storage so you have a better idea of what’s in each box or bag.

Sort Through Your Closet

When taking the inventory, consider sorting the clothes in your closet into three different boxes—keep, store, and donate. Things you use often can be kept in your closet, while things that you don’t want or are worn out should be donated or thrown away. The clothes that you don’t wear often but aren’t ready to part with can be put into storage until you get the urge to reuse them again.

Clean Clothes Thoroughly

Properly cleaning your clothes before storage can go a long way. This should include getting rid of any stains and giving them one last wash/dry. For clothing that requires dry cleaning, take them in just before putting things in storage to help keep them in great condition throughout storage.

Prepare Garments for Storage

Clothing that is in good condition is going to be a good candidate for long-term storage. There’s not really any point in storing damaged or deteriorating items, as their condition can only get worse. So, look through your clothes after cleaning them and try to check for any tears, snags, or missing buttons. Ideally, you’ll want to make repairs before storing these items, so when you welcome them back into your wardrobe, they’re ready to be worn. Remove stains, stitch up rips, and replace buttons or zippers on the clothes you want to store.

Some types of fabric are more prone to damage than others, so it’s important that you pack your clothes accordingly. For example, delicate fabrics like wool and silk will need storage solutions that deter moths to avoid being damaged. One way to do this is by placing cedar blocks or oil within the storage area. This is often healthier than using mothballs and won’t create an unpleasant smell as a byproduct.

Try to store things based on fabrics and materials. For example, how to store baby clothes might be a bit different than how to store faux fur or other heavy winter garments, so act accordingly.

Another tip is to use acid-free tissue paper in between each item of clothing within the containers. This can help clothes breathe, as they need circulating air for longevity. When folding clothes, try to avoid creating a hard crease in each item. Doing so can lead to damage and permanent marks in certain fabrics. Instead, lightly roll or fold each garment, and don’t overstuff boxes.

Choose a Place to Store Your Clothes

If you’re struggling to find an appropriate place to store clothes in your home, the best option is a climate-controlled self-storage unit. This will keep things out of direct sunlight, fluctuating temperatures, and dangerous humidity.

Separate Winter Clothes or Off-Season Clothes

It’s also important to organize your clothes for easy access. If you need to store winter items or clothes that you will use in a different season, keep them separate from the clothes you won’t want to access. This will make it much easier to go into your storage unit and get seasonal clothes instead of trying to sort through each individual box.

Regularly Air Out Clothing

Storing clothes involves continual care if you want to keep things looking their best. About once a year, try to go to your storage unit and air out your clothes. This can be time-consuming, but it’s well worth it if you want things to last for future use. Go through all the boxes or bags and essentially repack and refold items. This should be sufficient enough to give them some fresh air and move their position around to avoid unsightly creases later on.

To help you keep clothes safely stored and ready to be worn in the future, rent a self-storage unit from The Lock Up Self Storage. The Lock Up offers temperature-controlled self-storage units in several sizes to help supplement your home storage and increase your livable space. All our units are climate-controlled with stable humidity levels to keep your belongings in excellent condition, regardless of how long you need to keep them in storage. Our facilities are also protected with top-of-the-line security features such as perimeter alarms, gated access codes, and 24/7 CCTV. For more information about our available self-storage units and sizing options, contact us at 1-866-327-LOCK or visit one of our locations for a tour.

When expecting a baby, one of the most exciting things (besides meeting them) is setting up the nursery. You can unpack all of those tiny clothes and get excited about spending hours bonding with your newborn upon their arrival. However, newborns require a lot of stuff. There are different types of toiletries, clothing, and toys alongside all of the diaper gear and nursing equipment. While this can seem a bit overwhelming at first, there are plenty of baby nursery organization ideas to create a beautiful, functional oasis you and your newborn will love. To help, we’ve put together some of our favorite nursery storage ideas below.

14 Genius Nursery Organization Ideas to Make the Most of Your Space

You don’t have to run to IKEA or the container store to design the best nursery possible. In fact, there are plenty of easy ways to maximize organizational efficiency in every corner of the nursery. To help, here are 14 ideas to get you started.

1. Busy Some Nursery Storage Baskets

One way to organize your nursery is through the strategic use of baskets. You can use decorative, woven baskets for small toys, stuffed animals, dirty clothes, or anything else. Match the color or style of the baskets with your baby’s room for storage hacks that double as design elements. Then, place them in areas around the room that make the most sense for how you’ll use them. To help you know what’s inside each basket, use bin clip labels. This way, you won’t have to pull each basket out to find what you’re looking for.

2. Get Creative With Your Bookcase

Instead of putting a bulky piece of furniture into your nursery, use picture ledges to create a bookcase. Not only does this offer a stylish way to display books, but it can also make your baby’s nursery feel much less cramped. If you have the space to add a bookshelf, ensure it’s designed as storage furniture. This allows you to place bins and baskets alongside storage cubes and books, thus maximizing the storage space available.

3. Use Vertical Space

If you love the idea of putting books on shelves, consider some of the other opportunities available to utilize vertical space. Essentially, any wall space can be transformed into a storage opportunity.

Floating shelves

Hanging baskets

Wall hooks

Pegboards

Ladder storage

Back of the closet door storage

4. Put Storage Bins Under the Crib

Items like extra diapers or baby supplies don’t need to take up valuable space. Instead, store excess items neatly tucked away under the crib. You can also use this area to store extra blankets or toys that you won’t introduce until your newborn is older. Alternatively, keep bins in the closet if you don’t have enough space under the crib.

5. Invest in Drawer Organizers

Dividers to separate your drawers are going to become your best friend. Since baby stuff tends to be so small, it can easily become cluttered or messy in a drawer. With organizers, you can separate baby items by purpose and make things a lot easier to find when you need them. This clever nursery storage idea also makes it easy to keep everything you need within reach without digging through cluttered closets or overflowing bins.

6. Sort Baby Clothes by Size

When storing baby clothes in a drawer or dresser, keep things tidy by file folding the clothes. This means stacking them vertically rather than horizontally so you can easily see a little bit of each piece of clothing. To make things even easier, sort your baby’s clothes by size or style. Have a separate place for onesies, a place for sleepers, and a place for dressy clothes to make it easy to grab an outfit in a pinch.

7. Use Hangers Strategically

To maximize the hanging space in your nursery closet, try putting more than one piece of clothes on a hanger. Newborn sizes are so small that three outfits can often fit on one hanger. This is a clever baby clothes hack that can reduce the clutter of an overstuffed closet while still satisfying your storage needs.

You can also put closet divers on the hanging rod to help maximize your organization and make it easy to find what you’re looking for. When your baby is a newborn, hang up all the clothes you have for up to 6 months or one year. As your baby grows, you can take the smaller items out and pack them in storage containers.

8. Combine Baby Storage with Decor

If you have any cute accessories, display them proudly and allow them to boost the aesthetics of your nursery. This can be a creative way to store baby shoes, bows, hats, and more. For example, hang baby shoes from a tension rod or put bows on a peg board.

9. Use a Dresser as a Changing Table

Another great storage solution for a small nursery is to combine functionality with style. Make a diaper changing station on top of storage furniture—like a dresser—to make room for more floor space and streamline diaper changes. Use a large dresser that comes up above your waist so you don’t have to bend into uncomfortable positions, then just top it with a changing pad. You can then put some of the essentials into one of the drawers or utilize vertical space above the furniture.

10. Repurpose a Rolling Cart

If you want to reserve drawer space for other baby essentials, find yourself an old rolling cart and try this genius nursery storage idea. Use a rolling cart to keep everything you need for diaper changes, including diapers, wipes, powders, creams, and a few onesies. If you have extra space, put some nursing supplies or breast pump accessories in there as well so it’s easy to access wherever you need.

11. Opt for a Smaller Crib

Gone are the days of massive cribs that take up half the room. Today, there are plenty of options for much smaller, more economical cribs. This can help you reclaim tons of space in the nursery, which will make your life much easier. Plus, you don’t need something huge, especially if you plan on transitioning to a bed later on.

12. Dedicated Extra Storage Outside the Nursery

Creating room for extra storage outside the nursery is another game-changer for maintaining an organized and clutter-free space. Keep the closet in the hall open for extra diapers, blankets, or toys, providing quick access to essentials without crowding the nursery. Just stick to one extra area (i.e., hallway closet) so you know where everything is.

13. Make Space in Your Nursery With Long-Term Storage

Newborns grow quickly, and you’ll be amazed at how fast they go through clothes. However, clothes are still expensive, and if you plan on expanding your family in the future, long-term storage is a sound investment. Consider packing and storing outgrown baby clothes and putting them in an offsite, climate-controlled storage unit. Although you’ll need to make a small investment for monthly costs, it’s well worth the savings in the long run. Then, you’ll also have a place to put any toys, baby accessories, or gear as your child grows out of them.

14. Store Outgrown Furniture for Your Next Baby

As your baby grows, certain furniture items may become obsolete in the nursery. Rather than parting ways with these items, consider storing them for future use. Cribs, changing tables, and rocking chairs are often expensive investments, and holding onto them can save you money when expanding your family. There are plenty of ways to keep your newborn’s items in good condition, especially when you store furniture in a climate-controlled storage unit.

To help maximize the efficiency of your nursery as your baby grows, The Lock Up Self Storage offers long- and short-term rentals in facilities nationwide. We have a variety of units to fit all size requirements and budgets and take ongoing precautions to help protect against the threat of COVID-19. The well-being of our customers is always our top priority. Feel free to call us for any questions or clarifications on what we’re doing to provide you with the best service possible while staying safe and healthy. All of our units are climate-controlled and surrounded by top-of-the-line security features to keep your things protected. To learn more about our self-storage units at The Lock Up, give us a call today at 1-866-327-LOCK.