Expert Organization Tips for Self Storage: How and What to Store

Self storage has become more than just a backup plan for people with too much stuff. Its popularity has grown, largely driven by major life events — what we now call the six Ds: dislocation, divorce, death, downsizing, decluttering and distribution. These days, storage units serve as an extension of living spaces, helping people create room for what truly matters while keeping their homes organized and clutter-free.

With a little planning, your storage unit can work for you, helping you free up space, stay organized and keep seasonal or rarely used items accessible without getting in the way of everyday life. Organization is key, so we reached out to professional organizers for their best tips on making the most of your storage space.

What belongs in self storage?

Self storage is a practical solution for those who need more space at home. Maybe your hobbies come with bulky equipment — those skis that take you down the slopes at Hunter Mountain or Windham don’t exactly fit in your cozy Tribeca apartment. Or perhaps you’re holding on to nursery essentials for when you’re ready to welcome another little one, but for now, they’re taking up valuable space as you make room for the toddler phase.

Beyond creating room for daily life, self storage is a valuable resource for people in transition. “I love using self storage specifically when moving house,” says Chrissy from OrganiseMyHouse.com. “Taking away some of your stuff from your home can help you start the moving process and also make your home look more spacious to potential buyers. It’s a win-win.”

It’s also an ideal solution for seasonal items that only come out a few weeks a year. “Think artificial Christmas trees, Halloween inflatables and those oversized yard ornaments that make your home look festive for a few weeks but take up way too much space the rest of the year,” says Andrew Mellen, a professional organizer in New York.

Decluttering is most effective when you’re honest with yourself about what’s truly worth keeping. “That extra dining set, the couch you ‘swear’ will go in your next house or Grandma’s antique dresser that you just can’t part with — fine for storage, but if it’s been in there for ‘years,’ ask yourself why,” says Mellen. “Fridges, washers, dryers — if you’re holding on to them for a limited time while renovating or for a future home you’re actively pursuing, great. But if they’re broken or outdated, let them go.”

The same rule applies to old books and paperwork. “A well-labeled, organized archive of important paperwork? Yes. A hundred dusty boxes of college textbooks and old receipts? No. Digitize what you can and store only what you truly need,” says Mellen.

Do the math: How much will you save with self storage — and for how long?

Picture this: You’ve cleared out the clutter, locked up your storage unit and returned to a home that suddenly feels more spacious. Fast forward a few months, and you start wondering — was this really worth it financially?

To make sure the answer is yes, avoid storing things that cost less than the price of keeping them in storage. “Make sure the worth of your items totals more than the price of one year’s rental,” says Nonnahs Driskill, who runs GetOrganizedAlready.com.

And while you’re crunching the numbers, consider how long you will actually need the unit. “The best types of items to place in self storage instead of keeping them at home are for short-term solutions related to renovations, moves or estate clear-outs,” says Linda Samuels of OhSoOrganized.com.

Renting self storage long-term can also be a smart and cost-effective solution in many situations. Maybe you need a spot for seasonal items that just don’t fit in your home, or you’re embracing a digital nomad lifestyle and need a secure place for your belongings while you travel. Retirement communities often require downsizing, and a storage unit can be a great way to keep sentimental items or furniture you’re not ready to part with.

Now, it’s important to note that costs vary by location — much in line with the local cost of living. In Milwaukee, WI, you can rent self storage for about $119, the same amount you’d pay for dinner and a movie for two. Contrast that to a city like Chicago, IL, where real estate is at a premium and you’d pay around $150 for renting self storage — the same as the average monthly parking rate.

Do the research: What type of unit do you need?

There’s one more question you should ask yourself before you start packing: What kind of storage unit do you actually need? Because not all units are the same and you need to do a bit of research to find the right one.

Luckily, our storage unit size guide can help you here. You have plenty of choices to make, from getting a 5’x5’ storage unit, which is basically a small closet, to going for a 10’x30’ storage unit, which is roughly the size of a master bedroom and the perfect size in case you can’t park your RV outside your home.

Then there’s the climate question: Do your belongings need air conditioning? If your garage is going to double as a slow cooker in the summer and a walk-in freezer in the winter, then climate-controlled storage is your friend. But if you’re just storing patio furniture and an old treadmill, maybe not. Instead of guessing (and later regretting), just use our storage size calculator — because having too much stuff should not mean renting too much space for it.

Map it out — horizontally and vertically

Once you’ve decided on a size for your storage unit, think of how you plan to organize your things in it. “A simple drawing of your unit can help you place the stuff you use a lot toward the front and the stuff you don’t use much toward the back,” says Sydney Sims of Ownerly.

Another helpful hack is to organize your unit both vertically and horizontally. “Create access to all items by allowing room to walk in and reach boxes/bins without moving several others,” says Brandy Anderman of The Missing Piece Design. “Remember to leave a small aisle or various points of access so you can easily grab items from a stack. Keeping a step stool on-site is helpful in these cases.”

What about fragile or heavy objects? Those requires a different type of stacking. “Set up a heavy-duty shelf (or two or three) in your storage unit before moving anything into it,” says Katrin Farrior of The Detailed Life. This will prevent any damage from shifting stacks, and it will also make the whole process of retrieving items more accessible (as opposed to having to lift three boxes to get to the one below them).

Make an inventory, use clear containers and start labeling

Here’s an easy way to avoid losing track of what you’ve stored: keep an inventory. This becomes even easier if you have an inventory on your smartphone. That way, you can easily see what you’ve stored and you can skip a trip to the storage facility.

Using clear bins and labeling them properly can also make a big difference in keeping your space organized and hassle-free. Not only do they help you quickly identify what’s inside without opening every box, but they also protect your belongings from dust and damage. “Storing your items in clear bins is better than storing them in cardboard boxes, so everything can be easily found and accessed,” says Farrior. This simple switch can save you time and frustration, especially when looking for seasonal decorations, important documents or everyday essentials.

Conclusion: There’s a right way to use self storage

Let’s recap. Before renting a storage unit, define your purpose (moving or seasonal storage, a short or a long-term solution) because no clear reason might mean you should rethink. Do the math: If storage costs more than the item’s value, it’s not worth keeping.

Once you’ve rented your unit, stay organized by using an inventory: label everything, use clear bins and keep a list of what’s inside. Maximize space by stacking vertically, leaving aisles and using shelves (a step stool can help). Finally, store logically: place frequently used items in front and seasonal or deep storage in the back for easy access.