How to Store Furniture
As needs, seasons and trends change, individuals and businesses alike can find themselves with excess furniture.
Whether you are a homeowner going through a move, or a restaurant requiring storage for patio furniture during the winter, self storage can provide both short- and long-term options for reducing clutter and saving time.
Benefits of Storing Furniture
Residential users and business owners can both experience key benefits from furniture storage. They include:
Maximize space for items you use more regularly.
Reduce space needed to store seasonal furniture.
Help protect furniture that is not in use from humidity and temperature fluctuations that might occur in an attic or warehouse space.
Effectively stage homes to sell by storing excess furniture.
Staging a Home by Storing Furniture
Many homeowners selling their residences strive to make rooms look larger and more organized by reducing clutter – this includes furniture. By removing large or clunky furniture and keeping it in a self-storage unit, you can better stage each room for a successful selling process.
Materials Needed for Furniture Storage
Before prepping your furniture for storage, gather the following materials:
Bubble wrap
Markers
Old blankets, sheets or towels
Packing paper
Plastic covers for furniture and mattresses
Sealing tape
Preparing Furniture for Storage
Prior to placing your items in your storage unit, complete the following steps to help prolong the life of your furniture and maximize space:
Disassemble parts, and carefully wrap them in packing paper or bubble wrap. Store together and label them so you easily locate them for reassembly later.
Protect furniture legs by individually wrapping in bubble wrap to prevent scratches.
Ensure safety of glass surfaces with packing paper, or a sheet, towel or blanket to avoid nicks and scratches.
Cover couches, mattresses and other cushioned or fabric furniture with a plastic cover to prevent dust and tears in the material.
If your unit is not carpeted, lay down blankets, sheets or towels underneath furniture, especially when face down.
Keep in mind that furniture with drawer space can also be utilized for storage, and can help open up additional space in your unit for other items.
The Importance of Climate Control
Like clothing, electronics and documents, furniture should always be stored in a climate-controlled storage unit, even for short-term storage. Exposure to humidity in conventional storage can lead to warped or stained wood, and musty or discolored fabrics.
Talk with your facility manager about the availability of climate control. Consistent levels of the appropriate relative humidity can prevent damage to furniture, and will have the greatest impact on maintaining the original condition of your furniture over time.
What tips do you have to make packing and storing furniture effective? Share with us in the comments below!
Security Self Storage offers a wide variety of packing and moving supplies, including tape, packing peanuts, bubble wrap, furniture covers, locks and more at each of its three facilities in Northeast Ohio. Talk with a facility manager if you need any of these items before storing your furniture.
Image Source: NeONBRAND via Unsplash
