Our Complete Guide to Storing Furniture Safely and Effectively
Do you need extra room in your home? Do you have more seats than people? Perhaps it’s time for self-storage in Cincinnati. We can help you store extra furniture, whether you have a modern sofa with luxurious leather upholstery, a wooden hutch with glass doors, or something in between.
Read our guide to learn more about how to store furniture safely and effectively with self-storage in Cincinnati. Taking the right steps before, during, and after moving items into storage can create a better overall experience.
Preparing Furniture for Self-Storage in Cincinnati
Clean each piece of furniture thoroughly before putting it in storage. Pay particular attention to dust, grime, and grease. For wooden furniture, apply a gentle cleaner and finish with furniture polish to form a protective layer on the outside of the wood. Vacuum upholstered items and spot-clean any stains. Let each item dry completely before moving forward to avoid moisture damage.
Disassemble large furniture whenever possible. Remove legs from tables and chairs, detach headboards from bed frames, and dismantle specialty items like pianos. This step makes items easier to transport and saves space in storage. Keep screws, bolts, and other hardware in a labeled plastic zipper bag. Bundle parts together or tape them securely to the corresponding piece using painter’s tape. Tape the zipper bag filled with screws to the furniture, too.
Choose a climate-controlled storage unit for temperature-sensitive furniture. Extreme temperatures can warp wood, crack leather, and weaken adhesives. Position heavy items on the bottom and lighter ones on top to maintain balance and avoid damage. Place furniture away from walls to allow air circulation, reducing the risk of condensation and mold.
Label and organize everything for when you organize the furniture for storage. Create an inventory list if you have a lot of items. Group similar items together, and organize items by size and weight when stacking things together in storage.
Packing Materials and Protection
Packing materials and proper protection can safeguard your furniture in transit and in storage. Select high-quality packing materials like some of those at our retail center at each storage location.
Bubble wrap works well for fragile items like glass, while furniture pads or thick blankets shield wood and upholstered pieces from scratches. Invest in packing tape and sturdy cardboard boxes to secure smaller components and protect them from dust.
Measure each piece of furniture to determine the exact amount of material needed for things like bubble wrap. You don’t want to skimp on the packing materials needed for protecting your items.
Cover each item with furniture pads, blankets, or bubble wrap, depending on the type of furniture, to help protect it from scratches and dents. Wrap fragile items, such as glass tabletops, in thick padding and store them upright to reduce pressure.
For upholstered pieces, cover them with breathable fabric covers rather than plastic. Plastic can trap moisture inside. Pay attention to the corners and edges, which can be particularly vulnerable to nicks and dinks.
Place padding between stacked items. For example, lay furniture pads or blankets between a table and its disassembled legs. Avoid over-tightening protective wraps, which might exert unnecessary pressure and cause warping or deformation over time. Arrange wrapped furniture carefully in the storage unit, ensuring no piece bears excessive weight from others.
Label everything clearly. Mark wrapped items with notes such as "Fragile" or "Handle with Care" to reduce risks during retrieval.
Storing Different Types of Furniture
From large, bulky items to smaller pieces, storing different types of furniture can depend on the materials they’re made with.
Wood
Clean and polish wooden furniture thoroughly to remove dust and protect the finish. Wrap each piece in furniture pads or blankets as much as possible to try to avoid scratches. Avoid placing wooden items directly on the storage unit floor. Instead, use pallets or plastic sheeting to keep them elevated and protected from potential moisture. Disassemble larger pieces, like tables, and bundle parts together securely to maximize space and reduce stress on joints.
Glass
Remove glass tabletops or panels by unscrewing them. Wrap glass items in bubble wrap and secure the edges with tape. Place these items vertically in the storage unit, never flat, to reduce the risk of cracking if things are stacked on top of them. Use padded corner protectors for additional safety, and label each piece with "Fragile" so you know which ones are breakable.
Metal
Metal furniture benefits from a light coating of oil or rust inhibitor to limit corrosion or rust, especially in non-climate-controlled units. Wrap metal pieces in furniture pads to shield them from dust and scratches. Ensure proper ventilation around stored metal furniture to avoid condensation, which could lead to rust. Disassemble components like bed frames or shelving units to optimize storage space.
Upholstery
Vacuum and spot-clean upholstered furniture before putting it in self-storage in Cincinnati. Use the crevice tool on the vacuum to reach every possible seam. Cover each piece with breathable fabric covers rather than plastic. Avoid stacking heavy items on top of upholstered furniture to maintain its shape and structure. Position these items away from walls to allow airflow and further reduce the risk of moisture damage.
Leather upholstery should be thoroughly vacuumed with a crevice tool and then cleaned with a high-quality leather cleaner. Follow the instructions on the leather cleaner for the best results.
Antiques
Antique furniture needs specialized care to preserve its integrity. Clean gently with non-abrasive products suitable for its material, and apply protective wax or polish to wooden antiques. Wrap each piece carefully with padded materials, ensuring no adhesives or rough textures contact the surface. Use custom-fit crates or boxes for particularly delicate or valuable items to provide additional security.
Climate-Controlled Storage in Cincinnati
We highly recommend climate-controlled storage in Cincinnati for furniture. Here’s why. Our buildings maintain a steady range of temperatures and humidity levels compared to non-climate-controlled storage, which can have wide ranges of temperature and humidity depending on the season. Stability in temperature and humidity could lessen the effects of warping, cracking, or other problems.
Wood furniture usually does better in climate-controlled storage. Humidity variations can cause wood to expand and contract, which might cause warping or splitting. Controlled environments are better for wood furniture in terms of the structural integrity and finish of tables, chairs, and cabinets. A stable climate also protects varnishes and polishes, reducing the likelihood of fading or discoloration.
Upholstered furniture benefits greatly from a regulated atmosphere. High humidity fosters mold and mildew, which can damage fabrics and leave unpleasant odors. Dry conditions can cause fabric and padding to become brittle. Climate-controlled storage maintains steady moisture levels, which can protect the texture, color, and overall quality of sofas, chairs, and mattresses.
Metal furniture and components, such as bed frames or shelving, typically fare better in climate-controlled units. Condensation in unregulated spaces can lead to rust and corrosion, which would weaken the structure of metal furniture over time. A stable climate could reduce condensation.
Antique furniture requires the most care when it comes to storage, often containing a mix of wood, fabric, and delicate finishes. Climate-controlled storage provides better conditions for these items compared to drive-up storage. Maintaining consistent temperature and humidity can help keep your older pieces in better shape for the duration of storing them.
Efficient Use of Space in Your Cincinnati Storage Unit
Use the space in your storage unit wisely when putting furniture in it. Create a layout or diagram beforehand to visualize the arrangement and maximize every available inch of space.
Stack disassembled furniture vertically to maximize space while maintaining stability. Place heavier, sturdier items like dressers or filing cabinets on the bottom, and stack lighter or smaller pieces on top. Use protective padding between stacked items. For fragile or oddly shaped furniture, leave gaps for extra padding or create a custom fit to keep them secure.
If you have a dining room table that doesn’t have detachable legs, consider flipping it upside-down on a heavier piece of furniture before stacking smaller items around it. Consider alternating large and small pieces to create a tighter fit.
Utilize hidden storage spaces within your furniture. For example, pack small items like cushions or bedding inside drawers, dressers, or wardrobes. You’ll save space while protecting smaller belongings from dust or damage. Label each hidden storage space to ensure quick access without disrupting the arrangement.
Leave walkways or clear access points for easier navigation within your self-storage unit in Cincinnati. Position frequently needed items near the entrance and less-used items toward the back.
Long-Term vs. Short-Term Self-Storage in Cincinnati
Choosing between long-term and short-term storage for furniture requires assessing your needs and planning accordingly. Short-term storage works well for temporary situations, such as moving between homes or renovating your home. You can have easy access to your furniture when you’re ready to retrieve it. Long-term storage, on the other hand, accommodates extended timeframes, making it ideal for preserving items you don’t plan to use soon, such as family heirlooms or seasonal pieces.
Short-term storage can be a more efficient process. Arrange furniture for easy retrieval, and avoid disassembling items you’ll need frequently. Use minimal protective materials, focusing on essentials like dust covers or bubble wrap. Store furniture in a convenient location, minimizing effort when accessing or moving items. This approach prioritizes convenience over comprehensive preservation.
Long-term storage requires greater preparation to maintain furniture quality over time. Thoroughly clean and protect each item better. Disassemble larger pieces to reduce stress on joints and save space. Use high-quality protective covers and consider climate-controlled storage to shield furniture from temperature and humidity fluctuations.
The type of storage unit plays a significant role in both scenarios. Short-term users might opt for drive-up units, prioritizing accessibility. Long-term users benefit more from climate-controlled units, which provide consistent conditions. Proper placement within the unit, such as elevating furniture off the ground, makes long-term storage easier on your items.
We’re a Top Self-Storage Company in Cincinnati
Circle Storage has eight convenient locations throughout the Greater Cincinnati area for your furniture storage needs. Feel free to contact us or call the closest facility to you to find out what we have available. We’re one of Cincinnati’s largest, independently owned and operated self-storage companies.