Tips & guide for storing your belongings
Practical experience from over 10 years of storage rental — for safe packing, carrying and storing
At BOXLY we're happy to store your belongings! From over 10 years of experience we share the most important tips for packing, carrying, storing and moving, so your belongings stay safe and in top condition. Whether you're renting storage for the first time or already have experience — with the right techniques you get the maximum out of your storage space. Anyone storing furniture, packing boxes or safely stowing fragile items for months benefits from a few proven ground rules.\n
The right packing material, sturdy moving boxes, protection from moisture and a well-planned arrangement in the storage unit determine whether your furniture, electronics, clothing and documents survive storage unscathed. From choosing the right materials to ergonomic lifting and intelligent space utilisation, you'll find everything here in compact form — including tips for safely packing fragile items, protecting against mould and making optimal use of space. This makes storing at BOXLY easy, safe and stress-free — whether for a move, renovation, a long trip or seasonal storage of sports and hobby equipment.\n
Packing correctly — how to keep your belongings protected
Storage tips: materials, organisation and protection techniques for maximum safety
Planning ahead is key: think about which items you'll need frequently — these go at the front. Group similar items together: seasonal clothing, sports equipment, office supplies, decorations. This way you'll find everything quickly and save unnecessary trips to the unit.\n
Use high-quality, uniformly sized packing materials — sturdy boxes of the same size are easier to stack and offer more protection than thin moving boxes. Bubble wrap, packing tape and packing paper are indispensable. Wrap fragile items in bubble wrap or soft blankets — each piece individually, never stacked without padding in between.\n
Keep an inventory list — especially with many items or business stock. Label EVERY box on at least two sides with contents and destination. This sounds time-consuming but saves enormous time when searching for a specific item. Tip: number the boxes and keep a digital list with the number and contents.\n
Boxly Profi-Tipp
In over 10 years of experience we've learned — never label only the lid. Boxes get stacked, and the lid is then the one part you can't see. Write the contents on a side wall too, so you'll find everything without moving a single box.
Checkliste
- Group similar items together (seasonal clothing, sports, office, decor)
- Use uniform, sturdy boxes
- Wrap fragile items individually in bubble wrap
- Label every box on at least two sides
- Keep an inventory list, number the boxes
Preparing furniture & equipment properly
Packing tips for furniture, sports gear and outdoor equipment before storing
Store only cleaned, dry furniture — mould and dirt can spread during storage and damage other items. Dismantle furniture that can be taken apart such as beds, shelves, cabinets and tables — this saves enormous space. Put screws and small parts in labelled bags and attach them directly to the furniture piece. Wrap sofas and upholstered furniture in blankets or special covers.
Store sports and outdoor equipment only when dry and cleaned. Skis, tents, surfboards and kayaks must be thoroughly dried before going into the unit. Wax skis and ice skates before storing — this protects the edges. SUP boards and inflatable boats: letting the air out saves space and preserves the material.
For electronics and motorised devices: remove batteries, fully discharge e-bike batteries (fire safety). Dismantle bulky items as much as possible — for bicycles, remove handlebars and pedals for example. The more compactly your belongings are prepared, the more efficiently you use the available space in your unit.
Boxly Profi-Tipp
Tape small metal parts directly to the furniture piece instead of storing them separately in a bag — bags get lost most often during reassembly, we've seen this for years.
Checkliste
- Store only cleaned, dry furniture
- Dismantle furniture that can be taken apart (beds, shelves, cabinets, tables)
- Attach labelled screws and small parts to the furniture piece
- Store sports and outdoor equipment dry and cleaned
- Remove batteries, fully discharge e-bike batteries
Health & safety when storing
Lift correctly, carry safely — how to protect your back during a move
Wear sturdy, flat, non-slip footwear and comfortable clothing that allows freedom of movement. Flip-flops or high heels in a storage unit are a recipe for accidents. Gloves protect against cuts and give better grip when carrying heavy or sharp-edged items.\n
Don't overload boxes — heavy items such as books, tools or crockery at the bottom, light items on top. A box should never be so heavy that you can't carry it alone. Better to make an extra trip than ruin your back. ALWAYS lift from the knees, not from the hips — keep your back straight, don't twist your spine while carrying weight.\n
Keep your view clear when carrying — nothing is more dangerous than stumbling blindly over thresholds or stair steps. For heavy or bulky items use the hand trucks and trolleys available at BOXLY — they're free at every location. Distribute the load evenly on the trolley, don't stack too high.\n
Boxly Profi-Tipp
For anything you can't comfortably carry alone — carry it as a pair instead of taking risks. A back injury lasts longer than any moving day. Also, always use the free hand trucks at our locations — that's what they're for.
Checkliste
- Wear sturdy, non-slip footwear
- Never overload boxes — heavy at the bottom, light on top
- Lift from the knees, keep your back straight
- Keep your view clear when carrying
- Use BOXLY hand trucks for heavy/bulky items
How to use your storage space optimally
Using storage space optimally: smart stacking, vertical space and access aisles
Smart stacking makes the difference: large, heavy items at the bottom as a stable foundation — mattresses upright against the wall, tabletops and boards vertically. Lighter boxes and bags on top. This way you maximise vertical space without anything getting crushed at the bottom.\n
At BOXLY shelving can be placed in your unit (on request) — ideal for many small items, folders, shoe boxes or stock. Shelves keep things off the floor and make contents accessible at any time without having to rearrange everything.\n
Keep access aisles clear — plan a narrow gangway so you can also reach items further back. Store frequently used items at the front and within easy reach. Sensitive items such as electronics, art and important documents particularly benefit from the dry, climate-monitored storage environment at BOXLY.\n
Boxly Profi-Tipp
Take a photo of every full box and every shelf before storing. After months you won't remember where everything is — with photos on your phone you'll find anything in seconds without rearranging the unit.
Checkliste
- Heavy, large items at the bottom as foundation
- Mattresses and boards upright against the wall
- Use shelving for small items (on request at BOXLY)
- Keep a narrow access aisle clear
- Place frequently used items at the front
Moving checklist — move with peace of mind
Moving checklist: step by step from your old to your new home
3–6 months ahead: cancel contracts with long notice periods (internet, TV, insurance). For international moves: check travel documents, organise school changes. Declutter early — the less you take with you, the cheaper and easier the move.\n
2 months ahead: book a moving company or van, measure the new apartment (will the sofa fit through the door?). 1 month ahead: report address changes (post, bank, insurance, subscriptions), buy packing materials, set aside valuables separately, organise a day off. 2 weeks ahead: dismantle furniture, sort out parking permit for the moving van, rent storage for transitional arrangements.\n
1 week ahead: store first load, pack a suitcase with essentials (clothes for 3 days, toiletries, chargers, documents). Moving day: keep and sign an inventory list, document any issues immediately with photos. After the move: clean and hand over the old apartment, return keys. Which unit size do you need for temporary storage?\n
Boxly Profi-Tipp
Reserve your storage space as early as possible — ideally in the 3–6 month phase, as soon as the moving date is set. Summer is our peak season, and at short notice not every unit size is available at every location. Choose a unit size slightly larger rather than too small — you can switch to a smaller unit free of charge at any time, but a spontaneous switch to a larger unit isn't always immediately possible when the location is fully booked.
Checkliste
- 3–6 months ahead: plan budget, compare moving companies, reserve storage
- 2 months ahead: declutter, cancel contracts (apartment, subscriptions), prepare address changes
- 1 month ahead: get packing materials, pack systematically, label boxes
- 2 weeks ahead: set up mail forwarding, confirm handover appointment, apply for parking permit
- 1 week ahead: defrost fridge, pack last boxes, prepare tools
- Moving day: read meter readings, check all rooms, hand over keys
- After the move: register new address, clean/hand over apartment, unpack at your own pace
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