If you are looking for a storage unit to keep your belongings in, you might be wondering how to choose the right size for your needs. Choosing one with the wrong dimensions can either cost you extra money for unused space or leave you with not enough room for all your items. To avoid these problems, you need to estimate the size you require before you rent one.
In this article, we will guide you through five steps to help you choose the right storage unit size based on what you want to store:
- Perform an inventory of your belongings
- Double-check your home storage options
- Calculate your space
- Pick a small, medium or large storage unit size
- Research specific measurements
1. Perform an inventory of your belongings
The first step to choosing the right storage unit size is to see how much stuff you have in your apartment. Calculate the number of boxes you will need to pack up and identify larger items like couches, tables and bookshelves. Be sure to write everything down so you can refer back to the list of your possessions later.
For example, if you want to store the contents of a small bedroom in a self-storage unit, your inventory might look like this:
- Queen-sized mattress set
- Dresser
- Nightstand
- TV
- Lamp
- 10 boxes of clothes, books and personal items
As you perform your inventory, keep track of things that may require climate-controlled storage. Sensitive items like business documents, photographs and art will require lower humidity and temperature — something you will only get in climate-controlled storage units.
2. Double-check your home storage options
After you’ve inventoried every room, the next step is to make sure you’ve used all of your home’s available storage space. The last thing you want is to start renting a storage unit, only to realize you could be paying for a smaller (and cheaper) one by storing some of your things in a partly empty closet or an unused corner of your garage.
The difference between a small- and a medium-sized storage unit can be as much as $1,000 per year, so it’s worth taking five minutes to double-check your options.
3. Calculate your space
Once you have a list of everything you want to store, you need to calculate how much space they will take up. You can do this by measuring the length, width and height of each item and multiplying them together to get the cubic feet.
For example, if your queen-sized mattress set measures 60 inches by 80 inches by 10 inches, it will take up 27.8 cubic feet (60 x 80 x 10 / 1,728).
You can also use online calculators or apps that can help you estimate the space you need based on the dimensions of common items.
4. Pick a small, medium, or large storage unit size
The easiest way to pick a unit size is to compare your measurements from Step 3 with a storage unit size.
For example, if your inventory measurements equal 125 cubic feet, you’d only need a small storage unit as its size could be 200 cubic feet — if you are able to stack items efficiently — or 400 cubic feet.
5. Research specific measurements
The final step is to research the specific measurements of the storage units available at your chosen facility. Different facilities may have slightly different dimensions for the same size category, so you want to make sure the unit you rent can fit your items comfortably.
You can usually find the measurements on the facility’s website or by calling them directly. You can also visit the facility in person and ask to see the units before you sign a contract.
Some facilities may also offer non-standard sizes or custom sizes that may suit your needs better than the standard ones. For example, you may find a 7’x10’ or a 12’x15’ unit that fits your items perfectly.
Measuring the dimensions of a box for moving
Choosing the right storage unit size can save you money and hassle in the long run. We hope this article has helped you choose the right storage unit size for your needs. If you are looking for a reliable and affordable storage facility in your area, check out StorageCafe.com. They offer a wide range of storage units with various features and amenities to suit your needs.
Moving From a House to an Apartment: What to Expect, How to Downsize & How Self Storage Helps
For some, moving from a house to an apartment is a financial decision. For others, it’s about simplifying life. Maybe the kids have moved out and half the house sits empty, or you’re approaching retirement and no longer want to spend weekends on repairs. Or perhaps you’ve been weighing the cost of buying a home and wondering whether renting simply makes more sense right now.
Family Heirlooms Overload: How to Handle Family Inheritance Without Regret
Handling family heirlooms after a loss requires managing legal authority, emotional pressure and practical logistics at the same time, and the order you take them on matters more than most people expect.
Blanket Storage: The Right Method for Every Space and Season
Blankets make our lives cozier, and storing them well is what keeps them soft and comfortable in the long run. Knowing how to store a blanket properly means your favorites come out of storage smelling fresh, feeling the same as when they went in, and lasting years longer than they otherwise would.
Board Game Storage Ideas That Keep Your Collection in Fighting Shape
Nobody warns you that getting into board games usually unlocks a second hobby, the much dreaded one that includes figuring out where on earth to put them. One game becomes a few, expansions start spawning beside their base boxes and before long, board game storage requires as much strategy as whatever is waiting on the other side of those lids.
Storage Locker vs. Storage Unit: What’s the Difference?
A locker and a unit may sound like two names for the same four walls and a lock, and depending on the storage facility, you may even see the terms used that way. However, once you start comparing available spaces, storage lockers tend to occupy the smaller end of the spectrum, while storage units(opens in new tab) give you considerably more room to work with.
Storage Ideas for Small Spaces: 9 Ways to Max Out Your Home
A messy home contains the seeds of its organization. Those seeds are everywhere: the space above doors, under beds, behind sofas and inside furniture can all become storage. Here are the best storage ideas for small spaces, so you can make the most of your cozy home.
Best U.S. Cities to Live Uncluttered: Plano, TX, Offers the Most Room to Breathe
Clutter is in our homes as much as in our heads. Both are shaped by where we live.
How to Organize Your Bathroom: 8 Ways to Stay Tidy
You already know why an organized bathroom is worth the effort, but let us remind you: it makes rushed mornings easier, keeps counters cleaner and just helps get you in the mood to go through your skincare routine like you should. Plus, in bigger households, it helps everyone find what they need. And you know how much a tidy bathroom counts for your self-esteem when a guest or a partner shows up. Luckily, you don’t need a degree to know how to organize your bathroom. The secret is keeping less, giving every item a home and making that home simple to use. Let’s go through some practical steps can help you create a bathroom that stays functional and nice to look at.
How to Use Silica Gel Packets for Storage
Moisture can cause significant damage to items in storage, leading to rust on tools, mold on clothing and warping in documents. Silica gel uses science to fix that. Often found in small packets inside product packaging, silica gel is a desiccant that absorbs moisture from the air, keeping your stored items dry and protected. This guide explains what silica gel is, how it works and how you can use it to preserve your belongings in self storage.