A storage unit rental in Santa Cruz can provide you with space and security while you prepare to downsize your home. This short video will provide you with tips and tricks to keep in mind when you are downsizing. As you downsize your living space, you will want to make sure that you have quality packing materials on hand. Additionally, you can get organized to pack by making decisions about the items that you will keep, donate, or toss.

To ease your stress as you downsize, you may want to rent a storage unit. A storage unit facility can provide you with the storage options that you need to organize and protect your belongings during a move. Your storage rental company can provide you with more packing and moving ideas.

Whether you are downsizing your home, or are planning on moving to a new property, renting a storage unit will provide you with peace of mind. A storage rental company in Capitola will offer temporary storage units that are designed to keep your boxes and belongings safe and secure. To ensure that your items are fully protected when they are placed in your storage unit, you may want to take additional precautions when you are packing up and planning for your move. Here is an overview of some helpful tips for protecting your items when they are in storage.

Use quality packing materials.

As you are packing up your boxes, it is a terrific idea to use quality packing materials that are designed to protect your items from damage. Fragile items should be wrapped in newspaper or bubble wrap and gently placed in their boxes. Other objects, such as books or clothing, may need to be wrapped in plastic to avoid wear during long-term storage. Packing materials, such as foam peanuts, can also be used as you are preparing each box.

Wrap important possessions.

If an item is too large to be placed in a box, it will still need to be wrapped in some way. Large pieces of furniture and other items can become damaged if they are not carefully wrapped in shipping blankets or plastic. Any objects that have sharp corners should also be protected with shipping tape, bubble wrap, or news print.

Consider taking out insurance.

Many insurance companies offer policies for items that are placed into storage. When you decide to store valuable possessions, you may want to talk to your insurance agent about the possibility of taking out a storage insurance plan. By covering your stored items with an insurance policy, you can rest assured that you will be reimbursed in the event that your possessions become accidentally damaged during the move. Your insurance company may need to appraise your belongings before the insurance policy is finalized.

Putting some of your belongings into a storage unit can provide you with many benefits. However, to get the most out of your storage rental near Capitola, CA, it’s essential that you select the right unit size for your needs. Choosing one that’s too small can leave you with too little space or an overstuffed unit, and a space that’s too big will be wasted space for which you have to pay. Use these tips to determine the best storage unit size for your needs:

Make a List

The first step in determining the best storage rental size for your belongings is to make a list of everything that you plan to store. Next, take the time to evaluate any areas of your property where you have anything stored. There may be more items that you could benefit from packing away, and it’s best to identify these possessions before you start moving anything into storage. Finally, stop and think ahead. You may have belongings currently in use that you won’t need in a few months, such as sporting gear, seasonal clothing, or holiday décor. Add anything that you may wish to put in storage to your list.

Make a Map

With your list in hand, you can begin to estimate how much space you’ll need to store everything. If you’re planning to store anything large or bulky, such as furniture, athletic equipment, or appliances, take the time to measure these items and create a diagram of their position in your storage unit. Not only will this process help you determine what size rental you need, but it will also allow you to create a plan for storing your belongings in a way that is simple and efficient.

Make a Decision

At this point, you should be able to narrow down your choices for the best unit size for your needs. The following is a list of commonly found storage rental sizes:

• 5×5
• 5×10
• 10×5
• 5×15
• 10×10
• 10×15
• 10×20

Whether you’re moving across town or the country, the process requires planning if you want it to go smoothly. In addition to finding mobile storage near Santa Cruz, CA for your upcoming move, it’s also a good idea to learn what items should not go into your moving boxes. Watch this video for tips on preparing for a moving day that’s both safe and smart.

As you begin your packing, keep in mind that some of your belongings cannot or should not be packed. Such items fall into 4 categories:

• Dangerous: nail polish remover, paint, paint thinners, gasoline
• Perishable: animals, live plants, fresh food
• Special: exercise equipment, some appliances, heavy electronics
• Valuable: passports, jewelry, financial statements, medical records

These are just a few examples of items that you shouldn’t pack. To find out more, ask your moving company for a list of what shouldn’t go into your moving boxes.

Are you looking into storage unit rentals in Capitola, CA? If so, then finding a high-quality storage rental company is essential. When you choose to put your belongings into storage, you want to feel confident that they will remain safe and secure. To help ensure this, there are a few qualities to look for when searching for the best storage unit location.

First, seek out companies that feature a fenced in property. This quality helps ensure that thieves and trespassers are less likely to enter the lot and have access to your rental unit. Second, look for storage rental locations that have someone on duty around the clock. When a facility has staff on the premises 24-hours per day, you can feel more at ease about the safety of your stored property.

Finally, find out how people access their unit. If each renter has an individual code to access both the property and their unit, this can add an extra line of protection for your possessions. By taking the time to find a storage location that offers plenty of security, you can feel more confident about the safety of your stored belongings.

When it comes to moving your stuff into a storage rental, the way you fill the unit, stack the boxes, and arrange your belongings can significantly affect how much you benefit from the space. The following tips will help you get the most out of your storage rental in Santa Cruz, CA:

Stack Your Boxes

While packing your belongings that you’ll move into storage, it’s vital that you think about storing your items vertically as well as horizontally. Many storage units are at least 8 feet tall, meaning that you can stack your boxes high to maximize what you get out of the space. To do this safely, stack boxes that are of similar size with the heaviest ones toward the floor and the lightweight ones at the top.

Leave a Path

As you move your belongings into the storage unit, keep in mind that you may want to access some of the boxes over time. To make the process of getting to particular items as hassle-free as possible, leave at least one walkway through the middle of your unit. When you fill the space completely, not only will it be more difficult to see where everything is, but you’ll also have to move more boxes to reach what it is that you need.

Label Your Boxes

Among the most important steps that you can take to get the most out of your storage unit is to label your boxes and face them toward the aisle. The path that you make will be of little help if you can’t determine what items are where.

Break Items Down

Do you have some bulky belongings that you need to store? If so, then take a closer look at these items and determine if they can be taken apart. Many types of furniture, exercise equipment, and athletic gear can be at least partially disassembled to make them easier to store. When doing this, be sure to keep all of the related pieces together and bag up bolts and screws as necessary.

A storage unit in Capitola, CA can be a great commodity all year long, but the way you use it might change throughout that duration. Your self storage rental can house your holiday decorations during the off season and keep your pool materials in top shape throughout the winter. You can even use your storage space to clear up some space at home by keeping certain types of clothing out of the house until they are needed. Feel free to read on for a closer look at some of the many seasonal uses for your storage space .

Holiday Decorations

A massive blow-up pumpkin decoration might make you the most popular homeowner on the block during the Halloween season, but what do you do when it’s time to take it down? Holiday decorations are inherently only relevant for short windows of time; when they are used out of season, they can be awkward and even annoying. When it comes time to deflate your balloons, pack up your Christmas lights, or take the Menorah down, consider using a storage space. You won’t need your decorations for about a year, so you might as well clear up some space in your home and bring your holiday materials to your storage unit.

Pool Materials

No matter where you live, you might not feel like going in the pool all year long. If this is the case, you should have a safe spot to store your pool materials. By renting out a storage space, you can rest assured that you have a place to store your pool materials without any worry of them becoming damaged. This goes for pool noodles, floats, skimmers, and even pool maintenance chemicals.

Seasonal Clothing

Most people change the way they dress along with the seasons, and this can lead to a great deal of lost closet space. Rather than filling up your walk-in with clothes you won’t need for another six months, try keeping your out-of-season clothing in your storage unit. This can also save you time when you want to quickly find something to wear before heading out.

Before you head to your storage unit in Santa Cruz, CA , you will need to first pack up your belongings. This tends to be a stressful experience for many, but the right insight can make it a much simpler process. Watch this video if you would like to pick up some top tips for packing before using a storage unit.

Whether you are going on a vacation, moving to a new home, or stowing some of your belongings away in a storage unit, you need to make sure you do it right. This will ensure that your belongings are in the same shape when you retrieve them as they were in when you left them in the storage unit. Use a wardrobe box when you transport clothing, and take advantage of the extra space at the bottom. Remember to label and color-code your boxes for easy unpacking, and keep your larger items in smaller boxes and your smaller items in large boxes.

Many people think their storage unit is completely protected from invading pests, but that may not be the case. Though your storage rental company in Santa Cruz, CA does what it can to protect storage units from pests, the first line of defense comes from the customers. There are a few different ways customers can safeguard their possessions from potential pests.

Choose Plastic over Cardboard

Certain pests, like rats and mice, love paper, wood, and fabric products as a means to make their nests. Their sharp teeth and claws can easily tear through cardboard, documents, and wooden furniture in a matter of minutes. To discourage rodents from getting into your stored possessions, pack as much as you can in hard plastic containers, and refrain from using cardboard boxes. It is very difficult for rodents to penetrate the hard plastic to reach your items inside. Store your clothes, blankets, documents, and anything else that is easily shredded in these hard containers.

Do Not Store Food or Plants

Many self-storage facilities have rules against storing live plants and food, even if they are kept in a sealed container. You should not store these items in your storage unit anyway, because they will attract pests. Rodents are constantly looking for food and items to make their nests. By storing food, even if it is temporary storage, rodents will smell it and come to your unit ready to set up their home. Ants will also be attracted to food products. Plants can attract cockroaches and other intrusive insects, so keep your plants out of your unit.

Check Your Possessions Before Going into Storage

You may have safeguarded your possessions against future pests, but do not forget to check for any current pests. Rodents, cockroaches, spiders, and other pests may stow away in your containers or nestle into your clothes or furniture, and you may not know until you find an infestation weeks later. Check your boxes, furniture, and everything going into your storage unit before placing it in the unit. You may be able to stop an infestation before it begins.

By working with JD Mini Storage, you will have the benefit of 35 years of experience as a storage rental company serving Santa Cruz, CA. Whether you need your storage unit short-term or long-term, you will find an experienced and knowledgeable staff dedicated to you and the safety of your possessions.

When you choose to rent a storage unit with JD Mini Storage, you will find easily accessed units that are all located on the ground. Each of these units is accessible 365 days a year and easily reached by a moving truck, if needed. Our storage rental company is dedicated to only storage, so our staff can give tenants and their possessions the attention they deserve. Storage managers live onsite to offer direct security for storage units, and the units are only accessible through individual electronic keypads. JD Mini Storage also offers customizable billing arrangements for the benefit of customers, whether they need a storage unit for the short-term or long-term.

When choosing your next storage unit near Capitola, CA, there are a few factors to consider so you can get the right space to hold your possessions. Determining the storage unit size you will need and how long you will need it are key decisions that will influence what will be the right storage space for you.

Choose the Correct Size

One of the most important factors when choosing the right storage unit is determining what you wish to store. Once you know what you want to store and how much space it will take, you can figure out the correct size storage unit you will need. Most units will have a uniform height, usually 10ft or higher, but the width and length may change. Many storage rental companies have a formula that can help customers determine the size unit they will need in relation to how much space their possessions normally take up. To be on the safe side, you should rent a unit that is larger than you think you will need. This will save you time, money, and frustration.

Decide on the Length of Time

Deciding on how long you will need your storage unit can influence a couple different aspects of your storage unit experience. Your billing arrangement with the storage rental company may change depending on your contract length. You may also wish to store your items differently depending on how long they will be in storage. For example, if you are storing long-term, you will want to create a defined pathway so you can easily reach all of your items.

Determine the Level of Security You Need

Not all storage rental companies are created equal, especially when it comes to security measures for their tenants’ possessions. Choosing a storage space should be influenced by the amount and type of security the facility has to offer. Look for a facility with a dedicated staff that has an immediate concern for their tenants’ safety and security of possessions.

When you are preparing to sell your home, most realtors advise that you keep your home clean and uncluttered. You still want furniture and artwork in the house, but much of your extra furniture and personal possessions should go to a self-storage unit in Capitola, CA . By using a storage unit, you can begin the moving process and sell your house faster.

• Declutter your home. This means that any unmatched furniture and extra decorations should go in a storage unit. Decluttering also helps to make your rooms and house seem bigger, which will help convince prospective buyers to purchase your home.
• You want to depersonalize your home as much as possible. Pack up knickknacks, pictures, and personal decorations. Place them in a storage unit rental until you move to your next home.
• Keep each room’s décor simple and matching. Your dining room should only have a dining table, chairs, and maybe a few decorations. Your living room should have matching couches and end tables. Make your house look streamlined and ready for anyone to move in.

Whether you are moving or using a self-storage unit in Santa Cruz, CA, there are certain packing materials that will make your packing experience run much smoother. During a bumpy move and even sitting in a storage unit, your possessions should be as protected as possible against damage. Here are the main packing materials you will need when putting your items into storage:

Plastic Containers or Cardboard Boxes

The container you use for your items may depend on how long you plan to use your storage unit. To fully protect your clothes, dishes, and personal possessions, consider using sealed, plastic containers. These are easily stackable and will protect your possessions against pests, flooding, or other unexpected accidents. If you anticipate taking items out of storage within a few weeks or months, you may prefer to use cardboard boxes that can be easily broken down and discarded.

Packing Paper or Bubble Wrap

You should always have packing paper to protect your fragile possessions, like dishes and glasses. If you have very fragile items, such as delicate crystal glass, then consider purchasing bubble wrap. It is smart to have packing paper available to separate less fragile items, such as lamp shades and hanging art. Some products may have vibrant dyes that can be transferred to other products unless there is a barrier between them. Plan on wrapping all of your items individually to keep them protected during their time in storage.

Plastic Wrapping

Plastic wrap is something you should use to protect your larger items. Furniture, rugs, and mattresses should have some sort of plastic wrapping. This will protect them from potential pests and dust or moisture in your storage unit. Some items, like custom wall art or decorations, may require different storage options, such as a climate-controlled unit. Depending on what the item is and how it is made, plastic wrapping may cause moisture where there should be none. When in doubt, ask your professional storage services about how certain items should be stored.

Though storage facilities are meant to store and protect your items, annoying pests can enter a storage unit and wreak havoc. These pests, usually rodents and bugs, will enter a storage unit and start looking for items to build their nests. You may think many of the items in your storage unit near Capitola, CA are protected, but you might be surprised by what a pest can use when building nests.

Paper Products

Since rodents can gnaw through almost anything, paper products are some of the easiest materials they can use to build their nests. Any paper materials you might have—files, packing paper, etc.—should be in a sealed and airtight container. This will help deter rodents from nesting in your storage unit. Instead of packing dishes or clothes in cardboard boxes, use plastic containers with tight seals on them. Mice cannot chew through these containers, and the containers make for easier stacking and storage.

Wooden Furniture

Many people are surprised to hear that rats and mice can destroy wooden furniture easily. Rats can gnaw through the legs on a wooden table or couch in no time. As rodents gnaw and strip your wooden furniture, they will take the material to the nest they are building in your storage unit or storage facility. Wrap your wooden furniture in thick plastic wrap, and seal it as well as you can. This will make it difficult for rodents to access your furniture, and it will protect the furniture from rat droppings and urine.

Upholstery and Clothes

If paper products are easy for rodents to tear apart, then fabrics are just as easy to shred. Keep your clothes and drapes in sealed, plastic containers. Make sure your upholstery, such as couches and chairs, is covered in thick, plastic wrapping. If you have any other fabric materials in your self-storage unit, then do whatever is necessary to seal them away from pests and rodents. If you suspect you have a rodent or pest problem, consider using a no-kill trap or repellant to keep unwanted pests away from your storage unit.

After you have decided which clothes will go in your storage unit, it is time to start packing them up. By planning ahead, you can save yourself a lot of stress and time before heading to your self-storage unit in Santa Cruz, CA.

Watch this video for some great tips on packing and securing your clothes for a trip to your storage unit rental. Wardrobe boxes will be your best friend when packing hanging clothes. These boxes can hold about 2 feet of closet space. As long as you seal the box against moisture, your clothes should be completely protected. Folded clothes can stay in their dresser drawers, but for an extended time in a storage unit, you may prefer to box them up. Lay packing paper between each layer of clothes, as well as in the bottom and top of the box. Do not forget to label all of your boxes.

Whether you are an incoming freshman, or are headed home for summer vacation after finals, renting a storage unit is a smart choice. As a college student, chances are that there are certain items that you want to take home with you over the holidays, and other items that you will want to leave behind. For this reason, it is a great idea to rent a student storage unit over your summer break. In order to get the most benefit out of your self storage, there are several tips that you will want to keep in mind.

You can start the storage process by researching facilities in your local area. A top rated facility offering temporary storage will be a perfect site for storing your belongings. Along with choosing a reputable storage rental company near Capitola, CA, you will also want to select a storage unit that is the right size for your needs. After you have rented your storage unit, you will be ready to start packing, sorting, and organizing your belongings.

A storage unit can provide you with the space that you need to keep your belongings safe, protected, and secure. With services from a storage rental company in Santa Cruz, CA , you can rest assured that your new storage unit provides you with fantastic accessibility and security. In order to prepare for your upcoming storage unit rental, you will need to take the time to make sure that your personal items are properly organized, packed, and prepared for placement in the storage unit. To help you gear up for your storage rental, here is a look at how to get your stuff ready for self storage.

Get Organized

One of the most important steps to take when you are preparing your belongings for storage is to get organized. Before you begin the packing process, you will want to take the time to sort through your items and determine what will be packed and stored, and what will be discarded. Any belongings that are no longer useful to you can be donated or tossed out.

Gather Materials

After you have organized all of your belongings in preparation for storage, you will be ready to start gathering your packing materials. For example, it is a good idea to collect an assortment of boxes in a variety of sizes. Along with locating boxes, you will also want to pick out other types of packing materials, including tape, bubble wrap, and newspaper. These materials will be essential for your packing process.

Begin Packing

With all of your materials in place, you will be ready to begin packing. As you pack, you will want to make sure that you carefully label each box. With the proper labeling, you can make sure that you will be able to easily find all of your items after they are placed in your storage unit. After all of your boxes have been packed, labeled, and taped, they will be ready to be transported to the storage unit facility.

Whether you are moving your belongings into temporary storage or gearing up for a long term storage rental, it is important to make sure that you arrange your storage unit carefully. With correct packing and preparation, you can rest assured that you will be able to easily access and sort through your belongings when they are needed. A company offering self storage near Capitola, CA will be able to provide you with the right storage rental for your specific needs. To help you get ready for your move into storage, here is a look at the process of arranging a storage space.

Create a Plan

The first step of arranging your storage space is to create a detailed plan. For example, after you have rented your storage unit, you will have a better idea of the square footage and layout of the space. With this information in mind, you will be able to determine where each box or item will be placed within the storage unit. To achieve the best organization in your unit, you may want to place bulky furniture items in the back and smaller boxes in the front.

Pack Carefully

As you are preparing to arrange your storage space, you will also want to make sure that all of your items are packed carefully. For example, as you are packing your boxes, you will want to make sure that the exterior of each box is labeled with a list of its contents. With proper packing, you will have a better idea of how your storage unit will need to be arranged.

Maintain Organization

While arranging your storage space, it is essential to maintain organization at all times. For example, you may want to sketch out a simple diagram of where you will be placing each type of box and piece of furniture. With a diagram in hand, you will have a quick and simple reference of where each one of your items will need to be placed.

If you are preparing to pack up documents so that you can place them into a self-storage facility , you need to use the right kind of storage boxes to do it. Watch this video to see how to build a file box prior to using professional storage services near Capitola.

File boxes are designed specifically to hold important documents that are going to be stored inside of a self-storage facility. Whether you have letter or legal sized documents, you will be able to keep them safe and secure when you use the correct file boxes. Any company that specializes in providing professional storage services should be able to provide you with them, and you won’t have to worry about finding files later when you decide to utilize them for storage.