Pretty much anything! This includes all the items you likely already have in your home or office, or which you need to run your business:

Popular items include, but are certainly not limited to, books and clothes, furniture including soft furnishings, personal or business documentation, household electricals, appliances, gardening items and tools, outdoor equipment such as bicycles, canoes, and kayaks, office equipment excluding flammable liquids, and trade tools including drills and other electrical equipment. Whether you are storing belongings during a move, renovation, business relocation, or simply creating more space at home, self storage offers a secure and convenient solution for keeping your possessions safe, organised, protected, and easily accessible whenever you need them most throughout the year, while also giving you flexibility and peace of mind without cluttering your living or working environment unnecessarily

There are several items that you cannot store in your storage unit, either on legal grounds or health and safety grounds. These include:

DO ensure every box is labelled – Use a thick permanent marker to label all sides of each box, including the top, with its contents and the room it belongs to for easier identification.

DO protect fragile items – Use bubble wrap, soft blankets, or foam sheets to protect delicate belongings such as mirrors, glassware, ceramics, and ornaments during transport and storage.

DO make use of vertical space – Stack boxes upward instead of outward to make the most efficient use of available space. Consider using clear plastic boxes for easier stacking and quicker identification of stored items, especially if you need regular access to specific belongings throughout your storage period thereafter

There are several items that you cannot store in your storage unit, either on legal grounds or health and safety grounds. These include:

DO consider installing shelving – This will help keep the unit in order and further maximise space. Store heavy items at the bottom and lighter ones on top

DO think about layout – Put items that you are more likely to need closer to the front, while items that you definitely will not need can be stored toward the back. Consider storing larger and bulkier items towards the back of the container to make the best use of the available space

DO leave a walkway – Leave room for a walkway or aisle down the middle of the container so that you can reach everything more easily

DO invest in a small tool kit – Keep this near the front of your container to allow you to easily assemble or disassemble any item for storage or transport, as well as to quickly open any boxes

DON’T overpack boxes – Overfilled boxes are more likely to collapse, split, or damage your belongings during storage or transport. Heavy boxes can also be difficult to lift and move safely, increasing the risk of injury or breakages. Pack each box to a manageable weight and always seal it securely using strong packing tape for added protection.

DON’T skip making an inventory – Without a detailed inventory, it can become very difficult to locate specific belongings later on. Keep a clear list of everything you place into storage and organise items logically so you can quickly find what you need without searching through every single box unnecessarily.

DON’T forget to plan your layout – Poor planning can lead to blocked pathways and inaccessible items, making retrieval far more inconvenient in the future. Leave a small walkway inside your storage unit and position frequently used belongings closer to the front for easier access whenever needed.

DON’T store anything damp – Storage containers themselves are not normally prone to damp or condensation, provided all stored items are completely dry beforehand. However, storing damp clothes, wet carpets, garden furniture, or appliances like washing machines and dishwashers that have not been properly emptied and drained can create condensation inside the unit, potentially causing mould, unpleasant odours, and damage to other stored belongings over time if moisture is allowed to remain trapped within the container environment unnecessarily thereafter

There are several additional steps you can take to help ensure your clothes are stored correctly and remain in excellent condition throughout the storage period.

Preparation is key – Thoroughly clean all clothing before placing it into storage to remove dirt, sweat, oils, stains, and odours. If left untreated, these can attract pests and gradually damage fabrics over time. For delicate or valuable garments, consider using a professional dry-cleaning service to ensure items are properly cleaned and fully dried beforehand.

Use the correct storage containers – Airtight plastic storage containers with secure snap-on lids are ideal for most clothing types, as they help protect against moisture, dust, insects, and other environmental factors that could affect your garments during long-term storage.

Pack items carefully – Fold or roll clothing neatly to minimise wrinkles and creases. For knitwear such as cashmere or merino wool, place acid-free tissue paper between folds to help preserve the fabric’s shape and structure. Delicate or structured garments including dresses, suits, and coats should be hung on sturdy padded hangers and covered with breathable cloth garment bags to protect against dust while maintaining their overall condition, shape, and appearance for much longer during storage periods thereafter

When packing clothing into storage containers, always place heavier items at the bottom and lighter items on top to help prevent unnecessary pressure, creasing, or damage to more delicate garments during long-term storage.

Avoid overpacking boxes or containers, as tightly packed clothing can become crushed, misshapen, or permanently creased over time. Leaving a small amount of space allows fabrics to breathe and helps garments maintain their original condition while in storage.

It is also a good idea to organise your clothing by season or frequency of use so that items are easier to access whenever required. Store off-season clothing toward the back of the container and place frequently used garments nearer the front for greater convenience and quicker retrieval.

Finally, remember to regularly check your stored clothing throughout the storage period. Every few months, open storage containers or garment bags to air garments out and inspect for any signs of moisture, condensation, mould, or pests. Identifying potential issues early greatly reduces the risk of long-term damage and helps keep your clothing clean, fresh, protected, and in excellent condition while remaining safely stored over extended periods of time thereafter

In addition to the general storage advice, there are several extra steps you can take to help ensure your furniture remains protected and in excellent condition throughout the storage period.

Preparation is key – Thoroughly clean and fully dry all furniture before placing it into storage. Removing dust, dirt, and moisture helps prevent the development of mould, mildew, fungus, and unpleasant odours over time, particularly during long-term storage.

Use the correct wrapping materials – Different furniture items require different types of protection depending on the material and level of fragility involved. Plastic wrap is ideal for smooth surfaces such as tables, cabinets, and wardrobes, as it creates a tight protective seal against dust and dirt. Bubble wrap works particularly well for fragile items including mirrors, electronics, and glass tabletops, helping to reduce the risk of cracks or damage during transport and storage. Furniture blankets are best suited for soft furnishings such as sofas, armchairs, and mattresses, but it is essential to ensure all items are completely dry before covering them. Avoid wrapping soft furnishings in plastic wrap, especially if they are damp or not properly cleaned beforehand, as trapped moisture can quickly lead to mould, dampness, and permanent damage.

Wrap and prepare items carefully – Where possible, dismantle furniture before storage to make transportation easier and reduce the risk of accidental damage. Wrap each piece securely, ensuring there are no loose sections or exposed corners, and fasten all protective materials firmly using strong packing tape. Fragile or delicate areas should receive additional bubble wrap or protective padding for extra protection. If furniture such as tables, desks, or chairs is dismantled, store all screws, bolts, and fittings in a clearly labelled zip lock bag and tape it directly to the relevant item so that reassembly is straightforward later on.

Think carefully about placement inside the container – Stack furniture evenly and securely toward the back of the storage container to maximise available space while maintaining stability. Leave small gaps between items to encourage ventilation and airflow, which helps reduce the risk of trapped moisture. Always place heavier items at the bottom to prevent unnecessary pressure or damage to lighter and more delicate belongings.

Finally, it is important to regularly inspect your stored furniture throughout the storage period. Rotate items occasionally to encourage even airflow and minimise the risk of long-term wear or pressure damage. You should also check all wrapping materials periodically and replace or adjust them whenever necessary to ensure your furniture remains fully protected, clean, secure, and in excellent condition while in storage over extended periods of time thereafter

Organise documents carefully inside the storage unit – Never place document boxes directly onto the floor of the container, as cold surfaces and moisture transfer can lead to dampness and damage. Instead, use sturdy shelving units to improve airflow and reduce the likelihood of condensation forming beneath stored boxes. Stack boxes carefully with heavier items at the bottom and lighter ones on top to maintain stability and prevent crushing. Leave small gaps between shelving and boxes to encourage ventilation, and avoid pushing items tightly against walls or ceilings where cold and damp conditions may occur. It is also important to leave a central walkway so that all shelves can be accessed easily without moving multiple heavy boxes unnecessarily.

Label everything clearly – Every storage box should be labelled clearly with a brief description of its contents, relevant date ranges, and, where useful, a unique identification number to make retrieval simpler and more efficient in the future.

Finally, it is important to regularly inspect your stored paperwork and documents. At least once each year, review a sample of stored files to check their condition and confirm your filing system remains accurate and organised. Regular inspections help identify potential issues such as moisture, pest activity, condensation, or filing errors early, reducing the risk of long-term damage and ensuring your documents remain secure, accessible, protected, and properly preserved throughout extended storage periods thereafter

In addition to the general storage advice, there are several further steps you can take to ensure your paperwork and important documents remain organised, protected, and in excellent condition throughout the storage period.

Sort through your documents first – Before placing paperwork into storage, identify which documents genuinely need to be retained and separate them from anything that can safely be discarded, such as duplicates, outdated correspondence, or unnecessary paperwork. Any confidential material should be disposed of securely, ideally by shredding, to protect sensitive personal or business information.

Create a simple filing system – Organise documents into clear categories such as personal records, property documents, financial paperwork, or business files. Use labelled folders, dividers, and clearly marked sections to keep everything consistent and easy to navigate. A well-structured filing system makes future access significantly easier and helps prevent important documents from becoming misplaced over time.

Choose the correct storage containers – The materials used to store documents play an important role in their long-term preservation. Invest in strong acid-free archival storage boxes that are specifically designed for storing paperwork safely over extended periods. For particularly valuable or sensitive documents, use acid-free folders and interleaving paper to help prevent yellowing, deterioration, and pages sticking together. Plastic storage boxes can provide water resistance but may trap moisture if not ventilated regularly, making them more suitable for shorter-term storage solutions. Avoid using ordinary cardboard boxes wherever possible, as they can absorb moisture and attract pests, potentially causing irreversible damage to important paperwork and records.