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Guide to Picking the Best Unit at a Storage Facility 

When it comes to choosing a storage unit, the most important factor to consider is what you’ll be storing. There are several different types of storage units, each designed for different items. You should consider how long you’ll need to store them, what size you need, and what type of climate control you’ll need.

Choosing the best storage unit for your needs doesn’t have to be difficult. Let’s take a look at each of these factors in more detail.

What’s the difference between long-term and short-term storage?

Long-term storage is typically for items that you won’t need access to for an extended period of time, such as seasonal clothing or holiday decorations. Short-term storage is typically for items that you’ll need to access regularly, such as business inventory.

Short term storage is ideal for people:

  • Who are moving and need a place to store their belongings until they find a new home
  • Who are renovating their home and need to clear out some space
  • Who have seasonal items that they only need access to occasionally

Long term storage is ideal for people:

  • Who are downsizing their home and need a place to store some of their belongings
  • Who have collectibles or other items that they want to keep safe but don’t need regular access to
  • Who are going on an extended vacation or business trip and need a place to store their belongings

What size storage unit do I need?

The size of the unit you’ll need depends on the amount and size of the items you’re planning on storing. It’s always better to overestimate the size of the unit you’ll need, as you can always downsize to a smaller unit if necessary.

Here are some general guidelines for storage unit sizes:

  • A 5×5 unit is ideal for storing items from a small bedroom, such as a mattress set, box spring, dresser and a few smaller items.
  • A 10×10 unit is ideal for storing items from a large bedroom, such as a couch, chairs, dining room set, washer and dryer, and other larger items.
  • A 10×20 unit is ideal for storing items from an entire household, such as furniture, appliances, boxes and other miscellaneous items.

What climate control options are available?

Climate control is an important factor to consider if you’re storing anything that could be damaged by extreme temperatures or humidity. Most storage facilities offer climate-controlled units, which are typically more expensive than non-climate-controlled units.

Some items that benefit from climate-controlled storage include:

  • Electronics
  • Musical instruments
  • Artwork
  • Photographs
  • Wood furniture

What are drive-up units?

Drive-up units are storage units that can be accessed from your car, making them convenient for loading and unloading large or heavy items. These units are typically more expensive than standard storage units, but they can save you a lot of time and effort.

Some items that are best suited for drive-up storage units include:

  • Appliances
  • Furniture
  • Boxes
  • Sports equipment

What other factors should I consider?

In addition to the factors mentioned above, you should also consider your budget and the location of the storage facility. Storage units closer to major cities tend to be more expensive than those located in rural areas.

If you’re on a tight budget, you may want to consider renting a smaller unit or self-storage space. Self-storage space is typically less expensive than renting a storage unit, but it’s important to remember that you’ll be responsible for storing and accessing your belongings yourself.

When deciding on a storage unit, it’s important to take all of these factors into consideration. By doing so, you can be sure to choose the best unit for your needs.

Chris Turn

Chris Turn is the pseudonym of a journalist and writer who has published short stories, essays, and criticism in the Los Angeles Times, the Globe and Mail, the Toronto Star, and the New York Times. Her most recent book, a novel, is The Summoning (The HarperCollins Canada, 2014). She lives with her husband in Toronto.

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