How to Choose the Right Storage Unit for Your Needs

Dealing with personal things that you don’t have space for can be a huge hassle, especially if you don’t want to throw them away. If you’re the type of person who places importance on the sentimental value of your stuff, a self-storage facility is the right place for you. A storage facility can provide you with smart storage solutions for your belongings without the hassle, stress, and unnecessary expenses. The question is, ‘How do I choose the right storage unit?’. Read on to know more about storage units and how to choose the perfect one.

Why use a self storage facility?

Self storage units are spaces for rent in a storage facility that provides DIY storage spaces for private individuals and businesses over a period of time. You can choose the size of the self storage unit and the length of time you’ll be using it. There are so many reasons why storage units have become the rage when it comes to safeguarding things that you don’t have space for. Here are the reasons why self-storage units have gained popularity over the years:

Moving residences
Renovating your home
Temporarily relocating to another country
Travelling for a long vacation
Lacking space to store things for your hobbies
Needing more space to store office files, supplies, and equipment
Lacking storage space for excess inventory
Requiring storage for event-related paraphernalia and equipment

Are outdoor storage units and indoor storage units different from each other?

Storage units can be classified into outdoor and indoor storage units. Outdoor storage units refer to units that are strategically and conveniently located on the ground floor of a storage facility. Being located on the ground floor gives storage unit lessors easy access to the loading and unloading bay, making the moving of your belongings easier. On the other hand, indoor self storage units are storage spaces that are situated inside the storage facility. Don’t think that just because your storage unit is located inside the facility, you’re going to have a difficult time placing your things in the unit. You can still make the transport of your things convenient using free-access trolleys, spacious elevators, and large loading bays where you can temporarily park your cars.

Can I sleep in a storage unit?

Unfortunately, the answer is no. People or pets cannot live in a storage unit or a self storage facility. Self-storage units are designed for the purpose of storing your valuable belongings or business-related things. Like any other establishment, a storage facility needs to adhere to government and legal policies that have health and safety considerations. Choosing to live in a storage unit is risky, with no proper ventilation, waste management and sanitation areas, and can pose fire and safety hazards to the entire building and to the neighbouring facilities.

Can students use self storage?

When one school semester ends, a lot of University students become excited to spend their winter or summer vacations in another city or another country. This temporary change in living arrangements calls for the need to pack the stuff in your school dorm or your room and store them somewhere safe when your home’s not readily available. You’re in luck because a storage facility like ours here at Storage Glen Iris can help you with your student storage needs. Storage facilities offer an affordable option for University students and exchange students to rent a self-storage unit until their winter or summer break is over and they’re ready to go back to their school dorm or apartment. You don’t have to be burdened by long fixed storage unit rental contracts because at Storage Glen Iris, our contracts are flexible and can apply to short-term lease.

Factors to Consider in Choosing the Right Storage Unit

As years go by, you’ve probably noticed that your house is getting smaller because of the amount of stuff that you’ve managed to accumulate! From furniture to appliances to clothes to gadgets, the list of your things is endless, and it feels like there’s not one thing on that list that you’re willing to let go of. So, what do you do if you don’t want to keep all of your things but don’t have enough space for them? Rent a self storage space at a storage facility like Storage Glen Iris. Choosing the right storage unit for your needs can be tricky, especially if you don’t know exactly what you’re looking for. Our storage specialists are here to help you figure out what you need to consider when looking for the right storage space.

1. Determine the amount of space you need to use

With storage spaces, you pay for the space that you rent. This is why you want to make sure that you’re choosing the right-sized storage unit for your stuff. If you want to estimate the amount of space you need, you can take an inventory of all your things and visualise how much space it will take up.

2. Security

One of the primary uses of self storage units is to store your valuables in a safe space. When choosing a storage unit, always consider the security systems that are in place in the storage facility. A typical storage facility should have CCTV systems, PIN access or keycard access, gated entry, and secure locks for their units.

3. Right location

You don’t want to end up with a storage unit that will take hours for you to reach. A conveniently and strategically-located storage facility allows you to have quick access to your storage units whenever you need it.

4. Amenities

Depending on your storage needs, not all amenities may apply to you. Storage facilities generally have spacious loading bays, large service elevators, forklifts, free-use trolleys, electricity, bathrooms, parking space, and more. If the storage facility also has office spaces or commercial spaces for rent, there’s a big chance that you can get internet access for an additional fee.

5. Wide range of storage unit sizes

A good storage facility will have a comprehensive range of self storage unit spaces, from wardrobe-sized ones to warehouses. This allows you to choose the right-sized storage unit for your valuable possessions.

6. Good customer reviews

Good customer reviews can be a big factor in choosing your storage unit. You can read about the storage facility’s customer service, security, and additional amenities from real customers.

Storage Unit FAQ

What security features should I look for in a self storage facility?

Security is a critical factor in picking the right storage facility you’ll be booking to store your personal and commercial belongings. A reliable self-storage facility should have the following security measures and systems in place:

Is there a maximum rental period for storage units?

Self storage facilities oftentimes offer long-term storage units for rent with contracts that can last for a year, 5 years, or even as long as 10 years or more. At Storage Glen Iris, we don’t limit our services to fixed self storage rental contracts. You can avail of temp and long-term storage units at affordable rates.

Is it possible to switch storage unit sizes?

Yes, changing storage unit sizes is possible for most storage facilities. At Storage Glen Iris, we provide you with the flexibility in choosing the storage unit size and how long you’ll be renting it without any additional charges.