f
you have a storage unit, you may have noticed how easily it can
become disorganized if you don't stay on top of it. But you probably
don't have a lot of time to spend tidying. Here are some easy ideas
to help you get your unit a little more organized with each visit —
even if you only have five or ten minutes to spare.
1.
Inventory One Box
A
detailed inventory of each box can help you keep your storage unit
more organized and accessible. But if you already have a storage unit
full of boxes, implementing this tip may sound like a monumental
task. So to try it out without overwhelming yourself — just take
five minutes to inventory one box (a small one if need be).
Write
a list of everything in the box and then tape it to the outside of
that box. Then, type up the list and add it to a spreadsheet or to a
free inventory app on your phone. The digital list will allow you to
view the inventory without visiting the unit.
If
you find this list helpful, you can eventually inventory your entire
unit. But it still doesn't have to be overwhelming; complete one box
each time you visit the unit, and you'll eventually be able to search
through your unit's contents wherever you are.
2.
Add Color-Coded Stickers
Color
coding is fun and helps you visualize which boxes you're looking for
when you need a specific item. You can color-code based on any
criteria you want, such as:
-
The month you added
the box to your storage unit
-
The family member
whose belongings are inside the box
-
The room of the
house where the items in the box belong
-
Whether the items
in the box are for personal use or business
-
Which season of the
year you need the items
Grab
some big colorful stickers (or different colors of duct tape) and
start slapping them on the sides of boxes. A quick peek inside should
be enough to tell you what category each box belongs in. If not,
don't sweat it; move on, and you can deal with the difficult boxes a
different day.
3.
Switch to Clear Bins for Miscellaneous Boxes
Do
you have a box (or three) simply labeled miscellaneous? Bring a
clear plastic bin to the storage unit and place your miscellaneous
items in it. This way, you can locate something before opening the
box. Or if you don't have a miscellaneous box, any box you find
yourself digging through often is a great candidate.
You
may want to eventually transition to clear plastic bins for all of
your storage inventory, especially if you currently use cardboard
boxes. Plastic bins can be more resistant to moisture and less
attractive to pests.
But
starting out by switching over one or two boxes can help you get a
feel for how useful plastic bins are when looking for a specific
stored item.
4.
Reacquaint Yourself With the Boxes in the Back
If
you've had your storage unit for a few years, it can be easy to lose
track of old boxes that never urgently need to be opened. Take a
couple of minutes to drag them out and peek inside. You may be
pleasantly surprised to find useful items you'd forgotten about.
Or
you may realize that all of these items can do more good if you
donate them to charity, freeing up space in your unit. Either way,
you'll gain something. Plus you'll be able to do a quick survey to
make sure that these items don't have pests living in them.
These
quick projects can help you forge ahead on your storage unit's
organization needs even when you're on a tight time budget. Whether
you already have a storage unit with Tysons
Self Storage
or
you're just moving to the area and want a high-quality storage
facility, we're here to help. Get in touch today to learn more about
our units.
