Furniture forms a core part of what makes a house a home. Everyone has a favorite chair, that table that they got so used to and a perfect cupboard. Many people have furniture that is really old family heirlooms that are very important to them. Like other things, furniture needs maintenance and upkeep, without which, you’ll never know when it is deteriorating. This is why it is really important to take advance precautions to store and preserve your furniture.
- Find a secure storage space.
Shifting houses comes with a lot of complications, especially if you are renovating or constructing. During this time, your furniture is stuck in a limbo, and needs to be stored safely. Storing furniture outdoors is a risky prospect. It is vulnerable to the weather, termites, and staining from contaminants. It is always better to keep your furniture in a closed off environment.
You can rent storage units for your furniture. Self storage containers are all the rage when it comes to safely storing your belongings. You can transport and arrange your furniture just you like it. For self storage, Ontario, London and other cities with good warehousing and storage infrastructure have many businesses renting out storage units.
- Inspect the risk of damage in your chosen space.
Make sure your storage space does not have any leaks. Water will cause some kinds of wood to swell up and degenerate. Make sure you check any self storage containers you are looking at for leakages. If the storage units are located indoors however, this isn’t a problem.
- Clean the furniture and cover it up
Clean the furniture with extra care and take out any perishable items from your furniture before you store it. A thorough cleaning process to remove all contaminants is important for long storages. Avoid stacking furniture without covering the furniture effectively. This could lead to marks from table or chair legs.
It is advisable to wrap the furniture up with cloth. Make sure the furniture has some breathing room; certain types of plastic can suffocate the wood and create an unpleasant smell in the space.
- Disassembling the furniture where possible
Modern furniture can often be disassembled for easier storage. This will be extra helpful for you if you have to move the furniture into self storage. It also means that the wood doesn’t have to bear loads in storage.
In a common practice for storage, London, Ontario and other cities have seen citizens purchase more self-assembly furniture. Shifting houses, redecorating and other activities are much easier with this type of furniture.
- Apply a coat of paint or varnish
Certain types of old furniture may need some additional protection even after all the above steps. Applying some paint or varnish gives the furniture a protective skin and a nice glossy look. If you take the opportunity of moving all the furniture to do this, when you pick it up, it will look brand new and ready to move in with you.