Determining the right size storage unit for your needs is critical for having a successful self storage experience. Whether you’re moving, decluttering your living space, or need to store business inventory, knowing how to accurately measure your belongings and pick the right storage unit sizes is essential. In this article, we provide some top tips and strategies on storage unit sizes so that you can make an informed decision on which is best for you.
Assessing Your Storage Unit Sizes: Which size is right for me?
Deciding on the right size storage unit for your needs can seem like a daunting task. To help you make the best decision, below are several factors to consider.
What do you plan to store?
Before selecting your storage unit, it’s important to take stock of what you need to store. Start by decluttering and separating items that will be going into self storage. Once you have a list of the items and their respective sizes, you can begin to plan which storage space is ideal for your unique needs. Make sure to label all boxes and larger items so they are easy to organize before placing them in storage. With careful planning and consideration of your space requirements, you can find the perfect storage unit size without much hassle.
For more information on how to pack for self storage, please read the following blog: Packing for Self Storage: 10 Do’s and Don’ts
How long do you plan to store your items?
Another important factor to consider is how long you plan to store your items. If you’re storing items for a short period of time, then a smaller storage unit size may be ideal, as you won’t need to carefully plan out how you pack the unit. If you’re storing items for an extended period of time, then a larger storage unit size might be necessary to ensure that your belongings are safely and securely stored away.
Storage unit sizes that have larger surface areas may serve you better in the long run as you can add items as needed, but it is crucial to plan the layout of your storage unit carefully. When storing items for a long time, you need to ensure they are packed appropriately to avoid damage, and you will also need to ensure boxes and bins are labelled well so you can find items when you need them. We recommend placing items you will rarely use at the back of your storage unit and items you will need regularly at the front.
Have you made the most of your existing household storage?
Once you have made an inventory of all the items you wish to place in your storage unit, it would be wise to check that you have used all of the available storage space around your home and in your garage. You may want to reorganise your existing storage and see if you could keep a few items at home.
Without maximising your home’s storage space, you risk renting storage unit sizes that are bigger than necessary and wasting money on a self-storage unit that you don’t need. Just remember to be careful not to jam items into small spaces to avoid damage or creating unnecessary clutter around your home.
Choosing Storage Unit Sizes: Have you measured your belongings?
When picking the right storage unit sizes to meet your exact needs, it’s important to measure your belongings accurately. You will need the following two measurements in order to pick your storage unit:
1. A measurement in square feet (sq. ft.)
To determine the required storage unit size, calculate the area of your belongings by multiplying their length by their width. For instance, if your belongings form a pile of 5 x 6 feet, you will need a storage unit that is at least 30 square feet of floor space.
2. Cubic feet measurement (cu. ft.)
It’s important to know the cubic feet of your belongings, as this will include the height of your items. Measure the length, width and height of your pile of belongings and then multiply them as follows: Length x width x height. For example, if your measurements come out at 5 x 5 x 5, then you should look for storage unit sizes over 75 cubic feet.
No matter what method you use for estimating the amount of storage space you need, it’s important to get an accurate measurement. To get a precise understanding of your storage needs, pile all items together and measure the stack or individually measure each item. Once you have the square or cubic footage of the items you are storing, you can make an informed decision on which size storage unit is best for your needs.
Understanding Storage Unit Sizes: Picking the Right One
After taking all the measurements, the next step is to decide if you require a small, medium or large storage unit. Although various facilities may not provide the same sizes, Space Centre Self Storage has a Price & Size Guide with all the necessary details. It lists the units in square feet, corresponding van loads, necessary storage space size, and weekly cost to simplify the process.
Storage Unit Sizes available at Space Centre:
- 10 square feet (measuring 3 x 3 feet) – great for student lockers or storing boxes
- 20 square feet (measuring 5 x 4 feet) – equivalent to half the load of a transit van
- 40 square feet (measuring 5 x 8 feet) – equivalent to a full load of a transit van
- 80 square feet (measuring 8 x 10 feet) – equivalent to the load of a Luton box van
- 120 square feet (measuring 15 x 8 feet) – equivalent to 1.5 Luton box van loads
- 160 square feet (measuring 20 x 8 feet) – equivalent to the contents of a 7.5 tonne truck
- 200 square feet (measuring 25 x 8 feet) – equivalent to the contents of a large removal lorry
Recommended: How To Make The Most Of Your Storage Unit
Self Storage with Space Centre
For those busy with renovation, moving or decluttering, self storage can be a great and cost-effective solution. At Space Centre, you will get the right amount of storage space you need with added benefits such as drive-up access, 24 hour CCTV surveillance, seven day access to external units, and insurance coverage up to £3000.
You are also welcome to visit any of our facilities to discuss storage unit sizes with our team, or you can contact us through our website. Alternatively, you can reach out to us through social media on LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter.