At some point, you’ll need to downsize your furniture at home or office to make way for new spaces and appliances. Proper preparation before storing your furniture is important to ensure it’s still in tip-top shape when you need it again. You wouldn’t want your investment to go to waste when your furniture gets damaged after a long time of storage.
Whether you’re availing of short or long-term storage, we’ll guide you through the step-by-step preparations for different kinds of furniture to preserve its look and functionality.
1. Choose the Right Storage Unit.
You must get the best storage unit before preparing for furniture storage. Contact a storage provider for a clear quotation on their products and services. Make sure the storage facility you choose has the following storage services:
Gated access
Units with individual alarms
24/7 access
CCTV surveillance
On-site personnel
Pickup and moving services
Consider renting a climate-controlled unit to protect leather and wood furniture. They’re sensitive to humidity and temperature fluctuations, and climate-controlled units maintain a specific temperature to avoid damaging them.
2. Clean Your Furniture Thoroughly.
Thorough cleaning helps protect furniture and prevent extensive damage. Here’s how you can clean it:
Leather Furniture: Use a leather-specific cleanser or mix water and mild soap. Remove excess moisture using a dry cloth and dry the leather before storing it.
Wooden Furniture: Wipe it with a damp cloth to remove dirt and dust. Apply wood cleaner to clean the furniture thoroughly. Make sure it’s completely dry to prevent moisture from warping the furniture.
Metal Furniture: Wipe it with a soft cloth and use a metal cleaner to remove rust and stains. Dry the metal thoroughly to avoid corrosion.
3. Take It Apart.
Disassembling large furniture, such as bed frames, sofas, and tables, can save space in your self-storage unit. If the furniture is heavy, ask one or two people to help speed up the disassembly. Check the manufacturer’s instructions for disassembling the furniture to ensure you don’t destroy it.
Keep bolts, screws, and other small components in labelled bags to avoid losing them. It also helps you find them easily when you need them. Group disassembled parts by kind for easy tracking. Cover sharp edges with bubble wrap to prevent damage while in transit.
4. Wrap Furniture for Protection.
Wrap all disassembled parts individually to protect furniture from scratches, moisture, dirt, and dust. Follow these tips for different types of furniture:
Wood: Cover the surface with plastic wrap, but don’t wrap it too tightly, as this can trap moisture and damage the wood. Instead, use breathable materials like moving blankets.
Leather: Plastic traps humidity, so use breathable fabric or specialised leather covers to protect the furniture.
Metal: Protect surfaces and edges of the furniture with plastic or bubble wrap. Make sure the wrap has no water in it.
5. Use Protective Covers.
Place a large sheet of plastic tarp on the floor of your storage space to keep moisture from seeping into the furniture. To further protect your furniture from damage, invest in furniture pads to pack your furniture. Use boards or pallets to keep your furniture from reaching the floor.
6. Stack Furniture Strategically.
How you arrange your furniture can influence its accessibility and safety. These tips can help keep your furniture in shape:
Put heavier items like tables and sofas at the bottom. Place lighter items on top carefully.
Don’t stack too high, or the furniture parts will tip over.
Leave a small aisle at the centre of the unit to access your belongings easily.
Save space in your storage unit by using up most vertical space.
7. Inspect and Maintain.
If you plan to store furniture for a long time, periodic checks are vital to ensure your belongings are safe. Inspect the unit for signs of moisture, damage, and pests. Air the unit out occasionally to keep it fresh.
Special Considerations for Different Materials
Wooden Furniture.
Put wood polish or wax to protect the surface.
Don’t place heavy items on top of wooden furniture to avoid scratches and dents.
Leather Furniture.
Keep the leather supple with a leather conditioner, especially for long-term storage.
Never fold leather items to prevent creases.
Put silica gel packs inside the bag where the furniture is to absorb moisture buildup.
Metal Furniture.
Put a thin layer of metal polish to avoid rust.
Don’t store the metal furniture in damp conditions.
Final Thoughts
Storing furniture isn’t an easy task, whether it’s wood, metal, or leather. It requires extensive care, attention, and preparation before they’ll be kept inside the storage unit. However, you’ll figure everything out once you work with a reputable storage provider to safeguard your valuable furniture.
By disassembling the furniture, wrapping it in a protective covering, and stacking it safely inside the unit, you can achieve a well-organised arrangement to keep it safe before you use it again. Good furniture provides an aesthetic touch to your home, and it’s better to maintain its quality if not in use than buying another one after it gets damaged.
