You know, when you’re moving house, doing a big renovation, or just running out of room, furniture can quickly get in the way. That’s when people start thinking about how to store furniture in a storage unit without damaging it. The truth is that the process of storing furniture comes all down to cleaning, wrapping, and keeping everything off the floor so that damp or dust cannot reach it.
Storing furniture the right way is not just about saving space. It’s about making sure your sofa, bed, or dining table comes out in the same condition it went in. With a few easy steps and the right storage unit, you can protect your items for months or even years.
At Easy Way Removals, we make this stress-free. We collect, wrap, and store your items in dry, secure units so you don’t have to lift a finger.
Let’s find out the process.
Storing furniture sounds easy, but if you don’t do it right, things can get damaged. Wood cracks, leather peels, fabric smells, and damp ruins everything. Let’s walk through how to store furniture the safe way, step by step.
First, think about where you’ll keep your furniture. Some people leave it in the garage, shed, or attic. That might work for a short while, but it’s not the best for the long term.
If you only need storage for a few weeks, these spots might be fine. But if you’re storing for months or years, a storage unit is the better choice. It’s dry, secure, and designed to protect furniture.
When you ask yourself how to store furniture for long term, the answer is simple: preparation is everything.
In the UK, damp and mould are common. What goes in dry, stays dry. What goes in damp, comes out ruined.
This step saves you from stains, smells, and pests later.
Cleaning takes time now, but it saves your furniture in the long run.
For more help, you can check out our guide on 8 steps on how to store a sofa safely and stress-free.
Big items take up too much room. Take off table legs, headboards, and shelves. Put screws and bolts in a bag and tape it to the piece. Write a quick note to remind yourself how to reassemble later. This saves both space and stress.
Different furniture needs different care.
Leather needs extra care. Keep it off the floor. Never seal it in plastic. Instead, cover it with cotton sheets or breathable cloth. This stops mould and keeps the leather fresh.
Fabric sofas and armchairs can hold dust and damp. Vacuum them, clean the covers, and make sure everything is bone dry before storage. Use old bed sheets or dust covers, not plastic.
And don’t stack heavy items on top, or you’ll crush the cushions.
Not all storage units have heating or air control. Wood can warp or crack in the wrong conditions. To protect it, clean and polish it first. Then raise it off the ground with pallets or cardboard. Leave space around each piece so it can breathe.
This is the best way to store wooden tables, chairs, or cabinets without climate control.
Floors in garages, sheds, or even storage units can hold dampness. Always raise your furniture. Pallets, tarps, or even thick cardboard work well. One small step protects against a big loss.
Glass, mirrors, and fragile items need bubble wrap. Big pieces do better with dust sheets or moving blankets. Avoid sealing things in plastic. Plastic traps moisture, and moisture means mould.
You can smartly handle the storage process. Let’s find out:
A little planning now saves a lot of headaches later.
If you’re storing antiques or expensive furniture, give them special care. Use corner protectors on tables. Wrap antiques with soft cloths. And if movers are involved, check they have insurance. Peace of mind is worth it.
Once everything is inside, it’s easy to forget what you stored. Label boxes clearly and write a quick list of what’s in the unit. Next time you need something, you won’t waste time digging.
No matter if it’s a garage, shed, attic, or even outside, each place needs the right care to keep your furniture safe and lasting longer.
If you want to keep furniture in a garage, clean and dry it first so no dirt or damp gets trapped. Use covers that let air pass through, not plastic that locks in moisture. Try to raise the furniture off the floor with pallets or blocks, because garages can get damp from the ground.
A shed can protect furniture, but sheds often get cold and damp. Always clean and dry the furniture, then cover it with breathable fabric. If you can, add a moisture absorber or small dehumidifier inside the shed to keep damp away.
Attics can get hot in summer and very cold in winter. That means wooden furniture may expand or shrink. To store furniture here, wrap it in soft covers, avoid direct contact with insulation, and leave space for air to flow around it.
Storing furniture outside is tricky because of rain, frost, and sun. If you must, clean and dry it well, then cover it with a waterproof but breathable cover. Raise it off the ground on pallets and tie down the cover tightly so wind or water does not get in.
At Easy Way Removals, we do more than just give you a storage space. We come to your place, pick up your furniture with care, clean and wrap it the right way, and then place it in a secure and dry unit where it stays safe until you need it back.
It doesn’t matter if it’s a sofa, a single couch, or the whole house’s worth of furniture; we keep everything protected and ready for you. So if you’re between moves, downsizing, or simply short on space, you can trust us to handle it all while you relax without lifting a finger.
You just have to give us a call. We’re here to help 24/7.
So, if you are thinking about keeping furniture in a garage, shed, attic, or even a storage unit, the steps are really the same. Give it a good clean, keep it dry, cover it with a fabric that breathes, and lift it a little off the ground.
For long term, watch out for damp and let the air flow. Leather, fabric, and wood each need a bit of care, but if you prepare them right, they stay safe.
And honestly, if you want the easiest and safest way, just look at the above guide on how to store furniture in a storage unit, because that keeps everything protected for years.
Besides, if you want to know how Easy Way House Removals works, we explained it in detail here.
First, give the cushions a good clean and make sure they are fully dry. Store them in breathable covers or fabric bags so air can move around. Never leave them outside in the rain or damp, as they can grow mould quickly.
To store outdoor furniture for winter, wash the furniture and let it dry fully before storing. Cover it with waterproof but breathable covers to keep moisture away. If you can, move it into a storage unit so it stays safe from snow, frost, and damp.
Rattan and garden sets can get damaged easily by damp and cold. So, to store garden or rattan furniture in winter, clean and dry them well before storage, then place them in a dry indoor space if possible. If you cannot bring them inside, cover them tightly and raise them off the ground.
To stack furniture in a storage unit, start with the heaviest and strongest items at the bottom for support. Put lighter pieces on top and place blankets or bubble wrap in between to prevent scratches. Do not overcrowd the unit, as you need space for airflow and safe access.
Yes, furniture can go mouldy if there is moisture inside. To prevent this, always make sure the furniture is fully dry before storage and use desiccants to absorb humidity. Good ventilation and protective covers will also keep mould away.
To protect my furniture from damp in storage, always dry the furniture fully before placing it in storage. Use plastic sheeting on the floor and raise furniture on pallets or bricks to keep it off the ground. Desiccants or moisture absorbers will help control humidity inside the unit.
