When you decide to rent a storage unit, one of the most important considerations is choosing the right size.
Whether you’re moving, decluttering, or just need some extra space, selecting the right unit can save you money, help you stay organised, and ensure that your belongings are well-protected.
The challenge comes in finding the right balance: you don’t want to pay for more space than you need, but you also don’t want to end up with a unit that’s too small and cramped.
In this blog post, we’ll explore the key factors to keep in mind when choosing a storage unit, from understanding your storage needs to thinking about how you’ll organise your belongings within the space.
Understand What You’re Storing
The first step in choosing the right size storage unit is knowing what exactly you plan to store. Your inventory should include everything from furniture and large appliances to boxes of personal items and smaller belongings.
Take a moment to assess the size, shape, and quantity of your items. Large furniture pieces like sofas, beds, and dining tables will naturally take up more space, while smaller items and boxes can often be stacked. You should also think about whether any of your items can be disassembled to save space—furniture like bed frames, tables, or shelving can usually be broken down to make packing more efficient.
While it may be tempting to think you can cram everything into a smaller unit, it’s important to leave some breathing room. Cramming everything in can lead to disorganisation, and it will be difficult to access your belongings later. On the other hand, if you’re storing smaller items or a minimal amount of furniture, a large unit could be overkill.
Estimate How Much Space You’ll Need
Once you have a general sense of what you’re storing, you can start estimating how much space you’ll need. A good approach is to imagine how much room your items would take up in a truck or an empty room.
For instance, if you’re only storing a few pieces of furniture and some boxes, you might only need a small unit, the size of a walk-in closet. But if you’re planning to store the contents of an entire apartment or house, you’ll need something larger, like the equivalent of a garage. Thinking about the volume of space your belongings would fill in your home is a helpful way to visualise the size of the storage unit you might need.
Keep in mind that you’ll want to make use of vertical space in your unit. If your items are stackable, you can often fit more into a unit than you might initially think.
Consider Future Needs
It’s not uncommon for people to underestimate how much they’ll eventually store. Maybe you’re just looking to store a few items for now, but consider if your storage needs might change in the future. Are you planning on adding more belongings over time? Do you expect to store seasonal items like winter clothes, holiday decorations, or outdoor gear?
If you anticipate that your storage needs will grow, it might be worth renting a slightly larger unit than you currently need. This way, you won’t find yourself scrambling to upgrade to a bigger unit later, which can be inconvenient when you need to move. A little extra room now might save you from having to reorganise or move everything later on.
Consult with Storage Facility Staff
If you’re still unsure about which size storage unit to choose, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us to discuss your requirements. We have experience helping customers determine the best unit size based on their needs and can offer helpful advice. You can also check out our space estimator to give you a more accurate estimate of how much space you need.
Choosing the Right Size
Choosing the right size storage unit requires careful consideration of what you’re storing, how often you’ll need to access your items, and whether your storage needs might grow over time. By taking inventory, estimating the space you’ll need, and packing your unit efficiently, you can ensure that your belongings are stored safely and that you’re not paying for more space than necessary.
Whether you’re storing just a few items or the contents of an entire home, taking the time to choose the right size unit will save you from headaches down the road and make your storage journey much simpler.
