If you are tired of tripping over your belongings, it may be time to look into a self-storage facility in Palo Alto. This same secure storage facility might also be helpful if your job has you traveling across the country on a regular basis, or if you like to go all out when it comes to decorating for the holidays. A storage unit can be a convenient solution in all sorts of situations. Read on for a closer look at these reasons to get a self-storage unit.

Running Out of Room

You do not need to live in a mansion to enjoy your personal space; all you have to do is understand how to cut down on clutter. Fortunately, self-storage facilities make it easy to keep your home clean, organized, and clutter-free, so even the smallest apartments can feel roomy enough for your needs. A storage unit can help you take back your closet, attic, garage, or other area of your house that has become overrun with clutter. This is the perfect solution for those items that are too sentimental to let go of but not functional enough to make use of.

Constantly On the Go

If you live in New York but frequently attend to business on the West Coast, it may behoove you to rent a storage unit in Palo Alto. This will give you a sort of “home base” where you can keep a few of your important things that you would like to have with you whenever you work away from home. If these belongings are already in town when you arrive, you do not need to worry about bringing them on the plane. Storage facilities are perfect for a busy, “on the go” lifestyle.

Seasonal Decorations

You might see more seasonal decorations during the winter than any other time of year, but some homes are committed to celebrating every holiday. If this describes your level of holiday cheer, you might need a place to store your lights, inflatables, and other decorations. If you do not have a basement or an attic, a storage unit is perfect.

Picking the right self-storage unit to rent is as important as picking the right home—you want to be sure that the bulk of your belongings and prized possessions are secured, properly housed, and kept in good condition. With all of the self-storage facilities in Palo Alto to choose from, it benefits you to know what to look out for when selecting a new storage unit. Do your research and compile a list of potential places to check out. And come prepared with questions in hand.

Choose an Accessible Unit

Good self-storage facilities are always easily accessible to their renters. Choose a facility that is located near where you plan to be, and that is staffed with helpful, courteous, and knowledgeable attendants. Remember to be mindful of its hours of operation. Not only should your unit be accessible distance-wise, but it also should be conveniently accessible based on your schedule, which may mean being open on weekends and holidays too.

Go with a Facility That Is Secure

Security is very important. After all, you expect that your things will be safely contained inside your unit at all times. Pick a place that has a security fence or wall with electronic gates that are controlled by a keypad or swipe pass. There should be active surveillance cameras scattered throughout the property too. For extra security and peace of mind, be sure to invest in the strongest and most appropriate lock that you can afford for your unit.

Inspect the Unit Before Signing a Contract

A storage unit’s cleanliness reflects on the facility as a whole. Not many people would willingly pay good money to store they precious belongings in a filthy room, and neither should you. Before you sign any paperwork, be sure to tour the facility and have a look inside any unit you plan to rent. Do not hesitate to move on elsewhere if a certain facility’s standards are not in line with yours.

Consider a Climate-Controlled Unit

Take an inventory of your belongings before you choose a self-storage unit. If you own items that are sensitive to temperature, humidity, or pests, you may want to consider renting a climate-controlled room. Ask your local storage professional about the benefits of this option and if it is right for you.

Moving is an inevitability. When the time comes, you may find yourself in a situation that warrants renting a secure storage facility in Palo Alto to house some or all of your belongings. Knowing what your self-storage options are can help you make the right decision.

Self-storage units are usually available in two different pack-it-yourself options, depending on whether you require short-term or long-term storage. For instance, if you find yourself in between homes for a short period, opt for a self-storage unit at a local, easily accessible facility. If applicable, ask for a ground-level storage unit, which can make the moving process smoother. If you need long-term storage, consider having a container delivered to your home. With this option, the storage company drops off an empty industrial container and then picks it up after it has been filled. The container is transported and stored in a closed facility until you are ready. The downside to this type of storage is that your things tend not to be accessible to you as they would if you used a self-storage unit.

If you have artwork that needs to be put in a storage unit, you will want to make sure that it is properly stored, as art is prone to damage from temperature changes and leaking water. A reliable self-storage facility in Palo Alto will help you prevent these issues, but you should be sure to add an extra layer of protection to your valuables by preparing them properly. Keep your treasures safe and secure with these helpful tips.

Properly Clean Your Artwork

Although many people forget to take this step, it can actually help to keep your art in good shape. Use a microfiber cloth to remove dust and debris from your art before storing it, especially if it has any fabric whatsoever. If your piece features any metal framing or metallic objects, you may also want to consider treating the metal with oil to avoid any potential rusting. Wooden frames should also be protected with wood polish.

Protect Your Framed Pieces

You can further protect your framed works by adding cardboard corners to the edges of each frame. It can also be helpful to wrap something like bubble wrap or even a blanket around the entire piece. These measures can help to protect your valuables against unforeseen accidents during the moving process. Wrapping the art pieces in plastic before placing them in your storage unit rental can help to protect them from any moisture or water damage.

Preserve Unframed Art

If you’re working with unframed paintings, it is highly recommended that you do not roll them or wrap them with blankets or bubble wrap, as this could cause creases and cracking in the piece. Instead, use glassine to protect these valuables, as it will keep them dry and in good condition. When storing these pieces in a storage unit, it is generally a good idea to place them between two sturdy pieces of furniture or framed artwork that are unlikely to fall and cause damage to the unframed art.

Wooden furniture is treasured for its rustic style and reliability, but it is also susceptible to damage from water and other environmental factors. In addition to looking for a reliable storage facility in Palo Alto, there are other steps that you can take to ensure the longevity of your wooden items. When it comes to the storage of these pieces, it is a good idea to make sure that your furniture is prepared for any possible concerns. With that in mind, here are three methods for protecting your wooden furniture.

Avoid potential water damage

If water should somehow make its way into your storage unit, it may come through the door. Because of this, it is recommended to keep your wooden items away from the door and disassemble them whenever possible. You might not think it’s important to disassemble something like a wooden bed frame, but the furniture is large enough that it might otherwise be difficult to fit in a self-storage unit. Taking the item apart will allow you to save space and protect it from water damage.

Keep wood from drying out

Whether you’re in a dry climate or you foresee long stretches of hot and dry weather, prepare for the possibility that your wood could dry out and lose its luster. Avoid this problem by cleaning your furniture before storing it and using wax to keep the moisture in. A lot of storage facilities are not climate controlled, so you should always take steps to protect your belongings from the effects of temperature fluctuations.

Wrap wooden items in plastic

For an extra layer of protection against environmental damage, you can use plastic to wrap up your wooden furniture. Plastic wrap will keep water from damaging wood and it will keep heat from depleting moisture. If your storage unit is not climate controlled, you may want to use twice as much plastic to cover your valuables. Whatever the storage situation may be, wrapping your wooden items in plastic is an excellent way to protect them from the weather.

If you’re always on the lookout for the best finds at your local antique shops, you’ve probably long run out of room in your garage for your collection. Fortunately, you can keep your old treasures safe and secure at a self-storage facility near Palo Alto. Having a dedicated space to store your antiques will clear up a lot of room in your home, and it’s also much safer than home storage. To make sure your antiques come out of storage as good as they went in, here are some tips for keeping your antiques safe in your self-storage unit.

Use the Right Packing Equipment

There are different types of packing materials you can use to keep your antiques safe. There are also special packing kits designed to keep fragile items from breaking during transport to and from storage. Purchase a glass pack or dish-saver kit from your storage facility in Palo Alto to protect your most fragile antiques. For larger items, use bubble wrap or a furniture pad to prevent scratches, dents, dings, and breakage.

Pack for Long-Term Storage

Even if you are looking into short-term storage, pack your antiques as if you were keeping them in storage for a long time. This means taking care to individually wrap each antique with newspaper or bubble wrap stacking boxes and furnishing carefully in the storage unit to preserve space. Not only will this level of care and attention keep your antiques safe while in storage for the short term, but it will also ensure that your belongings are ready for the long haul should you need the storage unit longer than you originally thought.

Keep Your Storage Unit Secure

Antique collections can be very valuable. To prevent someone from making off with your cherished belongings, double-check to make sure that you lock your storage unit after bringing something in or out. If you have a lot of items to move in or out of storage, close your unit each time you go back to your vehicle instead of keeping it open the whole time.

When you are choosing a storage facility, it’s important to select the best one for your needs. If you rent a unit that is too small, you may not be able to fit all your belongings inside or will at least struggle to keep them organized. If you get a storage unit that it too large, you could be spending more than you have to. As you review your options for a storage unit rental in Mountain View , consider these factors.

Decide What Kind of Unit You Need

There are many different types of storage units available, so first decide what your priorities are. A ground level storage unit is the top choice for many people because it is easy to access and makes loading and unloading as convenient as possible. Some storage units are housed in large buildings with several floors that require you to use a dolly and elevator to move your belongings in and out. These units are usually best only if you need climate control for your belongings.

Size Up Your Space

Choosing the right size of storage unit is easier than you think. Start by checking out the recommendations provided by the storage unit facility. Most offer guidelines to help you figure out how much specific units will hold and how to measure your belongings. Next, consider ways you can maximize the space in a unit. Often, adding shelves to a unit can boost the storage capacity and help you keep things organized.

Consider Security

Security is one of the most important aspects of a storage facility. You will usually need to provide your own padlock for the storage unit door, but what additional security does the facility provide? Look for things like electronic keypad entry and security cameras. It also helps to choose a secure storage facility with onsite managers who can react quickly to any problems.

Independence Storage is proud to serve as the premium self-storage facility serving Mountain View . With our dedicated staff and high-quality storage units, we give you all of the tools you need to safely store any of your belongings.

With 18 years of experience in the industry, we understand how to offer reliable and convenient storage units. We always have professional managers on-site to ensure that everything runs smoothly. With electronic keypads, we can ensure the best security. Our staff is ready to help you find a unit that meets your needs. Since our facility only handles storage units, we are able to dedicate all of our attention to giving you the optimal storage experience.

Whether you need short or long-term storage, we provide the units and the facility management that you need to feel comfortable about the condition of your belongings. We do everything we can to give you the best storage experience in the Mountain View area.

People downsize their homes for a variety of different reasons. Some decide that they would rather live in a cheaper house, while others require less space after their children move out. There are several ways that you can downsize, such as using a high quality storage unit in Mountain View . Keep reading for a few tips for downsizing your home.

Decide What Stays and What Goes

Before you move, make sure that you have a game plan. Make a list of all the items that you will be taking with you, and then make a separate list of all the items that you can get rid of. Doing this in advance will help you establish which items will be coming with you to your new home. Unless you have an abundance of extra space in your current living arrangement, you will likely need to part with some of your belongings.

Start Early

Moving is stressful enough as it is, so you don’t want to be scrambling to get rid of unwanted items and pack up your important items the day before your move. Make sure you get a head start by preparing well before you move out of your current house or apartment. Give yourself a few months to donate, sell, or otherwise discard of the belongings that will not be coming with you to your new home.

Utilize Self-Storage Units

If you have a great deal of belongings on your list of things you will be keeping, consider how much space you will have in your new home. In the event that you cannot comfortably fit everything at your new place, consider a self-storage unit in Mountain View. A self-storage unit can be a great help when it comes to storing belongings that you do not use on a daily basis.

Before you rent a storage unit in Mountain View , you will need to determine what size unit will be appropriate for your needs. Most professional storage services will help you decide on the perfect size based on the amount of belongings you need to store.

A 5×5 storage unit can be ideal for storing smaller furniture and boxes. If you need to store a studio bedroom worth of belongings, a 5×10 unit will be more useful. A 5×15 unit can handle a full one bedroom apartment’s belongings; a two bedroom apartment will require about a 10×10. If you are moving out of a three or four bedroom house, you will need a 10×15 space or larger.

Ask your Mountain View storage facility to help you decide on what size storage unit you will need in order to comfortably and safely store all of your belongings. You can get an idea of how much space you will need by considering your current living space.

As the days become shorter and the nights become colder, your choice of clothing tends to gradually change. The right storage rental unit in Mountain View will help you store your summer clothes until the weather warms up again in the spring. Watch this video for tips on how to pack your seasonal clothing for storage in a secure storage facility.

When it comes to packing your clothes for student or self-storage, there are a number of ways that you can do so efficiently. Use strong shopping bags to store your belts, shoes, pocketbooks, and bags. Invest in a few wardrobe boxes; the clothing rods that come inside them can help you store your clothes without wrinkling. Group together several hangers of hanging clothes and link them twist ties, and then cover them with garbage bags. Ask your Mountain View storage facility for more tips on preparing seasonal clothing for storage.

How to Pack Clothing for a Move

A storage unit rental in Mountain View can be very helpful in a number of different circumstances. You can free up a significant amount of space in your home by dealing with your clutter. Keep reading for a few signs that you should talk to a storage facility and get a self-storage unit.

You Are Running Out of Closet or Garage Space

If you have already used up all of your in-house storage space, you have a few options. You can hold a garage sale, donate some of your clutter to charity, or invest in a self-storage unit. If your closets and garage are filled to the brim with belongings that you are not open to parting with, your best bet is to rent a storage unit . This will allow you to save your closet space for hanging clothes and storing shoes, and your garage can be reserved for your car.

You Cannot Locate Important Things

When your home is full of clutter, it can be important to locate the items that you really need when you need them. The more belongings you have laying around the house, the more items you will find that are not what you are looking for. A storage unit can help you in this respect. Storing less useful belongings in a storage space can help you quickly and efficiently find the things you do need, when you need them.

You Have Many Seasonal Items

Is your house full of Fourth of July, Halloween, and winter holiday decorations, you are using up a great deal of space that could be reserved for more day to day belongings. Consider storing your seasonal items in a storage unit in Mountain View so you can access them during the appropriate holidays and keep them out of sight when they are not needed.

A self-storage unit is a safe and secure place to store everything from precious antiques and family heirlooms to extra furniture and seasonal clothing. Some storage units are even big enough to house cars, boats, and motorhomes. While you might not think you need a storage unit, there are in fact numerous occasions where it makes perfect sense to rent a unit from a self-storage facility. Here are just a few of the most common reasons people rent storage units in Mountain View .

Staging for a Move

If you are getting ready to move, renting a short-term storage unit can help the process go more smoothly. Boxing up all of the non-essential items in your home and moving them to a storage facility will free up a lot of space in your home, which will make it easier for the moving company to get all of your bulky furniture and expensive belongings.

Downsizing Your Home

Whether you are downsizing to save money or live closer to the city, you will most likely not be able to bring everything along with you to your smaller home or apartment. If you have a lot of large, bulky furniture items, consider storing them until you know what your permanent living arrangements will look like.

Going Away to College

A lot of students utilize self-storage while attending college. Dorm rooms and apartments are often too small to bring all of your things from home, so keeping them in a storage until clears up space for your parents or siblings that you won’t need while you are away studying.

Long-Term Vacation

If you’ve been planning a six-month backpacking trip across Europe or a road trip across the United States, don’t let your stuff hold you back. If you are moving out of your home or apartment and can’t bring all of your things with you, place them in storage and know that they will be waiting for you when you get back from the trip of a lifetime.

If you are packing up your things and getting ready to move them into a storage unit, you will undoubtedly find yourself taping dozens if not hundreds of moving boxes. To keep your belongings secure, be sure to follow proper taping techniques.

How to Tape Moving Boxes

For starters, use packaging tape instead of scotch tape or masking tape. Once you tape the bottom of your box, fill the box to the very top for added support and stability. Then, fold in the smaller flaps followed by the larger flaps and tape the box closed using the “H” pattern. To see what this taping pattern looks like, and to learn other taping tips, watch this short video clip.

Once you get all of your boxes taped up, be sure to find a quality storage facility near Mountain View to store your belongings. Don’t settle for the first storage facility you find, but look for a facility that is clean, safe, and secure.

There are a lot of storage facilities near Mountain View , but there’s only one Independence Storage. For almost 20 years, we have offered professional storage services for residents in Mountain View, CA and the surrounding areas. We love to provide our customers with packing and storage tips to make the best use of their storage unit. All of our storage units are safe, secure, and clean. We also offer online bill pay for your convenience.

When you choose Independence Storage, you can rest assured that your possessions are secure. You will also enjoy working with our friendly and courteous staff.