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Many people that use self-storage will not need to access their storage units frequently. However, on the flip side of the coin, there are plenty of scenarios where self-storage units are frequently accessed. In many cases, this can be daily.

Whether you are a business owner that uses your storage unit for inventory and equipment storage or a homeowner using self-storage for seasonal items – It is essential to optimise the use of your unit by organising it properly.

In this guide, we have compiled a list of hints and tips to help you do just that. Read on to find out how to organise your self-storage unit for frequent access.

1.    Plan the layout

Start with a plan. Just loading your goods into your unit and hoping for the best is a recipe for disaster. Draw up a floor plan that lays out how you intend to use your unit. Remember to include plenty of space to allow access to everything that might need it.

At this stage, it is also useful to consider how shelving or racking can be used to optimise the storage space.

2.    Use an effective labelling system

It is surprising how often this is overlooked, but a good labelling system that follows procedures makes it easy to find any item. This can also be incorporated into your layout plan.

Labelling systems are more than just scribbling down a vague list of the contents of each. One great way is to use a category system. For instance, a business that uses self-storage to ease office storage space could label boxes with categories like stationery, consumables, documents, and equipment.

These could then be broken down further. For example:

Documents

  • Type (Invoice, Job Sheet, Payroll, etc.)
  • Date
  • Letter range – (A to E, X to Z etc.)

Putting this information on each box allows you to create a storage system where retrieving any item will only take a few minutes.

3.    Location, location, location!

Organise your storage unit so that items that need to be accessed frequently are stored towards the front of the unit. Similarly, items that are infrequently accessed should be placed at the back of the unit or towards the bottom of stacks.

Similarly, think of the location of larger items. If they are needed frequently, make sure they are stored close to the door and accessing them doesn’t take too much “shuffling” of the other goods in the storage unit.

4.    Use the category system to organise your self-storage unit

Remember the tip for categorising your labelling system? This is where it comes into its own. Armed with your labelling system, plan your storage unit so that all your categories are stored together. You can even use the date or alphabetical order on the labels to make sure that your unit is super-organised!

5.    Use quality packing materials and crates

Finally, we cannot overemphasise enough the importance of using quality packing materials. This helps to ensure that your inventory is stored safely and that stacks of crates or boxes don’t collapse. This can result in damaged belongings, but more importantly, it can also be dangerous.

U Store It – Helping you every step of the way!

A well-organised storage unit is essential if you need frequent access to your belongings. At U Store It, we have made it easy for you to access your storage unit at times that suit you. We are open during normal business hours, and 24/7 access can be organised too!

With covered loading bays and plenty of parking space, getting frequent access to your belongings is easy with U Store It. Why not contact us today to find out how self-storage is a cost-effective way to ease the storage blues for home and work?