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Increase Your Available Storage Space By Thinking Vertically

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A mistake that many people make in regards to their self-storage unit is failing to use the space in the upper part of the unit. While it's extremely easy to cover the floor of your unit with boxes and other possessions, doing so doesn't allow you to make the most of your available space. And, when the entire floor of the unit is covered in items, the unit can fill up quicker and be difficult to walk through when you're looking for a particular item. A better strategy is to think vertically — there's lots of available storage space in the upper half of the unit, and plenty of simple ways to use it. Here are some ways that you can maximize your use of this space.

Use Sturdy Plastic Bins

One of the reasons that people fail to use vertical space in their storage unit is that you can typically only stack cardboard boxes to a certain height before they become unstable. You don't want an upper box falling over and its contents breaking, so you may only stack three of four boxes on top of each other. Instead, plan to invest in some sturdy plastic bins. Many such bins are not only robust to protect your items, but are also designed to be stacked. This means that you can often stack these bins right up to the ceiling of your storage unit, greatly improving your available storage space.

Install Wall-Mounted Storage

While you should always consult someone in the storage facility's rental office before doing so, you may be able to install wall- or ceiling-mounted storage solutions in your unit. For example, if you have a large selection of old sporting goods, storing them in a basket-style storage container that hangs from the ceiling allows you to use vertical space that you might otherwise neglect. Similarly, a storage rack for car tires mounted high on the wall will get these bulky items off the floor and into space you weren't otherwise using.

Add Some Shelving Units

A simple way to increase your vertical storage in your unit is to put up some shelving units along the walls. These will allow you to stack items up toward the ceiling, making use of previously empty space. You don't need to necessarily but shelving units. Instead, keep an eye out on garbage day — many people will drag shelves to the curb that may look a little dated, but that are structurally sound.

Remember these tips when looking at local self storage units to store your belongings.


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