How to pack a storage unit so everything fits, stays safe and is easy to find.
A well-packed storage unit can hold far more than you’d expect and keep your belongings in the same condition you left them. A poorly packed one wastes space you pay for every month and turns every visit into a dig. Here’s how to prepare, pack, organize and later empty your unit the right way.
How to Pack a Storage Unit in 10 Steps
- Choose the right size. Inventory what you’re storing and pick the smallest unit that fits. Our 60-second size quiz can help.
- Decide on climate control. Wood furniture, electronics, documents, photos and instruments are safer in a climate-controlled unit, especially long term.
- Clean and dry everything. Dirt attracts pests and moisture causes mold. Wash fabrics, wipe furniture and fully dry appliances.
- Use sturdy, uniform boxes. Same-size boxes stack straight and stable. Fill each one completely so it won’t crush.
- Label every box on multiple sides with its contents, and number them to match an inventory list.
- Protect the floor. Put pallets or plastic sheeting down first so nothing sits directly on concrete.
- Load large, heavy items first against the back and side walls: appliances, dressers, headboards and tables.
- Stack heavy boxes on the bottom, light on top, and use vertical space all the way to the ceiling.
- Leave an aisle down the middle if you’ll need to reach items in the back.
- Put the things you’ll need most near the door and your inventory list somewhere easy to grab.
Packing Supplies for Storage
Containers
- Sturdy boxes in a few standard sizes
- Plastic bins with lids for long-term or damp-prone storage
- Wardrobe boxes for hanging clothes
- Dish packs for breakables
Protection
- Packing paper and bubble wrap
- Breathable furniture covers or old sheets (not plastic)
- Mattress bags
- Pallets or plastic floor sheeting
Organization
- Markers and labels
- A notebook or app for your inventory
- Freestanding shelving, if allowed
- Zip-top bags for furniture hardware
Security
- A disc or cylinder lock
- Moisture absorbers
- Pest-proof bins for fabrics
Need boxes? Compare prices at 8 retailers in our guide to the best places to buy moving boxes. For locks, see the strongest locks for storage units.
How to Store Specific Items
| Item | How to store it |
|---|---|
| Furniture | Disassemble beds and tables, bag and tape hardware to each piece, cover with breathable fabric, and store sofas on end only if the frame allows. Don’t stack heavy items on upholstered pieces. |
| Mattresses | Seal in a mattress bag and store flat or on edge against a wall, never folded or buried under boxes. |
| Appliances | Clean and fully dry, then prop doors slightly open to prevent mold and odors. Secure loose parts. |
| Electronics | Use original boxes when possible, remove batteries, and choose climate control for long periods. |
| Clothing and linens | Wash first, then store in wardrobe boxes or sealed bins. Avoid vacuum bags for natural fibers long term. |
| Dishes and glassware | Wrap individually, stand plates on edge in dish packs, and mark boxes FRAGILE. |
| Books and documents | Small boxes only. Keep irreplaceable documents at home or in a safe deposit box. |
| Tools and outdoor equipment | Drain fuel and oil from engines, clean off dirt and lightly oil metal tools to prevent rust. |
More detail: how to pack and wrap furniture and how to pack fragile items.
How to Organize a Storage Unit
- Map it out. Sketch where furniture and box groups will go before you start loading.
- Group by category or room, not randomly, so you know where to look.
- Use shelving for boxes you’ll access often; it keeps them off the floor and visible.
- Face labels outward toward the aisle.
- Keep an inventory with box numbers and a rough map, and photograph the unit when you’re done.
- Leave airflow space of a couple of inches between items and the walls.
Unpacking and Moving Out of Your Storage Unit
When it’s time to empty your unit, a little planning makes it go quickly:
Give notice
Most facilities require written notice before move-out, often 10 to 30 days. Check your lease so you don’t pay an extra month.
Bring the right help
Line up a truck or container, a dolly and helpers, or hire moving labor to load for you.
Unload in reverse
Items near the door come out first. Use your inventory to direct each box to the right room at home.
Leave it clean
Sweep out the unit and remove all trash to avoid cleaning fees and get any deposit back.
Find the right storage unit
Compare prices and move-in specials at storage facilities near you.
Compare Storage PricesNot sure what size you need?
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Take the Size QuizStorage Packing FAQs
What is the best way to pack a storage unit?
Put pallets or plastic on the floor, load large furniture and appliances against the back walls, stack uniform boxes heaviest to lightest up to the ceiling, leave an aisle if you’ll need access, and keep frequently used items near the door.
Should I use plastic bins or cardboard boxes in storage?
Plastic bins with lids are better for long-term storage and anything sensitive to moisture or pests. Cardboard works well for shorter storage and costs less, especially in a climate-controlled unit.
Can I cover furniture with plastic in storage?
Avoid wrapping furniture tightly in plastic for long periods, because it traps moisture. Use breathable furniture covers or cotton sheets instead.
How do I keep mold out of a storage unit?
Store only clean, fully dry items, raise everything off the floor, leave space for airflow, use moisture absorbers, and choose climate control in humid areas.
How much can fit in a 10×10 storage unit?
A well-packed 10×10 typically holds the contents of a one-bedroom apartment, including a bed, sofa, dresser, table and boxes.