Buzz
If you’ve accumulated extra belongings at home that you can’t part with but lack space for, and you’ve already decluttered using the KonMari method, eliminating items that no longer serve you or bring joy, you’ve likely exhausted all storage options in your house—like the attic, basement, crawlspaces, and under the stairs. When you’ve run out of room, renting a storage unit might be the next logical step.
However, determining the right size is crucial. Opt for a unit that’s too large, and you’ll waste money on unused space. Choose one that’s too small, and you’ll be back to square one. Thankfully, Brie Greenhalgh at BobVila.com offers practical advice to help you select a storage unit that fits your needs perfectly. Here’s how to proceed.
Organize and pack your belongings
To determine the appropriate storage unit size, Greenhalgh suggests beginning by packing the items you plan to store. Instead of simply creating piles, box them up or place them in plastic bins as you would when storing them, ensuring fragile items are wrapped in bubble wrap.
Calculate the required storage space
Next, gather all boxes, containers, and furniture into a pile and estimate the total cubic volume. Alternatively, Greenhalgh advises estimating the space based on the dimensions of your largest or bulkiest items, along with the boxes you’ll store. According to Greenhalgh, there are two methods to calculate this:
Multiply the length and width of all stacked items together, or add each item’s measurements separately. This will provide a total square footage. For example, if the pile measures 8 feet by 8 feet, you’ll need a storage unit of at least 64 square feet.
Multiply the length, width, and height of all stacked items together, or add each item’s measurements individually. This will give you the total cubic footage. For instance, if the pile measures 8 by 8 by 8 feet, you’ll require a storage unit of at least 512 cubic feet.
Greenhalgh notes that, typically, storage unit sizes fall into the following categories:
Small: up to 50 square feet (400 cubic feet)
Medium: up to 150 square feet (1,200 cubic feet)
Large: up to 300 square feet (2,400 cubic feet)
Plan for future needs
If you’re not opting for short-term storage, it’s wise to think ahead about whether you might need to store additional items later. Greenhalgh points out that renting one larger unit is often more cost-effective than leasing two units of different sizes, even if you don’t utilize the entire space right away.
