7 Ways to Store Your Artwork Like a Pro

If you are a collector of fine art, you likely have more pieces than you can display in your home. Rather than have your collection take up precious closet space in your home, consider storing them in a self-storage facility.

We know what you’re thinking…

Wait a minute. Are you saying fine art can be safely kept in self-storage?

We are!

But that doesn’t mean you can roll up to any unit, toss in your Warhols, and call it a day. Fine art requires special care to ensure it maintains its integrity while in storage. And that’s why, as one of Sydney’s most trusted self-storage facilities, we’re sharing 7 ways you can store your artwork the way collectors do.

1. Have Your Artwork Cleaned Before Storing

We’re not going to lie—a quick Google search about storing artwork will pull up plenty of sources assuring you that you can clean your pieces at home.

We are not those people.

Your collection is likely quite valuable and deserves to be professionally cleaned, so find an art conservator in your area who will clean your pieces before you store them. We promise it is worth the cost.

2. Prep Your Pieces for Storage

Framed artwork should have cardboard corners (you know, the kind you use when moving) placed on the corners of the frames to provide extra support. Cover the frame with a blanket or sheet before placing it upright in a box designed to store art or a wooden crate.

Any unframed artwork should not be rolled up and placed in cardboard tubes for storage—doing so could permanently crease the art and cause painthe t to crack. Instead, cover the art in acid-free tissue paper and sandwich it between two pieces of acid-free foam board. The “sandwich” can then be placed in an acid-free sleeve that will keep your art free from dust. You may then place your art upright in an art box or wooden crate.

It is important to note we are storage pros, not art pros…so kindly speak to an expert before storing prepping your art for storage.

3. Rent the Right Unit

Art must be stored in an indoor unit with regulated temperature and humidity levels. If the temp inside your unit gets too high, your frames can warp and crack. And storing your art in a unit with high humidity levels can cause mildew growth and permanently damage your pieces.

4. Transport Your Art with Care

The boot of your car is no place for fine art. Making sure your pieces arrive safely at your storage facility may require the renting of a van or truck, especially if you have very large pieces. While it is an additional expense, it is likely small in comparison to the cost of replacing your art should it become damaged.

Your pieces should be transported in an upright position rather than lying flat. Luckily, most transport trucks have bars along the side panels that allow you to slip your art right in (provided it isn’t already stored upright in an art box or wooden crate)

5. Store Properly

Your art should not be stored where it touches the ground or a wall as both serve as conduits for moisture. Even if it is only a few inches, storing your pieces above the ground and away from walls allows for proper air circulation and will keep them in good condition.

6. Label Your Boxes, Crates, and Stand-Alone Pieces

As is the case any time you store items, your art boxes or crates should be labeled externally so you know exactly which pieces are inside. The same goes for stand-alone pieces that are wrapped in blankets or sheets—labeling them will save you time when you’re looking for a particular piece.

7. Check Regularly

Art is not something you should store and then forget about. It’s simply too valuable. Plan to check your pieces regularly to ensure they are holding up well while in storage. Assess them for any damage and take them for cleaning when necessary to ensure they remain in good condition.

With a bit of prep and careful transport, your art collection can be safely stored in a climate-controlled storage unit.

If you are looking for a state-of-the-art facility with excellent security features and standout customer service, we hope you’ll entrust your collection to Holloway Storage. Our units are perfect for storing art and our staff will care for your belongings as if they were our own.

Contact us today for a custom quote. We can help you find the right-sized unit for your needs and get your art safely stored the right way…with Holloway.