Storage according to the Tetris principle

It’s a well-known and recurring problem for the customers at LAGERBOX. When putting things into storage, you hit an invisible wall, although there is still a lot of material left that needs to fit into the box. Handling this problem is not always easy.

LAGERBOX wants to help and so here’s a small manual for the best-possible use of our storage units.

Best-possible use involves applying the Tetris principle, which, like in Tetris, makes sure everything is orderly and fits perfectly in the end. This principle can be easily applied to the many different storage unit sizes that LAGERBOX has to offer.

When applying it, it doesn’t really matter if you rent a large or one of the smaller units. The basic ideas of the Tetris principle can also be applied to your own four walls, your cellar, for example.

The size calculator

The first step at LAGERBOX is different to other, comparable self-storage providers. Our website offers a size calculator that helps you to determine exactly how large the box needs to be to fit all your things, making sure that you don’t pay for more than you need. Once you have found the right size for you, move on to the next step.

The second step

If you already have a box at LAGERBOX, switching between sizes is simple and flexible. All you have to do is to speak to one of our friendly employees.

Then you can move into a smaller or a larger box, depending on what you need. This second step depends on whether you already have a box or not. Should that not be the case, skip this step.

The point is that every box must be completely empty before you can stock it up. If there are still items in the box, it has to be cleared before the storage process can start anew. Mind you, it creates a much better overview of the things that are there.

The third step

This is where the planning phase begins. The first thing you should think about is which items you will need more often or less often. The items that you needed to access more often in the past and will probably need more often in the future belong in the front for better accessibility.

Those items that you rarely or never need can be put in the back part of your rented storage unit.

A small passage should also be planned in advance. There’s little point in filling the entire box up to the brim but not being able to access anything. And so it makes sense to create a narrow passageway, enabling you to get to the things at the back too. Keep that passage in mind when you’re planning how to fill up your box.

The best practice is to create a narrow passage in the middle of the storage unit.

The fourth step

Now it’s time to pack. For this, it’s best to use cardboard boxes.

But beware: When choosing the right moving boxes, pay attention to the following things. Use special file and book boxes for books and heavy items because they are sturdier and designed to withstand the pressure that comes with the weight. For lighter items, regular moving boxes, like the ones you can buy at the in-house LAGERBOX moving supplies shop, are recommended.

Use bubble wrap to pack porcelain and other easily breakable items. If you don’t have bubble wrap available, old newspapers also work.
It’s important not to overcrowd the boxes. 

The result is that the boxes can’t be stacked well. Additionally, more content means more weight, which increases the risk of injury.

The fifth step

Now, it’s time to fill up the storage unit: The boxes should be sorted by size and weight.

When stacking boxes, apply the following rule: Heavy boxes at the bottom, lighter boxes at the top. First of all, the heavy, sturdy boxes at the bottom can carry more weight and, secondly, you don’t have to lift the heaviest boxes to access your belongings underneath.

The next step is labelling. You can either label the boxes directly with categories or use a system of numbers. For the second approach, make sure to hang an inventory list in the storage unit that tells you under which number to find which things.

When labelling, it’s important to write on every side of the box because it helps you to identify the box from the outside even if another box is covering the label.

Here are a few extra tips for you: When putting furniture like shelving or an old fridge into storage, use the inside of those items to store other things. It saves room.

Try to disassemble particularly large items and pack the individual components in boxes to save even more room. For example, sofas and other bulky furniture will take up much less space this way. If your sofa can’t be disassembled, use the top to store other things (put a box on the sofa’s seat pad, for example).

To make the best use of the available space in your LAGEBROX unit, stack the boxes until just below the ceiling.

Just make sure to leave a small gap between the boxes and the walls and ceiling to ensure ventilation. This prevents rust and mildew.
Follow these tips and you are perfectly prepared for stacking your storage unit – and you will save money.