1. Only store what you really need

When you use a storage room, it’s all too easy to use it as a dumping ground for things that ‘We might need’ in the future. There is no point storing something away that you’ll never use again, You might as well sell it or donate it to charity, freeing up space in storage for more items that have real value.’ Be ruthless as you assess what you will keep unless it’s an heirloom you want to hand down, you are definitely going to use it again someday or it has true sentimental value, then do not store it

2. Plan how you will pack your room

A self-storage unit needn’t just be used to store items you might need in a few years. Anything from Christmas decorations to garden furniture can go in there – just think carefully about the order you store them in.

Things you might need to get at every few months – such as your cordless drill or holiday suitcases – should be stored towards the front, and things you’ll need once a year or less, like Christmas decorations, further back, things you will not need regular access to at the back

If you’re not constantly packing and unpacking the space, or having to leave paths to get to things, you’re most likely to be able to store more.

3. Dig out your label maker

Label your boxes either with a number that tallies with a separate checklist that you stick on the wall of your unit, itemising exactly what’s inside each one. Or just pop the name of the room it came from and a brief summary of what’s inside onto the box itself.

4. Store furniture upright

When storing items like headboards or bed frames, stand them so they take up the height of your unit, and ideally at the back. If you have a chest of drawers or wardrobe you can’t take apart, make sure you pack items inside. Tables can be used like shelving, with items stored above and below the tabletop.

5. Fill it to the ceiling

When organising your unit, remember to use the entire space, not just the floor. Boxes should be packed sky high and take advantage of shelving and bookcases as extra storage space. You might even want to consider placing a ladder in your unit to make sure nothings hard to reach However, there is one golden rule you must always keep in mind. Heavy things should always go on the bottom and fragile china, glass and other items should sit at the top. To make sure your heavier boxes don’t get crushed over time, make sure they are packed up tightly to capacity.