A dining table may fit into a storage container, but that is only one part of the job. You also need to get it out of the house, transport it without loose parts getting lost and put it somewhere you can reach when you need it again.
If you are clearing a room or preparing for a move, make these decisions before booking transport. A little preparation at home can make loading day much more straightforward.
Start with the furniture, not the van
List the pieces you want to store and measure them in the form you intend to move them. A wardrobe assembled in a bedroom may be a very different proposition from its dismantled panels.
Check the route out of your home as well as the vehicle: doorways, stairs, corners and any shared entrance all matter. Record the largest dimensions and note anything that cannot be dismantled.
All Enfield Lock Self Storage containers are outdoor 20ft drive-up units. If an item needs a precise fit, ask us to confirm the relevant dimensions before arranging transport. Leave room in your plan for access to your belongings as well as the belongings themselves.
Check whether outdoor storage suits the piece
Furniture materials and finishes have different care requirements. Read the manufacturer’s guidance, especially for upholstered, veneered or delicate pieces. If an item needs controlled temperature or humidity, do not assume an outdoor container provides those conditions.
Tell us about unusual, valuable or particularly sensitive furniture before booking so we can discuss suitability. Specialist advice may be appropriate for antiques or items that would be difficult to replace.
Follow the product’s cleaning instructions before packing. If cleaning introduces moisture, allow the item to dry fully before covering or moving it into storage. Choose protection suited to the material rather than assuming one wrapping method works for everything.
Dismantle only when it makes sense
Use the assembly instructions to decide what can safely come apart. Do not force glued joints or dismantle a piece simply because it looks as though it should separate. Arrange suitable help for heavy or awkward furniture.
Before removing parts, take a photograph of how they fit together. Give each piece a simple name, such as “bedroom wardrobe A”, and use the same name on its instructions and fixings bag.
Keep screws, brackets and small fittings in a clearly labelled container with the matching furniture. Avoid putting adhesive tape directly onto a delicate finish. Store the instructions where you can find them when the furniture is collected.
Plan for the next collection
Think about which pieces you will want first. The Self Storage Association UK’s customer advice recommends keeping frequently needed belongings near the entrance and leaving gaps for air circulation instead of packing against the walls.
Make a simple layout before loading. Keep a usable route to the pieces you expect to collect and avoid treating a furniture surface as a shelf unless it is suitable for the load. Protect fragile parts from pressure and follow the manufacturer’s guidance on storage position.
For example, if the dining table will return home before the spare bed, plan to reach the table without moving every bed panel first. That decision can save an unnecessary unloading session later.
Keep loading day manageable
Our drive-up containers let you load beside your vehicle. Customer access is 6am–7pm daily, so allow enough time for the journey, unloading and any return trip.
Bring your furniture list and check off the pieces and fixings as they go in. Customers bring their own padlock and arrange insurance for their belongings. Check the arrangements for transport as well as storage with your insurer.
Once everything is in place, use our monthly storage check to plan future visits and keep your records current.
Ask about furniture storage in Enfield
Our outdoor 20ft drive-up containers are £195 per month, billed monthly in advance. We require one calendar month’s notice before you vacate.
Tell us what you plan to store, roughly when you need the space and anything that needs a precise fit or special care. We can discuss suitability and current availability before you arrange the move.
Call 0808 281 3490, email enquiries@enfieldlock.co.uk, or send an enquiry. Calls are welcome from 7am to around 8pm; out-of-hours enquiries are picked up the next day.