Choosing a storage unit can seem overwhelming, but it’s easier than you think if you know what factors to consider. Whether you’re downsizing your home or preparing for a military deployment, make the most of self storage by finding the right unit with Bluebird Self Storage. As your local experts, we have self storage tips to simplify your decision-making!
Take Inventory of Your Belongings
The first step to determining what storage unit you need is to understand how many things you have to pack. We recommend creating an inventory checklist of all your items. One good approach is to go room by room. As you go through your list, take note of what items you regularly use and which can be placed in storage. If you plan to put everything in storage for a move, an inventory list is still a helpful tool to keep yourself organized.
How Do I Determine the Type of Storage Unit I Need?
The simplest way to determine the type of storage unit you need is to ask yourself what you plan to do with it. By answering this question, the pieces to the puzzle will start falling into place. Allow us to share with you some of the most popular storage types available for rent.
Choosing a Storage Unit: Personal Storage
Whether you’re in the middle of apartment leases or starting a round of home renovations, personal storage units have helped many homeowners find the extra room they need. Personal storage is a flexible option for all kinds of projects, down to decluttering your closets.
A 5×5 personal storage unit is similar to a walk-in closet or large locker–perfect for storing holiday decorations and seasonal clothing. If you need to store all of your belongings during a move, a larger 10×20 or 10×30 unit is ideal for multi-room houses and apartments.
Choosing a Storage Unit: Commercial Storage
From small business owners to franchisees, commercial storage is convenient for all kinds of entrepreneurs. Clutter can cause problems for businesses like disorganization, lower productivity, and even unhappy employees.
A commercial storage unit can hold inventory, tax documents, or office furniture to help you maximize space without buying or renting more real estate. Common businesses that benefit from commercial self storage include:
- Retailers
- Non-profit organizations
- Manufacturers
- Real estate agents
- Governmental agencies
- Pharmaceutical representatives
Choosing a Storage Unit: Climate-Controlled Storage
Do you plan to store belongings that are sensitive to extreme temperatures? Your ideal choice is a climate-controlled storage unit. Designed to maintain a steady temperature year-round, climate-controlled storage units shield belongings like wooden furniture, vinyl records, electronics, and paperwork from intense heat or cold.
If you’re not sure if climate-controlled storage is right for you, think of it this way: if you wouldn’t store your belongings in the trunk of a hot car, they need climate control. Your peace of mind matters and a climate-controlled storage unit lets you rest easy knowing your stored items are shielded from damage like warping, cracking, or melting.
How Do I Choose the Right Storage Unit Size?
After you find your perfect type of storage unit, start thinking about what size to choose. A good storage facility should offer a wide range of storage unit sizes to fit all kinds of needs. To help you out, we’ve gathered some common storage needs and which storage unit sizes best align with them:
- Decluttering projects. If you have too many belongings taking up space, consider a 5×5 or 5×10 storage unit. These unit sizes are respectively the sizes of a walk-in closet or large shed–great for holiday decorations, seasonal clothing, or boxes of paperwork.
- Small-scale moves or partial renovation projects. For apartment hopping or a little DIY paint job in your kitchen, a 10×10 unit can store a few large pieces of furniture and several small, medium, and large boxes. They’re also great for storing tools and lawn equipment!
- Large-scale moves and complete remodeling projects. When you’re moving a multi-room home or remodeling an entire storefront or office, a 10×20 or 10×30 storage unit will be your wisest choice. Some facilities may offer even larger sizes, so talk to your local storage experts for more insights.
What Features Do I Need in a Storage Unit?
A critical part of choosing your storage unit is to consider the features your potential facility offers. If you plan to frequently visit your unit to drop off or pick up belongings, look for features that are conducive to that, like convenient access hours. Here are just some of the many storage features to consider throughout your search:
- Drive-up access. Storage that allows you to drive your car or truck to your unit’s door through convenient outdoor access.
- Security features. Facilities are equipped with unique lines of security features including gated access, fenced perimeters, and the Nokē Smart Entry System.
- Moving and packing supplies. Various sizes of moving boxes, packing tape, and more are available for purchase on-site.
Location is another key factor. Find a storage facility either close to your home or business to make commuting to and from your stored belongings easier. Ideally, your storage facility is also located near major roads or highways to avoid treks around busy or narrow side streets.
Additional Self Storage Tips
Even when you’ve settled on your storage unit decision, you can still put a variety of good practices and storage tips to use for your move-in day. Once you’ve rented your storage unit, remember to:
- Create a designated walking space in your unit.
- Place any items you’ll frequently need close to your storage unit’s door.
- Set up autopay options so your rent is always on time
- Ask about unique, convenient features like free pick-up service.
Find the Best Storage Units at Bluebird Self Storage
From purging your home of clutter to transitioning to a new office, your perfect storage unit is waiting for you with us at Bluebird Self Storage. The road to premier self storage has never been clearer than it is with our wide selection of storage units throughout Maine and New Hampshire.
Start creating the space you need–find a Bluebird Self Storage facility near you or contact us online today!