How to Choose the Right Storage Unit Size
Choosing the right storage unit size is crucial for a smooth and cost-effective storage experience. Selecting a unit that's too small can lead to overcrowding and potential damage to your belongings, while opting for a unit that's too large means you're paying for unused space. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process of determining the appropriate size based on your specific needs.
1. Assessing Your Storage Needs
Before you even start looking at storage units, take the time to understand why you need storage in the first place. This will inform the type and size of unit that will best suit you.
Decluttering: Are you looking to free up space in your home by storing seasonal items, sporting equipment, or items you don't use regularly?
Moving: Are you in the process of moving and need temporary storage for all your belongings?
Renovating: Are you renovating your home and need to store furniture and other items to protect them from dust and damage?
Business Storage: Do you need to store inventory, equipment, or documents for your business?
Once you've identified the reason for needing storage, consider the following factors:
Quantity of Items: How much stuff do you have to store? A few boxes or an entire household's worth of furniture?
Size of Items: Are you storing mostly small items, or do you have large furniture pieces, appliances, or equipment?
Storage Duration: How long will you need the storage unit? A few weeks, a few months, or long-term?
Accessibility Needs: How often will you need to access your belongings? Daily, weekly, or only occasionally?
Climate Control: Do you need a climate-controlled unit to protect sensitive items from temperature and humidity fluctuations? This is especially important for items like electronics, artwork, and wooden furniture.
Understanding these factors will help you create a realistic estimate of the storage space you require. If you're unsure about climate control, frequently asked questions often cover this topic.
2. Inventorying Your Items
The next step is to create a detailed inventory of all the items you plan to store. This will give you a clearer picture of the volume and type of items you need to accommodate. Here's how to approach it:
Room-by-Room Inventory: Go through each room in your house and list all the items you intend to store. Be as specific as possible. For example, instead of just writing "boxes," list the contents of each box (e.g., "Box 1: Winter clothes," "Box 2: Books," etc.).
Measure Large Items: Measure the dimensions (length, width, and height) of large furniture pieces, appliances, and other bulky items. This will help you visualise how they will fit in the storage unit.
Categorise Items: Group similar items together (e.g., furniture, boxes, appliances). This will make it easier to estimate the total space required for each category.
Photograph Items: Taking photos of your items can be helpful when you're trying to visualise how they will fit in the storage unit. It can also be useful for insurance purposes.
Consider Disassembly: Can any of your furniture be disassembled to save space? Disassembling beds, tables, and other furniture can significantly reduce the amount of space they occupy.
By creating a detailed inventory, you'll have a much better understanding of the amount of storage space you actually need. This will prevent you from overestimating or underestimating, saving you money and hassle in the long run.
3. Understanding Common Storage Unit Sizes
Storage units come in a variety of sizes to accommodate different storage needs. Here's an overview of some common sizes and what they typically hold:
5x5 (25 square feet): This is about the size of a small walk-in closet. It's suitable for storing small items like boxes, personal belongings, and seasonal decorations. Think of it as enough space to store the contents of a small garden shed.
5x10 (50 square feet): This size is comparable to a large walk-in closet or a small bedroom. It can typically hold the contents of a studio apartment or a small one-bedroom apartment, including a mattress, dresser, and several boxes.
10x10 (100 square feet): This is roughly the size of a standard bedroom. It can accommodate the contents of a one-bedroom apartment or a small two-bedroom apartment, including furniture, appliances, and boxes.
10x15 (150 square feet): This size is suitable for storing the contents of a two-bedroom apartment or a small house, including furniture, appliances, and boxes. It can also accommodate a small car or motorcycle.
10x20 (200 square feet): This is about the size of a one-car garage. It can hold the contents of a three-bedroom house, including furniture, appliances, and boxes. It can also accommodate a car or a small boat.
10x30 (300 square feet): This is a large storage unit, comparable to a large garage. It can hold the contents of a large house, including furniture, appliances, boxes, and vehicles.
These are just general guidelines, and the actual amount of items you can fit in a storage unit will depend on the size and shape of your belongings, as well as how efficiently you pack and organise them. You can learn more about Findstorage and our available unit sizes on our website.
4. Using Online Size Guides and Calculators
Many storage facilities, including Findstorage, offer online size guides and calculators to help you estimate the appropriate storage unit size. These tools typically ask you to input the items you plan to store, and then provide a recommendation for the size of unit you'll need.
Size Guides: These guides usually provide visual representations of different storage unit sizes and examples of what they can hold. They can be helpful for getting a general idea of the space you'll need.
Storage Calculators: These calculators are more interactive and allow you to input specific items you plan to store. They then calculate the total volume of your items and recommend a storage unit size based on that volume.
While these tools can be helpful, it's important to remember that they are just estimates. The actual amount of space you'll need may vary depending on how efficiently you pack and organise your belongings. It's always a good idea to overestimate slightly to ensure you have enough space.
5. Considering Vertical Space
When estimating the size of storage unit you need, don't forget to consider vertical space. Stacking boxes and using shelves can significantly increase the amount of storage space you have available.
Stackable Boxes: Use sturdy, stackable boxes to maximise vertical space. Make sure the boxes are properly labelled so you can easily find what you're looking for.
Shelving Units: Install shelving units in your storage unit to create more vertical storage space. This is especially useful for storing smaller items and keeping them organised.
Disassemble Furniture: Disassembling furniture can not only save space but also allow you to stack items more efficiently.
Use Wardrobe Boxes: Wardrobe boxes are designed for hanging clothes and can help you maximise vertical space while keeping your clothes wrinkle-free.
By utilising vertical space effectively, you can often get away with a smaller storage unit, saving you money on rental fees. Thinking vertically is a key component of optimising your storage space.
6. Tips for Optimising Space Usage
Even with the right size storage unit, efficient packing and organisation are essential for maximising space and making it easy to access your belongings. Here are some tips for optimising space usage:
Pack Strategically: Pack heavier items in smaller boxes and lighter items in larger boxes. This will make it easier to lift and move the boxes.
Label Everything: Clearly label all boxes with their contents. This will save you time and effort when you're looking for something specific.
Create Aisles: Leave aisles between rows of boxes and furniture to allow for easy access to your belongings.
Protect Your Items: Wrap furniture in protective covers and use packing peanuts or bubble wrap to protect fragile items.
Keep an Inventory List: Keep a detailed inventory list of all the items in your storage unit. This will help you keep track of what you have and where it is located. You can also refer to our services for assistance with inventory management.
Maximise Space: Fill empty spaces in boxes with packing peanuts or bubble wrap to prevent items from shifting during transport.
By following these tips, you can make the most of your storage unit and ensure that your belongings are safe, secure, and easily accessible. Choosing the right storage unit size is just the first step; optimising space usage is the key to a successful storage experience.