Estimating the perfect size of a storage unit that would accommodate your needs is as important as choosing the storage unit type. Whether you opt for long-term or short-term storage it should be large enough for your items but not too large to avoid paying more than you need to. Of course, you can always upsize or downsize depending on your needs, but it is time-consuming and stressful. If you have a hard time judging the space required, Call the Movers have summarized some tips that would help you to to choose the right size of storage units.
Also, before you sign any storage rental agreement, you should be able to describe additional storage-related needs, such as access or storage time. Read more about storage unit types, their benefits, and drawbacks here.
NO PLACE FOR GUESSING GAMES
Regarding the size of a storage unit, there is no one-size-fits-all option. Determining your storage unit size can only be done by taking three basic steps: making a list of items, calculating the square footage of your belongings, and deciding on item arrangements for your future storage place.
Tip 1: Find What You Want to Store
The size of a storage unit hugely depends on how much stuff you have. Making a detailed list of all the items you plan to store is your first task. The list should include everything from furniture and appliances to any smaller items that you will pack into boxes.
Having a list will also help you to prepare for packing: counting how many and what type of boxes and other packing materials you will need.
Tip 2: Measure your items for storage unit
Accurate measuring of the items will help you to calculate the approximate square footage of your belongings. Congratulations – you have a clear figure in your hands! It seems that your job is done here, and now you can easily choose between a small (25–50 square feet), medium (75–150 square feet), or large (200–300 square feet) storage unit, but there is one more very important step to make.
If you, however, would like to avoid counting square footage of your items, you can put all your belongings into one area, for example, your basement or spare bedroom. This will help to understand how much space you need for your belongings. But remember, this task takes additional time and physical effort.
Tip 3: Visualize and plan how you will arrange items
Before deciding on your storage unit size, consider one last, but not least thing: do you want to stack your boxes and take up every last inch of space, or would you prefer some extra room to move around and access your belongings? If you are not planning to come and collect your items frequently, then you can optimize the storage space to the fullest. Otherwise, to keep your stuff easily accessible, you may actually need a bigger unit even if you don’t use every square inch.
We suggest looking over your inventory list once again. You should plan where each box or item should go: to the back of the storage, on the top of other boxes, or to be easily accessible. Then mark everything with labels and you will know where to put everything to keep as comfortable and organized in your future storage unit as possible.
ADDITIONAL TIP: GET TO KNOW STORAGE UNIT SIZES
If you are familiar with standard storage unit sizes, this could be an alternative way of choosing what fits you the best. Below Call the Movers lists some standard storage sizes and their capacity:
- 5’ x 5’ unit: the smallest, but a very popular one. Remember, that 25 square feet storage is similar to a small closet. It can only fit several boxes or very small pieces of furniture like a shelf or a chair. Please keep in mind that, most couches are over seven feet long, so they are longer than many small storage units.
- 5’ x 10’ unit: the best fit for a half dormitory room. Also, 30 square feet storage can be compared to a walk-in closet.
- 10’ x 10’ unit: medium-sized storage, which is an ideal option to store furniture such as a bed, or a dining room table. You can also fit such items as refrigerators, washers and dryers, and fridges in medium-sized units.
- 10’ x 15’ unit: can accommodate larger furniture, several rooms’ worth of belongings, a piano, sports inventory, or even jet skis and motorcycles.
- 10’ x 20’ unit: if you need a lot of space, this is your go-to option. This storage unit gives you the freedom to store even a car.
- 10’ x 30’ unit: is like a two-car garage. You will easily fit larger than a three-bedroom home furniture and stuff there.
Finding the right storage still, seems difficult and stressful? Let us help! Call the Movers provides full-moving services, including long and short-term storage with climate control. We can cover each storage need from residential to long-term, commercial and assist with packing to make your belongings secure and well protected in the storage facility.
CALL THE MOVERS – WE KNOW THE WAY