Items That Require Climate-Controlled Storage

A storage unit lets you protect belongings you are not using without cluttering your home. In New York City, where closets are small and basements are rare, it is often the only practical way to keep holiday decorations, spare furniture, or family heirlooms.

A basic locked unit is fine for some things. For many others, a climate-controlled unit is the smarter choice, because NYC summers are hot and humid and winters are cold and dry. Here is what to prioritize when you book storage.

What Items Should I Store in a Climate-Controlled Unit?

Nearly everything lasts longer in stable conditions. But if space or budget is limited, put these categories at the top of the list.

1. Leather Furniture

Leather is a natural material that keeps expanding and contracting with changes in temperature and humidity. A jacket can usually shrug that off, but a sofa or armchair cannot. Over time the hide dries out, fades, and cracks, especially in the cold. Faux leather is a bit more resilient, yet it suffers from the same extremes.

Before storage, clean and condition the leather so it stays supple. Cover it with a breathable sheet rather than plastic, and set it on pallets or a ground barrier so it never sits directly on the floor.

2. Wooden Items

Wood swells in humid air and shrinks when it dries, and repeated cycles lead to warping, split joints, loose veneer, and even rot. Dressers, bed frames, desks, antiques, and picture frames all benefit from steady temperature and humidity.

Wood also stores best when nothing heavy sits on it. Avoid stacking boxes on tabletops or dressers, and wrap pieces in moving pads. Our furniture movers pad and wrap every piece before it goes into a unit.

3. Artwork

Paintings, prints, and photographs are among the most fragile things you can store. Many conservators recommend a steady temperature around 70°F with relative humidity near 50 percent. The same care applies to art supplies and to equipment such as a sewing machine or easel if you create at home.

Never wrap art tightly in plastic cling film, since it traps moisture and can lead to mold. Choose a unit away from exterior walls and direct sunlight, and separate framed pieces with acid-free board so they can breathe without discoloring. For valuable collections, our white glove moving service includes custom crating.

4. Musical Instruments

Wooden instruments such as violins, guitars, and cellos have thin, shaped bodies that can crack when the wood moves. Pianos are equally sensitive, with soundboards and tuning that react to every change in humidity.

Brass and woodwind instruments face a different threat: trapped moisture can breed mildew and bacteria inside the bell, tubes, and valves. Have instruments professionally cleaned before storage and keep them in their cases. If you are storing a piano, let our piano movers handle the transport.

5. Household Appliances

Modern appliances are full of motors, circuit boards, and seals that can corrode or crack when exposed to moisture and temperature swings. Mold and mildew can also grow inside if an appliance is stored damp.

Clean and fully dry refrigerators, washers, and dishwashers before storage, prop doors slightly open, and keep them in a climate-controlled space. The same goes for TVs, computers, and other electronics.

Protect What Matters Most

MPs New York offers climate-controlled storage in a range of unit sizes, and our crews pack, wrap, and load your belongings so they arrive in the same condition they left. Whether you need a few weeks of storage between apartments or a long-term home for heirlooms, request a quote and we will match you with the right unit.