Local Tips for Long-Term Storage Success in Baltimore
Baltimore rowhomes, with their decorative cornices, window trims, and unique facades, are full of character. If you live in one, chances are your guests are drawn to its personality. However, that character usually comes with the price of limited space. It might be difficult to know how to maximize their space for all your belongings, as they are known to be narrow and small, especially if you live in an alley house.
Decluttering and organizing can feel like an uphill battle if your space already feels too small. Our goal at Self Storage Plus is to give you the Room to Pursue Life®. In this blog, we’ll go over practical tips to help Baltimore residents get organized and make the most of their space.
Furniture That Serves as Storage
One of the best storage solutions for small homes is multipurpose furniture. Before you pack everything in boxes, think about whether the furniture you own could serve another purpose. In Baltimore’s small homes, every item needs to earn its spot, and that means maximizing function. Some examples of this are:
- Ottomans and benches. Swap a traditional coffee table for an ottoman, which can hold blankets, games, or seasonal items. A storage bench near the door is perfect for shoes, bags, and umbrellas, for example!
- Bed frames. A platform bed with built-in drawers helps free up closet space. You can look into under-bed storage furniture.
- Shelving Units with Doors: Look for attractive cabinets or shelving units that let you hide files, electronics, or extra linens.
Storage Bins
Cardboard boxes work well for short-term storage, but they aren’t the best option if you’re serious about long-term organization. Over time, they can weaken and allow dust inside, which could damage your belongings. Plastic storage bins are ideal, especially clear ones that let you see what’s inside without opening each container.
Vertical Storage
Baltimore is a dense city, which means the only way to go is up. You probably have heard this before, but vertical storage is incredibly effective when trying to declutter your home in Baltimore when your space is limited:
- Wall hooks and pegboards.
- Tall, narrow bookcases
- Over-the-door organizers
- Wire shelf organizers
- Cabinet above the toilet
- Floating shelves
Get a Storage Unit in Baltimore
Once you have your house fully optimized, it is time to identify anything that needs to go. Consider items you use only once a year, like holiday decorations, tax documents, or heavy winter coats, or something that you are emotionally attached to but don’t really have the space for, like a family heirloom. These are perfect candidates for a long-term storage unit in Baltimore!
Because Baltimore’s humidity can be tough on your belongings, climate-controlled storage is essential. These units maintain consistent temperature and humidity levels to help protect wood, fabric, and electronics from long-term damage. It’s a non-negotiable step for truly successful long-term storage.
Label everything
A storage unit should simplify your life, not add stress. To avoid unnecessary chaos, you need to create a system that works for you. You could do this by labeling the front and sides of your boxes as specifically as possible. Don’t just write “kitchen stuff”; write “utensils,” “aprons,” or “pans.” You can also create a quick inventory list on paper or your phone to track everything in your unit.
Arrange Items by Frequency of Use
Your storage unit is an extension of your home, so you should treat it as such! Be as organized as possible so your life is easier when you go to visit. Keep items you use most often, like seasonal décor or sports gear, near the front for easy access. Store long-term items, such as keepsakes or extra furniture, toward the back. This will save you digging time!
Create an Aisle
No matter how small your unit is, leaving an aisle makes navigation easier. This allows you to walk in and have easy access to any box, so you can check on your belongings without having to pull half the contents out. Thinking vertically, combined with a central aisle, is one of the best storage solutions for small homes and small storage units alike!
Get Your Storage Unit With Self Storage Plus
Ready to declutter your home and create more Room to Pursue Life®? With convenient self storage units in Baltimore, Self Storage Plus gives you the space you need to get organized. Enjoy modern, well-maintained facilities featuring climate-controlled and drive-up storage units. We also offer boat storage at select locations.
We’re more than a storage company. We’re a people business, structured to help you through life’s transitions and give you the space to move forward. Find your Baltimore storage unit today and start your decluttering journey!