How Much Self Storage Do I Need? A Guide to Choosing the Right Unit
Choosing a self storage unit can be tricky, especially if you've never used self storage before. You don't want to pay for more space than you need, but equally, you don't want to choose a unit only to discover that everything won't fit.
Whether you're moving house, decluttering, renovating or looking for additional business storage, understanding how much space you need can make the whole process much easier.
In this guide, we'll look at what to consider when choosing a self storage unit size and how to make the most of the space available.
Why Choosing the Right Storage Unit Size Matters
One of the biggest mistakes people make when arranging self storage is simply guessing how much room they'll need.
A unit that's too small can leave you struggling to fit everything in, while choosing something significantly larger than necessary could mean paying for unused space.
Before booking your unit, take a little time to consider exactly what you're planning to store. Creating a basic inventory can be surprisingly helpful.
Think about larger items first, such as sofas, beds, wardrobes, appliances or business equipment, before considering how many boxes and smaller items you'll have.
What Are You Using Self Storage For?
The amount of storage space you need will largely depend on why you're using it.
Decluttering Your Home
If you're simply trying to reclaim a spare bedroom, garage or loft, you may only need a smaller storage unit.
Boxes, seasonal decorations, suitcases, sports equipment and smaller pieces of furniture can often be stored efficiently if they're packed and organised properly.
Self storage means you don't necessarily have to get rid of belongings just to create more room at home.
Moving House
Moving home often requires considerably more storage space.
If you're storing furniture and belongings from several rooms, you'll need to consider larger items including beds, sofas, dining furniture and appliances alongside your boxes.
Self storage can be particularly useful if there's a gap between moving dates or you want to move your belongings gradually rather than trying to do everything on moving day.
Renovating
Renovations can be much easier when rooms aren't filled with furniture.
If you're renovating one or two rooms, a smaller unit may be sufficient. For larger projects or a whole-house renovation, you'll naturally need more space.
Moving belongings into storage also helps protect furniture and other possessions from dust, paint and accidental damage while work is taking place.
Business Storage
Business storage requirements can vary considerably.
A small business might need space for boxes of documents, packaging materials or a small amount of stock, while a growing e-commerce business may need significantly more room for products and supplies.
Tradespeople may also need storage for tools, materials and equipment.
The benefit of self storage is that you can choose a space appropriate for your current requirements rather than immediately committing to larger business premises.
Think in Terms of Rooms, Not Just Square Feet
Square footage can be difficult to visualise when you're standing in your house looking at a pile of belongings.
Instead, start by thinking about how many rooms' worth of possessions you're planning to store.
Are you storing the contents of one spare bedroom? Several rooms? A flat? Or most of the contents of a family home?
Looking at storage in this way can give you a much better starting point when discussing unit sizes with a storage provider.
Don't Forget About Height
When choosing a self storage unit, it's easy to concentrate entirely on floor space.
However, good packing means making use of the height of your unit too.
Strong boxes that can be safely stacked can significantly reduce the amount of floor space you need. Some furniture can also be dismantled to make it easier to store.
For example, removing legs from tables or dismantling bed frames can make a surprising difference.
Just make sure everything is stacked safely, with heavier boxes at the bottom and lighter items above.
Will You Need Regular Access?
Another important consideration is how often you'll need to access your belongings.
If you're storing everything while moving house and don't expect to need anything until you move into your new property, you can pack your unit fairly tightly.
However, if you're using your unit regularly — particularly for business stock or seasonal belongings — you'll want to leave enough room to move around.
Creating a walkway through the unit and keeping frequently used items towards the front can save a lot of time.
There's nothing worse than discovering the box you need is right at the back!
Make an Inventory Before You Book
Before choosing your unit, make a quick list of what you're planning to store.
You don't need to document every individual item, but note down:
Large furniture
Appliances
Approximate number of boxes
Business stock or equipment
Awkward or unusually shaped items
Items you'll need to access regularly
If possible, take a few photographs too. These can be useful when discussing your requirements with the storage team.
Could Your Storage Needs Change?
It's also worth thinking a little further ahead.
If you're moving house, will more belongings need to go into storage later?
If you're using storage for your business, are stock levels likely to increase?
If you're decluttering before a renovation, will additional rooms eventually need clearing?
Choosing a unit that suits both your immediate and likely future requirements can save you from having to reorganise everything later.
Don't Automatically Choose the Cheapest Storage Unit
Price is understandably an important consideration, but the cheapest unit isn't necessarily the best value.
Choosing a unit that's too small can cause unnecessary hassle, while paying for significantly more space than you need doesn't make sense either.
The aim should be to find the right balance between space, accessibility, security and cost.
Ask for Advice
You don't have to work it all out yourself.
An experienced storage team should be able to help you estimate the amount of space you need based on what you're planning to store.
At MoorSpace Storage, we can talk through your requirements and help you choose an appropriate unit rather than simply leaving you to guess.
Find the Right Self Storage Unit in Huddersfield
At MoorSpace Storage, we provide a range of secure storage options for individuals, families and businesses in Huddersfield.
Whether you're storing a handful of belongings while decluttering, furniture during a house move or stock for a growing business, we'll help you find a storage solution that suits your requirements.
Choosing the right self storage unit size means you can make the most of your space without paying for more than you need.
If you're unsure what size storage unit is right for you, get in touch with the MoorSpace team. Tell us what you're planning to store and we'll help you find the right space.
