Whether moving a few items into your loft or everything into a storage unit while you move house, choosing the right boxes and packing materials for your belongings is key.
Storage boxes come in a range of different sizes and materials. The secret to great storage packing is selecting the correct box type for each item. Above all, your storage boxes should be durable and able to withstand moisture in the atmosphere.
Let’s look at the main storage box options on the market today.
Cardboard storage boxes
Cardboard boxes are among the most convenient storage solutions because they’re cheap, lightweight, easy to pack down and label, reusable and recyclable.
While cardboard storage boxes are often suitable for short-term storage requirements, they’re not always the best for long-term storage. This is because cardboard is more susceptible to damage from heat and humidity.
If you’re storing your things in a damp place, your boxes and the items in them might fall prey to mould or mildew. However, if you’re storing your belongings in a temperature-controlled storage facility, cardboard storage boxes should work just fine.
- Cheap, recyclable and collapsible.
- Ideal for short-term storage.
- Susceptible to mould in damp conditions.
Plastic storage boxes
Ideal storage boxes for moving house, plastic boxes are robust and come in a range of sizes. They’re also sturdier than cardboard boxes and have the added benefit of being waterproof. The most convenient plastic storage boxes are stackable and collapsible.
A bonus is that most plastic moving boxes are self-sealable, meaning you won’t have to spend time looking for that pesky packing tape. Although relatively indestructible, bear in mind, plastic packing boxes are more expensive.
Plastic boxes make for great long-term storage boxes – especially in environments that aren’t climate controlled. That said, they do come in at a higher price than their cardboard counterparts.
- Heavy duty and climate resistant.
- Come in extra large sizes.
- Perfect for long-term storage.
Fabric storage boxes
Fabric storage boxes come in a range of shapes, sizes, colours and materials and are great if your storage boxes will be visible due to a lack of “hidden” storage space.
You can opt for a design that suits the style of your room and use your fabric boxes to store clothes, toys, bedding – the list goes on. Fabric storage boxes are often more expensive than other storage boxes. If you’re using a storage unit or stowing your items away in your loft or cupboards, cardboard or plastic is a more economical option.
- They look great.
- Perfect for storing clothes and linens.
- Small boxes are more expensive.
Wheeled storage boxes
Storage boxes on wheels are ideal for under-the-bed long-term storage because you can simply whisk them out whenever you need access. The contents are easily visible as a type of plastic storage box. Wheeled boxes are also designed to be stacked, and you can use them to store a wide selection of items – from clothes to kitchen appliances.
- Highly convenient.
- Great for home storage.
- Can store a variety of items.
Item-specific storage boxes
For especially valuable or fragile items, consider investing in specialised storage bins and boxes for especially valuable or delicate items. Archive boxes are a popular type of storage box for documents, but you can get speciality moving boxes for crockery, art and antiques, flat screens, and more.
Despite being a tad more expensive than regular boxes, they contain inserts that help prevent your special items from moving around en route into or out of storage.
- Bespoke to the item.
- Damage-adverse.
- More expensive.
Storage Box Tips
Choosing the right boxes is the first step in your storage journey. Here are some tips to keep in mind throughout the packing and storage process:
- Check the quality – make sure your boxes aren’t cracked or torn.
- Stack well – Stack light boxes on top of heavier ones and leave space at the top.
- Label your boxes – label every box with what’s inside.
- Fill the gaps with bubble wrap, towels or linens to prevent damage.
Are You Looking For Storage in London?
Storage X specialises in high-quality, affordable storage in London. We’ll even pick up your removal boxes from anywhere in the city and deliver them to any UK location when you need them back. Our on-site team runs our facilities, and with CCTV, you can rest safely knowing that your items are snug and secure.
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