4 Tips for Preparing Furniture for Storage

There are many situations where you could face inadequate storage space issues. This can be when you’re downsizing your home, moving temporarily or permanently out of state, or even planning on a major home renovation project. It could also be that you just want to preserve your antique furniture pieces and don’t have sufficient space in your home. The problem with most furniture pieces is that they’re bulky, so they take up plenty of space.

In such situations, the solution is to rent a sizable storage unit where you can safely store your valuable furniture pieces until you need them or have adequate space in your house. Look for a trusted and reputable storage provider like Osmon Moving and Storage that offers convenient, efficient, and affordable storage solutions. Before you store your furniture pieces, you must adequately prepare them to ensure they retain their condition and appearance no matter the storage period. Let’s look at some of the best ways to prepare your furniture for storage:

1. Clean the Items

The first step to preparing your furniture pieces for long-term or short-term storage is thoroughly cleaning them. This is crucial because any dirt and dust on the surfaces of your furniture may lead to permanent stains or even damage staying long in a storage unit. Using a dry cloth, wipe down the furniture to eliminate dust and debris on the surfaces. Vacuum the upholstery to eliminate coarse particles and blot using a wet cloth to remove any remaining stains. Ensure you use an appropriate cleaner, depending on whether you have a fabric or leather upholstery.

Wipe down the wood surfaces using a damp cloth and a gentle cleaner. Any metal parts on your furniture should be polished to eliminate oxidation and prevent tarnish buildup. Place the furniture outdoors or in a ventilated room and allow them to dry. Ensure they dry entirely because moisture could lead to discoloration or even mold growth over time. Once completely dried, apply a coat of paste wax or polish on the wooden parts to seal the wood and keep it from drying out during storage. It’s also vital that you apply an appropriate protector on upholstery.

2. Disassemble Larger Pieces

Once you’ve wiped down the furniture and vacuumed the upholstery, disassemble large furniture pieces to make them easy to pack and store. You can do that by removing drawers from the dressers, tables’ and sofas’ legs, box springs and mattresses from beds, unscrewing bookcases’ shelves, and footboards and headboards from the bed frames.

Besides allowing easy packing and transporting, disassembling large furniture pieces will minimize the risk of them getting damaged while in storage and allow space optimization. Disassembled pieces are typically more compact and take up less space, allowing you to strategically arrange them inside the unit and save lots of space.

3. Pack the Furniture for Storage

Another crucial step in the preparation process is packing the furniture. Packing your furniture pieces properly can ensure they’ll stay safe and protected for the period they stay in a storage unit. To ensure proper protection for your furniture, cover the pieces with blankets, old sheets, plastic sheeting, and drop cloths to keep them from fading and getting damaged, dirty, and dusty while in storage.

For wood furniture, cover them with padded covers or moving blankets. The soft, breathable material will protect the wood surfaces against dents and scratches and prevent dust and dirt buildup. It will also promote proper air circulation. Extra padding should be placed around the edges and corners to prevent them from scratching other items in the storage unit. Protect glass panels with cardboard and wrap them in bubble wrap for extra cushioning. Be sure to wrap protruding parts and legs in bubble wrap to prevent them from breaking.

4. Organize Your Packed Furniture Strategically and Carefully

Once you’ve packed your furniture pieces, the next step is strategically organizing them inside the storage unit. While placing the furniture into the unit is quite simple, you need to be extra cautious about how you place them to prevent moisture buildup, deterioration, and pest damage. This is especially important when it comes to long-term storage.

Don’t place your furniture directly on the storage unit’s floor since they’re made of concrete, which could lead to dampness and mold growth, causing damage. Instead, place cinder blocks or wooden pallets and place your furniture on top to keep them raised and allow air to circulate around each piece. Additionally, avoid placing other items on top of your furniture since it could cause warping.

Leave plenty of room between your packed furniture pieces to promote proper airflow and prevent humidity from building up in tight spaces. Leaving pockets of space between the items also helps you avoid stacking your furniture pieces on top of each other. This is crucial since your furniture needs to be placed on steady ground to reduce the risk of falling into each other, causing scratching and costly damage.

While you may try saving several dollars each month by packing your furniture pieces tightly inside the storage unit, this could cause extensive damages, costing you even more in the long run. Therefore, choose a storage unit that’s spacious enough to accommodate all your furniture pieces while leaving ample space for them to breathe. This will help prevent your valuable furniture pieces from getting damaged by mold and mildew buildup and allow easy accessibility. 

Endnote

Use the above tips to properly prepare your furniture before storing them in a storage unit. Properly cleaning, disassembling, and packing your furniture pieces can help ensure they stay safe and in excellent condition for the period they stay in a storage unit. This way, your furniture will look as good as new even after storing them for years in a storage unit.