Best Ways To Label Your Storage Boxes for Easy Access Later
Moving, downsizing, or cleaning out a loved one's house can seem daunting. Cardboard and plastic boxes are everywhere, and most look identical. To avoid confusion when grabbing a kitchen appliance box instead of the fall decorations box, label your boxes and totes so you can easily access the items you need from storage.
Today, Overflow Garage will guide you through the process of labeling your storage boxes, offering tips and examples to avoid common mistakes.
Why Labeling Storage Boxes is Key for Long-Term Storage
If you plan to keep items stored for extended periods, labeling boxes will go a long way. Instead of trying to remember which brown box you put your old hats in over five years ago, adding labels can save you from scratching your head over where you put your belongings.
What To Include on Storage Labels
Sometimes a vague label can cost you time and a headache if you can’t remember what exactly was in that box. Using a labeling method, regardless of what it is, will help your sanity in the long run.
Categories for Storage Labels
Categorizing labels for your storage boxes is always a good starting point. Using broad categories such as books, movies, or cables helps get the ball rolling. However, if you have a large book or movie collection, general labels may not be detailed enough to be truly helpful.
For larger collections, try creating sub-categories like sci-fi books, fiction books, or cookbooks. More precise labels make it easier to know exactly what’s inside each box when you need it.
Organizing by Room Names
Whether your house is big or small, organizing and labeling your storage boxes by the room each item belongs in offers a simple way to organize. If you have large storage boxes, using the entire room for the label is effective as long as most of the items will fit.
However, if you're using smaller storage boxes or cannot fit all of a room's items into one box, adding a category after the room is a stronger method. This allows you to make your labels as specific as needed without over-complicating your packing plans.
Always Leave Notes About Contents
Be sure to leave notes on your labels about specific items in storage boxes. Reminding yourself or the movers of those notes is important for the safety of your stored belongings. Some good notes to leave are:
- Fragile items
- This side up
- Bottom needs support
- Handle with care
- Do not stack
These helpful notes can sometimes be the difference between your items remaining intact and being damaged.
Picking a Labeling Method
No matter what type of method you go with, it is important to stay true to that method. Changing the way you label storage boxes halfway through a move will only take up more of your time when you are unpacking.
Labeling Mistakes To Avoid
Bad labeling habits can turn even the most organized storage units into a quagmire of frustration. Familiar-looking boxes and long storage periods, combined with poor labeling, can lead to unnecessary unpacking and repacking. Make sure to take the time to double-check that labels are written clearly and are descriptive, so they are useful at any given moment.
A little extra effort and planning on the front end of loading your storage unit will pay dividends on the back end when unpacking.
Get All Your Packing Supplies at Overflow Garage
When you are ready to put your labeling knowledge in action, come visit us at one of our storage facilities. Once you find a facility close to you, explore our size guide to find the right storage solution for your needs.
Check out our FAQ page for more information regarding our storage units, or contact us today to make your reservation!