The new year is an excellent time to freshen things up, and if you’re ready to revitalize your living areas, decluttering is one of the simplest and most effective ways to do that. Not only can decluttering give your home a fresh, new feel, but it can also help improve your mental well-being and sense of control over your living space.

If you’ve got mountains of stuff sitting around or jammed into closets, your attic, your garage, or your basement, now is the time to pare things down, donate or sell them, and get organized. But if you’re not quite ready to part with your things for good, renting a storage unit is the next best option.

Read on to learn which type of storage unit you should opt for, tips for organizing your unit, and the best ways to keep your belongings in tip-top shape while they sit.

Which Type of Storage Unit Should You Rent?

Never rented a storage unit before? Then the first thing you should know is that there are two types of units available to you: Climate-controlled and standard.

Climate Controlled

Climate-controlled storage units are almost always indoor storage units. Their access points are located inside a building, and each unit’s temperature and humidity level are tightly controlled. These units are also highly secure as there are multiple safeguards in place to prevent unauthorized individuals from accessing them.

Standard

Standard storage units are located outdoors, and their access points are typically an overhead-style door (like a garage door) that can be unlocked from outdoors. These units do not feature any temperature or humidity control, but they’re often located inside a gated area that provides, at the very least, a marginal level of security.

So which option should you go for? If you want the best protection for your things (who doesn’t?), a climate-controlled storage unit is definitely your best bet. If you’re on a budget, though, a standard unit can work. However, because standard units lack temperature and humidity control, they’re not really appropriate for any items that could suffer damage caused by moisture or extreme temperatures.

Items That Need Climate-Controlled Storage

Most of the things you own can probably benefit from being kept in a temperature- and humidity-controlled environment.

However, the following items truly need climate control as they can suffer irreparable damage with prolonged exposure to excessive moisture and very high or low temperatures:

  • Electronic devices
  • Media items like CDs, DVDs, VHS tapes, vinyl records, etc.
  • Important documents and photos (yes, even if they’re in a file cabinet or totes)
  • Artwork
  • Collectible items
  • Antiques
  • Upholstered furniture
  • Any items made from leather, wood, wicker, or metal
  • Musical instruments
  • Delicate clothing and shoes (especially pieces made from leather or lace)

For more information on the advantages of opting for climate control, check out 6 Benefits of Climate-Controlled Storage.

Putting Your Belongings in Storage: Packing and Protection Tips

Once you’ve decided on the type of unit that will best protect your things, it’s time to pack up, transport, and load your stuff into storage.

Here’s what we recommend you do during your packing and loading process to ensure your belongings remain in tip-top condition while they sit:

  • Don’t pack anything perishable. Anything that may decompose in storage can attract insects or rodents, both of which can damage your things.
  • Label boxes clearly. Don’t want to spend hours digging for things you might need later on? Label each box clearly and position each one so that its label faces outward, where you can easily see it.
  • Wrap fragile items. Use packing paper or bubble wrap to cushion fragile items before packing them inside boxes.
  • Wrap furniture. It’s always a good idea to give upholstered furniture an extra layer of protection if it’ll be sitting for some time. Use moving blankets (or old blankets you already have) to cover your furniture completely, and secure those blankets with sturdy packing tape or duct tape.
  • Organize your unit strategically. When filling up your unit, be sure to place items that you can definitely live without toward the back of the unit. Store the things you’ll likely need access to more toward the front of the space. Rather than cluttering up the floor and haphazardly stacking boxes on top of one another, pick up a few metal shelves and place boxes on those instead. That way, you’ll easily be able to access each box and have more open floor space for moving around.
  • Avoid storing high-dollar items. Although your belongings will be well-protected in climate-controlled storage, it’s never a good idea to store anything you cannot afford to lose. If you have valuable jewelry, family heirlooms, or other expensive items you’re looking to store, it’s in your best interest to rent a safe deposit box or invest in a safe.
  • Get insurance. Want reimbursement if anything unexpected happens to your stuff? Then you’ll want to check your renters or homeowners insurance policy to see if it covers personal property you put in storage. If it doesn’t already, see if you can add that coverage on. Many storage companies also offer insurance for an additional fee.

Never used a storage unit before? Check out the 12 Things You Need to Know Before Renting a Self-Storage Unit.

Rent a Climate-Controlled Storage Unit in the Twin Cities

Need to put some of your things in storage? Get in touch with our team at Ace Moving & Warehousing in Minneapolis to learn more about our climate-controlled storage options! Feel free to give us a call today at 763-755-2045 or request a quote online, and we’ll reach out with more information.