Avoid These Common Mistakes When Packing for Storage
Packing for storage might seem simple—just toss your items into boxes, stack them up, and call it a day. But without careful planning, you could end up damaging your belongings, wasting space, or creating unnecessary stress when it’s time to retrieve your things. Luckily, most packing mistakes are easy to avoid with a little preparation and the right tips.Here are the top 5 mistakes to avoid when packing for storage and how to ensure your items stay safe and organized.
1. Skipping the Labels
You think you’ll remember. “This box is books, that one’s holiday decorations.” But weeks go by, months even, and suddenly you’re ripping through every box looking for something you need.Label everything. Use a marker. Write on every side of the box because you never know how it’ll end up stacked. Be specific—“Kitchen Utensils” beats “Misc.” every time.
2. Over-Packing Boxes
It’s tempting to shove everything into as few boxes as possible. Fewer trips to the car, less hassle, right? Until you try to lift that one box packed with books, dishes, and the random set of dumbbells you forgot you had.Keep your boxes manageable. Spread out heavy items. Fill the gaps with towels or clothing to keep things balanced. You don’t need to prove your strength to your storage unit.
3. Forgetting to Protect Fragile Items
You’re in a rush. You toss your grandma’s glass vase into a box and figure it’ll be fine. Then one day, you open that box, and it’s not fine. It’s in pieces.Wrap your breakables. Bubble wrap is great, but so are old t-shirts and towels. Pack them tightly so they don’t shift around. Mark the box as fragile—big letters, all caps.
4. Ignoring Climate Control
You might think, “It’s just stuff. It’ll survive.” But wood warps. Leather cracks. Paper yellows and curls. Some things don’t survive the heat or the cold or the humidity.If you’re storing anything valuable—electronics, furniture, photos—choose a climate-controlled unit. It’s worth it.
5. Wasting Space
You load everything in ...
Alex Parr
December 18th, 2024
_07022025150925234.png)
_02242025162143944.png)
_02242025162235611.png)