Basics
Get your own packing materials including cardboard boxes, wardrobes boxes, bubble wrap, Styrofoam "popcorn", newspaper, acid free tissue paper, rope, packing tape, and permanent ink markers. Most of these supplies are readily available (at affordable prices) at the AV Self Storage onsite store.  Fill all of the boxes you pack to capacity but be careful not to overfill in such a way where the box can rupture and break open. Make sure to fill empty space in boxes with loose material like crunched up newspaper or Styrofoam pieces. Heavy items likes books and appliances should be packed in their own boxes so that they will be easier to handle. Items like computers, electronic equipment, camera equipment, etc., should also be carefully packed in their own cartons. Pack items and label them by room for easy identification. Plan out your storage space for easy access.

Major Appliances
Refrigerators, freezers, washers, driers, stoves, etc., should be clean and dry before you pack and store them. When storing these items, the doors should be secured in a closed position. (You may leave a door slightly open for aeration; however make sure to child proof the door so that it cannot be fully opened. Don't allow a child to get into the appliance, and then close the door. Suffocation resulting in death is possible. If you choose to discard any of these items, make sure to remove doors completely so that a child cannot enter and close the door, resulting in suffocation and death.)

Home Furnishings
Empty all dressers of clothing, and pack into appropriate wardrobe boxes. Use mothballs or other similar products to protect your clothing from insects and other pests. Make sure that doors and drawers of your furniture are securely shut (use tape or rope or strong ribbon). When possible, remove the legs from items of furniture to avoid damage and save space. Vacuum your furniture and remember to collect all of that loose change in the sofa.

Kitchen China, Glassware, Crystal, Etc.
Put packing material (bubble rap or Styrofoam) in the bottom of the box. Rap each piece individually in tissue paper. Pack all of these items in such a way so that they won't bang against each other. Place plenty of loose Styrofoam or crunched up newspaper in the voids and cavities in the box as you pack. Put packing material (bubble rap or Styrofoam) in the bottom of the box and seal it with tape. Mark the boxes "fragile" and identify which room they go into. Make sure not to place heavy boxes on these items to avoid crushing.

Other Glass and Fragile Items (mirrors, windows, paintings, glass framed pictures)
These items should be packed in the same way as described in packing "Kitchen China, Glassware, Crystal, Etc."

Silver, Gold, Brass, And Other Metal Objects
Put packing material (bubble rap or Styrofoam) in the bottom of the box. Rap each piece individually in tissue paper. Wipe all surfaces clean. Rap these items in materials that will not mar the finish, such as bubble rap. Make sure that any rapping or packing material used with these items is chemical free (don't use old cleaning rags, etc.) Put packing material (bubble rap or Styrofoam) in the bottom of the box and seal it with tape. Mark the boxes "fragile" and identify which room they go into. Make sure not to place heavy boxes on these items to avoid crushing.

Electronic Equipment (computers, home entertainment equipment, cameras, etc.)
In all cases, if you have the original box and packing material it came in, use it! The original packing is designed to protect the equipment during shipment and storage. Put packing material (bubble rap or Styrofoam) in the bottom of the box. Rap each piece individually in bubble rap. Place plenty of loose Styrofoam or crunched up newspaper in the voids and cavities in the box as you pack. Put packing material (bubble rap or Styrofoam) in the bottom of the box and seal it with tape. Mark the boxes "fragile" and identify which room they go into. Make sure not to place heavy boxes on these items to avoid crushing.

Personal Computers and Computer Peripheral Devices (printers, external drives, etc)
Pack these items in the same way you would pack other household electronic equipment. In all cases, if you have the original box and packing material it came in, use it! The original packing is designed to protect the equipment during shipment and storage. Put packing material (bubble rap or Styrofoam) in the bottom of the box. Rap each piece individually in bubble rap. Place plenty of loose Styrofoam or crunched up newspaper in the voids and cavities in the box as you pack. Put packing material (bubble rap or Styrofoam) in the bottom of the box and seal it with tape. Mark the boxes "fragile" and identify which room they go into. Make sure not to place heavy boxes on these items to avoid crushing.

Gardening and Other Mechanical Devices (things in your garage or shed: snow blowers, lawn mowers etc.)
Follow the tips in your owner's manual or contact the original manufacturer if you no longer have the manual for advice. Generally, remove all fuel, check lubricant levels or remove lubricant to avoid spillage. Do not put these items in boxes; however rap them in plastic or cloth tarps and secure with rope or heavy tape. Label each item after covering. Do not put boxes or other heavy items on top of your mechanical items.

Carefully Plan The Use and Layout of Your Storage Space.
You can easily get the most out of a small storage area if you plan carefully. Do not place heavy items on top of fragile items. Separate the storage area by type of item. Make sure you have easy access to the items you need to get to often by placing them near the opening of your storage space.

Using Rental Self Storage Facilities
Carefully read the agreement and make sure to abide by the rules and regulations of the Self Storage Facility. Ask the facility managers for advice as needed. They are there to help you. Do not store hazardous chemicals, fuel, or illegal items.