What should (and shouldn't) I put into self storage?

Self-storage is invaluable for anyone planning to move home, extending your house or office space or students moving across country. It gives you the extra elbow room and breathing space you need to organise without constantly tripping over your packing boxes. It will still enable you to carry on with your regular daily routines, such as getting the kids to school, without all of your clutter blocking your doorways.

You can also utilise your self-storage space cleverly. You can decide which pieces of furniture, household appliances, exercise equipment and gadgets you want to take with you to your new home, for example, and which you are happy to say goodbye to.

Anything you don't want to keep that is of some value can be safely kept out of the way in your self-storage space until you successfully sell it on.

What to put in storage:

• Furniture: Large and bulky pieces of furniture that are too big for your new property, such as bed frames and mattresses protected in plastic mattress bags, tables and chairs, dining room sets, patio furniture, bookshelves and storage cabinets.

• Books and files: Boxes of books, magazines, household paperwork, and files you don't need for your move. Many documents and work files are not critical for your move, but you have to keep them for a number of years before you can securely dispose of them.

• Household appliances: Any household appliances such as washing machines, dishwashers and freezers that need to be out of the way during home renovations.

• Seasonal items: Summer/winter clothes and shoes, boots, coats etc. Winter curtains, bedspreads, sofa throws and rugs. You can even store away winter tyres, car blankets and protective coverings, foldable summer gazebos, caravan awnings and Christmas decorations.

What not to put into self-storage

Your self-storage solution can be an invaluable tool when used wisely. It can give you a flexible option when moving home, downsizing to a smaller property, travelling between studies and renovating your home.

However, it would help if you also thought about what you SHOULD and SHOULD NOT put into self-storage for your peace of mind. We have compiled a list to help with your storage plans and organising—some things you shouldn't store for health and safety reasons.

What not to keep in your self-storage space:

Food or perishable goods: Storing food in your self-storage space isn't a good idea unless it is tinned food that won't attract vermin or insects. You shouldn't keep pet food in your storage unit (unless it is tinned food) as this can also attract vermin.

Pets: You should never leave any live pets in self-storage. Your animal friends should stay with you or give them to someone you trust to look after while you move home.

Combustible or flammable materials: You should not keep explosive or flammable items in our self-storage space, including paint, full petrol cans, oil, gas bottles, lighter fuel, cleaning chemicals and aerosol cans.

When yo use self storage: Decluttering when downsizing

Using your self-storage space to help you declutter is a valuable tool when you know you have too much stuff to fit into your new home. This is especially true when you are downsizing and have accumulated plenty of furniture and possessions over the years that you no longer need.

The best things to put into self-storage when you are downsizing are large pieces of furniture such as sideboards, dressers and bookshelves that are too big to fit the available space in your new home.

Suppose you are downsizing to a one or two-bed home from a large family home with more bedrooms. In that case, you can store away your spare beds and bedroom furniture until you can arrange for them to be collected by family members who may want them or can be donated to a local furniture charity.

Renovating or decorating your home

Your self-storage space can be a great solution to safely store away bulky furniture items, spare clothes, bedding and household fabrics while decorating your home or having any renovations or building work done.

Keeping precious items of furniture and possessions out of the dust and chaos will stop them from getting in the way of your work, and it will protect them from damage from paint, brick and sawdust that your household renovations will generate.

Assisting students

Students often have issues about what to do with their possessions when they are not studying at college or university. Many students rent accommodation during term time and then return home during the school holidays. However, to save them from lugging all their clothes and possessions back and forth, they can safely store their stuff in a self-storage until they return to their studies.

Storing their belongings away temporarily can be an excellent solution for students that don't want the hassle of trying to sell off bits and pieces at the end of the term that they may need again. Students taking a year out to travel can also leave their possessions in self-storage and have great peace of mind knowing they will still be there for them once they return home and return to university.

Re-cap

Our Woodpecker self-storage facilities are here when you need us for your general household, student or business needs. If you what to store something you are not sure is allowed, do not hesitate to contact our friendly team, and we can advise you.

Woodpecker self-storage solutions can be a real asset in your life and give you the freedom and flexibility to move home or temporarily store your possessions with ease and excellent security. Find out more about how we can help you safely store and protect your possessions by contacting our team.

Contact us at hello@woodpeckerselfstorage.co.uk or call 0808 281 3333