Storage Hints & Tips from AKM Self Storage

A Complete Guide to Storing Appliances & Organising Your Unit

Thu, 03 Sep 2026 04:36:23 GMT

Once your boxes are packed and your furniture's protected, the last piece of the puzzle is getting your appliances ready and your unit organised so everything's easy to find later. Here's what we recommend to AKM Self Storage customers across the Hunter Valley.

Storing Appliances the Right Way

Clean every appliance thoroughly before it goes into storage. Food residue, moisture or dust left inside a washing machine, oven or fridge only causes problems the longer it sits, so a proper clean before move-in day is worth the effort.

For fridges and freezers, leave the door slightly ajar to prevent mould building up inside, and tuck the power cord inside the door to keep it propped open. It's a small detail, but it's the difference between opening a fridge months later to a clean interior or a mouldy one. If you need the space, you can even store a bag of linen inside the fridge, since an empty appliance is otherwise just dead space in your unit.

Organising Your Unit

Keep frequently used items, like clothing or seasonal gear, near the front of your unit for easy access.
Use a high-quality padlock for security, and keep your keys somewhere safe.

Beyond these two essentials, think about your unit the way you'd think about a small room: leave a clear path down the middle if you can, put anything you'll need again soon near the door, and save the back of the unit for things you genuinely won't touch until you move out. A 6 m² unit and an 18 m² unit both work better organised than crammed full.

What Not to Store

A few things don't belong in any storage unit, no matter how well you've organised the rest. Flammable liquids, gas bottles and perishable food should stay at home, both for safety and because they can attract pests. If you're not sure whether something's suitable for storage, ask our team before you pack it. We'd rather answer the question upfront than have it cause a problem later.

Security That Backs Up Your Own Precautions

A good padlock is your first line of defence, and our facility backs it up with 24-hour CCTV monitoring, controlled entry and scheduled fumigation, so your organised, well-packed unit stays exactly as you left it.

We're Happy to Help

A well-organised unit means you're not unpacking half your belongings just to find the one box you need. If you'd like more advice on setting up your unit, whether that's appliance storage or how to lay it out for regular access, our team at AKM Self Storage is always at the end of the phone on 0420 539 468.

The Full Guide to Protecting Furniture & Fragile Items in Storage

Thu, 03 Sep 2026 04:36:23 GMT

Furniture and fragile items need a bit more care than a box of books, and getting it right protects the things that matter most, whether that's a family heirloom, a good mattress, or your everyday lounge. Here's how we suggest Hunter Valley customers prepare these items before storing with AKM Self Storage.

The right preparation isn't complicated, but it does take a little more time than tossing everything straight into a box. That extra effort at the start is what separates furniture that comes out of storage looking the way it went in, from furniture that doesn't.

Protecting Furniture & Fragile Items

Store mattresses in thick plastic or a mattress cover and tape them closed to keep dust out.
Disassemble furniture such as tables and bed frames where you can, to save valuable space in your unit.
Place screws, cords and bolts in labelled snap-lock bags and tape them to the matching item, so nothing goes missing.
Wrap breakables in bubble wrap and pack them into crystal or fragile cartons.
Store mirrors, pictures and artwork on their end rather than flat, to reduce pressure on the glass or frame.
Cover fabric lounges with a two or three seater lounge cover and seal it with tape.

Why Disassembly and Padding Are Worth the Effort

Taking a bed frame or table apart before it goes into storage doesn't just save space, it also protects the joints and legs from being knocked around by everything stacked next to them. The same goes for standing mirrors and artwork on their end: flat storage puts weight directly on the glass or frame, and that's exactly where damage shows up first.

Our units run 24-hour CCTV monitoring and sit at a purpose-built Kurri Kurri facility, so once your furniture is packed properly, it's sitting in a secure, weatherproof space for however long you need. That combination, careful packing plus a properly maintained facility, is what keeps items in the same condition they went in.

For anything with real sentimental or replacement value, family photos, artwork, or antique furniture, it's also worth taking a few photos before you pack it away. That way, if you ever need to make an insurance claim, you've got a clear record of its condition beforehand.

Ask Us First

These small steps take a bit of extra time up front, but they're what stand between a lounge that looks the same coming out of storage as it did going in, and one that doesn't. If you're unsure how to prepare a particular piece, whether it's an antique dresser or a home gym, our team is always happy to talk it through before you pack. Just call 0420 539 468.

How to Pack Your Boxes Properly: A Full Guide from AKM Self Storage

Thu, 03 Sep 2026 04:36:21 GMT

Getting your boxes right is one of the simplest ways to make storage easier, whether you're packing for a house move, a renovation, or just clearing space at home. At AKM Self Storage, we see plenty of units loaded well, and plenty that could have been packed a little smarter, so here's what we recommend to Hunter Valley customers before they bring their boxes in.

Good box packing isn't just about tidiness. It protects what's inside, makes the most of your unit's space, and means you're not wrestling with an awkward stack every time you need to grab something out.

Our Box Packing Tips

Buy plenty of packing boxes, and use the same size where possible, since matching boxes stack far more easily.
Fill each box to the top and use crumpled newspaper to fill any gaps, so nothing shifts around in transit or storage.
Put the heaviest boxes on the bottom of a stack and the lighter ones on top.
Seal every box completely with packing tape to keep dust out while it's in your unit.
Number each box clearly on all sides with a black marker, and label the contents or the room it belongs to.
Use larger tea chest cartons for linen, Tupperware, toys and other light items.
Use book or wine cartons for heavier items like books, wine and small appliances.

Why the Small Details Matter

Labelling every box on all sides, not just the top, means you can read what's inside no matter how it's stacked, which saves a lot of unnecessary lifting later. Matching box sizes also make a real difference in a unit like ours with a 2.7 metre ceiling, since uniform boxes stack higher and steadier than a mismatched pile ever will.

We'd also add: don't overfill a box past what you can comfortably carry. It's tempting to cram one more thing in, but a box that's too heavy is more likely to be dropped, and more likely to hurt your back, than one packed to a sensible weight.

You don't need to source boxes elsewhere either. We stock boxes, tape and bubble wrap onsite at our Kurri Kurri facility, so if you run short partway through packing, or realise you need a few more tea chest cartons, you can pick them up in the same trip as your unit.

The Complete Guide to Packing Smart with AKM Self Storage

Thu, 03 Sep 2026 04:36:21 GMT

Packing well is the first step to storing smart, and it's something we think about with every customer who walks through our doors at AKM Self Storage . We like to compare loading a unit to playing a game of Tetris: the better everything fits together, the safer your belongings stay for however long you need them stored, and the easier it is to find what you're after later.

Our Kurri Kurri facility s ervices the whole Hunter Valley, from Cessnock and Rothbury through to Huntlee, North Rothbury and Rutherford, and whether you're packing up a house move, clearing out a garage, or storing stock for your business, a little planning before you arrive makes a big difference once you're inside your unit.

Why Proper Packing Matters

Proper packing does two jobs at once. It protects your belongings from knocks, dust and damage, and it makes the whole process of storing and retrieving items far simpler down the track. We've been helping Hunter Valley locals store their belongings for more than 18 years now, and the customers who pack thoughtfully are always the ones who have the easiest time of it, both moving in and moving out.

A well-packed unit means you're not pulling everything out just to find one box. It also means your items travel and sit better over time, whether you're storing for a few weeks during a renovation or for a year or more while you sort out your next move.

What About Insurance?

We're also often asked about goods insurance. It's recommended but not mandatory when you store with us. Our view is a simple one: if it's worth storing, it's worth insuring. It's a small cost against the peace of mind of knowing your belongings are covered, whatever the circumstances.

A Facility Built for Easy Access

Once you've packed well, our undercover loading area and onsite trolleys take care of the rest, so moving day doesn't depend on the weather and you're not lifting everything by hand. Our units are clean, monitored 24 hours a day, and available on terms as short or long as you need.

Need a Hand Getting Started?

Call our team on 0420 539 468 and we'll talk you through what you need, or read on through our storage hints and tips series for advice on packing your boxes , protecting fragile items, and organising your unit for easy access. Whatever you're storing, we're happy to walk you through it before you arrive, not just once you're standing in front of your unit.