What Size Storage Unit Do I Need to Rent?
Share this Article:
Using a storage unit near you is a simple and effective way to keep your belongings safe and organized when you need extra space. Before renting, it’s important to figure out what size storage unit will work best for your needs. With so many storage types and sizes available, it’s helpful to start by narrowing down your options.
A great storage facility should offer more than just space—it should deliver good value, high-quality units, top-notch security for your belongings, and excellent customer service. Whether you’re storing household items, seasonal decorations, or something larger like a car, boat, or RV, here’s how to determine the right storage unit size for your needs:
Decide What You’ll Store
To determine what size of storage unit you will need, first, assess the amount of space you have at home that you can reallocate to storage. Try to maximize the use of that space before choosing the size of storage unit you need. Then, use this little 3-step process to choose the items you will store at home and to select items to put in your new storage unit:
Inventory all of your household and personal belongings and evaluate each to determine whether it is an item you want to store.
Identify the items you rarely use and consider the amount of space they consume. Select those you value but don’t use often and now want to store.
Indicate the items you choose to store by listing, labeling, and/or staging them efficiently in a location together with the other items you plan to store.
Check Out the Space
It’s important to see the storage unit, if possible, to avoid renting a larger unit than you need or want. To determine which storage unit size you need, it can be very helpful to look at it in person, vs. making any assumptions based on the information or images online. It’s much easier to visualize how your items will all fit in the storage unit when you can stand in the space.
While you’re there, you can also make sure the lock works well, the storage door functions smoothly, the property security appears in order, and you have an overall positive experience at the storage property.
Types of Storage Units You Should Know
Storing items in a storage unit helps protect them from damage due to exposure to rough treatment while being stored at home in areas that are not really suitable for storage. For example, either in cramped closets, garage corners, or outdoors without shelter from the elements, etc.
Small Units for Everyday Essentials
Smaller storage units can be the ideal solution for keeping countless items you need or want to keep and protect, but cannot or do not want to keep underfoot at home. For example:
- Arts and crafts supplies and materials
- Hobby items
- Collections
- Children’s toys
- Outgrown clothes
- Other childhood items you want to keep for the kids
- Party supplies
- Holiday decorations
- Board games, yard games, etc.
- Infrequently used household items
- Seasonal clothing
- Sports gear
Medium Units for Bigger Needs
Medium storage units provide the extra space you may need for storing larger items that constitute major clutter at home, either indoors, outdoors, or both. For example:
- Extra furniture, like extra dining chairs
- Nursery changing table, cabinets
- Children’s beds, guest room items
- Old appliances that you may later sell, give away, donate
- Seasonal items like fans, space heaters
- Home repair parts for electrical, plumbing
- Finished arts and crafts projects
- Hobby supplies, musical instruments, sports equipment
- Home-care medical equipment
- Small equipment like snow blowers, weed cutters, etc.
- Chainsaws, other power tools,
- lawn chairs, pool toys, etc.
Large Units for Major Storage
Large storage units can often provide the most practical solution for storing something you may need or want to keep, but that is too big to keep on your property. For example:
- Snowmobiles
- Jet skis
- Canoes
- Home remodeling materials
- Construction equipment
- Stacks of building supplies
- Work materials
- Work equipment
- Small trailers, lifts
- Small vehicles
- ATVs
- Small boats
Why Measurements Matter
Estimating the correct amount of space you will need in your storage unit is typically much more likely to be successful by taking some measurements, writing them down, and then using those to calculate the amount of space you'll need for all the items you need to fit in your storage unit. Use a tape measure to:
- Measure the Length, Width, and Height of each of the largest items first, then calculate L x W x H to find their volume individually. Repeat this process for the middle-sized items.
- Then, create an outline of a small box on the floor and place piles of your smaller items in it, no more than a few feet high. Use that approximate pile height in your calculation to estimate the box size they would fill.
- Add the volume for each of the larger, medium-sized, and small piles together to calculate the total space you need for storing all the items. If preferred, just use one of the many good online calculators designed for this multiplication.
Storing a Vehicle Made Simple
Open City Self Storage offers ideal accommodations for your vehicle. If you need to store a car, motorcycle, RV, or boat. Our 24/7 video surveillance and gated access provide the ultimate modern storage security and peace of mind for our customers.
Car Storage
If having too many cars in your driveway has become problematic, storing a car can be a great alternative for keeping it safe and secure.
Motorcycle Storage
To keep motorcycles safe and secure and maintain compliance with neighborhood restrictions, storage may provide the best solution.
RV Storage
To keep your RV or camper safe and secure without having it parked in your driveway year-round, storage rental space is a practical option.
Boat Storage
If you have limited space at home, local compliance considerations, etc., storing your boat keeps it safe, secure, and out of the way.
Find Your Perfect Unit at Open City Self Storage
At Open City Self Storage, Elburn, IL, we offer our customers a wide selection of storage unit sizes to provide the ideal space for their specific needs and preferences. We are fully committed to providing you with our area’s best storage facilities and personal service.
We focus on maintaining exceptional organization, cleanliness, and safety conditions, state-of-the-art security, and unmatched convenience. We’ve become our area’s most trusted storage company by delivering excellent value in storage rentals and the overall best customer experience in our market.
For information about storage unit sizes and availability, call Open City Self Storage, Elburn, IL, 22206, at 888-481-5090, or contact us online anytime! We’re here to help you!
Share with Us!
