Choose a unit that’s too small and you might end up breaking or damaging your belongings when you cram them inside.
Choosing a storage unit that’s too large and you’ll pay for space you don’t need.
It is really difficult to accurately judge the amount of space you’ll need. We’ve created some videos showing you what each unit looks like, so you can visualise the amount of space in each size of unit we offer. We also have very knowledgeable staff available to chat online or over the phone - if you tell them what you plan to store, they can offer their expert advice on which size unit will be best for you.
If you’ve got a pickup full of stuff from a villa or apartment move, it can be tempting to just unload everything and put it into your self storage unit without much thought about how to access it once it’s in there. If you’re using your car and bringing a carload at a time to your unit, it can be even more difficult to organise it all properly.
Ideally, you should load your storage unit in the reverse order of how you’ll unload it. So, items you’ll need to take out first should be loaded into your unit last so they’re nearest the door and easiest to reach.
Would shelves help you to organise your things better? It might be easier for you to access boxes if they’re stored on shelves rather than stacked on top of each other. Either way, make sure your boxes are clearly labelled, with the labels facing you!
Use the footprint of your storage unit in Dubai to plan how to store your belongings: are you content to fill the whole space from back to front, or do you need to create an aisle (however short) to walk down and reach items further back?
Large, heavy items will need to be arranged on that footprint, but lighter items can be used to fill all the space above.
If any of that’s impossible when you move in because of a lack of time on the day, find time later on that week to go back to the unit and organise it properly. You might find that when you’ve stacked things carefully and made use of all available space, you could use a smaller unit and arrange to downsize your unit when possible.
A common mistake is filling a unit’s footprint without using all the vertical space above it. Could the heavy items be stored vertically? Bed frames, for instance, could be stood upright rather than laid on their sides, leaving more room for larger items on the floor and making full use of the available vertical space.
Other tips include disassembling flatpack furniture and standing the items vertically (make sure you keep all fixings together in a sealed plastic bag attached firmly to the item they belong to!) or filling any voids in drawers or cupboards with other items you’re storing.
Once you’re sure you’ve made the most of the vertical space, reassess the size of your self storage unit. If there’s extra space available, speak with one of our team members at our storage facility in Dubai about whether it’s feasible to use a smaller unit without everything getting squashed. Sometimes, it’s important to have a bit of extra space, especially if you’re storing delicate items or need room to access everything regularly, but if not, then you could save money by using a smaller storage unit.
Damp items cause mould and rot to fester. Storing items that haven’t been properly cleaned and dried will leave your belongings vulnerable to damage and decay. We have provided some tips on how to prepare furniture for storage, and the same tips can apply to other items such as personal belongings and business stock kept in a self storage facility.
After making sure everything is clean and dry, use dust sheets and old bedding to cover your belongings to prevent scratches and condensation.
When renting a storage unit, it is crucial to be mindful of the dates and take into account any notice periods outlined in the rental agreement. By carefully tracking these dates and giving sufficient notice, you can ensure that you don't end up paying for storage time that you no longer require, optimizing your expenses and avoiding unnecessary costs.
Once you’ve settled into your unit, you’ll realise how much extra space you’ve got at home or work and wonder why the heck you didn’t get a unit earlier!
Hopefully, you’ll find renting a self storage unit to be an entirely positive experience. You’ll have more room to move around at home or work, and you’ll feel confident knowing that your stuff is all kept clean, safe, and dry. You can access your unit with StoreIT at any time, every day of the year, and if you choose a store close to your home or workplace, it’ll be nice and easy for you to take things in and out as needed.
With these tips, you’ll make sure you’ll only pay for the space you need and for the time you need it, and all your belongings will be in the same condition when you take them out as they were when you put them in!
Make the most of your space!