Stick to the Same Box Size

Use a standard box size, and stick to that box size when purchasing boxes for your storage unit in the future. Small-large boxes can usually be purchased from your local hardware store or supermarket for under $1.50 each. Using the same box size for all of your items will make your life much easier than playing Tetris with different box sizes and shapes, and make it easier to access those boxes later.

Create a Master Contents List

Along with drawing a map and labeling your boxes, write down the contents of each box on two papers – one on a master list that is an encyclopedia of everything you have in your unit, and one on a small paper you can tape on the inside flap of the top of each of your boxes, outlining the contents that are in each – even if the contents are buried near the bottom of the box. This “Table of Contents” is a step that can save you a lot of time later, instead of having to dig through countless boxes to find what you need. Keep this master list near the map and easy to access.

Install Shelving for Smaller Boxes and Items

Using shelving for the smaller boxes and items in your storage unit can not only save space and make it easier to organize, but it’s structurally safer as well. It’s better to stack small boxes on a shelf, rather than a tall, unsteady stack that can fall over or get lost behind larger boxes in your unit.