How to Prepare Your Furniture for Storage

When you have limited space and don't need your furniture right away, you can move it to a self-storage facility. Self-storage is also a good way to store antique or heirloom furniture.



However, if you want your furniture to remain in pristine condition, you have to take steps to protect it. Also, you need to plan and prepare carefully so you get the most out of your storage unit. Learn more about how to prepare your furniture for your self-storage unit.

Decide what you want to store

If you're like many people, you don't want to dispose of good furniture. If you truly don't need it, don't make an effort to keep it. Furniture can deteriorate over time even when you take good measures to store it. Also, it can go out of style.

If you don't know when you might use it again, dispose of it. If the furniture is in good condition, consider giving it to a charity or someone else who needs it. However, if your furniture is antique or heirloom, you may feel storage is the best option other than in your home.

Prepare your furniture for storage

For best results and longevity, take steps to prepare or protect your furniture until you reach a time where you need it again. Below are some ways to prepare your furniture for storage.

Clean your furniture

Wipe down smooth surfaces and clean your upholstery if possible. Polish and apply protectant to wood. Make sure the furniture is completely dry and clean before you go on to the next step.

Wrap your upholstered furniture

Many storage experts recommend you wrap your non-wooden furniture with thick plastic sheets. Only use plastic designed for furniture or archival use, and put a cloth barrier between it and upholstery. You can also use special cloth wraps designed for specific pieces like chairs and love seats. Whatever you do, don't store your furniture bare.

Cover your wooden furniture

Cover your wooden furniture with thick cloth or blankets for protection. Don't wrap wood furniture pieces in plastic because the plastic increases moisture that could damage the wood. Also, use blankets between stacked furniture.

Disassemble large furniture

Remove the legs off tables and shelves off large bookcases if you can do so. Keep related parts together for easy reassembly in the future. If you make large items smaller, you can store them more easily with less risk of damage.

Stack your furniture safely

When you reach your storage unit, make an efficient plan to store your items. Stack it neatly with heavier, sturdier items on the bottom. Ensure you have a path to access all items when needed. Keep your most likely-to-be-used items near where you have the highest accessibility. Don't try to overstuff your furniture into the unit. Leave space between items as much as possible.

Call a mover if necessary

If you have limited time and ability to prepare your furniture, have a professional do the work. Movers will wrap and move the furniture to your self-storage unit. You can prepare the unit before they arrive. Use pallets, blocks or blankets on the floor for added protection. Have everything in place, and map out the room before they bring over your furniture.

Furniture storage does not need to be difficult. If you rent a self-storage unit, you can pack and move everything yourself if you want. Or, you can call Zippy Removals & Storage and have us do everything for you. We will carefully wrap and move your furniture from your home to one of our units. We even offer insurance to protect your items. Call or chat with us online to get started with a quote and have us set up your service.