Did you recently rent your first self-storage unit? If this type of rental is a new experience for you, take a look at the top packing materials questions answered. What Packing Materials Do You Need for Storage? The specific materials you need depends on what you want to pack. Furniture, books, and breakables all require different types of protection or containers for storage. Even though you need to match the packing materials with your for-storage pick, general supplies you're likely to need include: