Moving Smarter Not Harder

Posted on: 13 May 2015

Splitting the space in self storage units can help save money and give you additional space instead of choosing a smaller unit. Once you've decided on a split unit with a friend or family member, it's a good idea to come up with an ideal way to evenly split the space. The following five splitting tactics can work with a majority of self storage units and will make the management of the unit a lot easier to handle.

Splitting Right Down the Middle

One of the easiest methods for splitting a storage unit is by going right down the middle and assigning one side to each person. Instead of working with an imaginary line, you can use a number of methods to make the split as visual as possible.

• Duct Tape: Measure out the sides of the storage unit so you can lay down a strip of duct tape across the center. It's also a good idea to place duct tape on the back wall to ensure that any shelving or boxes do not cross the line.
• Shower Rods: Long shower rods act as ideal ways to split off space inside a storage unit. Once the shower rod is hanging, you can attach shower curtains or sheets to the rods so the unit is split.

Two-Way Shelves

A similar way of splitting up the center of a storage unit is by purchasing a two way shelf. These shelves can be accessed from both sides so each person in the unit can take advantage of them. The money you save on splitting the unit can go towards an affordable two-way shelf.

Units like these can feature open shelves for you to split up along with drawers on each side. The drawers are ideal for clothing, books, and other items you want to protect from dust. Drawers can also have locks attached to them so you can properly protect valuables as needed.

Color Coding

If items are taken in and out of the unit a lot, it can get really confusing as to what items are actually yours. Instead of going through a lot of different boxes and bins, you can make the process simple by using color coding methods. For bins, it's ideal to stick to one color for the bin or cover. The person you're sharing with can select a different color so everything is clear.

For boxes, markers can be used to color in areas. Instead of writing out names, a simple color marking can make things easy to identify.

App Scanning Organization

Printed labels with advanced features like QR codes are ideal ways to organize your items digitally. By using an app scanner, you can label products and keep a digital inventory. With this inventory, you can add notes and details like what is inside the box, whose box it belongs to, and the location of the box.

When you print the labels, they can be attached to the box as you load in the storage unit. Not only will you know which box is yours, but you can determine exactly what is inside by quickly scanning the code and never having to go through multiple boxes.

Time Sharing Units

Instead of sharing the unit at the same time, you can easily spit the time of the unit with a friend or family member. For example, if you only need a unit for three months, but a six month package has a better deal, then you can keep the unit for three months and have someone use it for the other three. On the day of the switch, you and a friend can help each other with moving old items out and new items in.

It's important to trust the person that you're sharing the unit with. It will make the process a lot easier and stress-free.