Choose the right size self storage unit
Estimating
how much space you will need for your storage items can be simple if
you know what you want to store. Here are some simple steps to help you
plan, and size recommendations based on commonly-stored items.
Step 1: Start by making a list of the items you plan to store.
Step 2: Group the items according to how you will organize them.
Start by identifying items that will be packed in boxes and stacked.
Next, prioritize boxed items you will want to access most frequently
(they’ll go closer to the front of the unit). Then group by fragility or
weight – heavier, sturdier items should be stored on the bottom of
stacked items, fragile items on top. Then consider awkwardly-sized items
that won’t stack well, including how often you will need to use them,
and how heavy they are.
Step 3: Make note of how these items will be packed and organized.
Boxes and containers should be of uniform size, and should be stacked
no more than three- or four-high, depending on the size and strength of
the containers you use. At Extra Space, our customers often use
heavy-duty plastic stackable drawers for easy access to stored items.
There are several basic sizes of storage units. Below is a
quick-reference guide to help you plan what size unit you will need for
your personal or business storage:
Storage of Personal Items
- 5' x 5' (25 sq. ft.) – Will hold a chest of drawers, a small
mattress set, boxes and small items. Useful for garden tools, or
seasonal decorative items.
- 5' x 10' (50 sq. ft.) – Will hold furnishings of a mid-size
bedroom, including a queen-size bed, dresser, TV, and a few storage
boxes.
- 10' x 10' (100 sq. ft.) – Will hold the contents of an
entire family room or two full bedrooms.
- 10' x 15' (150 sq. ft.) – Will hold the contents of up to
three bedrooms in this unit. Recommended for larger items such as
pianos, couches, tables, or large-screen TVs.
- 10' x 20' (200 sq. ft.) – Will hold the contents of a
five-bedroom house, including a refrigerator, washer/dryer, dining room
table, chairs and large boxes.
- 10' x 30' (300 sq. ft.) – Will hold the contents of a 5- to
7-bedroom house, including large items such as a couch, bed, fridge,
and entertainment center.
Storage of Business Items
- 5' x 5' (25 sq. ft.) – Will hold the contents of a large office
closet filled with files, books, office chairs, and a few storage boxes.
- 5' x 10' (50 sq. ft.) – Will hold the contents of one
office room, including desks, bookcases, filing cabinets and large
storage boxes. Ideal for storing equipment and tools.
- 10' x 10' (100 sq. ft.) – Will hold the contents of an
entire office, including desks, chairs, computers and a few storage
boxes.
- 10' x 15' (150 sq. ft.) – Will hold the contents of three
office rooms could fit in this size unit, including several desks,
computers and boxes.
- 10' x 20' (200 sq. ft.) – Will hold the contents of five
office rooms (desks, computers, bookcases and file cabinets) in this
size, or a five-year supply of business and tax files.
- 10' x 30' (300 sq. ft.) – Will hold the contents of five
office rooms – many desks, several large boxes, seasonal storage, a few
sets of large storage shelves and/or a few pallets of inventory,
depending on how high you stack them.
|
