What you should and shouldn’t put in storage for your move

If you are planning a house move in the near future, you might already be considering hiring some self storage space for a bit of extra room during the moving process. Many people find that storing certain belongings and items in a unit around the time of the move can take the pressure off them when it comes to the big moving day. Not only that, but if they are selling their home, it can also reduce the amount of clutter in the house, giving the place a more minimalist, clean and airy feeling.

Before you start booking up your self storage for your move, consider what you should and shouldn’t be putting in there. Obviously you won’t want to put anything in there you might need between then and now, but what should be your priority?

Items to prioritise for self storage

• Bikes and sporting equipment: Unless you happen to cycle every day, you probably won’t need your bike or other sporting equipment between now and the moving day. These items are not only bulky, but they are difficult to pack too, so get them into your storage unit and safely out of the way.

• Garden tools: Lawnmowers, shovels and hedge trimmers all take up a lot of room in the van, and can easily get broken or damaged in the move. Pop these safely into self storage, but don’t forget to empty them of any petrol or other fuel before doing so.

• ‘Spare’ furniture: If you have a spare room or certain bits and pieces of furniture that you really don’t use that often, it can create a lot of breathing space to get these pieces out of the way. If possible, clear a room entirely and use this as a room for packed boxes to be stacked.

• Antiques and breakables: Whilst a Bath removal company may be great at moving valuable or fragile items, for your own peace of mind you might want to consider putting your most sentimentally valuable and precious items into your self storage until you are safely moved. Don’t forget to wrap fragile items for protection, and protect the corners of artwork with padding.

• Packed boxes: If you have some boxes already packed and just want them out of the way, putting them into self storage is a great way to free up some space. Choose the items that you know you definitely will not need and which you won’t need soon after moving in either.

What not to put in self storage

• Flammable liquids, dangerous chemicals or anything which could be a hazard

• Perishable items such as food and drink (apart from tins and long life products)

• Any prohibited items such as guns, knives, drugs etc.

• Any living creatures including insects and goldfish

• Pressurized containers such as aerosols and paint cans

• Live plants and flowers

 Image courtesy of Stuart Miles /FreeDigitalPhotos.net