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Know before you Store! Self Storage Tips
By Sally Johnson
Renting storage space can be an easy, convenient, and cost effective way of keeping your home clutter free why still having quick access to your important items. In order to get the most out of your storage experience however, it is important that you know all the aspects of self storage so that you don't pick the wrong rental space or overpay for what you need.
The first item to consider is how much space you are going to need to store your items. Obviously the rule of bigger is more expensive applies - the more space you need, the more it is going to cost. There are two aspects to paying for a larger size. If you will need quick and frequent access to your items, then consider obtaining a larger space simply because you can leave more open space and don't have to unpack half the unit just to get to your coffee maker.
If you are planning on storing everything long term (until your next move for example) or don't expect to need most of the items stored in the unit; you can significantly reduce the cost of the storage unit simply by packing to the ceiling. Remember to be creative in packing! You can pack lots of smaller items between soft larger items. For example, you could put a handful of picture frames between two mattresses.
Regardless if you plan to access your items frequently, it is always a good idea to move the items you KNOW you won't be using to the back. These are often the largest items, such as beds, TV's, and other furniture. It is much easier to move a handful of smaller items to get to one big one, than the other way around.
Think in terms of box's and squares. Items that are square by nature will be easier to cram, stack, and occupy more space efficiently. It is a good idea to write down everything you plan to store and see which items can be clustered together before hand. Store these items first, so you can work with the left over space to place items that are oddly shaped or hard to group.
When packing, make sure to leave a path down the middle of the unit, that travels all the way (or almost all the way) to the back of the unit. This way, if you do need to retrieve something from storage you only have to move one section of your well organized storage instead of having to dig through the whole unit to get to one item.
The next thing to consider is if you need climate control or not. Many storage facilities hype up the need of climate control because they can charge more and recoup the cost of installing it. The fact of the matter is, that most people simply do not need it. Unless you have very sensitive items such as antique documents, foods or liquids, you shouldn't be paying twice as much for storage with climate control. Heat and humidity will not damage furniture, electronics, or other common household objects.
Finally you need to consider the location. In most cases you want a location that is easy to get to, and near by. Also consider if the storage facility has multiple locations, as you might move across town and it would be easier to simply switch unit locations rather than start from scratch with another company.
By choosing the right unit and planning your storage techniques you can save a lot of time and effort when storing your items. Self storage is a great way to keep the clutter of your house down, and it is extremely cost effective when done properly. Remember that planning is key, and the better you plan the happier you will be that you decided to store your unused items instead of letting them sit and take up space in your garage or basement!
About the Author
Article was written by Ann Arbor Storage company, Stowaway Self Storage. Stowaway Self storage has two locations in Ann Arbor, and has been family run since 1977.
Article Source: http://www.simplysearch4it.com/article/34554.html
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