Tips for Storing Antique Furniture

If you own antique furniture, you probably know that your pieces can have serious value – both monetary and sentimental value. They’re pieces we don’t want to get rid of, yet, they are often items that do not fit the size of your home and/or the aesthetic. Often, we find that storing antiques at a self-storage facility is the best solution to both get rid of, and keep them. 

Self-storage insurance is of course a must, but avoiding damage and having to making claims on the insurance is always the goal. If this is the situation you find yourself in with your antiques, then take a look below at our tips for preparing your antiques for a successful life in self-storage.

What about the storage unit itself?

Antiques are furniture items that need to be stored with extra care. Given their age, they are particularly susceptible to damage – and, of course, they are usually more valuable than a typical piece. For this reason, we definitely suggest renting a temperature-controlled unit indoors: the fluctuations in temperature in an outdoor or portable unit could be damaging to any aged wood or fabrics.

How is the security at the self-storage facility?

Be sure to rent a storage unit at a facility that has reliable security systems in place. Inspect things such as entrance gates and property walls to ensure they are built to keep thieves out, and not easy to slip through when another tenant is entering or leaving. Take notice of security cameras to ensure the facility is keeping a watchful eye on their property. Make sure, as well, that your unit’s door locks tightly and is secure – and when you purchase a lock for it, be sure to purchase one that has a short loop and is difficult to cut with bolt cutters.

Are your items prepped for self-storage insurance?

Cleaning your items before storing them for the long-term is a must. This gives you an opportunity to ensure there is no mold or wood-burrowing insects on/in your furniture. Leaving them there for long periods risk the potential for damage.

Cleaning them also prepares your items for photos. We suggest taking pictures of your furniture, noting any damages for your records.

Be sure to have an up to date valuation of your items, as well. Your storage insurance should cover the full replacement value of your items, and an up to date valuation will ensure this is the case.

With an inventory and valuation of your stored items, you can ensure that any included storage insurance cover is sufficient and covers the appropriate risks. Speak with your Storage Protectors agent to understand whether your coverage is sufficient for your inventory.

Are your items prepped for life in storage?

Take the time to cover your furniture in other ways as well. Protect your antiques while they are in storage – and while they are in transit to and from the storage facility – by wrapping and packing them properly.

All of your furniture should be wrapped in blankets to prevent dust and dirt from getting at them, and to offer a layer of protection from being knocked or banged. When taping the blankets to the furniture, be conscious of upholstered items: don’t tape the blankets too tightly, or you may leave indentations on the fabric.

Avoid using plastics to cover your furniture, as these can trap moisture and cause damage. But if you do use some plastic, be sure to cover the items loosely to allow for air flow.

Follow these tips, and you should be retrieving your items from storage in the same way you put them into storage. Moreover, if you’ve got all that covered, then Storage Protectors has the things you can’t control covered for you with their insurance plans: contact us today.