Many of us eventually reach a point when we realize that we’ve got too much stuff. In fact we don’t have enough places for our stuff. In the words of the late great George Carlin “We need to find more places to put our stuff”. Finding storage services is fairly simple; make sure the facility is safe and secure and when it’s time to store, avoid the common mistakes. Before you get there you must decide what size of self-storage unit you’ll need.
Sizing for Now
The beginning step is determining what size you need currently. If you have only a few items then obviously you’ll need a simple storage locker or maybe a small unit. Very large storage units tend to hold an entire large house, or 12 rooms, worth of furniture and appliances. The smallest units are locker sized, being ideal for a few personal items. Chances are, most people won’t need the largest storage unit; in fact a smaller unit may be perfect for what you need right now.
When you’ve settled on a storage location and have an idea as to what size you currently need, take some time to consider what you hope to get out of your self-storage unit in the future.
Sizing for the Future
When choosing your storage unit, take into consideration what your storage needs may look like a few years down the road. Choosing a small unit today because you have a few small items is good for now, but if in a few years you acquire more items you’ll then run into some problems. Having to move everything out of one unit into another can be a big hassle, especially for those with a lot of belongings to begin with. Planning ahead will greatly help in this regard.
Another option beyond choosing a bigger storage unit to begin with, is simply renting a second unit when the time comes. In this way you’ll save yourself some expenses at first by not having to pay for a larger unit than you currently need. You also won’t have to suffer the headache of moving out of your “now, too small unit” to the newer one.
The down side of buying when you need it is related to cost. You may end up in a situation where the two storage units combined are costing you more than simply starting off with one larger one. Consider also the availability of your units with your current storage provider. When it comes time to get a second unit you may end up with one too large for what you need, simply due to the rest being occupied. This again leads to an increase in cost. If ideal units aren’t available at your current location you could also end up having to seek units at a different site, thus dividing your belongings across a potentially large area.
Be sure to give plenty of forethought before selecting your storage unit. Be sure your current needs are met and that part of your future needs will be covered to save yourself headaches down the road.
ALL-Store Self Storage is a Paterson, NJ self storage provider that offers many different unit sizes to accommodate all of your storage needs. If you’d like to learn more about our facility and/or storage solutions, you can reach our team at 973-345-0080!
