How to Choose the Right Storage Unit Size Without a Calculator

Choosing a self-storage unit can be tricky, especially if this is your first time renting one. We understand how daunting it can be and want to help you ease any concerns you might have. One of those questions is likely: “How do you determine the right storage unit size for me without a calculator?”. This question is helpful to know the answer to in the early stages of combing through self-storage unit size options, depending on your storage needs. We will explore how you can go about that process in the most seamless way possible, so you can answer the question, “how do you choose the right size storage unit?”.

In this guide, we will cover:

• The benefits of a self-storage unit
• What to ask yourself when choosing a self-storage unit size
• A quick calculation of a self-storage unit
• Other tips and things to consider when choosing a self-storage unit
• How XYZ Storage can help you 

Benefits of a Self-Storage Unit

Before going into what to look for when finding the right size storage unit, let’s talk about the benefits of renting a self-storage unit. There are many benefits of renting a self-storage unit include:

• Creating space and reducing the clutter in your home
• Helping with the transition between major life changes such as moving across the country, downsizing your home, or during home renovations
• Providing a safe and secure space to store your belongings temporarily
• Supporting your business by creating inventory space
• Giving a cost-efficient way to add more space for your belongings (pay for what you require)
• More physical space if you do not have a storage locker in your building

If any of the above applies to you then most likely your next step to get started is trying to figure out what size storage unit to rent for your specific storage needs. We are here to help walk you through the process and what to keep an eye out for so you feel confident in renting a self-storage space for your belongings.

What To Ask Yourself When Choosing a Self-Storage Unit Size

To help facilitate the process, start by asking yourself these questions or referring to these tips. They will be helpful regardless of whether you are storing them for the first time or the tenth time.

1. What do you plan on storing in your storage unit?

This question plays an important role in determining what size storage unit you need. Taking inventory of whatever you plan on storing can be highly beneficial when figuring out if you need a 5’ x 5’ storage unit or a 10’ x 30’ storage unit. For example, if you are planning to store a set of winter tires and a few other small items then a 5’ x 5’ storage unit would be sufficient. However, if you are staging your home and need to store your 3 bedroom homes worth of furniture then you will likely need to go with our larger 10’ x 30’ unit to fit all of your belongings. Having a good idea of what you want to store in your storage unit will not only save you time but money as well. This is especially true if you are looking into a large size unit when in reality, a medium-sized storage unit will suffice. 

Before you finalize your list of inventory items, confirm that you don’t have the storage space at home to store these items anywhere. If you do lack the space at home, then you can proceed with looking into renting a unit that can fit all your belongings listed.

2. Do Your Research On Self-Storage Unit Sizes

Complete storage research to better understand storage sizes, this can be done through a self-storage facility’s website or in person. By understanding the storage industry and what facilities offer, you’ll have a better idea of your own needs. Word of mouth can be great, and getting recommendations from friends and family always provides a layer of trust in the facility you choose, but doing your research is also recommended. It is also always beneficial to visit the self-storage facility before making a commitment and reserving or booking a unit. For instance, you may think a 10’ x 10’ unit is big enough in theory for all your furniture, but in reality, that may not always be the case. Therefore, we highly recommend you pay a visit to the self-storage facility and tour the unit yourself in person.

We at XYZ Storage would be more than happy to assist you if you find a self-storage unit size on our website you are interested in renting with us. You are more than welcome to stop by! We also have Storage Experts that you can see at our facility or call at any time to help you decide what size unit would be best based on the inventory list you created. 

Common Self-storage Unit Sizes

First off, let’s deep dive into what the most common self-storage sizes are that you can find on the market:

• 5’ x 10’
• 10’ x 10’ 
• 10’ x 20’

It’s best to see what self-storage unit size offerings exist. For example, one self-storage facility might offer a 10’ x 10’ and a 10’ x 20’, however, another competitor might offer a 10’ x 15’, which is more within your budget and fits perfectly for your belongings.

What Self-storage Unit Sizes Does XYZ Storage Offer

At XYZ Storage, we offer a bunch of different storage unit sizes to provide flexibility for our customers who come in and require a self-storage unit for their belongings. Our self-storage facilities offer compact, small, medium, and large self-storage units for Torontonians to rent.

• Compact storage units are the smallest-sized units that we offer. They are perfect for storing smaller belongings such as a cabinet, gardening tools, sports equipment, etc. These belongings can require temporary storage or more long-term storage solutions.
• Small storage units are our more affordable solutions for those who plan on storing a walk-in closet amount of belongings. For example, a twin-sized mattress can fit inside our small storage unit.
• Medium storage units can fit up to a bedroom’s worth of belongings (average-sized) or a studio apartment. Therefore, if you need to store larger pieces of furniture, appliances, or outdoor patio furniture, unit sizes that fall into this category will be enough space. To learn more about our medium storage unit size: check out our 10’ x 10’ and our 10’ x 15’ sized units.
• Large storage units are perfect for those looking to store multiple bedrooms worth of belongings. For example, you can fit a two-bedroom apartment and up to a three-bedroom house worth of belongings inside a large-sized unit. You can check out our large unit sizes: 10’ x 20’ and 10 x 30’ and learn more about them.

The examples we provided are to give you a comparison of what unit sizes are similar so you can make an educated guess on how much stuff you have and whether it would fit into any of the above categories.

3. Quick Calculation of The Size

Most storage units will be listed in feet. For example, you likely come across a 5-foot by 5-foot storage unit. This means if you multiply 5 by 5 the total square footage is 25 square feet available to use. Another example is a 10-foot by 15-foot unit means a total of 150 square feet. It’s a helpful calculation to make as it can give you a good idea of how much you can fit in that self-storage unit so you can make an informed decision.

Other Tips When Choosing a Self-Storage Unit

How long do you plan on renting a storage unit?

It depends on your situation, whether you are moving across the country for six months, moving back with your parents after graduation, or downsizing after becoming empty-nesters. Self-storage can be a temporary solution for many, but for other people, it can be more permanent and long-term.

Features to look for when renting a storage unit

When searching for the ideal self-storage unit size you might want to consider some of the other features the facility offers beyond the scope of the storage unit. Some of the features to look for include:

• Is the storage facility and unit temperature controlled? Consider storing with a self-storage facility that is temperature controlled, especially if you have valuable assets you are looking to store that are temperature sensitive. This can include wooden furniture, antiques, photo albums, or leather bags.
• How accessible is the storage unit? Is it on the ground floor or the second floor? The location of the unit can change the price. Each storage unit location has benefits, for example, a ground floor unit allows you to access your units more easily without having to use elevator or stairs. But a higher floor unit is often less expensive, so if you’re visiting your unit less often, this may be ideal for you. 
• Would I feel safe leaving my belongings here for the next three, six, or twelve months? Having peace of mind is important, so you should feel confident and comfortable with storing your belongings in whatever facility you choose for an extended period.
• Is the facility clean and well-maintained? When a facility and unit are both clean and well-maintained this can be key in helping your belongings stay in good shape over time.
• What other special amenities and benefits does this facility offer that others do not? For example, is there free Wi-Fi, accessible workspace, free coffee, etc.?

We highly recommend you compare sizes and pricing amongst various facilities to find the option that is best for you. Whether you look at the small-sized units or the medium-sized units it’s always a good idea to look at various sizes, discounts, and overall prices. At XYZ Storage, we take pride in having our Storage Experts assist you with finding the right unit size. Please feel free to visit a facility or call us for more information on our self-storage units.

How XYZ Storage Can Help

We at XYZ Storage want to help you choose the best self-storage unit size that fits your unique storage needs. Self-storage can be a scary process to get started,  but once you navigate through all the different storage units and all of the different features you can get it will get easier. If you are struggling in your storage and rental process, please feel free to stop by any of our XYZ Storage self-storage facilities conveniently located in Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area. We have locations in Toronto West, Toronto Midtown, Toronto Downtown, Scarborough, and Etobicoke with state-of-the-art storage facilities that have clean, safe, and secure storage options for your belongings. Our XYZ Storage team is committed to providing you with a seamless storage experience whether you are looking for a temporary home for your belongings or more of a long-term solution.