How to Select the Right Storage Unit for You

Personal Storage Unit

When it comes to choosing a self-storage unit for your belongings, size really does matter.

People who come to Multi Storage for the first time aren’t quite certain what size of a personal storage unit to pick.

If the storage unit is too small:

Items are stuffed inside.
It’s nearly impossible to move around.
You may have to rent extra units down the line.

If the storage unit is too large:

You’ll pay for extra room you don’t need.

After deciding on a reputable storage company near Hamilton, your next step is to choose a storage unit size that’s a perfect fit for your needs.

See what sizes are out there and what they’ll actually hold

At our Hamilton and Stoney Creek locations, all our units will comfortably store more than you realize.

5’x 5’ (25 sq. ft.)

Comparable capacity: 1 or 2 rooms.
Ideal for: Office files. Small furniture.

5’x 10’ (50 sq. ft.)

Comparable capacity: Bachelor apartment. Pick-up truck. Cargo van.
Ideal for: Contents of a 1 bedroom apartment (furniture, electronics, etc.)

10 x 10’ (100 sq. ft.)

Comparable capacity: One bedroom apartment. 15 ft. moving fan.
Ideal for: Apartment furniture.

10’x 15’ (150 sq. ft.)

Comparable capacity: 2 bedroom apartment. 20 ft. moving van.
Ideal for: Mid-size apartment furniture.

10’x 20’ (200 sq. ft.)

Comparable capacity: 3 bedroom apartment. 2 bedroom house. 24ft. moving van.
Ideal for: Vehicle storage. Furniture. Sporting goods (i.e. bikes).

10’x 25’ (250 sq. ft.)

Comparable capacity: 3 bedroom house with major appliances. 26 ft. moving van.
Ideal for: Vehicle storage. Appliances. Large furniture. Boxes of smaller items.

10’x 30’ (300 sq. ft.)

Comparable capacity: 4 or 5 bedroom house. 40 ft. moving van.
Ideal for: Vehicle storage. Multiple room furniture sets. Appliances. Sporting goods.

Storage Rental

Want a more accurate assessment? Use our FREE storage calculator, which lets you determine the right storage size for you based on individual items sorted by room (kitchen, living room, bedroom, etc.)

Make four lists

Before you start hauling your belongings to your storage space, you should create the following four lists:

Items you’ll be storing: The basic list of everything you’ll be placing inside your self-storage rental.

Length of storage: How long will everything be stored? If something is seasonal, it’ll come out in a few months. Other items, you may not need for months or even years.

Exact dates you’ll need things: For example, if you’re renovating your home, you’ll want to know when you can pull certain items out (like a big screen TV) as the renovation progresses.

Insured items: Homeowners insurance doesn’t always cover items in self-storage. If you purchase extra insurance for selected items, be sure to note that information.

Consider awkwardly-shaped items

In a perfect world, all your belongings would fit inside nice, neat, and orderly boxes.

Of course, that isn’t the case. Items like appliances, bicycles, tools, equipment, and electronics can’t be stored inside a box.

That means you’ll have to answer some questions, such as:

Can those items be stored free-standing, or must they lean against a wall?
Can anything be stored on top of those items?
Can those items (like a bed) be dissembled and the individual components get boxed away?
Should you wrap certain things in a protective cover?

So, if you’ll be storing a large concrete bird bath, you’ll need to have enough room to safely store it without the possibility of damage.

You need to get in there too

Many people need self-storage because their homes are full to the brim with stuff.

So, while filling a storage unit floor-to-ceiling – and front-to-back – seems like the better idea, it really isn’t.

That’s because there isn’t room for the most important thing: You.

If you can’t safely and comfortably move around inside your storage rental, or if you need to pull everything out in order to access a certain item, you aren’t doing yourself any favours.

There are three things you need to do inside your storage space:

Walk around.
Turn around.
Carry items in and out.

Lastly, if you think going for the smallest unit possible will save you money, think again. It’ll cost you money and time:

Money: If something gets ruined or squished inside, you’ll need to replace it. If it’s something of incredible sentimental value, there’s no price that’ll bring it back.
Time: You’ll spend extra time moving boxes in and out, over and over again, instead of just picking up what you need and leaving.

Multi Storage has the right unit for you

Regardless if you need a personal storage unit, commercial storage for your business, or even heated storage, we have the right space to meet your needs.

You’ll also enjoy peace of mind knowing that:

You’ll be charged on a money-saving, easy-to-follow monthly billing cycle.
Your items are protected with 24/7 video security monitoring, unit alarms, gated fencing, and more.
Boxes and moving supplies are available on site should you need them.