If you are moving, you probably can’t move all of your stuff at once. That is why you might want to consider renting a short term storage unit. But, what is short term storage? Moving industry professionals would say that renting a storage unit under a 3 months period is short term storage. And there are various reasons why you might choose short term storage. You might be in the middle of the move and you want to avoid lifting heavy cargo. Or, you are leaving your old place without finding a new one. This situation moving professionals call “dislocation”. Furthermore, you might be moving in with your partner and you need to store your duplicate items before you decide what to do with them. Whatever the reason, you must make sure that you have quick access to it. Let’s explore some short term storage tips in the further text.

Planning

Like everything in your life, planning is a crucial thing if you want to do something right. And one of the first things you need to decide is how big your storage unit must be. You need to measure all the boxes and items you will be storing and depending on measurements make a storage plan. It is not a bad idea to make a list of your belongings so you are aware of what did you store. Also, you can always call your storage company to help with the estimates. Usually, they will provide other services as well but accepting these can increase the price. One of the most important short term storage tips is to make sure if you need a climate-controlled storage unit. This is especially important if you are storing some valuable artwork or furniture.

Short term storage tips for packing your items

Preparing your belongings for short term storage is not that different from packing them for a long voyage on a sea freight forwarders. After all, they will have to be moved from your home and packed securely so they do not break. If you are in a hurry and you are storing your items only for a couple of days, you can spare your time if you wrap them in some cloth sheets.

But you must be aware that your short term storage might be prolonged unexpectedly. So, we believe that one of the good short term storage tips is to pack your items as you would do for a move. Use the best packing materials like bubble pack or packing peanuts to further secure your items. Your fragile items are in more danger when they are stored for a short period of time because they will be moved more often.

How to store your items in a unit

After careful packing comes storing your items in a short term storage unit. Depending on a necessity you need to access certain items sooner rather than belongings you should leave behind for later. So, you must plan to store your items in that way so you can access the most important stuff first. These will usually be smaller items like tools or documents.

There is a small chance that you are going to need a closet or a couch first. Try to pack your items in that way that leaves a corridor between two piles on each side. In that way, you will have access to both piles and you can stack items by priority. Most important items should be closer to the corridor. Do not underestimate the need for clothing. Change of weather or some social event could require you to dig up some warmer clothes or a more elegant one.

Short term storage tips for finding the best storage unit

The first thing you need to do is start your search online. Everything you need can be found on the internet, so can the storage unit. That can also be a problem because there are lots of information that can be fake. But, you can narrow down your search by using some short term storage tips and by setting some rules:

• Choosing the location of the storage unit carefully
• Monthly price and accessibility
• Compare prices for the services you need
• Read reviews 

Don’t always choose the nearest storage unit. Maybe it is better to drive fifteen minutes longer to a cleaner and safer facility. And if you live in a densely populated area you can make great deals if you store items further from town. You can check out Google Places and read reviews there. Read them carefully because you will get some insight into what the facility offers.

What else to look for

There are a couple of short term storage tips you might want to explore before renting short term storage. Flexibility is one of them. This is important because it includes the option to rent for a longer or shorter time than originally anticipated. Also, it includes an option of accessibility all-day long because you never know what you might suddenly need.

It is also important especially if you are storing electronics or antiques and wooden furniture to have climate control. You might even need the one with humidity control to make sure that your valuables don’t go to waste. It’s a big plus if they have live security all day and all night. Make sure that indoor and outdoor is well lit. And if they have cameras with everything else you can be sure that you have chosen the right one.

Use the short term storage tips to find the best solutions for you

Now that you know what short term storage tips are you are ready to take on short term storage. But to repeat some of the advices you should search online and read reviews of previous customers. Compare prices from multiple companies and find the one that is best suited for you. Make sure that the storage unit you choose is safe enough. They should have cameras, and they should be very well enlightened. Pack your valuables carefully and place them in the right order in the storage unit. Do everything carefully and you should go through the whole process easily. And that can mean a lot.