4 tips for using self-storage to clear space at home

The new year has officially arrived, and you know what that means: time to declutter! With this kind of excitement ahead you’ll be forgiven for thinking the year has peaked already.

Of course, clearing out space in your home isn’t always the easiest process. So, before you go cramming your vintage teapot collection into cardboard boxes without any semblance of a system, it’s worth checking out our guide on using household storage. Here are four expert tips to help with using our personal storage in Bournemouth and Basingstoke when clearing out your home!

1. Inventory & categorisation

Before you start loading up boxes, take a moment to inventory everything. This step is often overlooked but can be crucial for effective decluttering storage management.

First, categorise your items. Think ‘kitchen goods’, ‘Christmas decorations’, ‘only-used-once-then-forgotten-about gym equipment’, and so on. Then you can put each category into their separate piles, pack them together, and label the boxes. This not only makes your packing more organised but also ensures you can easily find what you need when you need it.

2. Choosing the right home storage unit

Opting for a personal storage unit that’s too big will likely mean you’re overpaying. Go too small, however, and you’ll soon find yourself lost in cramped shelving and overflowing boxes. The best approach is to consider the quantity and size of your items, then check out our storage size guide for an indicator of what you might need. As a general rule, it’s better to have a little extra space in your household storage unit rather than too little.

And remember, all our personal storage in Bournemouth and Basingstoke is fully flexible. You can always swap to a different size later if you need.

3. Maximise every inch with smart packing

Accuse us of bias all you like, but we believe packing boxes is an art form. You can’t simply charge into your storage unit and throw boxes anywhere you please. Instead, a well-organised home storage unit requires finesse, strategy, and planning.

Start with heavy, bulky items at the bottom and lighter items at the top. It also helps to think vertically. Use shelves for vertical space and try to avoid a setup that will trigger an avalanche every time you open the door. Michelangelo would be proud.

4. Plan for the future

Imagine needing your winter coat and having to unstack five boxes, dismantle a bicycle, and move a sofa to get to it. Not ideal. When using our household storage in Basingstoke and Bournemouth, we recommend thinking ahead. Store items you’re more likely to need towards the front and less-used items at the back. It might be tempting to shove all the Christmas decorations to where you don’t need to think about them but December always comes round sooner that you expect!

Home storage solutions from MORE! Self Storage

For all your household storage needs in the Bournemouth and Basingstoke areas, check out our storage units at MORE! Self Storage. We have a range of unit sizes to choose from so, whether it’s old furniture or your antique lamp collection, all your home storage needs are covered.