What Size Storage Unit should I Rent?
When it comes to storage units, size definitely matters. If you're not sure what size storage unit you need, don't worry, you're not alone. In this article, we will help you determine the right size for your needs. We'll cover moving, renovating, and long-term storage, and tell you exactly what size storage unit to rent in each situation!
So, whether you're moving into a new house or just renovating your current one, we've got you covered. Let's get started!
Moving
If you're moving into a new house, the first thing you need to do is measure your belongings. Take a look at everything you own and make an estimate of how much space it requires. Movers use this method to determine what to charge you when they are moving your belongings.
Bedrooms: you can usually fit a bedroom into a 5x5, so if you have a three-bedroom house, you'll need at least a 15x15 storage unit.
Kitchen and dining: Depending on the size of your house, it's common to get away with a 5x5 for belongings from these rooms.
Living room: you'll likely need a 5 x 10 for your living room, a couch set can easily fit into this size.
If you use a guide like the one above to measure the large rooms in your home, you'll likely be able to squeeze belongings from your smaller rooms into your storage unit without needing to rent additional space.
Renovating
If you're renovating your house, the size of your storage unit will depend on the scope of the renovation. If you're just doing some cosmetic work or painting, then a small storage unit will do. But if you're gut your home or a large room like a kitchen or living room, you'll likely need a bit more space. In the case of a renovation, you want to make sure you have a place to store your belongings while the work is being done. You'll need a bit more space than you'd need for a move, especially if the renovation lasts longer than a month since you may need access to your belongings, and extra space to walk around in your storage unit will be essential.
Tip: if you have a short term renovation, you can take advantage of fist-month free promotions that many self storage providers offer to help lighten the payments.
Long Term Storage
If you're planning on storing your belongings for an extended period of time, you'll need to make sure you have enough space to accommodate everything. You might not need as much space as you would for a move since you can pack things more tightly into storage, but you'll still need enough room to access your belongings and walk around comfortably in your storage unit. Self storage rent can add up after a while, so it's important to be realistic about what you need in a storage facility so the rent doesn't break the bank.
Things to look for when you are trying to keep rent down
Older self storage facilities will have cheaper rent.
Drive-up units typically cost more. Look for something inside a storage facility and on the second floor.
If you have a car, consider renting outside of the city where rent is cheaper
Smaller self storage providers tend to have lower rent
In conclusion, think about what you need to store and for how long. If you have a lot of things or large items, you will need a bigger unit which means higher rent. But if you are only storing small things for a short period of time, you can get away with renting a smaller unit and saving some money each month. Browse through our list of storage facilities to find the right fit for you.
