If you’re considering renting a storage unit, one of the first questions you’ll need to ask yourself is how large (or small) of a unit do you think you’ll need. Obviously, you don’t want to guess too low and wind up having to move everything into a larger unit. Also, you don’t want to spend money on a mammoth space that you won’t able to maximize. You want to look for the sweet spot and find a unit that will comfortably accommodate all your things and possibly even allow a little space to add items in the future.
Here are some tips for helping you determine how much storage space you’ll need and, consequently, what size unit you should rent.
• Assess your needs
If you’re not used to doing this kind of thing, it can be hard to visualize exactly how much space you’ll require to store your stuff. But a good place to start is by taking inventory of everything you’re planning to store. Seeing it on paper will give you a clearer idea of how much space you might aim for.
• Measure your items
You’ll especially want to do this with larger items like couches, refrigerators and mattresses. If you’re storing items in boxes, measure all the boxes that will go into storage. Then take your inventory list and rank your items from largest to smallest. This will help clarify the size requirements of your storage unit.
• Use an online storage unit estimator
These tools can help you refine your decision by further honing down your size requirements. In some cases, you can actually view graphics and photos that will help you visualize what common items such as boxes and furniture look like inside specific units.
• Research storage facilities
Read reviews and actually visit the sites you’re seriously considering. Lay your eyeballs on different size units at each location and actually talk to the managers. They’ll be able to offer you recommendations based on your needs. Of course, take other factors into consideration besides size, such as price, location, interior/exterior, climate-control, security, etc.
At Volunteer Mini Storage, we have many different sizes of units, ranging from 8 X 12 feet to 30 X 10 feet. Check out the Rent Storage page of our website to view photos and descriptions that will give you a rough idea of what you can fit in each of those units.
• Don’t forget to maximize
Once you decide on a rental unit, make the most of that space by loading it smartly. That starts with packing individual boxes efficiently and then moving everything into the unit in a sensible order. Pack heavy, bulky things on bottom and fill corners with them. Don’t over-stack boxes, and put more fragile items nearer the top. Leave some space if possible, and don’t cram your unit to capacity. But don’t forget to make use of the unit’s height and load to the ceiling if it’s safe to do so without damaging your stuff.