Space Self Storage

27/08/2026

How to Store Furniture the Right Way
Furniture is actually one of the main reasons people put in a storage unit. Whether you’re between homes, midway through a renovation, or simply making room for a growing family, the sofa and the dining table are the things that need somewhere to go. They’re also the items most likely to come out of storage worse than they went in if they aren’t prepared properly.

The good news is that storing furniture well isn’t complicated. It just takes a little preparation before moving day and some care in how you load the unit. Here’s what we’d recommend to anyone bringing furniture into one of our Dublin facilities.

Clean everything before it goes in
It’s tempting to skip this step when you’re up against a moving deadline, but it makes a real difference. Any crumbs, dust or moisture left on furniture when it goes into storage will still be there months later, and in some cases will have caused damage in the meantime.

Give wooden pieces a wipe down and a coat of furniture polish or wax, which helps protect the finish while it’s stored. Vacuum sofas and armchairs thoroughly, getting into the crevices where crumbs like to hide. Wipe down metal frames and legs with a dry cloth. If anything is upholstered and washable, like cushion covers, launder them and make sure they’re completely dry before packing.

That last point matters more than any other. Anything that goes into storage damp, even slightly, can develop a musty smell or worse over time. Dry everything properly and you’ve avoided the most common furniture storage problem before it starts.

Take apart what you can
Dismantling furniture takes a bit of effort on the way in, but it pays off twice. Flat items are far easier to carry and much less likely to get knocked or scratched in transit, and they take up considerably less room in your unit, which might even mean you can book a smaller size.

Bed frames, dining tables and wardrobes are the usual candidates. Remove legs from tables and sofas where they unscrew, take doors off wardrobes if the hinges allow, and disassemble bed frames into their component parts. Keep all the screws, bolts and fixings for each item together in a labelled freezer bag, and tape the bag securely to the piece it belongs to. Six months from now, you’ll be very glad you did.

If you have the original assembly instructions, tape those on too. If not, take a few photos on your phone as you take each piece apart. It makes reassembly far less of a puzzle.

Wrap and protect, but let things breathe
The right wrapping protects furniture from dust, scuffs and scratches. The wrong wrapping can trap moisture against the surface and cause more harm than good.

For sofas, mattresses and anything upholstered, use breathable covers or old cotton sheets rather than sealing them tightly in plastic. For wooden furniture, soft blankets or bubble wrap around corners and edges will guard against knocks, and a dust sheet draped over the top keeps everything clean. Mirrors and glass table tops should be wrapped individually in bubble wrap, marked as fragile, and stored upright rather than flat.

If you need supplies, our box shop stocks bubble wrap, protective sheeting and covers, so you can pick everything up when you arrive rather than making a separate trip.

Load your unit with care
How you arrange furniture inside the unit matters just as much as how you wrap it. A few habits will keep everything in good condition and save you hassle later.

Place heavier, sturdier items at the bottom and towards the back, and never stack anything heavy on top of upholstered pieces. Sofas should sit on their feet as they would at home, not balanced on their arms or ends, which can warp frames over time. Mattresses are best stored flat if space allows, since standing them on their side for long periods can cause them to sag out of shape.

Resist the urge to pack the unit completely solid. Leaving small gaps between items allows air to move around, and keeping a narrow path to the back means you can retrieve something without unloading half the unit. If you know you’ll want certain items sooner, keep them near the door.

Choose the right storage environment
Even perfectly prepared furniture needs a decent place to sit. Our units are indoors, clean and dry, which is exactly what wood, fabric and leather want, since they’re sensitive to damp and to big swings in temperature. Each unit is individually alarmed, covered by 24 hour CCTV, and secured with your own lock and key, so your belongings stay exactly as you left them.

You also have 24 hour access as a customer, which is handy when you’re mid-move and realise at nine in the evening that the one thing you need is the coffee table you stored last week.

Ready to make some space?
With a bit of cleaning, some careful wrapping and a sensible loading plan, your furniture will come out of storage in the same condition it went in, whether that’s in three months or three years.

If you’re planning a move or a renovation and need somewhere for your furniture to wait it out, get in touch with the team or drop into one of our Dublin facilities. We’ll help you find the right sized unit, and our free van service can even help you get everything here.

18/06/2026

We are kicking off the World Cup with some jersey give aways. Simply tell us who you think will win to be in with a chance of winning 🏆

02/04/2026

05/03/2026

Self Storage for Travellers and Expats

Traveling for an extended stretch or moving to a new country sounds simple on paper. Pack what you need, update your details, and get moving. In practice, most people discover a different problem: you can’t take your whole life with you, and you don’t always want to give it up either.

That’s where self storage earns its place. For travellers and expats, it’s often the most straightforward way to keep belongings safe while you’re between homes, countries, or plans.

Self storage isn’t only for moving day. It’s also for the in-between stages that come with long trips, temporary relocations, visa timelines, and rental contracts that don’t line up neatly. The goal is simple: keep what you need to keep, without paying for space you aren’t using or leaving valuables in the wrong place.

When Storage Makes Sense

Travellers use self storage for different reasons than local residents. The common thread is uncertainty. Plans change. Return dates move. Housing falls through. Sometimes you’re leaving because you want to, and sometimes it’s because you have to. In any of those situations, storage can act as a buffer.

It’s particularly useful when you’re subletting your place, moving out to travel, or relocating abroad with a limited shipping allowance. Many people also use it during a transition period: leaving one city before the next lease starts, taking a contract overseas, or moving back home temporarily while figuring out the next step.

The alternative is usually messier. You can try to split items across friends’ homes, store boxes in a garage that isn’t designed for it, or sell everything and rebuy later. Those options work sometimes. They also create a lot of friction, and they put your belongings at the mercy of other people’s space and priorities.

Choosing the Right Unit

Unit size comes down to what you’re storing and how you want to pack it. People often underestimate how much space they need when items aren’t broken down. Furniture takes volume fast. A small unit can hold more than you think if you disassemble what you can, stack safely, and use shelving.

Climate control is worth considering if you’re storing anything sensitive to temperature swings or humidity. Electronics, paper goods, some fabrics, and wooden furniture can suffer if conditions fluctuate. If you’re planning to be away for months, it’s usually better to pick a unit that protects your belongings, rather than saving a small amount and coming back to damage.

Access matters too. If you won’t be back for a year, you may not need frequent access. If you’re traveling through and might pick things up mid-trip, you’ll care about access hours, how easy it is to load and unload, and whether the facility is convenient to reach without a car.

Security and Peace of Mind

When you’re far away, small problems become bigger. If you’re storing belongings while abroad, you want to reduce the number of things that can go wrong. A well run facility helps with that. Gated access, surveillance, good lighting, and controlled entry don’t guarantee anything, but they lower risk and make it easier to feel confident that your items aren’t sitting in a vulnerable spot.

Insurance is another part of peace of mind. Many travellers assume their belongings are automatically covered. Often they aren’t, or coverage is limited when items are in storage. It’s worth checking what insurance you have, what it actually covers, and whether the facility offers an option that fits your situation.

Packing Like You Might Be Away Longer Than You Think
One of the most common mistakes travellers make is packing for the best case scenario. A six month trip turns into a year. A short overseas contract extends. A return date shifts because of work, family, or paperwork. Storage works best when you pack with that uncertainty in mind.

Use durable boxes, label them clearly, and keep an inventory list somewhere you can access remotely. Store the items you might need sooner near the front, and pack long term items deeper in the unit. Cover furniture properly, avoid trapping moisture, and leave some airflow where it makes sense. If you ever need a friend or family member to pick something up for you, your labeling system becomes the difference between a quick errand and a stressful afternoon.

The Practical Upside for Expats

For expats, storage can also make a move easier on the way in. Many people arrive in a new country with the essentials and keep a unit back home while they settle. That reduces shipping costs and avoids committing to a permanent setup before you understand the new city, the housing market, and your longer term plan.

It can also work the other way around. If you’re leaving a country and your next place isn’t ready, a storage unit can bridge the gap while you travel, finish paperwork, or line up housing.

Bottom Line

Self storage is a simple tool for a complicated phase of life. For travellers and expats, it offers a place to keep what matters while the rest of life stays in motion. The value isn’t only the space. It’s the flexibility and the relief of knowing your belongings are stored safely, packed properly, and waiting for you when you’re ready to come back.

If you’re looking to move and need a unit to help the transition then why not book your storage unit online or get in touch with our team today to discuss how we can help with your storage needs.

02/09/2025

Using Storage To Help With Downsizing After Retirement

Using Storage To Help With Downsizing After Retirement
The word “retirement” conjures up images of freedom, long awaited holidays, quality time with loved ones, and the joy of pursuing hobbies without the constraints of a 9 to 5. But for many of us there’s one additional step before you get to that peaceful new chapter – downsizing.

After decades of accumulating possessions in a family home, the thought of sorting through everything can feel overwhelming. How do you decide what to keep, what to sell, and what to give away when everything is so personal.

This is where self storage can come in handy, making the process of downsizing that much easier.

Three Piles of Downsizing

Before you even think about hiring a moving van, the key is to create a system. Forget a single “keep” and “discard” pile. The most effective approach for retirees is to adopt a three pile method:

The “Keeping” Pile: These are the non negotiables. The furniture that will fit perfectly in your new home, the kitchen essentials you use daily, and the cherished family heirlooms that must stay with you.

The “Getting Rid Of” Pile: This is for the obvious candidates. Broken items, clothes that no longer fit, and that dusty exercise machine that’s never been used! A good rule of thumb with items like this is if you haven’t used it in two years, it’s likely time to let it go. You can donate these items to charity, sell them at a garage sale, or pass them on to family.

The “Sort Later” Pile: This pile is for the items you’re on the fence about. It might be a large piece of furniture that might not fit your new home’s layout but holds sentimental value. Maybe it’s a collection you’re not ready to part with, or seasonal decorations you don’t need immediate access to. This is also the perfect place for items you want to pass on to your children or grandchildren but they’re not ready for them yet.

Self Storage Has Emotional and Practical Benefits

Instead of being pressured to make decisions you might later regret, self storage gives you time and space to deal with them. Moving into a new home is a huge adjustment. By using a storage unit, you can focus on getting settled without a house full of boxes. You can live in your new space for a few months and truly understand what you need. That antique dresser might feel wrong in your old home, but after a few months in your new place, you might discover it’s the perfect statement piece for the hallway.

You don’t have to choose between a clutter free home and your most treasured memories. A secure, climate controlled storage unit is the perfect sanctuary for family photo albums, heirlooms, and other irreplaceable items. This allows you to retain these precious connections to the past without them taking up valuable real estate in your downsized home.

Your seasonal items are great for putting into self storage also. Christmas decorations, camping gear, skis, etc – these items are perfect for a storage unit. They’re safe and accessible whenever you need them, but they don’t clog up your new cupboards or garage.

Smart Strategies for a Seamless Storage Experience

To get the most out of your self storage unit, a little bit of planning goes a long way.

Make An Inventory: Before you pack a single box, create a simple inventory list. Take photos of the larger items you’re storing. As you pack boxes, label them clearly and add them to your list.

Pack Smart: Disassemble large items like bed frames and tables to save space. Use stackable, uniform boxes. Place heavier items on the bottom and lighter ones on top. AKeep the boxes of items you will need to access more frequently towards the front of your unit.

Reassess Frequently: Set a reminder to reassess your storage unit down the line and see if you still want to hold on to everything. This gives you plenty of time to get comfortable in your new home, and then revisit your stored items with fresh eyes. If you haven’t thought about or missed something in that time, you’ll feel far more confident in letting it go.

Downsizing can be daunting, but self storage can make it easier. If you’d like to find out more about our services and how we can help here at Space Self Storage then be sure to get in touch with us