How To Determine What Size Of Storage Unit You Need
Self-storage units have housed it all: from furniture to boxes of archival materials to personal vehicles and more. So the question arises: what size storage space do I need?
15 August 2019/Storage Tips
How To Determine What Size Of Storage Unit You Need
How to Choose the Perfect Storage Unit Size: 3 Simple Steps for Your Storage Success
The storage units we offer at U•STORE•IT are specifically designed to solve any challenge you have with storing the things most valuable to you. Self-storage units have successfully housed everything from furniture to boxes of archival materials to personal vehicles and more. So the question naturally arises: how big of a storage unit do I need? For those new to self-storage, this decision can be particularly challenging. Fortunately, when it comes to selecting the right self-storage unit size, we have several proven tips to help you find the perfect storage solution for your specific needs.
1. Create a Comprehensive Inventory for Efficient Organization
Before you undertake a task as monumental as packing a storage unit, it’s essential to make a detailed list of all the items you’re planning on storing. Organize your items into two strategic categories: items you intend to access on a regular basis and items that need to be sealed away as that will affect how you approach packing. Start visualizing your items in properly sized boxes, make specific notes as to whether you need to take apart any furniture. Disassembling larger furniture pieces can help you pack units flat and could be the key decision in determining what size unit to rent. Make sure to clearly label everything. Keeping visible labels on your belongings will make returning to your residential storage units and solutions a whole lot easier and more efficient.
2. Research Storage Options and Determine Specific Space Requirements
Size matters significantly in self-storage. It’s critically important to accurately measure the larger items you need to stow away in a self-storage unit. This preparation will save you valuable time by focusing only on storage units that meet your specific dimensional requirements. It can be particularly difficult to assess how much total space you will actually need, especially if you haven’t utilized storage units before. Once you’ve created a comprehensive inventory and know precisely what’s going into storage, you can use that information to better determine the appropriate unit size you need. We’ve taken some of the guesswork out of the equation by thoroughly detailing the specifications of our available storage units with our residential and commercial self-storage pricing. Our smallest option is a 5×5 unit, roughly equivalent to the size of a personal closet. This compact unit is perfect if you were just looking to store some boxes or some other small household items. If you need something more spacious to store your furniture, a 5×10 unit or a 10×10 unit would provide enough space for the large appliances and furniture in your life. If those dimensions aren’t sufficient, upgrade to the 10×30 unit; it’s expansive enough to house the complete contents of a five-bedroom home.
3. Visit Facilities to Visualize Your Storage Space
This crucial step is one often overlooked by prospective renters, but visiting the storage facility in person can immediately answer important questions you have about what items can realistically fit. U•STORE•IT offers comprehensive tours of our facilities so that you can find the perfect size to fit your specific storage needs. Besides getting a good understanding of how to efficiently move your items in, you’ll also be able to take appropriate measurements and see if you will be able to take advantage of the unit’s vertical height by strategically stacking your boxes. Our knowledgeable staff is always on hand to answer any questions you have that can help make your storage experience a smooth and satisfying one.
These three strategic steps can eliminate many of the common challenges and risks involved in selecting a self-storage unit with adequate space and get you much closer to having your belongings properly stored and accurately accounted for.
Bonus: Secure Safekeeping Through Proper Preparation
With a methodically organized approach to storage, you can maximize your available storage space effectively. To get fully prepared for your new storage unit, read our latest informative posts on how to properly pack your moving truck, how to store items in a storage unit, and the differences between climate controlled and heated storage units.
Key Takeaways about Determining the Right Storage Unit Size
- Creating a detailed inventory list helps you categorize items for regular access versus long-term storage, enabling better organization and easier retrieval when visiting your residential storage unit.
- Disassembling furniture can significantly impact your storage space requirements by allowing items to be packed flat, which is essential knowledge when estimating your storage needs.
- Accurate measurements of larger items eliminate wasted time by helping you focus only on storage units that meet your specific dimensional requirements.
- U•STORE•IT offers a comprehensive unit size guide that compares different storage options, from 5×5 units suitable for boxes to 10×30 units that can house contents of a five-bedroom home.
- Visiting storage facilities in person provides invaluable insight about space dimensions and allows you to determine if vertical stacking is possible in your storage unit location.
- The smallest 5×5 storage unit at U•STORE•IT is equivalent to a personal closet, making it perfect for storing boxes and small household items without excessive space.
- Proper labeling of all stored items saves significant time and frustration during future visits to retrieve specific belongings from your storage unit.
- An organized approach to storage preparation maximizes available space, allowing you to store more items in a potentially smaller and more cost-effective storage unit.
- U•STORE•IT staff members are always available to answer questions and provide guidance to ensure customers have a smooth self-storage experience from start to finish.
- Additional resources about properly packing moving trucks and storage options like heated versus climate-controlled units can further enhance your storage planning process.