Here’s How to Make Sure You Rent the Right Storage Unit Size for Your Needs

Renting self storage helps people live comfortably in their homes, without being overwhelmed by possessions, while also making sure that their belongings are in good hands. Whether you are moving, downsizing, or simply don’t have enough storage space at home, renting a storage unit will solve your logistical challenges. One of the most important decisions when renting self storage is choosing the right unit size.

Picking one that’s too small creates difficulties, such as damaging some belongings by stacking them or storing them in improper positions. Also, people may have a hard time when they need to retrieve something from the unit. On the other hand, renting one that’s too large means spending more than necessary on this service. Here’s what people should do before renting a self storage unit:

Perform a thorough inventory of the belongings you want to store

Start with larger items, such as sofas, beds, dressers and appliances. Write down the dimensions of each piece of furniture: width, depth and height. If you’re planning to also store some boxes with stuff, take them into account as well. Do a rough calculation of the total volume of the possessions you plan to put in storage.

Consider whether you can stack your items

Some belongings can be safely stacked — for example, boxes that contain clothes, toys, tools or books. But, if you are putting a sofa in storage, it’s not recommended that you place any heavy objects on it, as these can cause dents and damage to the upholstery. The same goes for mattresses. If you plan to store a mattress long-term, you need to store it horizontally, on a firm, straight surface, without other items on top of it. Collectibles, electronics and antiques should be stored carefully as well, without piling other items on top of them. If you need to store many such items, you should plan to rent a bit more space than the actual volume of your belongings.

Do the math

Self storage units are usually 8’ high, which means that you can easily find the cubic volume of one by multiplying its square footage by 8. A 10’x10’ unit, for example, has a volume of 800 cubic feet. Match your possessions with the best unit size based on the volumes of both – but keep in mind that the volume of the unit needs to be at least 30% larger than the total volume of your possessions. You probably won’t be able to fill the unit up to the ceiling, because, as already stated, not everything can be arranged in piles. Also, you need some extra space so that you’re able to get inside the unit and reach any item without taking everything out.

This is a quick run-down of how much space the most popular unit sizes actually have and what you could put in each:

• 5’x5’ storage unit: about as big as a standard home closet, ideal for storing boxes with various stuff, sports or camping equipment, or small furniture or appliances.
• 5’x10’ storage unit: comparable in size to a small utility room, it can fit the equivalent of the items you would normally find in a small bedroom.
• 10’x10’ storage unit: as big as a small bedroom, or half a standard garage, it can hold the contents of two bedrooms.
• 10’x15’ storage unit: slightly smaller than a one-car garage, the unit is suitable for the contents of two or three standard bedrooms.
• 10’x20’ storage unit: the same size as a standard garage, can be used to store the entire contents of a medium to large home, or a car.
• 10’x30’ storage unit: almost as big as a two-car garage, it can accommodate all the belongings from a large, 3+ bedroom house. Alternatively, it can be used for boats and RVs.

Make sure you’re storing only things you’ll be needing (and using) again

Choosing the right unit size is essential, but it’s equally important to decide what belongings are worth putting in storage. After all, self storage is an expense, and you don’t want to spend more than you should for items you’ll end up never using again. Here’s how to decide what should be put in storage, and what should be discarded for good:

• Good quality wooden furniture that you can’t fit in your home right now for one reason or another, but you are planning on using in the future, is a good candidate for self storage. Such furniture is expensive and can be easily revamped if you don’t like the color, for example. However, if you just replaced your old desk or office chair or nightstand for functional or aesthetic reasons, you probably shouldn’t put it in storage. Generally speaking, cheap, flat pack furniture is rarely worth storing long-term.
• The same goes for appliances – if you just got a new fridge, it’s very unlikely that you’ll need the old one again. It’s simply better to sell or donate it instead of putting it in storage.
• Self storage can be used to store your out of season clothing or ski equipment and such, if you have small closets at home. However, if we’re talking about clothing that’s too small, too large, out of style, or things you just don’t like, it’s better to get rid of them.
• Things like collectibles, antiques, artworks are usually worth storing since they don’t lose value over time. Just make sure you are preparing them properly for storage and that you use a climate controlled unit, ideal for fragile and expensive items.