A compact storage locker is a great way to store away seasonal items or unused office furniture and equipment.
Feeling squeezed out from all the seasonal stuff piled up in your home? Is your place of business starting to feel cramped from all the boxes stacked in every available nook and cranny? A small storage locker might just be the answer.
Read on how you can free up space at home or work by looking for self-storage facilities in Kelowna that offer a variety of sized units, and then calculate your storage needs and pack and stack your items for maximum efficiency.
1. Look for self-storage options
Big or small, temporary or long-term, climate-controlled or not, there are number things to consider when looking for a storage rental. Finding Kelowna storage units that are close to your home or business is a start. That way, you'll have easy access if you need to retrieve something or add an item to your unit.
2. Calculate your space
Using a storage calculator before you book your storage unit is a handy way of estimating what you will be able to fit.
While a 10-by-30 ft. unit can normally accommodate the items of a large home or business, calculations show that a small 4-by-6 ft. locker, or 24 sq. ft. space, can generally fit:
- A Christmas tree and ornaments
- Couch and small dresser
- Patio furniture
- Office equipment such as a desk, chair, filing cabinet
- Two bikes
- Set of summer tires
- Camping equipment
- Ten supersize boxes
3. Pack wisely
When preparing your items to go into a mini storage unit, it's best to organize and pack them for maximum efficiency and protection.
If packing clothes, make sure they are clean and dry and neatly folded, and then consider vacuum sealing them in bags to limit damage.
Disassemble large items. If packing furniture, see if you can remove the legs from tables, chairs and desks. If storing bicycles, remove the wheels and lube up the bike chain to prevent rust.
Use quality packing materials and padding such as bubble wrap or packing peanuts for fragile items. Cover your furniture with a blanket or tarp to prevent dust, and tightly seal your boxes with packing tape.
4. Stack 'em up
Start by placing the items that you will likely not need for the duration of your storage rental at the back of your unit and later place your frequently used items at the front.
Stack your boxes top to bottom and leave a small space or aisle beside them so you can have easy access to the contents.
If you are placing a dresser or other furniture piece with drawers or a hollow space in your unit, see if you can pack smaller items within the piece.
For more helpful storage tips, read How to Pack Your Belongings Efficiently.
Space Centre Storage offers convenient and affordable storage for both residential and commercial storage in Kelowna and around the Okanagan. We are currently offering a winter sale on 4X6 storage lockers in Kelowna. The units are available for $49 per month until April 1. To learn more, visit our current deals page.