Choosing the proper storage unit involves more than just finding the nearest facility. The size you select affects both your monthly costs and how well your belongings fit and stay organized. Many people underestimate or overestimate their space needs, leading to wasted money or cramped conditions.
Getting the right fit requires understanding your storage goals and knowing what size options work best for different situations. Whether someone needs space for a few boxes or an entire household, Council Bluffs storage facilities offer various unit sizes to match different needs. Taking time to plan ahead helps avoid the common mistakes that make storage more expensive and less useful than it should be.
Storage unit size can be confusing, and that’s why we’ve put together this storage unit size guide to help ease the stress. Here’s what you should know about choosing the right size for your storage and making sure that’s what you’re buying.
How to Choose the Right Storage Unit Size
Standard Storage Measurement
The standard measurement used is feet.
Most common storage unit sizes list only numbers and omit the measurement unit. When you see 10×5, assume that they mean feet when the company is US-based. If you are planning on storing the entire contents of your two or four bedroom house, you don’t want to end up with a small storage unit no bigger than a walk-in closet.
If you aren’t sure about this, ask.
What Size Storage Unit Will You Need?
The good news is that storage units are available in all shapes and sizes… Well, almost. Storage units can be 5×5, but they can also be as large as 10×30.
The size of a storage unit you will need depends on what you’re looking for, and how much you can afford. Will you be storing the contents of your entire home or just a twin-sized mattress set? Do you have too many holiday decorations or seasonal items that you can’t fit the car in the garage any longer? Do you have a dining room set or small furniture you want to put in storage?
This will determine if you need a small, medium-sized, or large storage unit.
Answer these questions about your needs before you settle on your storage unit size.
- Will your things remain in storage for a while
- Will you add more things to this storage unit over time?
- Is this short-term, or long-term storage?
- Do my items need to be in a climate-controlled storage unit?
- Are you looking for vehicle storage?
Ask About the Height
Most storage facilities provide length and width measurements but often exclude height information. This missing dimension significantly impacts total storage capacity.
Height varies between different storage companies and locations. A unit measuring 10×10 feet might offer 8-foot ceilings at one facility but 12-foot ceilings at another. This difference affects how much can actually fit inside the space.
Customers should specifically request ceiling height measurements before making decisions. Some companies reduce costs by offering lower ceilings, which limits vertical storage options.
Stacking or Not
Storage success depends on understanding how items will be arranged inside the unit. Some situations work better with vertical stacking, while others require side-by-side placement for easy access.
Vertical storage works well for:
- Sturdy boxes and containers
- Seasonal items accessed infrequently
- Maximizing space in smaller units
Horizontal layouts suit:
- Fragile items requiring careful handling
- Furniture pieces that cannot be stacked
- Items needed for regular access
Poor planning leads to damaged belongings. Heavy items placed on top of delicate ones cause crushing. Improperly stacked boxes create unstable towers that collapse and break contents.
Visit the Storage Unit
Seeing a storage unit before signing a contract is the best way to understand what you will be paying for. It allows you to visually assess the unit and its condition. This way, you can ensure that it meets your needs and expectations.
Additionally, it allows you to ask any questions or address any concerns you may have. Ultimately, this helps you make an informed decision and avoid any surprises or disappointments in the future. Seeing the facility in person can tell you a lot more than a few online photographs. Walking around the storage unit can ensure you that this is going to be what you’re looking for.
Choose reputable self-storage companies over ones that you’ve never heard of. In most cases, franchises are easier to hold accountable if there is any dispute.
Compare Your Options
Smart consumers should look at several options before choosing one final contract or storage unit. Read your contract carefully, and make sure that there are no price hikes or hidden costs.
Sometimes one clause can cost you thousands, or ownership of everything you have in the unit when you skip a payment.
Before you sign into a storage unit contract, make sure that you are sure of what you’re signing into.
Clark Storage – Best and Most Secured Storage Units in the Area
Clark Storage is here to provide safe, convenient, and affordable storage solutions for residents and businesses. Our facilities are designed for ease of access, reliable security, and peace of mind. From short-term needs to long-term storage, we have units that fit your lifestyle.
We proudly serve Council Bluffs, Glenwood, Nebraska City, and Pacific Junction, with storage options that make moving, decluttering, or organizing simple and stress-free. Contact us today to find the right storage unit for your needs and ask about our Move-In Referral Program for added savings.
