1. Temperature and humidity
These are the biggest enemies of any antique since humidity can destroy paintings, furniture and pretty much any work of art or mechanism. Forget about storing something like this in a basement or the attic – you will need a controlled environment where the damage will be kept to a minimum. There are storage units out there offered by companies which offer proper ventilation as well as temperature control for precisely this purpose. Some of the facilities use a dehumidifer as well as a central air conditioning system so don’t hesitate to use their services if you want to have the ideal conditions.
2. Transportation
Remember that transporting any antiques is a risky business since most of them are worn and fragile even in the best cases. You will need to find a unit which offers easy access and very little opportunities for damage – avoid having to store antique furniture or other belongings in buildings with no elevators since you may damage them during the move.
3. Insurance options
Remember that any antique must be insured so you can save yourself the trouble if something bad happens. Different storage companies offer different coverage – when you pick make sure you’ll be able to cover the entire estimated value of the objects in question.
4. Packing carefully
When you’re working with mirrors or paintings and other large antiques make sure you wrap them with bubble wrap or felt or thick blankets. Saran wrap can also be utilized when you’re working on packing as it will stick together very well and it will offer some protection against scratches. A lot of companies also offer specialized boxes for the storage of these particular types. Avoid storing them flat as they may get damaged as they collapse under their own weight or something is laid on top of them. Covering furniture with special protection such as bags or sheeting is a must in this case. Storage companies offer heavy-duty versions of these as well.
5. Keeping inventory
This is a very important step since you need to know the exact condition of the items you’re storing for future reference. Note any small damages or details you may be aware of so you can make a comparison once you pull them out of storage for use or sales. The best way to do this is to keep both a paper copy and a spreadsheet covering everything you can – this will be useful with moving companies as well.
Greg is a passionate writer, dreamer and adventurer. Read more of his tips and tricks at http://www.londonremovals.co.uk/