Storage Tips

How To Store Furniture

Do you need to store couches, beds, tables, dressers, desks, and other furniture pieces in self storage? Whether you’re storing furniture while moving to a new home, or just clearing clutter from your current home, consider the following storage tips from Extra Space Storage.

Things you’ll need: tools, cleaning spray, moving blankets, bubble wrap, wrapping film, corner protectors, and moving tape.

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Step 1: Make an Inventory List

Even though you’re taking precautions, there’s still a chance that something could be damaged while moving or storing your furniture. Protect your investment by creating an inventory list of all stored furniture for insurance purposes. Your inventory list should include every item’s name, ideally along with a photo for easier identification and proof of ownership.

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Step 2: Take Large Furniture Apart

Large furniture—such as tables, desks, and bed frames—can be awkward to carry and place in storage. It’s a good idea to take apart these pieces of furniture to make moving and storage easier. Don’t forget to tape a bag with all screws, nuts, bolts, and other hardware to the furniture it goes with so you don’t lose anything.

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Step 3: Spray All Furniture With Cleaning Spray

Furniture with dust, debris, and crumbs can attract pests while in self storage. Cut down on that risk—and prevent potential damage—by spraying furniture with cleaning sprays before storage. Just make sure your furniture fully dries before moving it into storage.

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Step 4: Wrap All Furniture for Storage

It can be easy to ding, dent, scratch, and even break fragile pieces of furniture while moving into self storage. Cut down on damage risk by wrapping all furniture in moving blankets, bubble wrap, or wrapping film to prevent damage. You should also use corner protectors on the edges of bed frames, tables, mirrors, and large wall decor. Also, use wrapping film or moving tape to keep dresser or cabinet doors closed during transportation.

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Step 5: Find a Secure Self Storage Facility

Finding a secure storage facility should be a priority, especially if you plan to store your home’s entire contents during a move. Extra Space Storage utilizes advanced security measures to provide you with peace of mind, so be sure to find a self storage facility that offers:

  • Perimeter fencing around the property

  • Individually-alarmed storage units

  • Electronic gate access with keypad entry

  • Security access to your floor only (for multi-level facilities)

  • Video surveillance cameras throughout the property

  • Controlled-access building with indoor storage units

  • Facility manager who lives on-site

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Step 6: Rent a Climate-Controlled Storage Unit

Furniture is often made with delicate materials like leather, wood, and fabric, all of which can get damaged by extreme heat and cold in self storage. With climate-controlled storage— which maintains an environment between 55 and 80 degrees at all times—your furniture is better protected from rust, warping, fading, and other temperature-related damage.

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Step 7: Carefully Store Furniture

Once you’ve found a secure self storage facility for your furniture, it’s time to move everything in with care. Store larger furniture toward the back and side walls of your storage unit, and stand couches and mattresses on end to maximize storage space. Also, keep everything off the floor with pallets, placing heavier furniture on the bottom and lighter furniture on the top.