Storing furniture safely: This is how it works in Switzerland

Storing furniture is about much more than just putting it away. It is a process that requires good planning so as not to end up withdamaged favorite pieces or unnecessary costsstand there. From the initial idea to the right storage solution – thoughtful preparation is the be-all and end-all for a smooth process.

Why proper planning is everything when storing furniture

Whether for a move, a longer trip or during renovation – storing furniture often marks a new phase in life. But without a clear strategy, the whole thing can quickly become complicated and expensive. Careful planning is not a luxury here, but a necessity that will ultimately save you time, money and nerves.

At the very beginning there is an honest inventory. Let's be honest: does everything really have to be included? Temporary storage is the perfect opportunity to finally clear out properly.

Estimate space requirements realistically

A classic mistake: Many people overestimate the amount of storage space they need and pay for months for empty square meters. Others, on the other hand, plan too tightly and are faced with a logistical puzzle on the big day that doesn't add up.

As a rule of thumb: the storage area should be approximately10–15% of your living spacebe. In a 75 square meter apartment you quickly end up with a storage box between 8 and 12 square meters. But be careful, this is only a rough guideline.

A decisive lever for reducing costs is targeted clearing out before storage. Studies and experience show that by consistently reducing household goods, the required storage volume can be reduced by up to 30%.

Important factors for your planning

Before you book a storage box, you should be clear about a few key points. These not only determine the size, but also the type of storage you really need.

Take a moment and go through these points:

• Duration of storage:Do you only need the solution for a few weeks during the renovation or for several years because of a stay abroad? Long-term rentals are often significantly cheaper per month.
• Type of stored goods:Is it about robust everyday furniture or delicate treasures like your grandmother's antique buffet or even a piano? Valuable wooden furniture or upholstered furniture definitely needs air-conditioned rooms to avoid damage caused by moisture or temperature fluctuations.
• Accessibility:How often do you have to access your things? If you need to access certain items regularly, a self-storage solution with flexible access is a much better choice.

Imagine storing an entire apartment's furnishings for a year. A box that is just 2 square meters too large can quickly cost you several hundred additional francs. A well thought-out approach toStorage of furnitureis therefore a direct investment that is worthwhile.

Find the right storage solution for your needs

Have you decided which pieces of furniture need a break? Perfect. Now comes the big question: where to put it? When it comes toStorage of furnitureIn Switzerland, there are a few options. But be careful, they differ enormously - in terms of costs, flexibility and of course the service. Making the right choice is the key to keeping your furniture safe and your wallet safe.

The two most popular routes are self-storage facilities and professional storage services. While self-storage gives you the keys and promises maximum freedom, professional providers offer an all-round, worry-free package, often even including collection and an inventory list. What is best for you depends entirely on your personal situation.

Self-storage: The external cellar for doers

Just think of a self-storage box like your personal, off-site basement space. The biggest advantage? You usually have access at any time. This is worth its weight in gold if you have to keep accessing tools, boxes or seasonal decorations during a renovation. Here you are the boss: you take care of the transport, the storage and the order in your box.

This independence makes self-storage the first choice for anyone who only wants to store something for a short or medium period of time and needs to remain flexible. But remember: you are also responsible for ensuring that everything is securely packed and cleverly stacked so that nothing gets damaged.

Professional storage: sit back and let it do its thing

Exactly the opposite is the case when professionals get to work. These service providers do almost all of the work for you. They often collect your furniture directly from your home, pack everything professionally and keep a detailed record of what is stored. Your belongings then end up in large, safe and air-conditioned warehouses – optimally protected from moisture or temperature fluctuations.

This solution is ideal for longer periods of time, for example when you are abroad, or if you own particularly valuable or delicate pieces. Although access is usually only possible by prior arrangement, you can rely on the expertise of the professionals. You can find out how you can make the whole process even easier in our article aboutflexible solutions for your furniture and objects.

A look at the Swiss market and the costs

The demand for furniture storage in Switzerland is high. No wonder, because studies show that around42% of those movingfind the search for accommodation difficult and are therefore often dependent on temporary interim solutions.

There are big differences in price:

• Self-Storagecosts on averageCHF 25–35 per m²a month.
• Container storageis withCHF 12–18 per m²often the cheapest option.
• For the content of a1 to 2 room apartment(approx. 6-10 m² storage space) you should expect monthly costs betweenCHF 150 and CHF 250calculate.

The following graphic will give you some help in making your decision, depending on how long you want to store and what your budget allows.

It's clear to see that if you need short-term flexibility and are willing to pay a little more for it, self-storage is a good choice. However, when it comes to a long-term and cost-effective solution, professional services or containers are the smarter choice.

Comparison of storage options in Switzerland

To make the decision even easier, here is a direct comparison of the most common storage methods. Each has its own strengths, depending on what is important to you.

At the end of the day, there is a suitable solution for every situation. Just weigh up what is more important to you: constant access and the do-it-yourself mentality of self-storage or the worry-free package from professional providers. And don't forget the clever alternative with the container.

How to prepare your furniture for storage

Successful furniture storage begins long before the first cabinet is in the storage room. Proper preparation is honestly the best protection against scratches, moisture damage or mold growth. This not only secures the value of your facility, but also makes later relocation and reconstruction much easier.

Every single piece of furniture that is stored must beclean and absolutely drybe. Even the smallest amounts of residual moisture or leftover food in a drawer can attract mold or bugs over the months. You should especially vacuum upholstered furniture thoroughly. Wooden furniture, on the other hand, benefits from being treated with a suitable care product - this protects it from drying out in storage.

Disassembly and packaging with system

In order to make optimal use of the available space and avoid damage during transport, you should disassemble large pieces of furniture if possible. It's hard to believe how little space a bed frame, a wardrobe or a large dining table takes up once they're dismantled.

Here are a few tried and tested tips from practice:

• Secure small parts:Store all screws, dowels and hardware in labeled bags. A little trick: stick the bag directly to the corresponding piece of furniture with adhesive tape. This guarantees that nothing will be lost.
• Protect sensitive parts:Glass inserts, mirrors or high-gloss fronts require special treatment. Wrap them carefully in bubble wrap or special moving blankets.
• Photograph instructions:Before disassembling, take a few quick photos of complicated connections or scribble a small sketch. This will save you a lot of rebuilding headaches later.

Choosing the right packaging material is really crucial. A common mistake is to wrap furniture completely in plastic wrap, as condensation can form underneath. Breathable materials are clearly the better choice here. By the way, you can find even morein our guide Special tips for packing delicate items, which will help you store everything safely.

The right materials for optimal protection

Not every material is suitable for every piece of furniture. Good preparation also means having the appropriate protective covers and padding materials on hand.

An inventory list is worth its weight in gold

What at first glance seems like annoying additional work turns out to be invaluable later: a detailed inventory list. Simply write down each piece of furniture and roughly the contents of each box.

A well-maintained inventory list not only saves time searching for a specific item, but also serves as important evidence for insurance in the unlikely event of damage.

The demand forStorage of furniturein Switzerland remains high, often due to moves, renovations or stays abroad. Professional storage of an average 3-room apartment costs on average betweenCHF 402 and CHF 1640per month, depending on volume and duration. With thoughtful preparation and clever packaging, the required volume can often be noticeably reduced, which has a direct impact on costs.

How TIXPI simplifies transport to the warehouse

Okay, the furniture is ready for storage. Everything is disassembled, polished and packed. But now often comes the biggest hurdle: How do the solid oak table or the heavy washing machine get into the warehouse undamaged? It is precisely at this point that we at TIXPI take the work off your hands and ensure that transport does not become a stress factor.

The classic way? Painstakingly inquire about different transport companies, wait for offers and in the end compare prices that are hardly comparable. That costs time and nerves. TIXPI breaks with this cumbersome process. On our platform you will immediately receive a transparent, fixed price for your transport. No hidden fees, no nasty surprises. This gives you planning security and makes organization child's play.

Transport efficiently and in a resource-saving manner

We know that sustainability is more than just a buzzword for many of our customers. That's why we have developed an intelligent solution that not only protects your budget, but also the environment. Instead of risking an empty journey for your order, we combine transports that travel on similar routes.

ThisCombined transportbrings tangible advantages:

• Reduced CO2 emissions:By making optimal use of our vehicles, we minimize unnecessary kilometers and thus make a small but important contribution to environmental protection.
• Potential cost savings:We pass on the efficiency gains from this bundling to you. When booking, you will see the maximum price - if a combined route is created, it can only be cheaper for you.

TIXPI not only optimizes your personal effort, but also all of the logistics in the background. This is a real win-win situation: you benefit from a smooth service and together we reduce the environmental impact.

More than just transport: additional services for the all-round service

Storing furniture rarely just means driving it from A to B. Cabinets often have to be professionally dismantled so that they can even fit through the stairwell. And after the storage period, the often dreaded reconstruction takes place.

So that you don't have to worry about this, we offer professional additional services through our experienced partners. Please indicate directly when booking whether you need help dismantling or later assembling your furniture. Our teams not only come with the right tools, but also with the specialist knowledge to safely disassemble and reassemble even complex designer pieces.

This integrated solution makes TIXPI your single point of contact for the entire process. Instead of having to coordinate several service providers for dismantling, transport and assembly, we organize everything from a single source. If you would like to know more about how easy it can be to transport individual pieces, see our guideFurniture transport made easymany other useful tips.

Create a realistic budget for costs and insurance

So that theStorage of furnitureTo avoid an unexpected cost trap, clear and honest budget planning is the be-all and end-all. The total costs are more than just the rent for the storage space. If you know the individual items, you can avoid unpleasant surprises and make an informed decision.

The largest item is of course the monthly rent. There are significant differences in Switzerland, which depend on the size of the storage box and, above all, the location. It's no secret: storage space in urban centers like Zurich or Geneva is noticeably more expensive than in more rural areas.

The rental period also plays a crucial role. Many providers offer attractive discounts if you commit for a longer period of time. So are you planning to store your furniture for several months or even years? Then it's definitely worth asking specifically about long-term conditions.

The typical costs at a glance

To give you a feel for the numbers, here is a quick breakdown of the costs associated withStorage of furniturecan approach you:

• Storage rent:The monthly basic price, which depends on square meters and location.
• Transport costs:Expenses for collection and transport to the warehouse if you do not do this yourself.
• Packaging material:The costs for boxes, protective films and blankets add up quickly.
• Insurance:An often forgotten but extremely important additional item.

The numbers speak for themselves: Millions of cubic meters of household goods are stored in Switzerland every year. This shows how important transparent cost models are. Prices can fluctuate greatly. The median cost for a complete storage order including transport is aroundCHF 780. Price differences of up to20%between city and country are not uncommon. At the same time, rental periods over three months are often offered with discounts of up to15%rewarded.

Insurance protection: A point that you should not underestimate

A really critical point in the budget is insurance coverage. Please do not blindly rely on your existing home contents insurance to automatically cover everything. Many policies completely exclude off-site stored items or only cover them for a very short period of time.

Be sure to clarify this with your insurer in advance! A quick phone call can save you from huge financial loss if something happens.

Most storage providers offer separate additional insurance for this case. This protects your furniture from risks such as theft, fire or water damage. The costs for this are usually low compared to the value of your facility and should be an integral part of your budget planning.

To keep track of the calculation, you can use apractical cost calculatorto use. This way you can keep track of all potential expenses and set up your budget realistically.

The most frequently asked questions about furniture storage – our practical answers

Anyone who stores furniture for the first time usually has a head full of questions. This is completely normal. To make planning easier for you and avoid typical pitfalls, we have put together answers to the most common concerns we encounter in everyday life. This means you can master your storage project confidently right from the start.

How much space do I need for my 3-room apartment?

We hear this question often. As a rough guide, for an averagely furnished 3-room apartment (approx. 75 m²) with a storage room of10 to 15 square meterscalculate. This corresponds to a volume of around 25 to 40 cubic meters.

Of course, the exact space required depends heavily on how easily your furniture can be dismantled and how skillfully you stack it. A tried and tested rule of thumb is that the storage space required is approximately10-15%of the original living space.

A tip that will save you money: Clean out thoroughly before storing. Every piece of furniture you don't take with you reduces the volume you need. A smaller and therefore cheaper storage box is often enough.

What should I definitely not keep in the storage room?

There are clear rules about what is taboo in a storage room for good reason. These regulations are designed to protect not only your property, but also that of all other tenants. Safety and hygiene are the top priority here.

The blacklist typically includes:

• Highly flammable and explosive substances:Petrol, gas bottles, solvents or fireworks have no place in the warehouse.
• Perishable goods:Food or plants are a no-go. They attract bugs and quickly lead to mold.
• Dangerous or illegal substances:Weapons, drugs and toxic chemicals are of course strictly prohibited.
• Living things:The storage of animals is prohibited without exception.

Before signing a contract, always take a close look at your provider's terms and conditions. The rules may vary in detail, and better safe than sorry.

Is my furniture automatically insured when I store it?

Absolutely no. This is one of the most costly misunderstandings we experience. Your furniture is in storagenot automatically insured by the storage provider.

It is your responsibility to ensure you have the appropriate protection. Your home contents insurance often only covers external storage for a short period of time or under special conditions - sometimes not at all. A quick call to your insurance company will clarify this. However, many storage providers also have a solution ready and offer separate additional insurance. This protects your belongings against risks such as fire, water damage or theft and is a really sensible investment compared to the potential damage.

Can I access my things at any time?

Accessibility is one of the biggest differences between storage options. It all depends on what you choose.

AtSelf-storage providersyou usually have maximum flexibility. Access to your box is usually possible seven days a week, often around the clock.

Things are different withclassic furniture storageor professional storage services. Access is often restricted here and must be registered in advance. So before booking, think about how often you will need to access your belongings. A professional service is perfect for infrequent access, but self-storage is clearly the better choice for frequent visits.

You plan to use yourStoring furniture, and want transportation that is easy, stress-free and reliable?TIXPIoffers you exactly that: transparent fixed prices and a professional service from collection to storage. Book your furniture transport conveniently online and rely on a smooth transaction. Find out more athttps://tixpi.ch.