With its lower cost of living and easy commute, Des Moines is a great place to move for growing families or those looking to enjoy the suburbs of the Midwest. When making a major change like moving cities, it’s important to plan ahead to keep everything moving smoothly and on time. However, trying to manage every little detail can get stressful when complications arise, like move-in and move-out dates not aligning like you thought they would.
This is where getting a storage unit can come in handy. Self-storage can give you the flexibility you need and reduce clutter during the move-in process, so you can focus on being excited to start a new chapter in your life.
Create a Moving Plan Before Packing
Before you even begin packing up boxes, it’s important to make a solid plan outlining the details of your move. Creating a timeline of important dates, organizing your belongings, and deciding what should stay with you during the move and what should go into temporary storage are all great ways to prepare. It may not feel like it in the moment, but early planning can save you from stress during this transition, especially if delays or last-minute changes occur.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed and need a place to start, here is a checklist for various moving day supplies you can buy that can help:
- Moving boxes
- Packing tape and markers
- Bubble wrap and packing paper
- Furniture covers and mattress bags
- Labels for each room
Finding the Storage Unit That Fits Your Needs
There are many storage options you can choose from when looking for a convenient Des Moines facility. Selecting the right unit size can save money and improve accessibility, so it’s important to take your time when making your decision. Factors like whether you need climate-controlled units, drive-up access, and how long you plan to rent a unit are all things that you need to consider. While it may look appealing to get the first unit you find within your budget, it’s best to keep your options open until you find the right unit for all your needs.
Store Seasonal and Non-Essential Items First
Once you have decided on a storage unit, you can start the packing process. Storing seasonal and non-essential items first can help keep packing up feel less stressful since you can take your time putting them away. Putting things like holiday decorations, extra furniture, and sports equipment in storage first can help you have more room when you do get to packing and unpacking the essentials. Reducing clutter can also help make settling into a new home easier, especially when it comes to sorting through stacks of boxes.
Organize Your Unit for Easy Access
Once you have everything you want ready for storage, organization becomes the next big step for making a smooth transition. While it’s best to create a layout of where you want everything to go before you begin to pack up boxes, it’s okay to create a plan in the moment if you keep ease of access in mind. Labeling boxes on multiple sides, creating walkways between sections of items, and keeping frequently used items near the front of your unit are all great strategies to maintain organization. You can also create an inventory list on your phone to help you keep track of everything.
Organization can occasionally feel overwhelming in itself, so here are some of our favorite ways to stay organized:
- Label every box clearly
- Keep an inventory list
- Use clear bins for essentials
- Leave walking space inside the unit
- Store heavy items on the bottom
Use Storage While You Get Settled
Storage isn’t only for moving day. You can also use it when renovating your home, when gradually organizing your home, or when downsizing. No matter when you use it, be sure to reserve a storage space ahead of time to avoid any last-minute hassles.
