Moving? Here’s How to Properly Store Furniture in a Storage Unit
Moving has a special way of turning reasonable adults into people who consider shoving a couch into a storage unit and hoping for the best. Furniture storage looks simple right up until the moment you come back months later and discover warped wood, cracked leather, or a mattress that smells like it has been living a separate life. Proper furniture storage is not about luck or good intentions. It is about preparation, airflow, and resisting the very human urge to stack everything as quickly as possible and walk away.
If you are trying to figure out how to store furniture in a storage unit without ruining it, this guide walks through the entire process in detail. But before we get started, if you’re moving from LA to Phoenix, moving to Mesa, Little Rock or Orlando, we have a ton of helpful guides to help you get a lay of the land before you… well land.
The TL;DR if you’re in a hurry
- Clean every piece before it goes into storage
- Disassemble large furniture and bag the hardware
- Use breathable covers instead of plastic wrap
- Elevate everything off the floor with pallets or boards
- Store heavy items first and lighter items last
- Leave air gaps so moisture does not get trapped
- Avoid stacking directly on upholstered surfaces
- Choose climate control when storing long term or delicate items
Start with a thorough cleaning
Storing furniture without cleaning it first is one of the fastest ways to guarantee damage. Dust, oils, pet hair, and food residue do not freeze in time once a piece is placed in storage. They sit there quietly attracting pests, holding moisture, and slowly breaking down finishes and fabrics. What looks like a harmless layer of dust on moving day becomes a problem months later.
Wood furniture should be wiped down using a cleaner designed specifically for wood surfaces. Avoid saturating the material, since excess moisture can soak into seams and joints. Everything should be allowed to dry completely before it is wrapped or stacked. Upholstered furniture needs a deep vacuum, including seams and crevices where crumbs and debris tend to hide. Any stains should be treated before storage, because time does not make stains fade. It makes them permanent.
Leather furniture requires a little extra care. Clean it using a leather safe product and apply a light conditioner to prevent drying and cracking. Over conditioning is just as bad as neglect, since it can attract dust and grime. Mattresses should be vacuumed thoroughly on both sides and aired out before storage. If a mattress smells even slightly off, that odor will intensify in a closed unit.
Break down large pieces when possible
Disassembling furniture makes storage safer, more space efficient, and far less stressful on the furniture itself. Bed frames, tables, desks, shelving units, and many couches are designed to be broken down and should be whenever possible. Smaller components reduce strain on joints and fasteners while also making stacking more stable.
Table legs, headboards, shelving panels, and removable couch legs should all be detached if the design allows it. Every screw, bolt, and fastener should be placed into a sealable bag, clearly labeled, and taped directly to the furniture it belongs to. This avoids frustration later and prevents hardware from disappearing into the storage unit void.
Breaking furniture down also improves airflow within the unit, which plays a major role in preventing moisture buildup and long term damage.
Use the right materials to wrap and protect
Plastic wrap is often mistaken for furniture protection, but on its own it causes more harm than good. Plastic traps moisture, and trapped moisture leads to mold, mildew, and lingering odors that are difficult to remove.
Moving blankets or furniture pads should always be the primary layer of protection. These materials cushion surfaces while still allowing airflow. Stretch wrap can be used to secure padding in place, but furniture should never be sealed directly in plastic. Flat wooden surfaces such as tabletops benefit from an additional layer of cardboard placed over the padding to distribute pressure and prevent indentations.
Upholstered furniture should be covered with breathable fabric covers or clean cotton sheets. Airtight plastic covers and garbage bags should be avoided entirely. Mattresses should be placed in mattress specific storage bags only after they are fully dry, then stored upright on their side with no weight placed on them.
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Keep everything off the floor
Concrete floors hold moisture, even in well maintained storage facilities. Temperature changes, humidity, and storms can all lead to condensation forming beneath furniture without warning. Anything placed directly on the floor is at risk.
Pallets, wooden boards, or plastic shelving should be placed on the floor first, creating a barrier between the furniture and the concrete. Every major piece of furniture should be elevated. This not only protects against moisture and minor flooding, but also improves airflow throughout the unit.
If you are serious about how to store furniture in a storage unit for more than a short period of time, keeping everything off the floor is not optional. It is one of the most important protective steps you can take.
Stack with logic instead of hope
Furniture should always be loaded with intention. Heavy items need to go in first so they create a stable foundation. Dressers, solid wood tables, cabinets, and other rigid pieces should be placed directly on pallets or supports where their weight can be evenly distributed.
Starting with heavy items prevents shifting and reduces the temptation to place something fragile underneath something questionable.
Weight distribution matters more than most people expect. Heavy furniture should never be placed on upholstered pieces, regardless of how firm the cushions feel at first. Upholstered frames flex under pressure, cushions compress over time, and what looks stable on moving day can slowly warp or collapse in storage.
Couches are best stored upright on their end rather than laid flat. This reduces long term stress on the frame, preserves the shape of the cushions, and saves floor space. Cardboard placed along the bottom edge protects fabric from scuffs and friction where it contacts the floor or pallet. Chairs can be stacked seat to seat with padding in between to prevent pressure marks. If the legs are removable, taking them off improves stability and reduces the risk of cracking.
Mattresses should never have anything stacked on top of them. Even light items can cause permanent sagging. Mattresses need airflow and straight alignment to maintain their structure, which is why upright storage with full support is essential. Throughout the unit, small gaps between furniture and walls should be left intentionally to encourage air circulation and prevent moisture from becoming trapped.
Choose the right storage unit for furniture
Not all storage units are suitable for furniture, especially when storage extends beyond a few months. Furniture is sensitive to temperature swings and humidity, both of which can cause long term damage.
Climate controlled units help stabilize temperature and reduce moisture, which protects wood from expanding and contracting and prevents mold from forming on fabric and leather. If you are storing solid wood furniture, antiques, leather pieces, or sentimental items, climate control is well worth the investment.
Unit size also matters. A unit that is too small forces poor stacking decisions and restricts airflow. Slightly more space allows furniture to be arranged safely and accessed easily without shifting everything around.
Organize the unit so it stays usable
Furniture should not be packed into a unit with no plan. Creating a narrow walkway, when space allows, makes it easier to access items and improves airflow throughout the unit. Items that may be needed sooner should be placed near the front instead of buried.
Everything should be clearly labeled, even furniture. Storage memory fades quickly, and guessing later often leads to unnecessary unloading. Taking a few photos or creating a simple sketch of the unit layout can save significant time and frustration down the road.
Check on long term storage occasionally
Furniture stored for extended periods benefits from occasional check ins. Every few months, it is worth opening the unit to look for signs of moisture, shifting stacks, or pest activity. Covers may need adjusting, and cushions can be rotated if possible.
A brief inspection takes very little time and can prevent major damage. Furniture does not enjoy being ignored indefinitely.
Moving? We can help
Once you truly understand how to store furniture in a storage unit properly, the process becomes predictable and manageable; clean everything thoroughly. Protect it with breathable materials. Elevate it off the floor. Allow airflow. Stack with intention.
Trusted Self Storage has several locations across:
Let us help you find the right storage for your needs.