If you are running out of storage space, there are a number of strategies you can employ to make better use of the area available before seeking external solutions.
In this article, experts from Attic Self Storage outline some of these, including decluttering and utilising vertical storage, to assist you in effectively organising your storage space.
Decluttering: Disposing of Expired or Unused Items
All too often, companies find themselves struggling with business storage space due to a lack of control over the items filling it. Just like individuals, businesses must declutter if they wish to avoid having to explore alternative storage solutions. The harsh reality is that outdated inventory can cost more to keep than to discard. Over time, unsold items lose their value both on the books and in the marketplace. Clinging onto them in the slim hope of a future sale is a storage mistake that should be avoided at all costs.
At least once a year, the person in charge of storage should go through all the items that are stored and identify what has been sitting in the same position for too long. It may be old stock or objects that no longer serve the company’s current needs. These articles must be disposed of to make room for more useful items or those that can be sold. Before discarding anything in the rubbish bin, companies should consider recycling or donating whatever could be of help to others, starting with their employees.
Reorganising the Storage Space
The second strategy a company should employ, whenever its storage space reaches maximum capacity, is a reorganisation of the space. Ideally, this should be done after decluttering to make it easier to move around and rearrange items in a way that leaves more free space. This is the perfect opportunity to revisit the drawing board and implement storage optimisation techniques that may not have been utilised before, such as using stackable containers. Before executing the plan, all individuals whose job requires them to visit and work within the storage space should be given the opportunity to offer their suggestions for making their labour more efficient.
Utilising Vertical Storage
If vertical storage has not yet been implemented, it is imperative to explore the potential benefits it may provide. For instance, installing wall-mounted shelves all the way up to the ceiling around the storage area could significantly enhance the available storage space. It could also assist in decluttering the floor, thereby improving employee efficiency and safety through increased visibility.
Digitising Documents
Many companies also utilise a portion of their storage capacity to house physical documents. However, this method ensures that these valuable resources will remain unused, as no one will take the time to search through them. It would be a great loss to abandon such potentially useful information. Instead, they can be digitised and stored on the company server, accessible to all employees. This solution not only frees up physical storage space, but also provides a convenient means of organising and accessing important documents.
All of the aforementioned strategies will aid businesses in reclaiming storage space. It is then the responsibility of managers to ensure the newfound space is utilised efficiently, including reorganising it for improved functionality. If it fails to solve the issue, exploring options for commercial storage solutions becomes imperative.
David Prior
David Prior is the editor of Today News, responsible for the overall editorial strategy. He is an NCTJ-qualified journalist with over 20 years’ experience, and is also editor of the award-winning hyperlocal news title Altrincham Today. His LinkedIn profile is here.
