How to safely pack and store your furniture in a self storage unit

Need a safe place to store your furniture? You’ve come to the right place! Roomia offers short- and long-term furniture storage units to protect your furniture and free up more space in your home or office. 

Whether you’re downsizing, undergoing a major renovation, moving to a new state or just need some extra space self storage units can be a great solution. 

Self storage also allows you to hold onto those treasured pieces that you aren’t willing to let go of—but without the clutter!

Whatever the reason, storing your furniture in a Roomia self storage unit, allows you to keep your cherished pieces safe until they are needed again. Here are some tips on how to safely pack and store your furniture ready for a self-storage unit.

Tips for packing furniture for storage

1. Clean the furniture

Once you have chosen your storage unit, it’s time to start preparing your furniture. The first thing you need to do is to clean your furniture thoroughly to protect it from mould and mildew and to make sure it comes out of storage as pristine as it was when it first went in! Simply vacuum up any dust or food crumbs in between cushions and wipe away any dirt from chair or table legs with a damp cloth. We recommend using a mild soap/dish liquid in warm water to wipe plastic and wooden furniture. For fabrics and leathers, use an upholstery cleaner and stain remover to buff out stains or marks. For metal furniture and objects, use a polish to remove any oxidisation and to prevent tarnishing while in storage. Let the furniture sit in a well-ventilated area until it dries completely – doing this will prevent mould formation and discolouration over time.  

2. Disassemble larger pieces

To make moving your furniture into storage easier, disassemble any items you can – remove legs from tables and sofas, take drawers out of dressers, take the headboards and footboards off of beds, etc. Not only will it make it easier for you to transport, but taking furniture apart before moving will reduce the risk of damage and will help you to maximise your storage space. Just follow the instructions in your furniture manual, use the right tools to disassemble and store all loose screws and bolts in a ziplock bag, label it, and sticky tape it to the box that the furniture piece is packed in. 

3. Wrapping your furniture

This is the most important step for packing your furniture for long-term storage! You need to make sure that you’re giving each piece of furniture as much protection as possible to avoid accidental damage including breakage and scuffing, dampness, pests and dust. 

If you are storing any breakable items such as glassware, vases, mirrors or TVs, make sure to wrap them firmly with bubble wrap before placing them in boxes. For larger items like couches and tables, wrap the legs on these items in bubble wrap. This will prevent them from damaging other items in the unit. You can then take a large sheet or furniture protection cover and wrap it around the furniture piece and secure it with bungee cords or packing strips. 

A handy tip – avoid wrapping furniture in a plastic tarp. These can trap moisture and cause issues like mould and discolouration in fabric as well as cause wood furniture to swell. Instead, cover the floor of your storage unit with thick plastic sheeting to prevent moisture from the floor from seeping up into your furniture. 

At Roomia, we offer professional-grade packing and moving supplies including boxes and bubble wrap to ensure your furniture is packed properly for long-term storage. Visit our Box Shop!

4. Maximise your storage unit space

Putting your furniture into a storage unit can be overwhelming, especially for those who are new to it. But don’t worry, our Roomia staff are experts and can provide advice on how best to stack furniture to maximise the unit space in line with your access needs. Remember to stack heavier items on the bottom and lighter items on top to prevent damage to your belongings. When positioning furniture in a storage unit, it’s best to place larger, heavier items like couches and dining sets in the middle of the unit. This will make it easier for you to transport them out when it’s time to collect them. Avoid placing sofa chairs or couches on top of one another as this can lead to extra stress on the joints and may cause them to break.

To ensure that your items are protected from unexpected weather, avoid putting anything directly on the floor. While our storage units are completely weather-proofed, it’s always better to use wooden pallets or cinder blocks to form a protective base for your furniture. 

Leave aisles between items so you have room to move around the unit, and be careful not to overstuff the storage unit. Overstuffing increases the risk of items breaking and also restricts air circulation. With the help of our Roomia staff, you can confidently store your belongings in a safe and efficient manner.

The benefits of using a storage unit for furniture

The biggest benefit of long-term furniture storage is, of course, the space-saving factor. If you have a lot of furniture that you won’t be using but want to keep hold of it for future purposes then a furniture storage unit is the ideal solution. Sure, you can put your furniture into your garage or spare room for storage but then that just takes up valuable space in your home and isn’t always practical. Not to mention that without the right conditions, your furniture can quickly become damaged. With a long-term furniture storage unit, you be assured that your furniture will be safe and protected from things like accidental breakage, dampness, rodents and theft. 

Choosing the right storage unit size

One of the biggest mistakes people make when choosing a storage unit is selecting one that is either too small or too big. Like Goldilocks, you want to pick a storage unit size that is “just right!”. At Roomia, we make this incredibly easy for you. We offer a range of unit sizes from wardrobe-sized to the size of a whole house! Plus, you can try our size calculator to ensure you’re getting a unit with the exact proportions that you need. Of course, our friendly team is always here to help you to determine the right size unit based on your storage needs. Simply give us a call on 03 8903 8830. 

Furniture storage made easy

With these furniture packing tips, you can enjoy peace of mind that your precious furniture remains good as new while in long-term storage. Our personal storage units give customers furniture storage options to save time and space. There are many reasons why you may need a secure unit to store your furniture. If it looks like you need a long-term storage option, then make use of our long-term storage units, allowing you to pack away your furniture for as long as you need. 

Roomia also offers prepayment discounts when you secure your storage unit.
For 6 months upfront – receive an additional 5% discount or for 12 months upfront – receive an additional 10% discount. Roomia also offers free access to a move-in van–we encourage you to book ahead for this popular service. 

With a little bit of planning and preparation, you can make your move stress-free and enjoy your new space without worry.  Our on-site staff are able to provide advice best suited to your storage needs.

NEED STORAGE? Make your life Roomia.

At Roomia, we offer more than just storage solutions. We offer service, security and understanding. You’ll soon discover how a little extra space can change your life. For a quote, visit roomia.com.au today.