Storage of furniture: Your Switzerland guide 2026

Storing furniture is often much more than an emergency solution – it is a smart, strategic decision. Whether you're moving, renovating or spending a long time abroad: the right approach not only protects your furniture, but also your nerves.The key is to find the right storage solution for your personal situation.

When is furniture storage in Switzerland the solution?

The reasons why youStoring furnitureneeds are as varied as life itself. Maybe you're moving into a smaller but more central city apartment and your beloved but bulky sofa just doesn't fit through the stairwell. Or you have a major renovation coming up and you want to protect grandma's valuable heirlooms from dust and scratches.

Even a stay abroad lasting several months or a trip around the world requires safe storage of household goods. In all of these cases the same question arises: How and where do I best store my furniture?

The situation in the cities is getting worse

It's no secret that the need for external storage space is growing. Space is becoming scarce, especially in cities. Forecasts show that by 2026 around78% of Swiss in metropolitan areaslike Basel could rely on external storage facilities, simply because new apartments are often significantly smaller. On average they offer20 m² less areathan older objects.

As early as 2025, there wereacross Switzerland 92,000 storage requests– an increase of 15% since 2022. If you are interested in the background of such numbers, you can find them atOpen Data Resourcesoften exciting insights.

Self-storage or full-service: which is right for you?

Basically, you have two options: the classic self-storage box, where you do everything yourself, or a convenient full-service solution.

With self-storage, you rent a storage box and are responsible for everything else yourself: getting packing materials, hauling furniture, organizing transport and storing everything safely. This can work if you have time and helping hands.

In contrast, full-service providers like TIXPI take care of the entire process for you. A professional team comes to you, packs everything professionally, transports your furniture safely and stores it in protected, clean rooms.

Full-service storage drastically minimizes your personal effort. Instead of taking care of vans, packing blankets and heavy lifting yourself, hand the responsibility over to experts. This is a huge relief, especially when moving is already stressful.

So the choice depends largely on your priorities. To make your decision easier, we have compared the two options directly.

Self-storage vs. full-service storage at a glance

This table compares the two most common methods of furniture storage to help you make a quick decision.

In short: If maximum cost control and personal performance are a priority for you, self-storage can be the right choice.

If, on the other hand, you are looking for a comfortable, secure and, above all, stress-free solution, the full-service approach of providers like TIXPI has a clear advantage.

How to Prepare Your Furniture for Storage

To be honest: Whether your furniture will survive its time in storage unscathed is decided before the first piece is packed. Careful preparation is essential. Otherwise, you risk mold, unpleasant guests such as pests or permanent material damage.

Start with a thorough cleaning. Dust, crumbs and, above all, moisture are the biggest enemies of your furniture in storage. Deeply vacuum upholstered furniture such as sofas or armchairs - including between the upholstery. You should treat stains with a suitable product.

Wooden furniture needs to be dusted off and treated with appropriate care. This keeps the wood supple and makes it more robust against temperature fluctuations. And most importantly: Leave everythingdry completelybefore you start packing.

Disassemble furniture and cleverly secure small parts

You should dismantle bulky items such as cupboards, beds or large dining tables whenever possible. This not only saves a huge amount of space in the storage room and during transport, but also effectively protects corners and edges from scratches and dents.

A system is worth its weight in gold here so that reconstruction doesn't become a puzzle later:

• Label everything:Use small, resealable bags for screws and fittings.
• Be precise:Write exactly what the parts are for (e.g. "Bed frame screws, left side").
• Attach directly:Tape the bag directly to the corresponding large piece of furniture using painter's tape. So nothing can be lost.

This little extra effort will pay off a thousand-fold later and save you hours of searching.

A little tip from experience: Before disassembling, take a few photos of more complicated connections or the entire piece of furniture. These pictures are an invaluable reminder when you are looking for your furniture according to theStorage of furniturewant to rebuild.

The right packaging material is crucial

The wrong packaging material can do more harm than good. Simple plastic film placed directly on wood, for example, quickly leads to condensation and mold. The choice always depends on the piece of furniture and its sensitivity.

Here is a quick overview of what is best to use and when:

• Robust moving blankets:Perfect for large wooden furniture such as tables, cupboards or chests of drawers. They are breathable and offer great protection against scratches and impacts.
• Bubble wrap:The first choice for delicate things such as mirrors, glass plates or high-gloss lacquered surfaces. It reliably absorbs shocks.
• Stretch film:Ideal for keeping drawers closed or securing a moving blanket in place. But please never wrap directly on sensitive wooden or leather surfaces.
• Edge protection made of cardboard or foam:An absolute must for all corners and edges that suffer the most when carrying and stacking.

Imagine storing an antique glass display case. Carefully wrap the glass doors and inserts in bubble wrap. Wrap the wooden body in a thick moving blanket, secure the corners with edge protection and secure everything discreetly with stretch film.

Efficient packing takes learning. If you want to perfect your technique, you can find more tips in ourultimate packing strategy for moving boxes. Prepared in this way, your valuable pieces are guaranteed to survive their time in storage without any problems.

Cleverly organize transport to the storage area

Your furniture is cleaned, disassembled and safely packed – great! Now comes the part that often causes headaches: How do the good pieces get into the warehouse undamaged? Logistics is more than just a small intermediate step; it often determines the success of the entire project. The big question is: Do you rent a van yourself or do you prefer to leave the towing and driving to the professionals?

The do-it-yourself option sounds tempting at first glance and is often cheaper. But don't underestimate the effort. It's not just about renting the van. Think about the physical exertion, the time required and the hidden risks. Let's be honest: Who has any practice driving a large delivery truck through narrow city streets or carrying a heavy chest of drawers down the stairs without scratching them?

Do it yourself or have it done?

What is the right solution for you depends entirely on your situation. Here's a quick overview of what to expect:

• Self-transport:You have full control over the schedule and the costs initially seem lower. But: You also bear the entire risk. A scratch in the paintwork of your rental car or a scratch on your beloved heirloom – that’s your responsibility. Added to this is the stress and hard physical work, which is often underestimated.

• Professional service:People come here who know what they are doing. They bring with them the right equipment, the experience and the necessary manpower. The risk of damage or injury drops to zero. The costs are of course higher, but in return you get a complete solution that saves you an incredible amount of time and stress.

Modern platforms like TIXPI even think one step further. Here you don't just get pure transport, but a solution in which everything fits together seamlessly. Everything from a single source – this makes coordination child’s play for you.

Professional transport is more than just convenient. It is an investment in the safety of your furniture and in your own well-being. Incorrectly secured loads or a careless moment when carrying them can quickly lead to damage that immediately negates the supposed savings advantage.

Clever planning is half the savings – and good for the environment

The big advantage of providers like TIXPI is their intelligent route planning. Imagine that your furniture transport is simply combined with other trips that are already on a similar route. This principle is called additional loading and has massive advantages for everyone.

Practical figures show how efficient this is. In the canton of Zurich, for example, furniture transport was aroundin 2025 45% of all movesa central point, where on average2.3 tonswere moved per household. By bundling routes, not onlySave up to 25% of costs, but also the CO₂ emissions per trip by an impressiveReduce 40%.

Thanks to transparent fixed prices, you know where you stand right from the start. The bundling of trips makes theTransport of furnitureSo not only cheaper for you, but also significantly more sustainable. If you want to learn more about how to use yourOrganize furniture transport cleverlycan, take a look at our further article on this.

Costs, insurance and contract details: What matters now

Once your furniture is ready for transport, it's time to get down to business: the finances and the fine print. The cost of aStorage of furnitureFortunately, they are not a big secret. They are made up of fairly clear factors. If you know them, you can plan your budget carefully and not experience any unpleasant surprises.

The biggest price drivers are the size of the storage space, the location and which services you book. A storage unit in the middle of Zurich logically costs more than one in the country. And a pure self-storage box has a cheaper basic price than the full-service solution, which also takes care of transport and packaging.

Assess the space requirement realistically

The storage space is the biggest adjustment screw when it comes to costs. Renting too much space means throwing money out the window. Too little space creates pure stress and the need to quickly find a second, more expensive box.

There is a simple rule of thumb for an initial estimate: you can expect around one cubic meter (m³) of storage to be required for every 10 square meters of living space. For a 70 m² apartment that would be around 7 m³. Modern providers like TIXPI often do this calculation for you with practical online calculators so that you can determine your needs more precisely.

The crucial question: How is my furniture insured?

Your furniture has value – not just emotional value. Complete insurance coverage is therefore absolutely non-negotiable. But don’t blindly rely on your existing household contents insurance.

This often only covers external storage for a short period of time and only against certain risks such as fire. Risks such as theft from storage, water damage or pest infestation are often explicitly excluded. Additional insurance directly through the storage provider is usually a much safer and more comprehensive choice. It is tailored precisely to the conditions of furniture storage.

The value of the hedge: Statistically speaking, in Switzerland use62% of householdsProfessional services when storing furniture to avoid damage. Studies show that around20% more damageoccur, which underlines the importance of good insurance and professional handling.

Take a close look at the contract

Before you sign, take a moment to read the fine print. The storage contract is the rule of the game for everything that comes. Pay particular attention to the following points so that you don't get overwhelmed later:

• Minimum rental period and notice periods:How long are you bound to the contract and how flexible are you able to get out of it?
• Access rules:Can you access your belongings at any time or only at certain times by prior arrangement?
• Additional fees:Are there hidden costs for the key deposit, administration or access outside opening hours?
• Disclaimers:What does the provider not accept responsibility for? This is particularly crucial in conjunction with insurance.

A careful check will protect you from expensive surprises and frustration. We have detailed tips for you on what you should pay attention to when making contracts in our guide tothe fine print when movingcompiled. How to make sure yourStorage of furniturestands on a solid and fair foundation.

Cleverly arrange furniture in the storage room

Anyone who stores their furniture wants to find it intact and easily accessible later. The correct arrangement in the storage room is not rocket science, but pure strategy. It's about making the most of the space without sacrificing visibility or the safety of your furniture.

It's best to think like you're playing Tetris: the heavy, insensitive pieces form the foundation. Large cupboard parts, the heavy chest of drawers or the washing machine belong at the back and all the way down. Then stack lighter boxes and smaller, well-packed furniture on top.

The golden rule: leave corridors free and avoid contact with the ground

A typical mistake is to clutter up the storage room to the last corner. This pays off as soon as you have to get to a certain box in the far corner. Therefore, plan a narrow aisle in the middle right from the start.

This corridor not only ensures access, but is also crucial for air circulation. Good ventilation is the be-all and end-all to prevent mildew or even mold from forming on theStorage of furnitureto prevent.

Just as important: never place anything directly on the bare concrete floor, especially not upholstered furniture or mattresses. Concrete tends to attract moisture.

Use simple pallets or wooden slats to raise your furniture a few inches off the ground. This small distance ensures that air can also circulate from below and reliably protects your valuable items from ground moisture.

Order is everything - the inventory list as your memory

Before you lock the door to the storage room, you should know exactly what is where. A digital inventory list, for example in a simple table on your cell phone, is worth its weight in gold here.

How to keep track:

• Number and label:Every box and every piece of furniture is given a clearly visible number.
• Record content:Write down the exact contents of each number (e.g. “Box 12: Glasses & Kitchen Utensils”).
• Take photos:A quick photo of the contents of a box before it is locked or of the furniture in storage can be an invaluable memory aid later.

By the way, these principles of clever arrangement don't just apply to the storage room. They also help if you generally have moreCreating order in the basementwant.

Plan the re-collection in good time

At some point the day will come when the furniture has to go back home. Don't wait until the last minute to organize. Especially if you use an uncomplicated full service like TIXPI, you should announce the return transport well in advance.

It's best to plan the date for the return delivery a few weeks in advance. This way you can be sure that your transport service provider is available on the desired date and that everything runs smoothly. Good planning is the key to getting your furniture back in its place on time and without new stress.

The most important questions about furniture storage – answered briefly and succinctly

When you want to store furniture for the first time, the same questions often arise. How much does it all cost? What is actually allowed in? And how do I find the right size? We have collected the most common ambiguities for you and provide clear, practical answers so that you can approach your project safely and well-planned.

How much does furniture storage cost me per month in Switzerland?

The price range is actually large. In urban areas such as Zurich or Geneva you will have to pay for a classic self-storage box from5–10 m²with costs betweenCHF 150 and CHF 300 per monthcalculate. In the countryside it is usually a bit cheaper.

At first glance, full-service solutions seem more expensive. But keep in mind that transport and better insurance are often already included. This may even be more worthwhile in the end. Be sure to get different quotes so you can compare costs fairly.

Are there things that I absolutely must not store?

Yes, absolutely. In general, anything that is dangerous, harmful or illegal is prohibited. This not only protects your own stored goods, but also those of others.

The following things have no place in a storage room:

• Perishable:Food or plants attract bugs and can become moldy. Nobody wants that.
• Hazardous substances:Flammable liquids such as gasoline or paint, gas bottles and other explosive materials are an absolute no-go.
• Illegal:Weapons, explosives and other items prohibited by law are of course taboo.

If in doubt, always ask the provider directly for the list of prohibited items. This will save you from unpleasant surprises or even contractual problems later.

How do I properly insure my furniture while in storage?

First of all, take a look at your existing home contents insurance. Many policies do cover external storage, but often only for a short period of time and usually only against basic risks such as fire. That is usually not enough.

For complete protection, additional insurance from the storage provider is almost always the better choice. It is tailored precisely to the typical risks in the warehouse - such as theft, water damage or pest infestation. However, compare the scope of coverage carefully with the value of your furniture.

How do I calculate how much storage space I need?

A good rule of thumb from practice is: Pro10 m² living spaceyou should use something like1 m² storage areaplan. For a typical 60 m² apartment, you can usually get by with a 6 m² box.

Many providers also have practical online room calculators that you can use to estimate it even more precisely. My tip: remember that you can also stack upwards! It's better to plan a small buffer instead of having to rent a second box later because there wasn't enough space.

Are you looking for a simple and stress-free solution for yourStorage of furniture?TIXPINot only organizes safe transport, but also offers suitable storage solutions - everything from a single source and at transparent prices. Get an instant quote and leave the hard work to the professionals. Find out more attixpi.ch.