Trending
When renting storage, your first instinct may be to rely on your intuition. What seems like a manageable space at home may turn out much bigger once you include your furniture, large appliances, Christmas decorations, sporting equipment and other odds and ends. The key to success is to take an inventory. Write down your furniture, count your boxes, measure your large items and consider what needs to be close to an aisle for easy access.
Additionally, when assessing self storage units for home organization, your storage unit size should reflect your belongings, not the size of your home. Some have few furnishings and tidy closets. Others have decades of belongings cluttering their garages, basements and other rooms. A storage unit size guide can help you make an informed decision.
Use Size as the First Decision
A 5×10 storage unit may hold the contents of a bedroom, including small furniture and boxes. It can contain a mattress and box spring, a dresser, boxes, a small desk, lights, and small furniture. It might be suitable for a college student, apartment renter or someone renovating a room.
That said, a 10×10 unit is more versatile. It can usually accommodate the furnishings of an entire one-bedroom apartment. You will generally be able to fit a couch, mattress, dining room table, boxes, bookshelves and appliances. It’s ideal for temporary storage for people in between leases, couples downsizing or short-term storage during a move.
The size of a 10×20 unit is ideal for an entire house. This unit can store several sets of bedroom furniture, living room furniture, dining room furniture, boxes, outdoor items and appliances. For large families, this unit size can accommodate more comprehensive family storage, particularly if you need to temporarily store items during a garage clean out, estate sale, or home staging.
Think About Access, Not Just Capacity
When selecting a unit, it is not just the capacity that matters, whether for month-to-month storage or for family storage solutions. It is about how frequently you need to access your items. If you don’t access your unit often, a densely packed unit may be fine.
If you want to access your unit easily, leave a narrow aisle in the middle or along the edge. Store items you use often near the door. Put labels on multiple sides of boxes. Store heavier boxes on the bottom and lighter boxes on top. If you want to stack boxes, wrap your furniture and store it on its side.
Organizing by season helps a seasonal storage unit. Christmas ornaments, deck cushions, camp tents, winter jackets, sports balls, and school supplies are easier to manage when stored together seasonally. Quite simply, an organized unit avoids becoming a second garage.
Know When Climate Control Matters
Temperature and humidity control are crucial for items that can be damaged by hot, humid, or cold environments and extreme temperature fluctuations. This isn’t necessary for all items, but is useful for some.
Furniture made with wood can shrink, buckle or expand. Electronics can be damaged by water or heat. Papers, photos and documents may deteriorate in humid environments. Heat can distort vinyl records. Paintings, musical instruments, leather furniture, and fine textiles can also benefit.
Normal storage practices may be sufficient for short-term storage. Plastic containers, steel shelving, power tools, camping equipment, and home appliances usually do well. It should depend on what is stored, the regional climate and the duration of storage. If the stored items have either monetary or sentimental value, climate-controlled storage can help reduce risk.
Match the Rental Term to the Situation
Renting month-to-month is a good option for home organizing. Storage is often used for a move, home renovation, home sale, decluttering project or for seasonal needs. Such projects do not always have a clear timeframe. A short-term lease allows you to be flexible without paying for more time than necessary.
Temporary storage can also provide space at home. When you declutter, it’s easier to decide what to keep. During a home renovation, it can keep the furniture and boxes safe from dust, paint, tools and people. When selling a home, it can contribute to cleaner rooms and open space.
Rent-by-the-month storage helps families, too. A busy family that is expecting a new child may need storage for baby clothes. They may need to store furniture for college students over the summer. Yearly activities may need seasonal equipment. These family storage ventures can be successful when storage duration is flexible.
Pack With a Plan Before Moving In
Packing well increases the unit’s value. Use boxes of the same size and strength, if possible. Identify the box by room and contents. Keep items from the same room together. Take apart furniture to fit, and store small pieces in labeled bags that attach to the furniture.
Use covers that allow air to flow, not plastic bags that will hold moisture. Use shelves if storing lots of boxes. Store important documents, valuables, and frequently used items in another location at home unless the unit is temperature and humidity-controlled and is accessible.
Keep an inventory list. This list doesn’t need to be formal. A written list or phone note can help you avoid leaving things behind and searching for them.
Choose Based on Use, Not Guesswork
The correct size storage unit is the one that can hold your items, keep valuable items safe and provide the flexibility you need. Refer to a storage unit size guide, then reconcile your items with the guide. Determine if climate controlled storage is needed for sensitive items. Decide if month-to-month storage is needed for short-term projects, a seasonal storage setup, or if you’re unsure of your storage needs.
Ultimately, the best storage solution starts with planning. Taken as a whole, size, access, climate control and rental term make the unit an extension of the home rather than a hiding place for clutter that’s difficult to manage.