Accessibility and Organisation: Retrieving Items During Renovations

One of the best ways to keep your belongings safe from nicks, scratches, and unnecessary wear and tear during the chaos of a home renovation is to put them in secure storage. However, you may still need access to your items, which can be difficult with everything stored in boxes that are crammed into a 6ft or 8ft storage container. 

Fortunately, a little planning can go a long way in ensuring your items are safely out of the way and still accessible when needed. Use these tips from the storage experts to solve all your renovation storage challenges. 

Do You Need to Organise Your Storage?

The short answer is no; organising a storage container is not mandatory. However, spending a little time inventorying and strategizing how you will arrange your belongings produces several benefits. 

If you are storing items long-term, an organised approach will ensure that all items are easily accessible should you ever need them. Organisation is also key to protecting your belongings against damage.  

Organising what goes into storage will encourage you to consider the items you no longer need. The more stuff you donate or discard, the more you can save on storage because you won’t need as big a unit. 

Planning and Preparation

Every home renovation requires a detailed plan, but don’t neglect to include your storage needs in your strategy. These key steps will ensure everything going into storage is appropriately organised. 

Create an Inventory

Record every item going into storage and group them accordingly, such as by room or keeping similar items together. Label everything for quicker identification. You may think this is unnecessary busy work, but trust us when we say it will save you a ton of time when retrieving your items.

Even when you aren’t regularly accessing your storage, an inventory will be a big time-saver when returning everything to the house. You’ll know what’s in every box and where it’s supposed to go. 

Number every box on every side for easy identification. Create a corresponding list of everything in that box against that number on a sheet of paper, or create a spreadsheet on your smartphone, PC, or tablet. 

You could also turn your inventory-keeping into a decluttering activity. As you work through your items, consider discarding or donating items you could do without or no longer need. An excellent way to do this is to think about the last time you used the item. If it was more than 6 to 12 months, there’s a good chance your trash could be someone else’s treasure. 

Prioritise Accessibility and Safety

Items you regularly use should be stored towards the front of the storage unit, with less frequently used items going towards the back. Pack everything in boxes you can stack neatly, and consider the weight and fragility of the items. Put heavy, more durable items at the bottom, with the more fragile ones on top. 

Avoid keeping heavy items together. This will help you avoid unstacking and restacking heavy boxes when accessing heavier items.  If possible, use shelving, as these can help you stack higher with less chance of damage. 

Take Advantage of Vertical Space

When your floor space is limited, going vertical is the key to making the best use of storage space. Storage containers from 1800 We Store It range in height from 7.5 ft to 8 ft, giving you plenty of room to go up.

Take advantage of bookcases you place in storage, as these offer readymade shelves for extra space. Consider keeping a stepladder in the storage unit to reach the top-level boxes safely. 

Consider Renting a Storage Container a Little Bigger Than You Need

Consider renting a bigger unit if you plan to access items in storage frequently. This will give you more room to stack boxes while leaving an alleyway for easier retrieval. The extra few dollars a week for a larger unit will be an investment in time savings, as you won’t have to waste half a day unpacking and restacking everything. 

Use Clear Plastic Storage Boxes

Plastic storage boxes are sturdier than cardboard and less likely to collapse long-term. They also make it easier to access your items, as the lids won’t require you to remove packing tape or reseal them. Although they may cost more, you could reduce your costs by reserving the plastic boxes for regularly accessed items and using cardboard for everything else. 

Ready to Get Affordable and Versatile Storage?

Whether you plan on keeping your stuff accessible or storing it off-site, 1800 We Store It containers can work with any short- or long-term storage strategy.

Visit our website for a quick quote, or call for professional advice. Let us help you get through your renovation with less hassle with our versatile storage options.