How to organize your storage space in 4 easy steps

Whether you have a small unit for your seasonal gear or a larger contractor storage unit, there are multiple benefits to having a well-organized storage space. Instead of keeping a confusing, jumbled pile of your stuff that is likely to get damaged, your storage unit can look more like a organized library of your things, with your possessions well-maintained and easy to access. Here are four steps to creating that more organized and functional space.

1. Inventory

The first step to organization is creating a list of the items you will be putting into storage. This list can help you keep track of your possessions over time because it is easy to forget where you put those photo albums when you haven’t needed to retrieve them for many months. An inventory can also help you itemize what you put into storage for purposes of acquiring insurance for your storage unit. Additionally, this step can help you visualize all the items you’ll be further organizing in steps two and four. It is essential that the inventory be specific, but it doesn’t need to be complicated. It can be as simple as a written catalog, spreadsheet, or folder of photos on your computer desktop.

2. Package

Once you have identified all the items that you will bring into storage, the next step is to organize your items into durable packaging. It can be helpful to put like-items into the same box or bin and arrange them, so they are accessible in the storage unit. It is also important that you consider the material for the containers: plastic tends to hold up better for more substantial items and in the event of water damage, while cardboard may be more appropriate for less dense items that can be stored off the ground.

3. Label

Often an organizational system is only as good as its labels. If you cannot read or don’t understand what you (or someone else) put on your containers, you’ll still have to open them all until you find what you’re looking for. Be sure to write with permanent markers, ideally on a durable label material (duct tape is an easy, reliable option), using simple categories anyone can understand, such as “kitchen,” “camping,” etc. It can also be helpful to use a color-coding system to make it even easier to find what you need in your space quickly.

4. Arrange

With the groundwork laid for your well-organized storage space, it’s time to move your stuff into your unit. First create a floor plan that places items you will frequently access toward the front of the storage unit, and bigger, less necessary things toward the back. Shelves can be a helpful organizational tool that not only makes the most of the vertical space in the storage unit but also protect certain items in the event of flooding. It is also important to include walkways throughout the area, so you can quickly and safely get to every item in your unit.

If you are looking for self-storage units in Concord, CA that you can transform into your own well-organized space, contact Abba Self & RV Storage. Abba offers a range of storage services to fit anyone’s needs, from single storage units to car storage to warehouses for rent.