SmarterSpace Storage: Self Storage Tips

Choose Your Storage Unit

You have many self storage options in Gainesville, FL. So how do you choose a storage facility—and more specifically storage units—to house your belongings? Start by searching for self storage close to your home, work, business, or regular commutes. You are looking for convenience as much as you are looking for product and service.

Before you decide on a storage solution, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons considering your specific needs. For example, drive-up storage containers are very convenient for loading items from your car. Make sure to do some research so that you can choose the right type of storage unit based on your own individual needs.

Visit SmarterSpace Storage to start getting your items organized today. Read more about our storage facility’s specific features and use our storage calculator to figure out what size storage unit you should rent.

Packing Tips for Your Boxes

1. Prep Before Packing

To ensure that your items stay protected while in storage, take care of them as you’re packing them away. Items that are delicate will need more padding to keep them safe throughout transport. Check our Self Storage FAQ to see if your question can be answered instantly! It is important to understand the rules and expectations before renting storage.

2. General Packing Rule: Heavy on the Bottom, Light on Top

Follow these guidelines when packing and storing your boxes and storage containers: begin with heavier, larger items as your foundation before adding lighter ones on top. By doing this, you’ll stop your containers from breaking under the pressure within and around them.

3. Clean & Cover

Prevent your items from being dirty or damaged by cleaning and preserving them in advance. Cover appliances, tools, and electronics with dust covers before storing them for an extended time. Get rid of germs and water droplets to stop rusting or smells.

4. Pack Air-Tight to Keep Out Moisture & Pests

Packing with air-tight containers is an excellent method to prevent any damage. Furthermore, it’s important to learn how to deal with any nuisances, like bugs and moisture, from the very beginning. Any type of antique, clothing piece, important documents, or technology would benefit greatly from being packed in one of these types of containers.

Packing Tips for Your Storage Unit

1. Create an Organized Layout

Storing your things in the right manner can help you live a more comfortable life. The best method to pack your storage container is to follow a step-by-step process. Leave space down the middle of your storage container so you may get to everything easier from all angles. Then, as part of an effort to locate similar items quicker later, store goods that are comparable, such as seasonal clothing or kitchen equipment. Keep your most important items close to the door for quick access.

2. Utilize Your Entire Storage Space

Use all the space you’re paying for by stacking items high. Also, consider installing shelving units if your storage facility allows it.

3. Don’t Store Perishables

So what can’t you store? Perishables like food will go bad quickly, and when they do, they will begin to attract pests. It is best to avoid this altogether by storing these items in your everyday storage space in your home or business. You also cannot store dangerous, flammable items or money.

1. Using the Covered Drive-Thru

Our covered drive-thru makes loading and unloading easy in any weather. Pull your vehicle under cover, stage your boxes on one of our provided carts, and take your time organizing before you head to your unit. Planning your route through the drive-thru ahead of time, and being mindful of traffic flow during busy hours, helps keep move-in day quick for you and the next renter in line.

2. Setting Up Smartphone Access

Every unit at SmarterSpace Storage can be accessed with our smartphone-based smart-lock system. Download the app, verify your account, and you’re ready to go, no physical key required. If you need to give someone else access, such as a mover, family member, or employee, only share entry through the app with people you trust; you can revoke access at any time.

3. Climate-Controlled Storage in Florida

Florida’s heat and humidity can be tough on certain belongings. Our climate-controlled units help protect humidity-sensitive items like electronics, important documents, furniture, and clothing from warping, mildew, and moisture damage, so what you store looks the same as the day you packed it.

4. Storing for Your Business

SmarterSpace Storage isn’t just for household items. Local businesses use our units to store extra inventory, records, and equipment, and our drive-thru access makes it easy for contractors, real estate professionals, and medical representatives to load and unload supplies quickly between appointments.