How to Store Furniture
Some of the biggest items that need to be stored are a family’s furniture. There are many reasons why you might need to put some furniture into long-term storage, such as removing seasonal items that don’t need to be around all year or moving things out of the way while you renovate your home. Furniture storage is tricky, but there are certain steps you can take to make sure you store furniture correctly so that it’s secure and stays in top condition until you need to use it again. Below, Porta-Stor will provide some storage tips to help you put that furniture away the right way.
Know your Storage Options
Whether you’re in the middle of a home remodel, moving, or just in a transitional period, you already know that you need some extra storage space and are looking for your best option and price. As you look into all the possible solutions to store furniture, there are a few questions you need to ask yourself before you make a decision. Placing your furniture into storage can be pricey, so you need to be well informed before you make that final decision.
First, ask yourself why you’re storing the furniture. Is it for a short project? Are you saving it to hand down to another family member? Depending on the length of time you need to store furniture, it will determine the type of container you need. If you’re looking for long-term furniture storage that might last years, you should consider renting a climate-controlled storage container. This will ensure that the furniture stays safe from moisture or heat damage. A climate-controlled storage container is particularly good for wood, antiques, and upholstered furniture. On the other hand, if you just need your furniture out of the way for a remodeling project or a move, a regular storage container will provide plenty of protection and convenience.
Clean your Furniture
Once you’ve decided on the best furniture storage solution for your situation, it’s time to get your furniture ready for storage. If you just cram all of your furniture into a box, you might end up with damaged goods later.
Before you put anything into storage, especially furniture, make sure it’s clean. Wipe down each piece and clear off any dirt and dust. Should there be an odor on any of your furniture, it will travel to other pieces within the container, so it’s a good idea to fully clean upholstery before storage as well. Not only will cleaning all the furniture make it nicer to handle, but it will also help cut down the chances of growing any mold or otherwise deteriorating.
Take the Furniture Apart
After you’ve cleaned all of your furniture, you need to take the furniture apart that can be taken apart. Furniture to disassemble before storage includes some desks, larger bookcases, tables, and chairs. Not only does this step make it easier to transport the furniture to its storage location, it also makes it easier to store within the storage container. Furniture that’s properly taken apart and stored in pieces is less likely to be scratched or damaged when moved. When you do take it apart, put all the screws, nuts, and bolts into a ziplock bag and place it with the furniture in the storage container.
Protect Glass Items
If you have any glass-top tables or glass shelves, clean the glass, disassemble it, and wrap each piece in a protective layer to keep it from breaking or scratching. You can wrap the larger pieces of glass in either a styrofoam sheet or a large moving blanket. This keeps them safer from breaking and prevents those pieces from collecting large amounts of dust. Once you’ve wrapped glass furniture, properly label it as fragile, so everyone knows to be particularly careful with the package.
Keep Stored Furniture Up Off the Floor
As you set up your furniture storage, keep the ground dry and have something in place to help raise the furniture up off of the floor. This is especially true if you’re using a storage container that’s not climate controlled. You can use either wooden pallets or cinder blocks to lift the pieces off the ground. This helps prevent the furniture from getting ruined should the storage container flood for any reason. If you don't want to use those materials, a large piece of cardboard or cloth on the floor is better than nothing.
Don’t Over Pack
As you start placing your furniture in a storage container, don’t try to cram too much together. If you realize you have more furniture to store than you planned for, you might need to either rent a bigger storage container or cut back the furniture that’s going into storage. Furniture can be delicate, and too much shoved into a small space will lead to scratches, dents, and other damage.
When placing your furniture into a container, the order matters. Store larger pieces towards the back of the container, and then place the smaller pieces towards the front, making sure each piece is secure and protected. You don’t want any items to be wobbly or unsecured, because falling over will cause damage to both that piece and the surrounding items. Thick blankets, pieces of cardboard, and other soft fillers between each piece can help prevent dings.
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How you store your furniture is important. If properly taken care of, furniture can last for decades or even centuries. You want to take care of these pieces, whether they’re family heirlooms or just cost you some hard-earned money. If you need to store some furniture for a move, a remodeling project, or just because you need the extra space in your home, keep your furniture clean, covered, and secure in a portable storage container. Taking your time to store your furniture properly will ensure that it’s in great condition when you go to place it in its new home.