Self-storage units don’t have to be a space you visit once or twice a year to dig something out of a stack of boxes. They can be highly organized, easily accessible spaces that free up necessary space in your home or office. To get the most out of them, though, it is best to plan ahead before you start loading up the truck. Here are steps to help you plan:

Step 1: Plan What You Will Store

1. Start by identifying items that will be packed in boxes and stacked.
2. Prioritize boxed items you will want to access most frequently (they’ll go closer to the front of the unit).
3. Group by fragility or weight – heavier, sturdier items should be stored on the bottom of stacked items, fragile items on top.
4. Consider awkwardly-sized items that won’t stack well, including how often you will need to use them, and how heavy they are.

Step 2: Choose the Right Size Unit

Nobody wants to pay for storage they don’t need. But a little extra space makes moving around within the unit much easier. It also gives you room to add those unplanned items that always seem to pop up.

Our managers can be quite helpful in determining how much space you will need.

Step 3: Organize and Pack Your Items with a Plan in Mind

Organizing and efficiently packing your items will take time and concentration. However, the up-front effort will be well worth it when you’re able to easily unload and organize your items at the storage unit. Here are some tips for packing:

Invest in Supplies

• Use boxes, not plastic bags. Boxes are sturdier and stack well, taking up less space. Many moving companies require that goods be packed in boxes for transport. Also, sealed plastic bags can trap humidity which can cause damaging mildew.
• Invest in good quality, sturdy boxes and packing materials. Boxes should be sturdy enough to hold up for years under the weight of the stack. You may be tempted to get boxes for free from supermarkets and liquor stores; however, the mismatched shapes and sizes will impede your ability to organize most effectively. You can buy standard-sized boxes and specialty boxes for items such as TVs, videotapes and pictures.
• For wrapping breakables, paper will do, but bubble wrap can be used repeatedly, is cleaner, and because it is transparent, makes identifying contents easier.
• Most people end up needing more tape than they thought they would when packing. Your self-storage manager can help you estimate how much tape you’ll need for the number of boxes you’ll be packing. Some places sell tape that is pre-labeled.

For your convenience, packing supplies such as boxes, bubble wrap and tape are available for purchase in the office.

Packing in Boxes

• Box up everything that you can. Anything left unboxed in a self-storage facility can get dusty.
• Fill boxes to capacity. The contents in half-empty boxes can shift during transport or lifting. Corners and sides can collapse if there’s nothing to support them. Foam peanuts are handy for filling in the gaps in boxes.
• Distribute the weight in packed boxes evenly. Make sure they are not too heavy for you and others who may be lifting them.
• Wrap all fragile items and breakables such as dishes, glasses, ornaments, etc. separately. Pack these items tightly into strong or reinforced boxes, filling any gaps with paper or filler. Mark “Fragile” on any boxes containing breakable items.
• Clearly label all boxes on more than one side so you can easily identify the contents.
• Pack books flat to avoid damaging their spines.

Packing Other Items

• If you plan to store clothes, think about investing in a wardrobe box with a built-in hanging rod. These are available for purchase at most storage and moving facilities.
• Large appliances must be prepared correctly for proper storage:
  • Defrost refrigerators and freezers thoroughly to avoid water damage and mildew growth. Tie down the appliance doors during transport, but leave them slightly ajar once in storage.
  • Drain washing machines, and tie down hoses and cords before storing them.
  • It’s a good idea to wipe down the inside of appliances with baking soda before you store them to keep them dry.
• Wrap mirrors and pictures in protective covering such as bubble wrap and mark them as “Fragile.” Cardboard corners can be purchased to protect the sharpest, weakest areas of frames.
• If storing photographs, consider a climate controlled unit where temperature fluctuations will not damage your photos. If you do store loose photographs, place them between pieces of clean cardboard and consider taping them together to avoid curling.
• Separate lamp bases and lampshades and wrap them for protection.
• If you’re storing upholstered products such as mattresses and sofas, consider investing in covers, bags or sheeting for additional protection. Storage and moving facilities often sell large heavy-duty bags for this purpose.
• Vacuum-sealed bags work really well for draperies, bedding, and clothing.
• Electrical equipment such as TVs, stereos, and computers should be packed in their original boxes whenever possible. If using other boxes, choose ones that are as close in size to the original as possible, and fill all gaps with paper. Make sure you secure the player arm of a record player and turntable.
• Disassemble furniture such as beds and tables before you store them. Wrap and cover the separate sections, clearly mark them and keep them together. Keep assembly components such as screws and bolts together in a plastic bag, mark them clearly, and tape the bag to the appropriate piece of furniture. (Use tape that is safe for use on furniture, or tape the bag to an inconspicuous place on the piece.) Cover chair legs with bubble wrap or rags for extra protection.
• Spray your wood furniture with a good quality furniture polish before storing it to give it some added protection.
• Treat leather items with a leather conditioner before you store them.
• Wipe down metal objects and tools with a little oil before storing them to avoid rust formation that can occur when the tools are not used regularly.
• When storing a vacuum cleaner, clean out the bag or canister first; bacteria, mold and vermin can accumulate otherwise.
• When storing an oven as well as a refrigerator, enclose the exposed back area of the appliances to prevent vermin.
• Consider having awkward or heavy pieces such as exercise equipment packed professionally. Talk to your storage facility manager or local pack-and-ship store about options.

As you go, keep an inventory of every item you’ve packed. Ideally, include an estimate of the replacement value of each item you store. Consider taking pictures of valuable items. These steps will help you make accurate insurance claims in case of unforeseen damage or loss.

Step 4: Unpack and Arrange Items Efficiently

Before you load up the truck to take your packed items to your self-storage unit, check with the storage facility manager to make sure there is adequate space for the truck to maneuver to your unit.

As you arrive at the facility and begin to unload, arranging your furniture, equipment, boxes, and other odds-and-ends efficiently in your storage unit will make a big difference in maximizing its convenience.

Here are a few tried-and-true suggestions for putting items into your unit:

Plan ahead

• While your storage unit should already be clean and swept out, consider putting down protective canvas sheeting, cardboard or wooden boards on the floor for cleanliness.
• Keep a fold-up step stool in your space for accessing hard-to-reach areas.
• Based on the climate in which you live or work, consider putting down moisture absorbers, deodorizers and/or vermin bait to protect your belongings.
• Frequently-used items should be placed near the entrance for easy access. This holds true for file boxes and other business items, too.
• To ensure security of valuable items such as computers or TVs, place them farthest from the door, with other items concealing them.
• Unload the largest items and place them against the far wall, as well as along the sides of the unit. See if the storage facility has dollies or other machinery that you can use to unload and place these heavy items. Some self-storage companies will offer these free of charge.
• For archived business documents that you won’t need to access frequently, place them against the far wall of the unit.
• When arranging items, leave an aisle space for easy access to your items. You can either leave aisles between your stacks of boxes and furniture, or line up all your furniture and boxes against the outside walls of the unit in a “U” shape, leaving the inside of the U as open space.

For furniture and other large items

• Break down furniture into smaller pieces, if possible. Take the legs off of tables, disassemble bed frames and lean them against the wall, etc.
• Cover furniture with sheets or tarps to protect them against scratches, dust and other damage..
• Store large pieces of furniture vertically to save space. Stand sofas on end when possible.
• If you have room to store a sofa flat, then a loveseat can be placed upside down on top of the sofa, and a table stacked on top of that.
• Chairs can be stacked seat to seat.
• In most cases, you can stack dryers on top of washers.

For odd-shaped, miscellaneous items

• You can tie tools and long-handled items such as rakes, snow shovels and brooms in bundles. Or, put them inside garbage cans to keep them neat.
• Mirrors and framed artwork should never be stored flat, as they can collapse under their own weight.
  
• Be sure when stacking boxes and containers that you can clearly see the labels you put on them.
• When stacking boxes, always make sure to put the heaviest boxes at the bottom to avoid damage.
• Stack boxes and similarly sized items together to save space.

Be creative

• You can use virtually all of the space in and around your stored furniture, including other items, as places to store more items. Fill anything that’s hollow with items to maximize your available space:
  
• Furniture drawers are good for storing fragile items
• Stack the shelves of bookcases with books, small boxes and other odds and ends
• Store boxes containing fragile goods inside of wardrobes
• Store pillows, blankets and other bedding inside washers and dryers
• Store clothes inside dresser drawers

You may be thinking that all this planning, preparing and setting up your self-storage unit may seem like a big project. You’ll find the time and effort are worth it, though, when you discover the peace of mind that comes with knowing your belongings are protected, conveniently accessible and well-preserved.

Great news, everyone.  StoreRIght in Brooksville is holding a Yard Sale and Car Wash on March15th.  Our tenants will be participating in the sale and Hernando High School Band will be handling the Car Wash.  Anyone interested in participating, please contact us at 352-754-9998.  We are located at 7294 Broad St. (Hwy 41) right across from Walmart.  Expecting a great turn out.

In just two days Store Right Self Storage will be holding their annual Yard Sale/Blood Drive, Feb 22nd at 8am to 2pm.  Over 25 units will be participating.  The Blood Mobile will be here from 9:00am to 12:30 pm.  Donors will rceive a free hat or shirt.  Planning on an AMAZING TIME.  Store Right is the right place and the right price.

StoreRight Self Storage would like to share some facts on Presidents’ Day the American holiday celebrated on the third Monday in February.

Traditionally celebrated on February 22nd, Washington’s actual date of birth. Following President Washington’s death in 1799, his February birthday became a  yearly day of remembrance.  At that time he was the most important figure in American history. In 1879 President Rutherford B. Hayes signed into law as a federal holiday. In 1885 it was expanded to the whole country and it joined four other nationally recognized federal bank holidays, Christmas , New Year’s , Thanksgiving and Independence Day.

Like independence Day, Presidents’ Day is traditionally viewed as a time of patriotic celebration and remembrance.  It gained special meaning during difficulties of the ‘ Great Depression, when portraits of George Washington often graced the front pages of newspapers and magazines every February 22nd.  In 1932 the date was used to reinstate the Purple Heart the military decoration originally created by George Washington to honor soldiers killed or wounded while serving in the armed forces.

In 1971 it was moved as part of the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, an attempt to create more three-day weekends for the nation’s workers.  Presidents’ Day is now popularly viewed as a day to celebrate all U.S. presidents past and present.  It is used by many patriotic and historical groups as a date for staging celebrations, reenactments and other events.  A number of states also require that their public schools spend the days leading up to Presidents’ Day to teach students about the accomplishments of our presidents , often with a focus on Washington and Lincoln.

Along with George Washington , William Henry Harrison , Abraham Lincoln and Ronald Reagan were born in February.

StoreRight Self Storage will be open Monday February 17th , Presidents’ Day !

Take advantage of our $1.00 Move In Special !!

Stop by for a tour of the facility , 5355 US HWY ONE , near the intersection of  53rd Street , or call the office at 772-562-6228.

Everyone will need to rent a Self Storage unit at some point in their life time. Whether a short term or long term storage rental, it is important to make sure you find the Right Storage Facility for your individual needs. No, contrary to what most people think, a Storage Facility is a Storage Facility, is simply not true. Sure, you open the door, put your stuff in the unit and lock the door and leave. That’s only the beginning of what could be the worst decision you ever made. I will now share the importance of choosing the right Storage the first time and every time you need to rent a Storage unit. There are many factors you should keep in mind.

1- Location                                     6-Specials

2-Price                                            7-Appearance of the Facility

3-Customer Service                     8-lighting

4-Gate Access                               9-Availability of units

5-Security                                      10-Additional fees

Each of the above mentioned items are imperitive to know before renting a storage unit. Most are self explanatory, but all worth investigating. Location is probably the most important, unless you are leaving the area and not coming back until you are going to discontinue renting the unit. That usually is not the case. Most people are into their unit several times  a week or more. A Storage Facility that is close to your home or that is on your way to work or school is ideal. That way you can stop as often as you need and save trips, which saves gas, which saves you money. Price is also important and most Facilities are competitive in price, but some are just outta sight. Do call around for rates or better yet, stop at the Facility and talk with the Manager. That way, you can also ask all of the other questions, see the Facility and get a feel of the people working at the facility. Potential customers, as well as customers, have a right to feel good about storing their possessions in a Storage Facility. Is the Facility neat and clean? Is the Storage personell friendly, knowledgable and happy to serve you? If the answer to either of those questions is no, then run as far from that Facility as you can. That might be why the rates are so low! Most Storage Facilties offer “Specials” of some kind. Compare those and make sure they are “true” specials without adding extra time onto the length of your rental needs. A knowledgable Manager will figure out a price with specials before you even rent, so you will know exactly what you will be paying. They will alsoexplain all fees, late charges, etc. to you without you needing to ask. Gate access hours vary at most Facilities. If the one closest to your house or on the way to work is only open during the hours you work, it’s worthless to rent there, no matter the price. You’ll never be able to get into your unit. 24 hour access is available for a fee at some Facilities. There are a few Storage facilities which have 24 hour gate access as normal gate hours. These are perfect to fit your time frame. Do make sure there is sufficient outside Security lighting so you will be safe at night, if that’s when you need gate access. So, where can you find a Self Storage Facility which offers all the important features and is the Right location, access hours,security and also neat and clean and the Staff is eager to take care of you and your possessions? My advice is to call StoreRight Self Storage. They currently have 6 locations throughout the State of Florida, with 2 of those locations in Winter Haven, Fl. The StoreRight Facility that has all of the important and neccessary qualities that you need when choosing a Self Storage Facility is the one located at 6400 State Road 544 in Winter Haven, Fl. 33881. They fit the description of the Best Storage Facility in the area. Stop by or call StoreRight Self Storage at (863)421-5772 today and see why they are also number one in customer service. StoreRight. Right Place. Right Price. Happy Storage!

The history of Valentine’s Day is obscure, and further clouded by various fanciful legends.  The holiday roots are in the ancient Roman festival of Lupercalia, a fertility celebration celebrated annually  on February 15.  Pope Gelasius I recast the pagen festival as a Christian feast day circa 496, declaring  February 14 to be St Valentine’s Day.

Which St Valentine this early pope intended to honor remains a mystery.  According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, there were at least three.  One was a priest in Rome, another Bishop in Terni, and a third that almost nothing is known except that his demise was in Africa.  Rather astonishingly, all three Valentines were said to have been martyred on Feb. 14th.

Most scholars believe that the St Valentine of the holiday was a priest who attracted the disfavor of the Roman emperor Claudius II around 270.According to one legend Claudius had prohibited marriage for young men.  Claiming that bachelors made beter soldiers.  Valentine continued to secretly perform marriages, but was eventually apprehended by the Romans and put to death.  Another legend has it that Valentine imprisoned, fell in love with the daughter of his kailer.  Before he was executed, he alledgedly sent  her a letter signed “from your Valentine.”  Probably the most plausible story surrounding St Valentine is one not focused on Eros, but on agape (Christian love).  He was martyed for refusing to renounce his religion.

It was not until the 14th century that this Christian feast day became associated with love.  It was Chaucer sho first linked St Valentine’s Day with romance.