Storing wine, art and collectibles in Bern

Some things aren't just bought, they're collected: wine from a special vintage, a painting from a gallery, a display cabinet full of rarities. But the more valuable the items, the less suitable a traditional cellar or attic is for storage – damp, temperature fluctuations and curious eyes are bad neighbors for collector's treasures.

A storage unit in Bern offers your valuables a safe home. This article highlights what matters most when storing them.

Storing wine: Quiet, darkness, consistency

Wine reacts sensitively to its environment. Three basic rules help your bottles age gracefully in your storage unit:

• Store lying down: Bottles with natural corks should lie on their side so the cork remains moist and seals tightly.
• Dark and quiet: Light and vibrations accelerate aging. A closed storage unit without daylight is ideal.
• Stable temperature: Consistency is more important than the exact degree. Avoid places with severe temperature fluctuations – exactly what an uninsulated attic cannot provide.

Use sturdy wine racks or original wooden crates, and keep a simple inventory list – this way you keep track of vintages and readiness to drink. Larger collections also benefit from a clear zone layout: ready-to-drink bottles at the front, wines for aging at the back.

Storing art correctly: Protection from light and pressure

Paintings and prints suffer mainly from UV light, moisture and mechanical pressure. These measures have proven effective:

• Never stack pictures flat; store them upright and slightly separated, using cardboard inserts or picture racks.
• Protect canvases with acid-free tissue paper and a blanket, avoiding bubble wrap directly on the painted surface.
• Fit corner protectors onto frames, and transport and store heavy works standing on the floor.

Collectibles: Organization is half the protection

Whether vinyl records, model trains, comics or porcelain – for collections: Pack individually, store systematically, document carefully. Use uniform boxes, label each one, and photograph valuable items before storing them. An up-to-date inventory list not only helps you find things again, but also aids discussions with your insurance company if you want to include your collection in your contents insurance. Keep particularly delicate items like coins or stamps in protective sleeves, and always store heavy boxes at the bottom – so your collection survives a future move undamaged.

Climate check: Why cellars and attics are out

The biggest enemy of stored valuables is the climate. Damp cellars encourage mould on labels, frames and cardboard; under the roof, temperatures fluctuate between frost and summer heat – poison for wine, canvases and delicate materials. Self storage, by contrast, provides dry, stable conditions without daylight. Nevertheless, check every item before storing: only store clean, dry objects, don't place boxes directly on the floor but on pallets or shelving, and leave a little air space between the wall and stored goods. A brief check-up visit every few months gives added peace of mind – possible spontaneously at any time thanks to your PIN code.

Four locations in Bern – secure and flexible

Squarefoot operates four self storage locations in Bern. The boxes range from 1 to 40 m³ – from a compact compartment for your wine collection to space for an entire personal archive. Only you have access via your personal PIN code, at many locations 24/7 from 00 to 24.

The terms remain flexible: 30-day minimum rental period, cancel monthly thereafter. Prices are per month excl. 8,1 % VAT, plus a one-off registration fee of 40 CHF. Currently, get your first month for 1 CHF with a two-month minimum contract. Find out what a box costs in our overview of self storage costs.

Summary: Give your treasures a safe home

Wine, art and collectibles don't belong in a damp cellar, but in a place that protects them and frees up space. With a storage unit in Bern, you store your valuables safely, neatly and with access at any time. Book your box online – your collection will thank you.