From your desks and chairs to hardware like printers and monitors, your office setup represents a significant investment. With the right approach to storage, you can extend the lifespan of your assets, avoid unnecessary replacements, and reduce waste. Here we will walk you through how to store office furniture and electronics safely, so when the time comes to return or relocate, everything’s still in top shape and ready for action.

Why office furniture storage matters

Office furniture is an investment. From ergonomically designed chairs to height-adjustable desks and collaborative workstations, businesses often spend thousands outfitting a workspace – so storing furniture with care helps them to retain that value over time.

Whether you’re storing items off-site for a few weeks or planning a longer-term solution, taking the time to prepare can protect your investment and support business continuity. Proper storage ensures your furniture and equipment stay in great condition, ready to be reused without hassle or extra cost.

Ultimately, what underlies the importance of proper storage is that it’s not just about saving space. It’s about preserving the value, functionality and safety of your assets, maximising their lifespan and reducing the need for costly replacements.

This also contributes to smoother operations. Well-maintained furniture and electronics can be reinstalled quickly and reliably so your team can settle in and stay productive from day one. Instead of wasting time or budget on repairs, you can focus on moving forward with confidence. 

A well-conceived storage strategy also helps businesses stay agile. When your assets are properly catalogued and protected, you can access or redeploy them at short notice. This type of flexibility is particularly valuable for growing organisations, those adopting hybrid working arrangements, or businesses with multiple sites. 

Preparing for storage: The essentials

Before anything goes into a storage unit or warehouse, it pays to do a little groundwork. A rushed packing job or a damp environment could quickly undo all your good intentions. Let’s look at what you need to get started. 

1. Create an inventory: Make a detailed list of everything going into storage, from individual desks and meeting chairs to cables, monitors, routers and phones. Label each item clearly and log its condition. This helps with both tracking and insurance because you know exactly what’s in storage, its condition, and where it’s located.

2. Disassemble where possible: When it comes to storing office desks and chairs, disassembly is often the first step. Removing legs, arms, or desktop panels reduces the space they take up and makes items less prone to breakage.

• Tip: Keep screws, bolts and small parts in clearly labelled bags taped to the furniture they belong to. 

3. Clean everything thoroughly: Dust, grease or food remnants can attract pests or cause long-term surface damage. Clean furniture with gentle surface cleaners, and use appropriate screen wipes or compressed air for electronics.

Packing and storage tips

Office furniture packing tips

your furniture, extending the lifespan of every item. Poor wrapping leads to chips, scratches, dents and warped edges.

Wrap it right: If you’re wondering how to wrap office furniture for storage, just remember, every surface that can be scratched, bumped or stained needs to be covered. Even something as simple as tape residue can cause long-term staining if not handled correctly.

• • Bubble wrap or foam sheets for corners and edges

• • Furniture blankets or felt pads for entire surfaces

• • Shrink wrap for securing loose parts or cables

• • Cardboard for flat, stackable protection

Lift, don’t drag: Dragging desks or chairs across floors to load them into storage can damage both the items and the floor. Use lifting straps or dollies wherever possible. Remember, preventing damage in office storage begins from the moment you start moving things.

How to store office chairs properly

Office chairs may appear sturdy, but they’re full of delicate components (e.g. gas lifts, mesh backs, rolling castors, and adjustable arms) that can be easily damaged if not handled with care. Storing them incorrectly can bend frames, damage adjustment mechanisms, or distort seat padding, which affects both comfort and functionality when they’re used again. To protect your chairs in storage you can:

• • Disassemble where possible: Remove castors, headrests, and armrests to prevent damage

• • Wrap all moving parts: Use soft materials like bubble wrap or blankets to cushion components

• • Store upright: Never stack chairs on top of one another, as this can bend frames or crush upholstery

• • Avoid placing weight on them: Do not stack heavy items or boxes on seated chairs

In short, treat office chairs like you would fragile appliances. They’re designed for ergonomic use, not for stacking, so taking these steps will keep them in good condition for future use.

Best way to store office desks

Modern office desks are designed with far more than just a flat surface. From adjustable legs to built-in cable trays and delicate laminate finishes, these features make them versatile, but also more vulnerable when it comes to storage. Protecting these elements is simple with a few upfront precautions that will help preserve their functionality and appearance for the long haul. Here’s what to keep in mind:

• • Disassemble the frame and desktop: Separating components reduces strain and prevents warping

• • Wrap each element individually: Use blankets, foam, or bubble wrap to protect against scratches and dents

• • Store flat in dry, climate-controlled spaces: Avoid damp or humid areas, which can cause materials to swell or warp

• • Label all parts clearly: This saves time and confusion during reassembly

• • Avoid placing desks directly on the floor: Use pallets or risers to prevent contact with moisture

With the right approach, desks can be stored safely and reassembled without hassle, keeping them as functional as the day they were packed away.

Storing office IT equipment safely

From laptops and routers to projectors and conference phones, your IT kit needs even more protection than you might think. Here’s how to manage storing office IT equipment safely:

• • Label and catalogue every item

• • Use anti-static wrap to prevent short circuits

• • Avoid direct stacking and use shelving wherever possible

• • Elevate boxes off the ground to protect from damp

And if you’re storing printers? Look for dedicated safe storage for office printers, especially if they’re heavy, sensitive models with ink or toner.

Common office storage errors to avoid

Even well-meaning teams make mistakes when it comes to packing and storing. Here’s a rundown of common office storage errors:

• • Stacking without protection: This leads to dents, warping or snapped parts

• • Skipping climate control: Results in moisture damage and rust

• • Labelling inconsistently: Causes confusion and may result in lost items

• • Ignoring small parts: May render items unusable later

It’s not just about avoiding damage, overlooking storage best practices can also lead to avoidable delays during reinstallation, complicate health and safety compliance, or make it harder to process insurance claims if something goes wrong.

The hidden costs of poor storage

When it comes to office moves, people often focus on the headline costs: transport, labour, and rent. But it’s the hidden costs of poor storage that can really sting later on.

Imagine returning to a warehouse months later, only to find warped tables, jammed printer trays, or mould on upholstered chairs. Suddenly, you’re replacing expensive pieces of kit, delaying your move-in, and swallowing costs that could’ve been avoided.

Understanding how poor storage affects office furniture and tech means recognising that the impact goes beyond replacement costs, it can also disrupt day-to-day operations. So, a little extra care now can save your business thousands later.

Poor storage practices can also lead to business downtime and missed opportunities. If your equipment isn’t immediately usable when retrieved, teams may be left idle or key meetings postponed. Worse still, vital data stored on devices that were not properly protected may be lost entirely.

Electronics need special care

Furniture is one thing, but electronics are a different beast altogether – screens crack, batteries degrade and cables snap. Proper handling, packing and environment all matter. Let’s break down the office electronics packing guide into three simple stages: 

1. Power down and disconnect

Before packing any device, shut it down properly. Remove all cables, batteries, and accessories. Don’t forget to back up important files beforehand. 

2. Pack with purpose

Use original packaging if available, as it’s designed to protect. Otherwise, wrap electronics in antistatic bags, bubble wrap and cushioned boxes and label clearly.

3. Choose the right environment

Moisture, temperature changes, and dust can destroy electronics over time. Choose a facility with:

• Climate control to prevent overheating or condensation
• Secure access and CCTV to guard against theft
• Dust and moisture-resistant shelving

Want to know how to keep office electronics safe in storage? The answer lies in the storage environment itself. Fluctuations in temperature, swings, dust and dampness are your biggest enemies.

Office furniture storage tips: Doing it right

To wrap things up, here’s a quick list of practical office furniture storage tips to follow every time:

• Make a complete inventory
• Clean and disinfect all items before storage
• Disassemble large furniture when possible
• Label clearly and consistently
• Use proper materials: blankets, bubble wrap, anti-static bags
• Choose climate-controlled storage to avoid damp, heat and cold damage
• Elevate items off the floor
• Don’t stack anything unprotected
• Store electronics in anti-static wrap and padded boxes
• Use shelves or pallets, not bare concrete

These are the basics, and they go a long way in preventing damage in office storage situations, whether for a month or a year.

Why you should choose a professional storage partner

The truth is, DIY storage can get messy, fast. Without proper training, tools or facilities, even the most organised team might struggle to store hundreds of office items securely. That’s where Restore Harrow Green comes in. 

Our office furniture storage solutions are trusted by some of the UK’s largest companies because we know what’s at stake and go to great lengths to preserve your valuable assets:

• Climate-controlled storage: To preserve wood, upholstery, and electronics
• 24-hour security and CCTV: Your assets are safe round the clock
• Nationwide storage centres: For easy access, wherever you are
• Inventory systems: For full visibility and recall options
• Professionally trained teams: We know the best way to store office furniture and tech

Whether you’re looking for a short-term solution or planning for long-term office furniture storage, Restore Harrow Green is here to help you do it right. To find out more, explore our Definitive Office Move Checklist or contact us today to learn more about our secure and climate-controlled office storage facilities.