Storage of furniture: Your Switzerland guide 2026

Storing furniture is often much more than an emergency solution – it is a smart, strategic decision. Whether when moving, during a renovation or during a longer stay abroad: the right approach not only protects your furniture, but also your nerves.The crucial thing is to find the right storage solution for your very personal situation.

When is furniture storage in Switzerland the solution?

The reasons why youStoring furniturehave to be as varied as life itself. Maybe move You're currently 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 comprehensive renovation coming up and you want to protect grandma's valuable heirlooms from dust and scratches.

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

The situation in cities is getting worse

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

As early as 2025 there were92,000 storage requests- an increase of 15% since 2022. Anyone interested in the background of such figures will find atOpen-Data-Ressourcenoften 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.

At 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 the entire process off your hands. Here, 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 heavily 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 for you If cost control and personal contribution are the priority, self-storage can be the right choice.

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

How to prepare your furniture for storage

To be honest: Whether your furniture will survive the time in the warehouse unscathed is decided before the first part is packed will. Careful preparation is the be-all and end-all. 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 the most important thing: Let everythingDry completelydry completely before you start packing.

Disassembling furniture and cleverly securing 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 later doesn't become a puzzle:

• Label everything:Use small, resealable bags for screws and fittings.
• Be precise:Write exactly what the parts are for (e.g. "Screws for bed frame, left side").
• Attach directly:Glue the bag with painter's tape directly to the corresponding large piece of furniture. This means nothing can get lost.

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

A little tip from experience: Before dismantling, take a few photos of more complicated connections or the entire piece of furniture. These images are an invaluable reminder if you want to rebuild your furniture afterThe right packing material is crucialStoring furniture

The wrong packing 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's a quick overview of what is best to use when:

Perfect for large wooden furniture such as tables, cupboards or chests of drawers. They are breathable and offer great protection against scratches and bumps.

• The first choice for sensitive things such as mirrors, glass plates or high-gloss painted surfaces. It reliably absorbs shocks.Robust moving blankets:
• Ideal for keeping drawers closed or fixing a moving blanket in place. But please never wrap directly on sensitive wooden or leather surfaces.Bubble wrap:
• An absolute must for all corners and edges that suffer the most when carrying and stacking.Stretch film:
• Kantenschutz aus Karton oder Schaumstoff:Edge protection made of cardboard or foam:

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 ourultimative Packstrategie für Umzugskartons. Prepared in this way, your valuable pieces are guaranteed to survive the time in the warehouse without any problems.

Organize the transport to the storage location cleverly

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 would you rather 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 experience in maneuvering a large delivery truck through narrow city streets or carrying a heavy chest of drawers down the stairs without scratching?

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 the 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 nullifies the supposed savings advantage.

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

The big advantage of providers like TIXPI lies in 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 a central point at around45% of all movesin 2025, with an average of2.3 tonsbeing moved per household. By bundling routes, not onlySave up to 25% of costs, but also the CO₂ emissions per trip can be reduced by an impressive40%.

Thanks to transparent fixed prices you know where you stand from the start. Bundling trips not only makes the Transportation of furniture cheaper for you, but also significantly more sustainable. If you want to find out more about how to get yourMöbeltransport clever organisierencan, take a look at our further article on this.

Costs, insurance and contract details: What is important now

As soon as your furniture is ready for transport, it's time to get down to business: the finances and the small print. Fortunately, the costs for aStorage of furnitureare not a big secret. They are made up of fairly clear factors. Anyone who knows this can plan their budget carefully and not have 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 the basic price of a pure self-storage box is cheaper than the full-service solution, which also takes care of transport and packaging.

Assess the space requirement realistically

The storage area 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: For every 10 square meters of living space, you can expect around one cubic meter (m³) of storage needs. 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 a value - not just an emotional one. 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 insurance: Statistically speaking, in Switzerland,62% of householdsuses professional services when storing furniture in order to avoid damage. Studies show that around20% more damageoccurs during DIY moves, which underlines the importance of good insurance and professional handling.

Take a close look at the contract

Before you sign, take one Time for 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 to get out of it?
• Access rules:Can you get to your things at any time or only by prior arrangement at certain times?
• Additional fees:There are hidden costs for the key deposit, administration or access outside opening hours?
• Disclaimers:What is the provider not responsible for? This is particularly crucial in conjunction with insurance.

A careful check will protect you from expensive surprises and frustration. We have put together detailed tips for you on what you should pay attention to when it comes to contracts in our guide to das Kleingedruckte beim Umzug. This way you can ensure that yourStorage of furniturestands on a solid and fair foundation.

Arrange furniture cleverly 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 optimal use 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 aisles free and avoid contact with the floor

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 aisle not only ensures access, but is also crucial for air circulation. Good ventilation is the be-all and end-all to prevent mildew stains or even mold formation when Just as important: Never place anything directly on the bare concrete floor, especially not upholstered furniture or mattresses. Concrete tends to attract moisture.Storing furniture

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 moisture in the ground.

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:

Every box and every piece of furniture gets a clearly visible number.

• Write down the exact contents for each number (e.g. "Box 12: Glasses & kitchen utensils").Numbering and labeling:
• A quick photo of the contents of a box before it is closed or of the furniture stored can be an invaluable memory aid later on.Capture contents:
• These principles of clever arrangement don't just apply to the storage room. They also help if you generally want more. 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.Take photos:

It is 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.Ordnung im Keller schaffenThe 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 questions 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 expect costs between

for a classic self-storage box of

. In the countryside it is usually a little cheaper.

5–10 m²

CHF 150 and CHF 300 per month5–10 m²mit Kosten zwischenCHF 150 und CHF 300 pro Monatrechnen. Auf dem Land ist es meist etwas günstiger.

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 offers so that you can compare the costs fairly.

Are there things that I am absolutely not allowed to 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:

• Perishables:Food or plants attract vermin and can become moldy. Nobody wants that.
• Hazardous materials: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 a given 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 during storage?

First of all, take a look at your existing household 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. This 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: Per10 m² of living spaceyou should plan about1 m² of storage space. For a typical 60 m² apartment, you can usually get by with a 6 m² box.

Many providers also have practical online room calculators with which you can 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.

Look for a simple and stress-free solution for yourFurniture storage?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.