Pocket Guide
6 min read
Max Wilson, Pocket Co-founder
Max is one of the people behind Pocket. He’s spent years running secure spaces that people trust with their belongings, and he’s learned that most storage problems come down to how things are packed and placed. He writes Pocket’s guides to share what actually works, so your things come out of storage in the same condition they went in.
Table of contents
What you’ll need
Before you pack the TV
How to pack and protect the TV
Common mistakes to avoid
How Pocket can help store a TV
Frequently asked questions
What can you store in your Pocket?
Pocket offers secure, flexible storage for both personal and business needs.
TVs are surprisingly easy to damage in storage. Lay one flat, leave it in a damp garage, or pack it without enough protection, and you could come back to a cracked screen, warped casing, or a panel that won’t turn on. Store it properly, though, and your TV can sit safely for months or even years. Here’s exactly how to do it.
What you’ll need
The original box and foam inserts, if you still have them (by far the best option)
A specifically sized TV box, if you don’t
Large-cell bubble wrap (several layers)
A soft packing blanket or moving blanket
Packing tape
A microfibre cloth
A sealable bag or small box for cables and the remote
Foam corner protectors (optional, but useful if you don’t have the original packaging)
Before you pack the TV
A few minutes of preparation will make the TV easier to pack and quicker to set up again later.
Clean the screen: Gently wipe it with a dry microfibre cloth. Avoid water, sprays, and cleaning products, as these can damage the coating on modern screens.
Photograph the back: Before unplugging anything, take a photo of the cables at the back of the TV so you can see where each one goes when you reconnect it.
Unplug and label the cables: Disconnect every cable and label each one with what it connects to, such as “HDMI 1” or “Soundbar”.
Bag the accessories: Put the cables and remote in a sealed bag to keep them clean and together. Take the batteries out of the remote first, as they can leak over time.
Remove stands and brackets: Detach any stand or wall mount bracket. Put the screws in a small labelled bag and tape it to the stand or bracket so nothing goes missing, then pack them separately or with the cables.
How to pack and protect the TV
If you still have the original box and foam inserts, use them. They were built for that exact TV and offer the best fit and protection. If you don’t, here’s what works instead:
While packing, lay a soft blanket on a flat surface and carefully place the TV screen-side down on it.
Cover the screen with a piece of cardboard or a few layers of large-cell bubble wrap. If you’re taping it on, only stick the tape to the plastic backing, never directly onto the screen.
Add foam corners or extra padding to each corner to protect these particularly vulnerable areas.
Wrap the whole TV in several layers of bubble wrap.
Wrap the blanket around the bubble-wrapped TV and secure it with tape or stretch wrap.
If you have a box, slide the wrapped TV in and fill any gaps with packing paper so it can’t move around inside.
Label it clearly: “fragile, screen, this way up.”
Inside the storage unit
Once your TV is packed, where you place it in the unit matters just as much. Follow these simple rules:
Keep it upright: Store your TV standing up, the same way it sits on a stand, to avoid putting pressure on the screen.
Leave a gap from the walls: Walls, especially outer ones, can get very hot or cold, so keep your TV a short distance away from them.
Raise it off the floor: Stand it on a pallet or a few folded moving blankets to protect it from damp and cold rising from the ground.
Keep heavy items away: Make sure nothing heavy is stacked on or near your TV, where it could fall and damage the screen.
Common mistakes to avoid
Laying it flat: This is one of the biggest risks when storing a flat-screen TV. Flat screens are not built to take their own weight horizontally.
Taping directly onto the screen: Tape can pull off the coating when removed. Always tape onto cardboard, wrapping, or the plastic backing.
Overlooking climate control: Extreme heat, cold, or damp and humid conditions can damage the internal electronics even if the screen looks fine. Be cautious about the weather when transporting and storing.
Stacking things on top of it: Even light boxes can crack a screen under sustained pressure. Never stack things on top when storing a TV.
Forgetting the cables: Cables and remotes are often lost when moving and storing TVs. That is why properly storing and labelling them separately is important.
How Pocket can help store a TV
Pocket makes storing your TV simple, with central London locations that are easy to get to. You can book online and store your TV the same day.
Our units are designed to keep out damp and limit temperature swings, helping electronics like TVs stay in good condition while they’re in storage. Your TV is also protected by 24/7 monitored CCTV and gated access, so you can be confident it’s secure.
Getting your TV in and out is easy too. On-site parking and loading areas make moving a large screen much less of a hassle, and keyless access through the Pocket app means you can visit 24/7, whenever it suits you.
You can book weekly or monthly, with no hidden fees and one-click cancellation when you no longer need the space.
Browse our locations, units, and pricing to find the right space for your TV.
Frequently asked questions
Can I store a TV without a box?
Yes. If you no longer have the original box, wrap the screen in bubble wrap, then cover the whole TV with a moving blanket and secure it with tape. Without a box, though, your TV will be less stable and more likely to tip over, so lean it against something sturdy or wedge it between other items to keep it upright.
Does a TV need a climate-controlled unit?
It’s strongly recommended. Humidity and extreme temperature changes can damage a TV’s internal components, even if the screen looks perfectly fine from the outside. That damage often only shows up when you plug the TV back in.
All Pocket units are built to protect against damp and temperature swings, so your TV and other electronics stay in good condition for as long as they’re in storage.
Can I lay my TV flat for storage?
No. Always store it upright. Laying a flat-screen TV horizontally puts pressure on the panel and can cause it to crack.
How long can a TV stay in storage?
A properly packed TV can be stored for an extended period, provided it’s kept in suitable conditions. For longer-term storage, check it periodically for signs of damp, damage or deterioration.
Is there a difference between storing an OLED, an LED, or LCD TV?
The basic steps are the same for every type of TV, but OLED screens need extra care. Their panels are thinner and more fragile than LED or LCD screens, which makes them more vulnerable to pressure and moisture damage.
Can I store a TV that’s still mounted on a wall bracket?
Remove it from the bracket before storing. Brackets put uneven pressure on the back of the TV if left attached. They also make the unit harder to pack and protect properly, so it’s always best to store the brackets separately or with the cables.
What temperature is too extreme for storing a TV?
There’s no single cut-off point, as safe storage temperatures vary between models. You can usually find the recommended range in your TV’s manual or on the manufacturer’s website.
As a general rule, the biggest risks come from prolonged freezing or very hot conditions, sudden temperature changes, and high humidity. Over time, these can damage the screen and internal components, and rapid shifts in temperature can cause condensation to form inside the TV.
