8 Hacks for Packing for Storage (or a Move!)
Freeing up space at home is great and it’s something which you’ll enjoy once done. But how about easing the packing for storage process?
Here are a few hacks to better manage your packing so that you can get your stuff sorted more efficiently as well as make it easier to retrieve things when you need.
Create a folder with the paperwork and contact information you’ll need
The most important thing in this would be the information and contract of your storage company. Keeping the details ready in a paper or digital file would make things much easier for you to manage and keep track of. Other than the details of the storage company, you may need information on the company that sells packing materials as well as that of the transportation company that may be helping with moving your stuff. Keep in mind that some storage companies, like Cube Self Storage, not only can help you manage the collection of your goods but can also sell you the packing materials you need.
Purchase packing supplies and boxes of appropriate sizes
It’s a no-brainer to get enough boxes for your needs plus a couple for spare. More important though is actually considering what sizes you may need for easier transportation. A general rule is that the heavier the stuff you are packing, the smaller the box you’d use (provided that it fits, of course!). So for books and documents, you’d probably want a smaller box while for light, bulky items, you should go for larger boxes. If you are packing some clothes which you prefer not to fold or keep in a normal carton box, do consider getting a wardrobe box in which you can hang those delicate items.
Old towels and clothes can be used for padding
Bubble wrap and non-toxic tissue paper are excellent in protecting your items when placing them in boxes but there is also a cheaper and possibly more convenient alternative you can consider using. Old clothes or even towels could be used instead of bubble wrap. If these are items you need to be storing anyway, even better! You can kill two birds with one stone.
Make room for a dedicated packing space
The last thing you want is to be banging your elbows or squatting in a tight space while packing. Try to give yourself some room to organise yourself and pack. Ideally with the things you need in packing (tapes, cutters, bubble wrap, boxes, etc.) all within easy reach as you pack from one box to the next. If possible, set up your packing space close to where the bulk of what you need to pack is. If you can maintain the space for packing, being near what you need to pack is best.
Pack smartly
We’ve already mentioned that you should consider the size of the box used on the weight of what you are packing. However, it’s rare that you can manage to completely keep things of the same type in one box. In this case, place the heavy stuff at the bottom and the light stuff on top to keep things in good shape. It’s also a good idea to ensure that you’ve got the box the right way up before packing into it as you don’t want to undo your good work by confusing the movers when they place your box the “right way up”!
Label / Colour stickers by rooms / types
Whether you are packing a single room or many, you can label or colour code things to make identification easier when you are retrieving things from storage or when you arrive at your destination. Colour stickers or just making a note on the box will do the trick. We generally find a combination of both works best especially if you are keeping notes of things packed. Remember to label ALL sides of the box so you can see the labels from any position that the box may be in.
Take photos of any set ups before disassembly or disconnection
After packing most of your stuff, you may be left with the slightly more difficult task of disconnecting your Home Entertainment System/Computer Network or disassembling cabinets/shelves. Taking a photo of things before you take things apart as well as for any complicated procedures may be helpful. What’s more, don’t limit yourself to just a photo. A quick video with you voicing your comments or reminders may be a lifesaver when you need to put things back together. Keeping loose items like cables or screws in a small bag that you should label can also help you ensure that you have all the parts for reconnection or reassembly.
Managing what you’ve packed
Inevitably, it’s quite common that despite our best estimation that once the packing is done, we find ourselves with more boxes or items to move than we initially planned. This is why it’s a good idea to know if there are any limitations on space in your transport (if you are hiring a van, for example) which may need you to contact those arranging your transport to make necessary adjustments. Keeping notes of all the different notes and colour labels will also give you a clear inventory. This can be very convenient if you are putting things into storage as it will make retrieval much simpler. Simply save this information in the folder along with the information for the storage company that you’ve set up at the start of the packing process.
From the team at Cube Self Storage, we wish you happy packing and storage!
Contact
- 407A Kinh Duong Vuong, An Lac Ward, Binh Tan District, HCMC
- cs@cubeselfstorage.vn
- 0834400185
