furniture in storage

Moving, renovating, or just need extra space? Learning how to store furniture in a storage unit properly can save you from damaged heirlooms and costly replacements. Whether you’re storing antique wooden pieces or modern upholstered furniture, this guide will help you keep your belongings safe and in excellent condition.

TLDR: Storing Furniture Successfully

  • Clean all furniture thoroughly before storage and disassemble large pieces
  • Choose the right size unit and consider climate control for valuable or sensitive items
  • Use breathable covers rather than plastic to prevent moisture buildup
  • Elevate furniture off the floor and create space around items for air circulation
  • Visit periodically to check condition, especially for long-term storage

Ready to Store Your Furniture Properly?

Don’t let improper storage damage your valuable furniture pieces. At Dell RV & Mini Storage, we offer secure, clean, and convenient locations to keep your furniture safe, whether for a few months or an extended period. Our variety of unit sizes and climate-controlled options ensure you’ll find the perfect fit for your furniture storage needs.

Rent a storage unit today and give your furniture the protection it deserves!

Why Proper Furniture Storage Matters

Furniture represents a significant investment, and improper storage can lead to warping, cracking, mold growth, and other damage. Taking time to prepare and organize your pieces can make the difference between pulling out pristine furniture or finding damaged goods when it’s time to retrieve your belongings.

When selecting a place to store your items, consider our self-storage units designed to help protect your valuables while they’re away from home.

Choosing the Right Storage Unit for Your Furniture

Storage Unit Sizes for Furniture

Selecting the appropriate unit sizes is crucial when storing furniture. A cramped space forces you to stack heavy objects on delicate pieces, while too much room means paying for unused space. Consider these guidelines:

  • 5×5 unit: Perfect for a few small furniture pieces like chairs, nightstands, or coffee tables
  • 5×10 unit: Can fit a sofa, mattress set, dresser, and several boxes
  • 10×10 unit: Accommodates the furniture of a one-bedroom apartment
  • 10×15 or larger: Suitable for multiple rooms or larger furniture collections

Our mini-storage options come in various sizes to accommodate different furniture storage needs.

Benefits of Climate-Controlled Storage for Furniture

Extreme temperatures and humidity can severely damage furniture. A climate controlled storage unit provides consistent temperature and humidity levels that help protect:

  • Wooden furniture from warping, cracking, or expanding
  • Leather furniture from drying out or developing mildew
  • Fabric furniture from mold and mildew in humid climates
  • Metal furniture from rusting due to moisture

For valuable or sensitive pieces, our climate-controlled storage options offer the extra protection your furniture deserves.

Preparing Your Furniture for Storage

Cleaning Wood Furniture, Metal Furniture, and Fabric Furniture

Before storage, thoroughly clean all furniture:

  • Wood furniture: Remove dust and debris, then apply a quality furniture wax to wooden surfaces to create a protective barrier.
  • Metal furniture: Clean with appropriate cleaner and ensure pieces are completely dry to prevent rusting.
  • Fabric furniture: Vacuum thoroughly and treat stains. Consider professional cleaning for upholstered furniture or pieces with significant soiling.

Cleaning prevents dirt from becoming embedded and reduces the risk of pests being attracted to your storage space.

Disassembling Large Furniture Pieces

Take apart larger items like bed frames and tables:

  1. Remove legs from tables and sofas when possible
  2. Dismantle bed frames and headboards
  3. Take out drawers from dressers to reduce weight
  4. Keep all hardware in labeled bags taped to the corresponding furniture piece
  5. Take photos of the assembly process for easier reassembly later

Disassembling not only makes transport easier but also allows for more efficient use of your storage space.

Packing Materials and Techniques for Furniture Storage

Essential Protective Covers and Materials

Gather these supplies before packing:

  • Furniture covers or cotton sheets (avoid plastic sheets that can trap moisture)
  • Bubble wrap for fragile components
  • Shrink wrap for certain applications
  • Soft cloth for padding corners
  • Breathable materials for covering upholstery
  • Cardboard to separate components
  • Packing tape

How to Wrap and Protect Different Types of Furniture

Upholstered furniture: Cover with breathable materials like cotton sheets or specialized furniture covers. Avoid plastic wrap which can trap moisture and lead to mildew growth.

Wooden furniture: Wrap table and chair legs with bubble wrap. Place protective covers over the entire piece, ensuring wooden surfaces are not in direct contact with the floor.

Leather furniture: Condition before storage, then cover with breathable materials. Never use plastic wrap directly on leather as it can cause discoloration.

Proper wrapping ensures your furniture remains dust-free while allowing air circulation to prevent moisture buildup.

Organizing Furniture in Your Storage Space

Creating an Efficient Storage Layout

Plan your storage unit layout before moving items in:

  1. Place large, heavy pieces like sofas and mattresses against the back wall
  2. Use wooden pallets or cinder blocks to keep furniture off the concrete floor
  3. Create aisles for easy access to all items
  4. Store frequently needed items near the front
  5. Never lean furniture against walls, which can cause warping

Tips for Maximizing Your Storage Space

To save space while protecting your belongings:

  • Store tables with legs up and place lighter items underneath
  • Use dresser drawers to store small items
  • Place mattresses flat, not on their sides
  • Use sofa cushions as padding between pieces
  • Stack chairs seat-to-seat with protective material between them

With smart organization, you’ll fit more into your unit while keeping everything accessible and protected.

Long-Term Furniture Storage Considerations

Preventing Moisture Damage and Mold Growth

Moisture is furniture’s enemy in storage. To protect your pieces during extended periods:

  • Consider moisture absorbers or silica gel packets placed strategically around the unit
  • Visit periodically to check for signs of condensation
  • Never place furniture directly on concrete floors, which can absorb moisture
  • Leave small gaps between furniture and walls to improve air circulation
  • Avoid covering wood entirely with plastic, which can trap moisture

Maintenance Tips for Extended Storage Periods

For furniture stored beyond a few months:

  1. Visit your unit occasionally to inspect for any issues
  2. Rotate cushions and reposition items if possible
  3. Re-apply protective treatments as needed
  4. Adjust coverings to ensure proper protection
  5. Check for pest activity or temperature fluctuations

Regular maintenance ensures your furniture remains in well-maintained condition, even when stored for an extended period away from its permanent home.

Our security features help provide peace of mind that your valuable furniture remains protected while in storage.

Frequently Asked Questions About Storing Furniture

How Does High Humidity Affect Stored Furniture?

High humidity in your storage unit occasionally causes wood to swell, metal to rust, and can promote mold and mildew growth on fabric furniture. In a humid climate, consider using moisture absorbers and opt for climate controlled storage to maintain consistent humidity levels.

What’s the Best Way to Protect Family Heirlooms in Storage?

Family heirlooms require extra protection. Wrap them with acid-free materials, never use bubble wrap directly on wood as it can leave impressions, and consider custom crates for extremely valuable pieces. Climate-controlled units offer the best environment to prevent warping and damage from extreme cold or extreme temperatures.

Should I Use Plastic Wrap or Furniture Covers?

While plastic wrap is useful for certain items, breathable materials are better for most furniture to prevent moisture buildup. For wood, leather, or upholstered furniture, use cotton sheets, drop cloths, or commercial furniture covers that allow air circulation while protecting from dust.

How Do I Prevent Damage to Wooden Surfaces in Long-Term Storage?

To prevent damage to wooden surfaces during long-term storage, apply furniture wax before storing, keep items elevated on wooden pallets, avoid direct contact with concrete floors, use soft cloth between wooden pieces, and choose climate-controlled units to prevent warping from temperature fluctuations.

What Items Should Never Be Placed on Top of Furniture?

Heavy objects should never be placed on upholstered furniture or delicate wooden pieces. Avoid stacking anything on table surfaces that might cause scratching, and never place items with sharp edges on fabric furniture. Keep other belongings that might leak or transfer color away from valuable furniture.

How Can I Organize My Storage Unit for Easy Furniture Access?

Create a layout map before loading, place rarely-used items at the back, leave pathways for easy access, consider placing furniture on dollies if you’ll need to move pieces frequently, and take photos of your arrangement. Store related pieces together and lighter items on top of sturdier furniture to save space.