If you need to rent a storage unit but are worried about the cost, we have plenty of tips to help you get more space for your money.

By packing carefully and using our space calculator, you could get the storage unit you require for far less than you might think.

Space Calculator

At Stop and Store, our handy Space Calculator tool can help you work out which size storage unit would best suit your needs. We have household storage units ranging from 12 to 200 square feet in size.

Our calculator offers a visual representation of the storage unit, so you can see exactly how much you could expect to fit in the unit. The calculator also tells you how many boxes you can fit in the unit, or how many van loads the unit can accommodate on average.

For example, a 25 square foot unit can accommodate 60 medium sized boxes or the equivalent of one small van. A 150 square foot unit can accommodate 240 medium sized boxes or the equivalent of two Luton vans. This large unit is ideal for storing the contents of a two bedroom home.

Being able to picture the available space in each unit in several ways means you’re far more likely to select the right sized unit for your needs. This means you won’t end up paying for more space than you need.

Vacuum Pack

If you plan to store any soft furnishings, clothing or bedding, vacuum bags are a great investment that won’t break the bank. Simply place your items into the bag, seal, and then use your hoover nozzle to remove the excess air from the bag.

This is a particularly good idea if you are storing air-filled items such as duvets or pillows. Vacuum packing spare bedding can save you a huge amount of space.

Vacuum bags are also a great purchase if you plan to store anything in your loft. They protect soft items from risks including damp and mould, and also reduce the chance of damage by pests including insects or rodents.

Box Sizes

Getting the right sized boxes can make a big difference to how well you can organise your storage unit. Although larger boxes might seem like a good idea, they can become very heavy once full. This may mean that you end up only half-filling them. Not only does this waste space, but it also means that the boxes become more difficult to stack as half-full boxes are not very sturdy.

As a general rule, put heavy items into smaller boxes, and light items into large boxes. If you pack a box and have some room left at the top, fill this space with something light such as a pillow or a bed sheet. This will protect the contents and help the box to keep its shape.

If you are wrapping delicate items, use clothing, towels or bedding instead of bubble wrap. This way, you’ll be saving on packing materials and packing more of your possessions into each box.

Fill Hollow Spaces

When you think about what you will be placing into household storage, consider where there might be hollow spaces. Fridges, wardrobes and trunks can all be filled with items to make the most of the available space in your storage room.

If it is safe to do so, you can also place boxes on top of a chest of drawers or on bookcase shelves to maximise your space.

Dismantle Furniture

It might seem like a pain, but dismantling furniture will save you a lot of space in your storage unit. It will also make moving it into the unit far easier.

Take a photo of the item before you dismantle it to make it easier to remember how to put it back together again. Place all of the screws, dowels and fixings into a plastic bag and then tape the bag to the furniture with masking tape. This way, none of the fixings will go missing whilst in storage.

Stack Carefully

Making a plan can be very helpful when it comes to unloading your possessions into a storage unit. Like a giant game of Tetris, if you unpack carefully and methodically into the unit, you’ll end up with very little unused space in your storage unit.

When you make your plan, be sure to leave a path so that you can access items at the back of the storage unit safely.

Label Boxes

During the packing process, be sure to label boxes accurately. Although you might think you will be able to remember what is in each box, in a few months’ time your memory may be hazier.

Having labelled boxes also means it will be easier to know which box to put where when you load up your unit. Anything that you know you won’t need can go at the back of the room or on the bottom of a stack. Items that you may need to access should be placed closer to the door or near the top of a pile.

Using clear plastic boxes, rather than cardboard or opaque plastic storage boxes, may make it easier to see exactly what is in each box without needing to refer to your plan.

Think Vertically

When you rent a storage unit you are paying for all of the space in the unit, including space that is near the ceiling. Some items of furniture can be stored vertically to save space. Sofas, TV units and other long items of furniture can be stored on their end to minimise their footprint and maximise the remaining space within the unit.

Investing in some cheap shelving units or racking can also help you to pack boxes higher up in the unit whilst ensuring that the boxes are not at risk of falling.

Stop and Store Fareham

At Stop and Store, our storage facility is easily accessed in Fareham Shopping Centre. Open seven days a week from 8am to 8pm, it’s easy to access your items whenever you need them.

To use our space calculator or to reserve a storage unit, book online or contact us on 01329 556174.