How Do I Calculate The Best Self Storage Unit Size?

Getting your stuff into a reasonably compact self storage area begins with evaluating your estate. If you take stock of all the items you possess, you’ll notice that probably not all of them are necessary. We often keep old possessions that have already been replaced or hang onto things we intend to discard.

Renting a storage unit often indicates a sudden or important life transition. That being the case, while taking stock of your worldly goods, make sure the things you’re putting into storage are ones you actually want or need.

At Maple Leaf Self Storage, we have many resources to help you plan your move and determine your storage space need.

What Do I Do After I’ve Chosen What Things To Keep?

After deciding what to keep, divide your property into categories. This means figuring out how much furniture you have, appliances, clothing, kitchenware, and any other kind of property you wish to preserve.

This will help you visualize how items will be arranged in your unit. That allows you to begin formulating the space size you require. For example, if your longest possession is a couch that is over eight feet long, then you know one of your storage space dimensions must be longer than that.

Use a measuring tape, unless you have a great eye and instinctive spatial awareness. Decide which larger things can be stored sideways or disassembled to reduce space. A mattress, for example, takes up much less room when turned on its side, up against a wall.

After Measuring The Biggest Things, What Next?

If you’re reluctant to save space by storing a chesterfield on its end, facing up, then remember you can let it sit normally and put boxes on it. Store everything including appliances and kitchenware in clean cardboard boxes. Clothes should go in plastic containers.

Separate lighter from heavier boxes, and ones with fragile contents.

What Do I Do with My Packed Property?

Now count the boxes and containers, see how much you have. Measure them. Decide what can be stored on the furniture. For things perched on chairs and couches, you’ll want lighter items, like clothes. For placing boxes on top of boxes, don’t imagine yourself piling them higher than you can easily reach.

Keep heavier items at the bottom of any pile, and don’t stack too much on containers of fragile items. Label every box with a thick black marker. For storing them in your unit, you’ll start at the far wall and work backward, toward the door, stacking as you go, after the furniture’s been arranged to one side.

I Don’t Have Time To Do All This Measuring Or Pre-Packing!

This is true for many people in most situations. Life isn’t orderly. Even if you just loosely prepare for renting a storage space, and see what needs to be done, you’ll be much further ahead than folks who can’t even wrangle enough boxes.

The more possessions you properly box up beforehand, the better you’ll be able to calculate the amount of space you should be renting. As for the things you need to keep free until the last minute, your brain may unconsciously box them for you, creating an image in your mind that will be useful in calculating the right unit size.  Think box dimensions multiplied by boxes required plus furniture and what can be stacked on it.

What Should I Do When I’m Ready To Start Storing?

Have the assistance you need ready. Hiring movers is the most worry-free method, but if money is an issue, make sure friends or family have committed to helping you store your effects. Don’t forget that in British Columbia and Alberta, providing pizza and beer is the traditional way of saying Thank You for helping someone move.

Let Maple Leaf Self Storage Take Care Of Your Belongings

With nine different unit sizes to match your needs, Maple Leaf Self Storage is your ideal solution with 15 locations in BC and Alberta. Each location offers moving supplies including boxes, locks and more. Our professional staff look forward to providing you peace of mind. Contact us for a free quote today!