Best Boxes For Storage Units

Storage units have become an essential solution for people seeking extra space for their belongings. Whether you are decluttering your home, moving to a new place, or simply need a secure place to store your items, a storage unit can be a valuable asset. However, to ensure that your stored items remain safe and well-organized, it's crucial to choose the right storage boxes.

Understanding the Types of Storage Boxes

Before diving into the specifics, it's essential to understand the different types of storage boxes available. Your choice of box will largely depend on the items you plan to store and the duration of storage. Here are some common types of storage boxes:

Cardboard Boxes:

These are the most traditional and affordable option. They come in various sizes and are suitable for lighter items. However, they may not be as durable as other options, and they are not ideal for long-term storage or items susceptible to moisture.

Plastic Boxes:

Plastic storage boxes are durable, moisture-resistant, and often stackable. They are an excellent choice for long-term storage, especially for items that need extra protection. However, they can be more expensive than cardboard boxes.

Wooden Crates: 

Wooden crates are robust and provide a rustic look. They are great for heavy or valuable items but can be heavy and less portable than other options.

Metal Bins: 

Metal bins are ideal for heavy-duty storage and industrial applications. They offer high durability and security but may not be suitable for everyday household storage.

Fabric Storage Bins: 

These soft-sided bins are perfect for clothing, linens, and other textiles. They are lightweight and collapsible, making them easy to transport and store when not in use.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Storage Boxes

Now that you're familiar with the types of storage boxes, let's explore the key factors to consider when making your selection.

Size: The size of the boxes you choose should be determined by the items you plan to store. Small boxes are perfect for books and smaller items, while larger boxes are suitable for bulky items like bedding, clothing, and kitchen appliances.

Material: The material of the box is crucial to ensure the safety of your items. Cardboard boxes are affordable but not ideal for long-term storage or items prone to moisture. Plastic and wooden boxes offer better protection against environmental factors.

Durability: Consider how long you plan to store your items. If you need boxes for short-term storage, cardboard may suffice. For long-term storage, opt for plastic or wooden boxes that offer greater durability.

Stackability: To maximize the use of space in your storage unit, look for boxes that are designed to be stackable. Plastic and cardboard boxes often have features that make stacking easier.

Security: If you're storing valuable or sensitive items, consider boxes with locking mechanisms or those that can be sealed securely to prevent unauthorized access.

Portability: If you need to access your items frequently or plan to move them in and out of the storage unit, consider the weight and ease of transport of the boxes.

Moisture Resistance: Ensure your storage boxes are moisture-resistant, especially if you live in a humid climate or are storing items sensitive to moisture, such as electronics or clothing.

Cost: Your budget is a significant factor when choosing storage boxes. Cardboard boxes are the most cost-effective option, while plastic and wooden boxes can be pricier. Consider your budget while balancing it with the protection your items require.

Recommended Storage Boxes for Different Items

To make your selection process easier, let's take a closer look at the types of boxes that are best suited for various categories of items you might store in a storage unit:

Clothing and Linens: Fabric storage bins or plastic containers with lids are excellent choices for clothing and linens. They protect against dust and moisture and are easily stackable.

Books and Documents: For books and important documents, sturdy cardboard boxes are often sufficient. Ensure they are the right size to prevent overloading, which can make them difficult to carry and stack.

Electronics: When storing electronics, opt for plastic bins with tight-sealing lids. This will help protect your devices from dust and moisture.

Kitchen Appliances: Plastic or wooden boxes are ideal for kitchen appliances. Make sure they are clean and dry before storage to prevent any odors or mold.

Fragile Items: For fragile items such as glassware and china, use cardboard boxes with dividers or specially designed dishware boxes. These provide added protection against breakage.

Furniture: Wooden crates or custom-sized wooden boxes are ideal for storing furniture. Make sure the items are clean and well-protected with suitable covers.

Seasonal Decorations: Cardboard or plastic boxes can be used for storing holiday decorations, as long as they are moisture-resistant. Consider using clear plastic boxes for easy identification of the contents.

Valuables: If you're storing valuable items, consider metal bins with locking mechanisms or additional security features to protect your possessions.

Tips for Efficiently Packing Storage Boxes

Once you've selected the right boxes for your storage unit, it's essential to pack them efficiently to maximize the available space and keep your items safe. Here are some packing tips:

Disassemble Furniture: If possible, disassemble furniture to save space. Store screws, bolts, and assembly instructions in a labeled bag or container.

Label Boxes: Clearly label each box with its contents to make it easier to find what you need later. Use a marker for this purpose.

Use Packing Material: To prevent items from shifting or breaking, use packing materials like bubble wrap, packing paper, or foam inserts.

Fill Empty Spaces: Make the most of your boxes by filling empty spaces with smaller items or cushioning materials. This will help prevent items from moving during transport.

Distribute Weight: Distribute the weight evenly in each box to avoid overloading and making boxes too heavy to carry.

Protect Fragile Items: Wrap fragile items individually in packing paper or bubble wrap and place them in boxes with cushioning materials. Clearly mark these boxes as fragile.

Unfortunately, most people don’t know enough about boxes to accurately differentiate the good ones from their low-quality counterparts. But that is why this list exists, to point them in the direction of the best storage unit boxes on the market. They include:

Top 3 Best Boxes for Storage Units

1). Bankers Box Smooth Move Classic Moving Storage Unit Boxes

This item doesn’t look like much. And yet, people have called it one of the best boxes for storage units because of its durable construction. Boasting a double bottom and double end construction, you can reuse the box repeatedly.

Even though the lid comes off with relative ease, it has a firm grip. It won’t fall off during transit. But it is still loose enough for you to remove without tearing the box.

The manufacturer included handles that simplify the process of carrying the boxes. Despite its sturdy build, the box doesn’t rely on tape to keep it together. Storage is just as straightforward. There are ways of quickly and efficiently folding the box. If your carbon footprint concerns you, take comfort in the fact that the manufacturer uses consumer recycled components to make these boxes.

You can secure your assets without contributing to the destruction of the environment.

2). Medium Moving Boxes With Handles

You can find these boxes in medium or large sizes, in packs of 6, 10, 12, and 20. The professional-grade packages are not only cheap but lightweight. They have a rugged construction that can accommodate everything from clothes and toys to kitchen appliances and books, to mention but a few.

Professional movers love them because of their versatility. If you’re accustomed to buying damaged boxes, these ones come in a waterproof, heat-sealed wrap that maintains their integrity.

3). uBoxes Moving Boxes

This is a relatively cheap collection of small and medium-sized boxes. Some kits have as many as 25 boxes. It depends on the size. Smaller boxes come in larger numbers.

Though, the larger boxes are more convenient because they can house annoying items like blankets and cushions that consume so much space. If you don’t want to use these boxes right away, they are very easy to store because the manufacturer ships them in narrow bundles that won’t get in the way.

You can carry them to any destination before unpacking the boxes. The company takes pride in the fact that they ship multiple boxes in each pack. They know that you can never have enough boxes.

You don’t have to wonder whether the boxes can hold your assets without falling apart. Storage units are supposed to safeguard your things. But unfortunately, they tend to expose their contents to moisture, pests, and other elements that ultimately ruin them.

However, these boxes went through several strength tests to prove that they could survive the rigors of shipping and storage. The company made a deliberate effort to include smaller boxes in their offer because they know that some people waste resources by packing tiny objects in large containers. They don’t realize that smaller boxes exist.

Why You Need Storage Box For Storage Unit?

Some people don’t understand why anyone would waste money on a box when they can just keep their assets on the floor or a shelf. But storage boxes are far more beneficial than you think.

First of all, you can use them to organize your items. Rather than throwing everything you own in a heap in the corner, you can keep all your books in one box, the bedsheets in another box, utensils in a separate container, etc.

It makes retrieving specific items so much easier, especially if you took the time to label the boxes.

If that isn’t enough, boxes will keep your assets off the floor. Even if you have shelves in the storage unit, you are better off insulating items such as books and cushions from hard surfaces.  Boxes can accomplish that task for you.

Admittedly, you can’t trust them to keep pests out. A determined rat will eat right through the walls of a box. But a box is still better than nothing.

However, to keep safe your storage unit box from rats, you can use rat poison on the storage unit.

Conclusion

Selecting the best storage boxes for your storage unit is a critical step in ensuring the safety and organization of your belongings. The type, size, material, durability, and other factors should all be taken into account when making your decision. By choosing the right storage boxes and following efficient packing techniques, you can make the most of your storage space and have peace of mind knowing your items are well-protected.

Remember that each storage situation is unique, so tailor your box choices to your specific needs. Whether you're storing clothing, electronics, furniture, or valuable heirlooms, there's a perfect storage box for every purpose. Ultimately, the right storage boxes can make your storage experience hassle-free and convenient.

People treat boxes like luxuries. However, if you value the items in your storage unit, boxes can save you a lot of money by keeping your assets safe until you retrieve them.

Finally, security is always the primary concern of the storage unit. To protect your boxes and other valuables from theft you should lock your storage unit.

But you can’t just use any random box you encounter. Look for sturdy products that can stand the test of time. The boxes in the list above are a great example. They are lightweight, robust, and inexpensive. You can also find them in multiple sizes.