Storing furniture is one of the most common reasons people in Hoddesdon and the wider Broxbourne area rent a storage unit. You might be moving house, redecorating, clearing a relative’s home or simply running out of room. Whatever the reason, the way you prepare and pack your furniture decides whether it comes out of storage looking the same as when it went in.
This guide covers storing furniture step by step: how to get sofas, beds, tables and wardrobes ready, how to load a unit properly, what affects the cost and what to look for in a storage facility.
In this guide
Storing Furniture in 5 Simple Steps
Step 1: Decide what is worth storing
Before you book a unit, walk round each room and be honest about what you will use again. Storage makes sense for good quality pieces, family furniture and anything that would cost more to replace than to keep. It makes less sense for flat pack items that are already wobbly or furniture you have been meaning to replace anyway.
A quick list of what you are keeping helps in two ways. It tells you what size unit you need, and it gives you an accurate figure for the value of your goods, which you will need for insurance.
Step 2: Clean and dry everything
Dust, crumbs and grease left on furniture can attract pests and mark surfaces over time. Wipe down wooden pieces with a suitable cleaner, vacuum sofas and chairs (including under the cushions) and clean out drawers and cupboards. Most importantly, make sure everything is completely dry before it is wrapped. Trapped moisture is the main cause of mould and mildew in stored furniture.
Step 3: Take apart what you can
Beds, dining tables, bookcases and large wardrobes are far easier to move and store when dismantled. Removing table legs and bed frames reduces the risk of joints being knocked or strained and lets you use the space in your unit much more efficiently.
Put screws, bolts and small fittings into a sealed bag, label it and tape it to the item it belongs to. Photograph anything complicated before you take it apart so putting it back together is simple.
Step 4: Cover and wrap it properly
Covering furniture for storage is about protection from dust and scratches without trapping moisture. A few simple rules help:
- Use breathable covers such as cotton dust sheets or old bed sheets for sofas, armchairs and upholstered headboards.
- Avoid sealing fabric or wooden furniture tightly in plastic for long periods, as it can hold in condensation.
- Use bubble wrap or corner protectors on glass, mirrors, table edges and polished surfaces.
- Wrap mirrors and glass table tops individually and mark them as fragile.
- Put mattresses in a proper mattress bag to keep them clean.
If you are short of materials, our on-site packaging shop in Hoddesdon stocks boxes, bubble wrap, tape and paper, so you can pick up what you need when you arrive.
Step 5: Load your storage unit the right way
When storing furniture, a well packed unit protects your furniture and saves you money because you can often use a smaller space. We suggest loading in this order:
- Largest and heaviest items first. Wardrobes, sofas and dismantled bed frames go to the back of the unit.
- Use the height. Put strong boxes on the bottom and lighter ones on top. Never stack boxes on upholstered furniture.
- Keep a walkway. Leave a small gap down the middle so you can reach things without climbing over them.
- Things you need often go at the front. Seasonal items, paperwork and anything you might want back soon should be easy to get to.
- Leave a little air space. Avoid pushing everything tightly against the walls so air can move around your belongings.
At Hoddesdon Self Storage we have trolleys and pallet trucks that customers can use free of charge, which makes moving heavy furniture from your van to your unit much easier.
How to Store Different Types of Furniture
| Item | How to prepare it | How to place it in the unit |
|---|---|---|
| Sofas and armchairs | Vacuum, remove cushions, cover with a breathable sheet | Store upright on their feet and avoid stacking heavy items on top |
| Beds and mattresses | Dismantle the frame, bag the mattress | Keep mattresses flat or supported along their full length so they keep their shape |
| Wooden tables and dressers | Clean, remove legs where possible, protect corners | Place on a clean surface with drawers empty and a little space around them |
| Wardrobes and bookcases | Empty, remove shelves and doors if possible | Stand against the back or side walls where they are stable |
| Glass and mirrors | Wrap individually with bubble wrap and card | Stand on their edge, never lay flat under other items |
| Garden furniture | Clean off soil and let it dry fully, fold where possible | Stack neatly near the front if you may need it again in spring |
Choosing the Right Unit Size for Storing Furniture
Our units range from 9 sq ft to more than 150 sq ft, so there is space for anything from a few chairs to the full contents of a house. As a rough guide, a small unit suits the furniture from a single room, while a three or four bedroom house will need one of our larger units.
For real examples of what fits in each size, read our guide on what size storage unit you need or check our size guide. If you get it wrong, you can change units at short notice with no charge for switching, as long as space is available. You are also welcome to visit and view a unit before you sign up.
How Much Does It Cost to Store Furniture?
The cost of storing furniture depends on three main things:
- Unit size. Dismantling and packing well can let you use a smaller, cheaper unit.
- How long you store for. Our minimum period is 14 days, and you only pay for the days you use.
- Insurance. Cover for the full replacement value of your goods is a requirement at our facility, and the cost depends on the value you declare.
A refundable deposit equal to one month’s storage is paid at the start and returned when you leave. The notice period is 14 days, which gives you flexibility if your plans change. For an accurate price for your furniture, contact our team or call us on 01992 478862.
Why Insurance Matters When Storing Furniture
Even in a secure building, some risks such as fire or flood are outside anyone’s control. That is why we ask every customer to insure their goods for their full replacement value for the whole time they are in storage. We offer specialist self storage cover under our open policy, and you can read more on our storage insurance page.
Keeping Your Furniture Safe at Hoddesdon Self Storage
When you are storing furniture for weeks or months, the facility matters as much as the packing. Our site on the New England Industrial Estate in Hoddesdon offers:
- Steel storage rooms inside the building
- 24 hour CCTV, plus intruder and fire alarms
- A sign in system on every visit for security and safety
- Free trolleys and pallet trucks
- An on-site packaging shop
- A local, family run team who can advise on the right unit
Please remember that some things cannot be stored. These include flammable items, fireworks, perishable food, dangerous chemicals, live animals and anything illegal. Items such as lawn mowers must have all fuel and oil drained first. You can find the full details in our storage FAQs.
If you are comparing providers, the Self Storage Association UK is the trade body for the industry and a useful place to learn what good practice in self storage looks like.
If you are moving home, our guide to storage for moving house in Hoddesdon explains how to use a unit to take the stress out of moving day. For more information on the type of space we offer, see our furniture storage units page.
Frequently Asked Questions About Storing Furniture
How long can furniture stay in a storage unit?
As long as you need. You can store with us for as little as 14 days or for months and years. Well cleaned, dry and properly covered furniture can be stored long term without problems.
Should I wrap furniture in plastic for storage?
Plastic is useful for short moves and for protecting boxes, but for longer storage it can trap moisture against wood and fabric. Breathable covers such as cotton dust sheets are a better choice for sofas, chairs and wooden furniture.
Can I store a mattress in a storage unit?
Yes. Clean and dry it first, place it in a mattress bag and keep it supported along its full length so it does not bend or lose its shape.
Can I get to my furniture while it is in storage?
Yes. You can visit during our opening hours, which are 8.30am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday and 9.00am to 1.00pm on Saturdays and Sundays. You will need to sign in on each visit.
Which areas does Hoddesdon Self Storage serve?
We are easy to reach from Broxbourne, Cheshunt, Wormley, Turnford, Waltham Cross, Nazeing, Hertford, Ware, Harlow and Stanstead Abbotts, and we are around a ten minute drive from Enfield.
Get Help Storing Your Furniture in Hoddesdon
If you would like advice on storing furniture and the right unit for your needs, visit us at Unit 5, New England Industrial Estate, Pindar Road, Hoddesdon, EN11 0BZ, or call 01992 478862. Our team can show you the units, help you work out the size you need and get you moved in the same day.
This guide was written by the team at Hoddesdon Self Storage, a local family run storage facility serving Hertfordshire and the Borough of Broxbourne.