How to label mini-storage boxes: list, colour codes and how to stack the unit

The boxes that cause trouble at The Store House are the ones marked only “misc”. Write three parts on every carton — room + category + number, such as Bedroom-Winter-03 — on the lid and both sides. You will find a winter coat or a file without opening the stack. Rentals start from one month. Eligible new contracts can receive up to three months rent-free plus one complimentary move-in trip, subject to the quote on the day. A successful referral earns up to an $800 rebate.

What to write

Start with the room: bedroom, living room, kitchen, study, kids’ room, office. Then the use: winter clothes, bedding, festive décor, files, tools, spare kitchenware, books. Number from 01 in one sequence per room. Short name on the lid; the full three-part code on the side so it stays visible when boxes are stacked. Use a black marker and a large sticker. On boxes you care about, add a strip of clear tape so Hong Kong humidity does not lift the ink.

A cheap pack of dots is enough: red = fragile / glass; yellow = documents; blue = heavy (books, crockery); green = this side up; plain = everyday clothes. Furniture that will not fit in a box gets bubble wrap, a blanket and a hang-tag such as Living-CoffeeTable-LegsOff.

Do not stop at “misc” or “misc 2”. Lanterns, tins and light strings need “season + year” on the lid, for example Festive-2026, so they stay out of the weekly-clothes pile.

Eight steps before you arrive

1. Mark zones on the floor with flattened cardboard, one zone per room, and count the boxes.
2. One room and one category per box; heavy items at the bottom.
3. Three-part label plus colour dot; photograph the lid before the tape goes on.
4. Keep a phone note: number, one-line contents, photo.
5. Pack an OPEN FIRST box: cutter, tape, light, mug, a change of clothes.
6. Files go in their own box inside a larger carton marked “files — do not crush”.
7. Keep décor in original boxes inside a bag; do not flatten lanterns.
8. Match the note to the box count, then book the unit or the complimentary move-in trip if you qualify that day.

How to stack inside the unit

Heavy and book boxes on the floor against the back wall. Fragile boxes at waist height, never as a base. One room = one column, numbers running upward (01 at the bottom). Leave a walkway. Do not block the door or the fire route. Stand large furniture with padding; turn mirrors inward. Seasonal boxes at the back; OPEN FIRST on the right as you step in.

Units remain accessible 24 hours. Reception follows its own timetable and rests on public holidays; contracted customers can still enter. Free parking is only at Sai Wan, Aberdeen, Ap Lei Chau and Tuen Mun.

Seven branches

• Sai Wan: 9/F, Hong Kong Industrial Building, 444-452 Des Voeux Road West, Sai Wan｜3895 9401｜reception daily 09:00–18:00, free parking, online reservation
• Aberdeen: 8/F, Blue Box Factory Building, 25 Hing Wo Street｜3895 9409｜Tue/Thu/Sat/Sun, free parking
• Ap Lei Chau: 8/F, Oceanic Industrial Centre, 2 Lee Lok Street｜3895 9410｜Mon/Wed/Fri/Sun, free parking
• Tuen Mun: 2/F, Tak Wing Industrial Building, 3 Tsun Wen Road｜3895 9408｜Mon/Wed/Fri/Sat/Sun, free parking
• Sha Tin (Fo Tan): Unit D, 15/F, Unison Industrial Centre, 27-31 Au Pui Wan Street｜3895 9401｜appointment
• San Po Kong: Unit A, 8/F, Prince Industrial Building, 706 Prince Edward Road East｜3895 9401｜by appointment
• North Point (Tin Hau): Units B203 & B204A, 2/F, Block B, Sea View Estate, 2-8 Watson Road｜3895 9401｜by appointment
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Q&A

Is “misc” acceptable?
Avoid it. Six months later you will not know lanterns from cables.

Must every item be listed?
List furniture, appliance models and file boxes. Clothes can read “winter, about 8 pieces”.

When do I need a master list?
From about eight boxes onward. Check numbers on move-in day.

Shortest rental if packing is done but the new flat is not ready?
One month.