How to Choose the Right Boxes for Storage

There’s more to packing a storage unit than just making sure all of your things fit in a defined space. Choosing the right boxes is important, both for organizational purposes and for keeping all of your belongings safe and secure. Boxes come in different sizes and materials, and each type has an intended function. And while it’s certainly tempting to just throw everything in the biggest box possible and call it a day, it’s worth taking the time to make wise selections and choose the right boxes for the job.

So how do you choose the right boxes for storage? First, you need to know what the different types are. Let’s break them down.

Box types

The type of box you use definitely matters. Choose one that makes the most sense in terms of the items you want to store, how long you intend to store them, and the location they’ll be stored at.

Cardboard boxes

Most of the time, when you think storage boxes, you think cardboard. Cardboard boxes are the box of choice for many moving and storage situations because they’re inexpensive, light, and easy to pack, stack, and label. Plus, when they’re no longer needed, they can be easily recycled or broken down for future use.

For longer term storage situations, however, cardboard isn’t necessarily the best fit. Cardboard boxes are susceptible to damage from certain conditions, including heat and humidity. They’re also attractive to bugs and rodents. If you’re planning to store items somewhere that isn’t climate controlled and well protected from critters, such as a garage or shed, you’re risking damage to not just the box, but the items inside. This is especially true if you’re storing your boxes somewhere where they might get wet, since mold or mildew may start to grow in the box. If you’re storing items at a designated, temperature controlled storage facility, you’ve got less to worry about and should be fine with cardboard.

Plastic bins

Plastic bins are ideal boxes for storage, as they’re easily stackable and better protect your belongings from moisture, heat, and anything else that might be trying to get inside. You also don’t have to worry about packing tape, since plastic bins are self-sealable. They’re more expensive than cardboard boxes, but because they’re relatively indestructible you’ll get use out of them for much longer.

If you’re just doing short term storage, you may not want to splurge on plastic bins, especially because you won’t be able to break them down to store them when they’re not in use. But if you’re doing long term storage they’re a great choice, especially if your items will be stored somewhere that isn’t climate controlled.

Specialty boxes

For belongings that are particularly fragile or valuable, consider using specialty boxes, which are specifically designed to safely store a particular type of item. Specialty boxes are useful for everything from storing dishes and holiday decorations to art and flat screen TVs, and are available in both cardboard and plastic varieties. One of the biggest benefits of using specialty boxes for storage is that they make difficult things easier to pack, with inserts that keep items from moving around and shifting. They’re a bit more expensive than traditional boxes, but offer added value in convenience and security.

Box sizes

The next thing you’ll want to consider is the sizes of the boxes you’ll need. Choosing the right size boxes for storage is about more than just what can fit where, since you’ll also need to consider weight and intended use. The following sizes are in reference to cardboard boxes, though the types of items that should be packed in each size can be extended to plastic bins as well (with the caveat that plastic bins are able to hold a bit more weight).

Small boxes

A standard small box is about 16 x 12.5 x 12.5, or 1.5 cubic feet. They’re good for packing up small, heavy items that might add too much weight to a larger box with more items in it, such as books, as well as fragile items like dishes and vases. Most small boxes can safely hold up to 60 pounds, but to be safe, it’s generally not advised to pack them heavier than 50 pounds.

Medium boxes

A standard medium box is about 18 x 18 x 16, or 3 cubic feet. Use these to store bigger items that don’t have to be packed as tightly, including clothing, pots and pans, and toys. A medium box can safely be packed up to about 65 pounds.

Large boxes

A standard large box is about 18 x 18 x 24, or 4.5 cubic feet. They’re good for things like linens and blankets, lamps, and small kitchen appliances. And while they’re bigger than medium boxes, they have about the same weight capacity at 65 pounds, so don’t overpack them.

Extra-large boxes

A standard extra-large box is about 24 x 18 x 24, or 6.1 cubic feet. They can carry up to about 70 pounds, but if you fill them up too much they’ll be extremely difficult to lift, so keep that in mind when packing them. Store the items that don’t fit as readily in smaller boxes, like pillows and comforters, winter coats, and larger kitchen appliances.

Wardrobe boxes

A wardrobe box is specifically intended for the easy storage of clothing, and has a bar across the top where you can hang items instead of having to fold them. They come in small, medium, and large – choose your size(s) based on the amount and size of the clothing you’ll be packing. As long as it doesn’t make it too heavy, utilize the bottom of the wardrobe box as well, using it to store shoes, purses, sweatshirts, or anything else that doesn’t add on too much weight.

General storage box tips

Think quality

No matter the type and size of box you use, make sure that it’s high quality. That means no cracks or tears and no pre-existing water damage. Even just sitting in a storage unit puts stress on boxes, so you want to start with boxes that are strong and in good shape.

Stack wisely

How you stack your boxes is just as important as the boxes you choose. Stack lighter boxes on top of heavier ones, and while you should take advantage of vertical space, resist the urge to stack all the way to the ceiling. Label your boxes clearly so that you know not to store anything on top of boxes with fragile items.

Don’t forget to label

No matter what type of boxes you’re using, label them so you know what’s inside. This is particularly important for storage, since it’s very unlikely you’ll remember where everything is when it’s time to go unload the unit or when you need to find a specific item.

Fill in the gaps

To prevent shifting, fill in any gaps among your stacked boxes with extra packing material, towels, or linens. This will keep things stable and help you avoid unnecessary movement.

Keep all of the above factors in minding when choosing boxes for storage, and remember that the most important thing is storing your items safely so that they maintain their condition. While it’s not always possible to fully anticipate what your boxes might face when they’re being stored, think reasonably about the type of facility you’re storing them in and the length of the time they’ll be there. Need some help acquiring moving boxes? Visit our Box Center.