When preparing for a move, storage units always come in handy for keeping your items in a safe place for a certain amount of time. They are also useful for downsizing when moving to a smaller home, or simply rearranging your stuff one step at a time.

Whatever the reason, preparing your items for a period of storage is important. These steps ensure that your furniture, appliances and other items remain in good condition while in the storage unit.

Get the right packing materials

The first step towards preparation is to get the right packing supplies. For most items going into storage units, you will most likely need wrapping paper, bubble wrap, tape, boxes, labels, and padding for fragile items. Begin by budgeting for all these supplies and having them ready well before moving day.

Pack fragile items separately

It is a common mistake for movers to store fragile items without taking the right steps to keep them safe. Pay close attention to glassware, china and other breakable items. These should all be wrapped individually using bubble wrap and padding so they don't break while being moved. Your local moving company can also help with packing.

Make sure there is enough padding at the top and bottom of these boxes, and properly label them as fragile items. In storage units, these fragile boxes should be stored separate from other items such as clothes, books, etc. 

Use boxes that are easy to stack

A great space-saving tip for storage units is to get boxes that can stack easily on top of each other. With these boxes, moving will be easier and you can make sure you wrap all items in the right manner. Boxes with heavy items should be stored at the bottom, with lighter items going on top.

Disassemble large items

Large objects such as bedframes, couches, cabinets and kitchen appliances should be disassembled as much as possible before moving them to storage units. This will ensure that movable parts don't fall off and get damaged during the move. Disassembly will also make it easier to carry these items in and out of the home.

Keep kitchen appliances clean and dry

Appliances such as fridges, ovens and dishwashers can easily accumulate mold when placed in storage units for long periods of time. To avoid this problem, make sure you wipe the inside and outside surfaces of your appliances thoroughly before storing them in the storage unit.