Did you know that more than 90% of all self-storage units in the US were occupied in 2015? This means that most Americans have a lot of stuff in their houses, so much that they feel the need to deposit it somewhere else.
To be honest, it’s a great idea to use a storage unit for your personal belongings. There are many advantages such as having your stuff protected 24/7, keeping your collection of items private from prying eyes, etc. But what if you’ve never rented a self-storage unit before? How big should it be? These are good questions and you’ll find a complete storage unit sizing guide in this article, so keep reading!
1. Small Storage Units Usually Up to 50 Square Feet
Each self-storage company has certain containers and storage units where clients can deposit their stuff. As a good rule of thumb, most small containers have a depositing area of up to 50 square feet. They resemble a regular large wardrobe if you want. These are the least expensive storage units and are usually sufficient for the personal belongings of 1 person.
What can you deposit here? Lots of goodies such as your musical instruments, computer equipment, your small portable fridge, maybe a bicycle, a collection of magazines and vinyls, you name it.
2. Medium Storage Units Usually Up to 150 Square Feet
If you want to fit in the stuff you find in a regular bedroom then you should probably go for a 150 square feet storage unit. This unit can accommodate a lot of stuff, including your skies, bedroom office, small furniture items, plenty of clothes and even the Christmas tree. You might want to use such a self-storage unit if you’re planning to move to a new location and you need a place to deposit your stuff for a while. We use a self storage Santa Barbara company, and we were very happy about this storage company. As a rule of thumb, such a storage unit can accommodate about 100 average-sized boxes.
3. Large Storage Units Usually Up to 300 Square Feet
Larger self-storage units having from 150 square feet to 300 square feet in available space are suitable for those who have a lot of personal belongings to deposit. This amount of space is comparable to a one-car garage. You can place your old piano here as well as your collection of tools, IT equipment, large furniture items, and more. For a quick selection of high-quality containers, check out these storage units!
4. Very Large Storage Units with a Capacity of Over 300 Square Feet
If you’re thinking of relocating to a new place and you need a very large space to deposit your belongings, this type of storage unit is more suitable for you. Such a unit can accommodate the contents of a house and you even have space to create aisles between boxes. A very large self-storage unit is more expensive to rent, but you have plenty of space for your sofa, fridge, bicycle, bed, and other personal belongings.
Follow These Tips to Choose the Right Storage Unit
As you probably already know, the renting price for each of these units is different. You definitely want to save money while having the liberty to store as many of your personal belongings as possible. Check out these tips to make the right decision:
1. Analyze Your Stuff Before Renting
Take a closer look at your inventory and see how you can group things together. For example, you can go for average-sized boxes if you want to store magazines, books, CDs, tools, dishware or cutlery items. Stack the boxes one on top of the other until you reach the ceiling of your self-storage unit. This allows you to rent a smaller unit because you utilize its space to the fullest.
If you have mostly large objects such as chairs, bicycles, sofas, etc then you might need a larger unit. Some of these items cannot be stacked one on top of the other, so you need more space in your self-storage container.
2. Create Aisles If You Move Things Around Frequently
Some people rent a storage unit to deposit some boxes and they rarely go back or move any of them. In this case, it’s probably not necessary to create an aisle to have easy access to all your boxes. Renting a smaller storage unit would be a good idea. However, if you move things around frequently, you should think of creating one or more aisles. This means that you need a larger storage unit to accommodate the extra room required to move things around.
3. Go For Climate-Controlled Units If You Have Sensitive Cargo
You also have the option to choose climate-controlled self-storage units that are suitable for fragile items. These units are equipped with HVAC systems and allow you to preserve a certain temperature inside for as long as you want. Obviously, a climate-controlled unit is more expensive, but they ensure that your items will remain in good condition for as long as they’re stored.
Who should use a climate-controlled unit? Well, if you’re a musician and you have an old piano, this unit is suitable for you. Pianos are made from wood which contracts and expands depending on the surrounding temperature. If you keep your piano in a cold place, it might not sound very well afterwards.
4. Consider Your Future Depositing Needs
If you’re a collector and you only have a dozen vinyls, for now, it makes sense to rent a small storage unit. However, you will probably add more items to your collection in the future. It’s important to consider your upcoming storage needs and take that into account when renting a self-storage unit. Opting for a larger container right from the start is the wise thing to do if you plan to make your vinyl collection as broad as possible.
Hopefully, This Storage Unit Sizing Guide Solved Your Dilemma!
The storage unit sizing guide you have discovered in this article applies to most homeowners and business managers who are looking for more storage space. Apply these tips and you’ll find it very easy to pick the right self-storage unit.
On top of that, make sure that you read our other blog articles to learn more about self-storage, its benefits, and average prices!
