There's a real difference between moving things into a storage unit and actually packing one well. The first approach - pile it in, close the door - works until the day you need something specific and can't reach it, or you open the unit six months later to find a stack of boxes has collapsed onto your furniture.
Here are ten things that genuinely make a difference
1. Disassemble furniture before it goes in
Beds, wardrobes, dining tables, and shelving units all take up significantly less space when broken down into their component parts. It also reduces the risk of damage - to the furniture and to whatever it would otherwise be resting against. Keep screws and fittings in clearly labelled zip-lock bags and tape them to the relevant item so they don't disappear.
2. Use uniform box sizes where you can
A consistent stack of standard removal boxes is far more stable than a jumble of different shapes and heights. Uniform sizes make better use of the unit's vertical space and are much less likely to shift or topple. Double-walled boxes are worth the slight extra cost - a single-walled box under the weight of a stack will buckle.
3. Fill every box completely
Partially filled boxes collapse under weight. Fill gaps with packing paper, bubble wrap, soft items like towels or clothing, or crumpled newspaper if that's what you have. A full, firm box is a reliable building block. A soft one isn't.
4. Heavy items in small boxes, light items in large boxes
This sounds counterintuitive but it's one of the most important rules. Large boxes filled with books or tools are dangerous to carry and more likely to split at the base. Books, files, kitchen equipment, and anything dense go in small to medium boxes. Large boxes are for duvets, pillows, lampshades, and soft furnishings.
5. Use the full height of the unit
Most storage units have 7 foot ceilings. Stack boxes to within a foot of the ceiling, with heaviest and most robust items at the bottom and lighter ones at the top. Fragile items, and anything you might need to access during your time renting the unit, should be positioned where you can actually reach them.
6. Put things you might need near the front
If you're in the middle of a house move and you know you'll need the kettle, a set of bedding, or specific documents at some point before you empty the unit - don't bury them. Make a mental or written list of likely-to-need items before you start loading, and position them near the front or on top.
7. Cover upholstered furniture and mattresses
Sofas, armchairs, and mattresses accumulate dust, pick up minor scuffs, and can absorb moisture if left uncovered. Mattress bags are inexpensive and widely available. Use breathable furniture covers or moving blankets for upholstered pieces. Don't wrap fabric items directly in plastic sheeting — it traps moisture rather than keeping it out.
8. Store mirrors and artwork vertically
Always on their edge, never flat. Flat storage puts uneven pressure on the frame and significantly increases the risk of cracking. Wrap thoroughly in bubble wrap, use specialist picture boxes if you have anything valuable, and lean them against a stable wall at the side of the unit.
9. Leave an access aisle
Unless you're certain you won't need to retrieve anything until you empty the entire unit, keep a walkable corridor down the middle or along one side. It doesn't need to be wide - enough to step through and reach items at the back. The first time you need to find something specific without an aisle, you'll understand why this matters.
10. Take photos and keep a list
This is the one that almost everyone skips, and almost everyone regrets. Before you close the unit for the first time, take photos of the contents - an overview and some close-ups of what's in each labelled box. Keep a simple note or voice memo of what's where. When you need to find something nine months later, you will be genuinely glad you did this.
