From precious porcelain dinnerware to remarkable paintings, the accents and small details that go into a home can add a touch of sophistication and refinement. For an art enthusiast, these pieces are more than just ornamental displays; they are investments that will only continue to increase in value in the coming years.
With this, it is important that you handle these pieces with the utmost care and find a secure place where you can store them. This way, you can preserve their appeal and still benefit from them in the future.
In this article, we will go through a step-by-step guide to keep your most valued possessions protected.
Step 1: Get All Necessary Materials
Before you store your antiques and artworks, you have to make sure that they are clean and in the best condition possible. To do so, you need to use the necessary materials including furniture polish, leather conditioner, cleaning cloth, drill, screwdriver, and gun tacker, among other things. You also need bubble wrap, storage containers, waterproof labels, and markers to store your treasures properly.
Step 2: Find a Storage Facility
The key to choosing the best storage facility is security. You would not want to worry about your belongings getting stolen or damaged. When looking for a self-storage location, some factors you need to consider include the property’s perimeter, electronic gate access, individually-alarmed storage units, security access, video surveillance, and the facility manager.
It would also be best if you can rent a climate-controlled storage unit since extreme heat and cold can wreak havoc on upholstery, paint, wood, metal, and other materials.
Step 3: Do an Inventory
If you have found a storage facility where you’ll be putting your antiques and artworks, you need to do a thorough inventory to avoid any dispute. In case your properties get damaged while they are in the facility, your inventory will be your proof for insurance purposes. Make sure to include all important and identifying details and to attach photographs of each item before boxing them up for storage.
Step 4: Prepare Items for Storing
After doing your inventory, you then have to clean and treat your antiques and artworks with the materials you have prepared in the first step. It is important to not skip this step so you can prevent the development of rust, mold, and other problems. If you have heavy furniture, it would be best to disassemble them to prevent potential breakage or scratches when you transfer them from one location to another.
Before you drive over to the storage facility, make sure that each item is covered in bubble wrap. When putting them in storage containers, do not overpack them to the brim, especially if your items are fragile.
Once you’ve packed everything, clearly label what’s inside with a waterproof label and marker.
Step 5: Store Your Items
When storing your antiques and artworks, you can’t just place them randomly anywhere. Heavier items should be placed on the floor, while fragile antiques and artwork in storage containers should be in an elevated position, ideally on pallets. Make sure the labels face outward so you can easily find what you’re looking for when you need to take items out of storage.
Conclusion
Some art enthusiasts want to display their rare antiques, decorative art pieces, and collectibles around their homes, while others prefer to keep their valuable pieces safe and secure in a storage unit. Both options are great, but if you choose the latter, it would be best to take the extra step in making sure that they are protected to retain their timeless charm.
If you are looking for climate-controlled storage for your antiques and storage, Jefferson Storage has everything you need. We provide self-storage units in Downtown Birmingham for personal and commercial use. Check out our available units now!
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