If you are a keen traveller who travels a lot, then self-storage is your best friend. Rather than paying for an apartment or house, which is empty while you are away, you can instead store your belongings in a storage unit and save yourself a lot of money. Which you can then spend on your travels instead! You get to maintain your minimalist travelling lifestyle without getting rid of your precious belongings.
Whether you will be traveling for short or long periods, there is a self-storage unit for you in Los Angeles. You have full control over the size of your unit and its features.
Here are a few helpful hacks for storing your possessions in a storage unit while you are away travelling.
- Put a Thick Sheet of Plastic On the Unit’s Floor
Use a thick sheet of plastic to cover the floor of your storage unit. This is especially important if you will be traveling for a long time.
First, the piece of plastic will protect your items against temperature fluctuations. They will stay in perfect shape even in the winter.
Second, the sheet of plastic minimizes condensation, which could trigger the formation of mildew or mold in the box.
Do not use the sheet of plastic to cover your items. This could trap moisture in and do more harm than good. You only need plastic at the bottom of the box. Cover your items with breathable covers and fabrics to keep dust away.
- The Heaviest Items Go to the Bottom
When stuffing boxes into your storage unit, put the heaviest ones at the bottom. This way, you can minimize the risk of damage. In addition, you shouldn’t put all your heavy items together. Distribute weight evenly in the boxes at the bottom of the unit.
While this sounds like common sense, it is easy to forget when you are in a hurry. It makes a significant difference on the accessibility and safety of your items. Check out storage unit prices Los Angeles and settle for an option that matches your budget and space needs.
- Use Boxes, Not Bags
If you can, store your items in boxes rather than bags. Garbage bags will trap moisture, leading to the growth of mildew. They tear easily and may not be as reliable as boxes.
In addition, organizing boxes is easier than organizing trash bags. If you can, use same-sized bins and boxes for uniformity. They give off a clean and organized look. Boxes are very helpful when you need to store unusually-shaped pieces.
- Leave an Aisle
It would be pointless to have a storage unit if you cannot access your items when you need them. Consider creating a floor plan for your unit before you start storing things.
It is always a good idea to create a virtual catalog first. It makes it easier to develop a plan for your storage unit.
Organize items based on categories and leave enough space for taking out boxes comfortably. You should be able to look through the contents comfortably. Take advantage of the shelves and leave a small isle for accessibility and easy arrangement.
- Roll Your Clothes/ Use the Bundle Approach
When storing your clothing articles, rolling will save you some space. This is a trick that travelers, flight attendants, and the military use. Rolling clothes also reduces the risk of wrinkling and creasing.
The bundle approach is pretty effective as well. The basic rule is to lay your clothes out flat and leave them hanging out of the bag. Fold them repeatedly on top of each other, creating a bundle into one bag. The technique is also great for preventing wrinkles and creases.
- Take Photos
Please take photos of all your items before putting them in storage. It is an essential element of planning and organization. In addition, taking pictures could make it easier to find things when you need them.
Take quick photos of every part of your storage unit. The images should be clear enough to give you a reference point when you need them.
If you have furniture pieces, take photos of them in their disassembled state. That way, you know where the hinges, tools, and screws are. You should have no trouble putting the pieces back together.
If you are a minimalist, you don’t want a lot of clutter in your space. Los Angeles self-storage units can be excellent solutions. They are pretty convenient for travelers as well. Your items can remain safe and in good condition for as long as possible.
In addition, you get to maintain a minimalist lifestyle without getting rid of your items.