Sometimes moving plans can include a trip to temporary or long-term storage. This step can result in extra handling of your furniture, which means it’s extremely important your furniture is correctly prepped for moving and storage. In this article, we will explain how to ensure the safety of your furniture as it transitions in and out of storage during the relocation process.
Wrapping Furniture For Storage
To help preserve your furniture for its duration in storage, it’s important to wrap it well. Use blankets to wrap wood furniture, as other materials could damage the surface of the pieces. If you’re storing cloth furniture, it’s best to avoid direct contact with plastic wrap as it can suffocate the fabric and cause mildew. If you’d like to use plastic for wrapping, make it your outside layer. You can also check with the furniture manufacturer to see if they make special coverings for their products for situations such as these. Make sure any furniture surface that can be scratched is covered. For breakable items, such as glass tabletops and mirrors, use moving blankets and bubble wrap to create a cushion. Label these items “fragile” and ensure they are stacked at the top in storage, not on the bottom where they could get crushed.
How to Protect Furniture in Storage
Prepare your furniture properly for storage by thoroughly cleaning each piece using appropriate materials, such as leather wipes, mild soap and water, or dry dust cloths. Each piece of furniture will have different recommendations. After cleaning, disassemble your furniture for easier wrapping and transport. Wrap each piece carefully using the instructions above and use labels to identify the item. To best protect your furniture in storage, leave plenty of space between your items, allowing for free flow of air. Additionally, be mindful of how you are configuring furniture in the unit. Keep bigger, heavy items at the bottom with more fragile items on top. Finally, consider a climate-controlled unit if you live in an especially cold or hot climate.
How to Store Furniture in a Storage Unit
- Clean and prepare your furniture for storage.
- Disassemble and wrap your furniture to protect it.
- Load and transport your furniture to the storage unit.
- Unload and configure your furniture in the storage unit.
Storing Furniture Without Climate Control
The key to storing furniture without climate control is proper preparation and protection. Taking the necessary steps to clean and wrap your furniture will make a huge difference. In humid climates, you want to avoid moisture which could potentially cause mold, mildew or warping of wooden furniture. In cold, dry climates, ensure your items are properly insulated to prevent cracking and breakage. Ensure all furniture is cleaned and completely dry before wrapping. This will prevent excess moisture between the layers.
Storing Furniture Between Moves
There are plenty of options for storing furniture between moves. The right option depends on your needs. Consider the following when deciding which option best suits your situation.
- Duration of Storage – How long do you need to store your furniture? A few weeks, months or years? Time will be a factor to consider when choosing where to storage your things.
- How Much Space You Need – Will your items fit in a small storage unit, or do you need something bigger?
- Cost – Typically, the shorter the duration of storage, the more expensive the rate will be. If you are needing something short-term, this may weigh on your storage decision.
- Location and Access – Will you need access to your items in storage on a regular basis? If so, you’ll need something close to your temporary housing with easy access.
- Flexibility – Not sure how long you need to be in storage? You’ll need to find a solution flexible with dates.
- Security – What level of security do you need at your storage facility? Some options are more secure than others, so be sure to do your research.
Types of Storage
- Storage facility (climate controlled or not)
- Storage from your mover
- Portable storage solutions
How much does it cost to store furniture for a month?
Storage unit rates vary by location, unit size and amenities. For standard storage units, prices can range from as low as $80 to $275 per month, and higher. You’ll also likely be required to provide a security deposit and, potentially, the first and last month up front.
Will furniture get damaged in storage?
Whether your furniture will get damaged in storage has a lot to do with how well it was prepped and protected before going into storage. If you take the right precautions, damage to your furniture is not likely. However, this does not account for severe weather or natural disasters. The integrity of the unit itself will also need to be damage free and in working order to properly protect your items. This is especially true for outdoor or free-standing units.
How do you keep furniture from molding in storage?
Ensure your items are dry before being prepped and wrapped for storage. Then, inspect your storage unit for leaks and signs of an existing mold problem that may affect your items.
Does furniture get ruined in storage?
Typically, no. When prepped, wrapped and stored correctly, furniture is unlikely to get damaged in storage.
Do you need climate-controlled storage ?
While climate-controlled solutions provide some peace of mind, it is not necessary for furniture storage.
Storing your furniture somewhere other than your home can be stressful. At Dependable RELO, we can take care of everything storage related for you! Give us a call today at (844) 350-4285.