Keeping furniture in a self-storage unit is useful if you want your items to be safe, but you don't have space for them in your house. It is also cheaper than maintaining a house if you're away for some months. They should be packed and stacked properly to retain shape and beauty and prevent them from getting dirty. This article highlights tips to help you prepare furniture for storage and how to keep them in a way that allows the best use of space and prevents damage.
1. Packing
Where possible, dismantle furniture to parts before storage. Clean the separate pieces with mildly soapy water and protect the finish by applying wax. All antiques should be appraised professionally and handled according to their recommendations. If this isn't possible, ensure that it is carefully dismantled and the pieces packed to prevent damage. Place screws, bolts, and nuts should be placed in clear plastic bags and tape onto the largest piece of the dismantled furniture. Wrap blankets around headboards and carton boxes around corners to prevent chips or breaks.
You can use drawers to store things and save space. Place towels or blankets around the items when the drawer is packed as a buffer. Light bulbs and lamp shades should be removed from lamp stands and the latter wrapped with newspaper, towels or bubble wrap. Shades should be boxed.
Upholstered furniture should be cleaned and allowed to dry completely to prevent the growth of mould/mildew. Find out how to handle delicate fabrics like leather and velvet before storage. You can then wrap using cling film to prevent dust from settling on them. If not possible, find old blankets or canvas sheets to spread over the pieces once in storage.
Place an "X" using masking tape on the surface of mirrors or glass to prevent shattering during transport. Then, wrap them in papers or bubble wrap and store in boxes, taking care to ensure they are well buffered (you can fill spaces using paper or cloth) and won't move around.
2. Arranging
Arrange the moving truck such that items going to the back of the unit are closest to the door to reduce moving time and labour. Bigger items and antiques should be planned for first, as the smaller items can be filled in the crevices. Sofa sets should be stored standing (as they sit at home) to prevent stress on joints that were not created to be load-bearing. You should have a plastic cover on the floor to prevent moisture or rust from passing onto your things.
Stack chairs that can be stacked and then secure to a wall, so they don't tip over other furniture. You can place tables on the side to save space, but sometimes it's more expedient to place them upright so that they can hold things on the surface and also under. Ensure that you won't stack boxes with non-fragile items; fragile items should be marked and placed at the top of the pile.
Share