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You’ve made the right decision in choosing self-storage. It can be a hugely beneficial component of any business. Self-storage is one of the best ways to ensure that you have the room for your growing business, without the overheads. Whether you use the space for stock, equipment, furniture or documents, you now have a flexible supply of space that many business owners are jealous of.
But now that you have the space its time to get the best out of it. Of course, you have probably taken the time to organise and arrange your stock and documents so that they are safe and easy to get at, but there are a few simple, common-sense tricks that will help you truly maximize the room you have?
Let’s take a look at these tips in more depth.
What do you access most? Put Them at the Front!
One of the easiest ways that you can make sure that you have fully accessible stock is to put the important things at the front of the room. Yes, it may seem commonsensical, but many people fail to do this. If you have a lot of fast-moving stock, or things you need to get at fast it makes sense to keep them close to the door making it easier to grab what you need on the go. It’s a logical solution to save you time.
Shelving Units: Make the Most of Your Space
Think of your storage unit as an extension of your office. You wouldn’t dump stock and documents in boxes around your office space. Make sure that you invest in shelving and pallets to help you organise your space in a more effective way. What’s more, you will be able to manoeuvre around your storage unit with ease. No one likes the feeling of being cramped!
Mapping Your Space for Maximum Efficiency
How do you plan on using that space? How many people will use the space? When it comes to using your self-storage unit, you need to make sure that you are maximising its efficiency. The best way to ensure that you are getting the most from your facility is to create a map and stick it to the wall inside the room. Yes, really. A mini-map or plan can ensure that you are getting the most out the space that you are renting and anyone can find what’s needed fast. Thinking carefully about what you have in your space and where you put it. Big bulky items at the back of the unit may be difficult to get out when the room fills up.
The Art of Proper Packing
Okay, so we may all be a little guilty of blindly throwing things into a box. But, when it comes to your business, you cannot do this. You need to hone the art of proper packing. You need to make sure that you are packing in a logical and organised way. That way, you can ensure that you have the things that you need right at your fingertips. What’s more, you can minimise damage too. So, you don’t have to spend a fortune on replacing your valuable business assets.
List Making: Get to Know Your Storage Space
Lists and inventories are a great way of making sure that you are aware of what lies in your storage facility. After all, you don’t want to be playing a guessing game. Ensure that you have an itemised list of what you keep in your unit and check and audit it regularly. That way, you don’t store things you don’t need or buy new items that you forgot were in storage. This can help maximise the space and save time when it comes to finding these valuable assets. Taking pictures of the items in storage will also help locate important items from the comfort of your office.
Have You Mastered Labelling?
Labelling is essential when you are looking for important business items in your storage facility, you need to be able to find what you need at a glance or you could needlessly spend hours looking for what you need. Make sure that you are labelling boxes clearly with detailed descriptions and dates if appropriate. Whatever your organisation strategy is in the office, ensure that you are doing the same in your storage unit. Organisation is often the key to a successful business. And no one likes looking for a needle in a haystack.
Choosing the Right Facility for Your Needs
Your business is a well-oiled machine. So, you need to make sure that you have a storage unit that fits these needs. Ensure that you have a unit that is fit for purpose. If it’s too small, you may find that you are cramped and lack organisation. Having the right-sized space is important for health and safety and to avoid damage to stock. It can save you money in the long term too. If you have fast-moving bulky items delivered it can pay to have a larger room and leave stock on pallets saving time stocking shelves only to empty the shelves back onto pallets a few days or weeks later. For seasonal or one-off stock deliveries it can make more to get a short term overflow room to keep things organised.
It’s Storage Made Easy!
Storing your excess stock in a storage facility is cost-effective. What’s more, it’s a simple way to organise your business and give you the room to grow. The key is to be diligent when it comes to organisation, and the rest will fall into place.
