The first thing is to thoroughly clean items and allow them to air prior to packing. This reduces the possibility of mould or moisture damaging your furniture. Dismantle the furniture where possible. Many tables have demountable legs, and by removing them the table can be stored much more efficiently. Stack chairs where possible.
Protect your furniture against dust and scratches with suitable coverings such as old sheets or blankets. However, if smaller items are placed in boxes, it is best to use new boxes rather than old ones. Old boxes can provide a haven for insects, and may be damp and mouldy. At Rent A Space we have a wide range of packaging materials to protect your furniture. These include a number of different sized boxes, bubblewrap, packing paper, packing tape, mattress and lounge protectors and moving and storage blankets. (We offer a 15% discount on all merchandise when you reserve a room with us.) Wrap the legs of tables and other demounted furniture parts in soft material so they can be stored without damage. Avoid placing heavy objects on top of tables, as they may indent the surface over time.
When calculating storage space and unit size for your requirements, it is not simply a question of packing the maximum amount of material into the smallest possible space. There are two other things you need to consider; airflow and access. By allowing some space between items in storage, air can circulate on humid days. This is particularly relevant during humid months such as February in Sydney. If you have items in storage, you will need to access them from time to time. For this reason it pays to leave a central corridor free of items in your storage unit. Keep frequently accessed items at the front, and valuable items that you don’t want disturbed towards the back.
Mirrors, table tops and mattresses should be stored on edge. Keep the edges of fabric and timber items up off the floor in case of spills, drips or condensation. Timber pallets are useful for this.
Insurance is not automatically provided by Rent A Space. You will need to organise content insurance cover for your goods at the time of move in.