Deciding on the Right Summer Storage for You

By Alyssa Laffitte on May 5, 2018

If you will be in a temporary living situation this summer, you might have to store your items for a short period of time. Finding storage can be intimidating, especially if this is your first time doing so, but it doesn’t have to be that way. As long as you do your research, you will know what you are getting into, and you should be just fine storing your items. Here are some factors to consider when deciding where to store your items, or if you should even pay to store them at all. Let’s go!

via Pexels.com

First things first: is storage right for you?

Storage can be expensive, and sometimes, it’s not worth spending the money to store your things. You should research your storage options and determine whether or not it’s worth the money. For example, if you only have a few items, you might be better off stuffing them in your closet rather than spending money on storage; or if your parents or trusted friends are willing to hold your items for you, you can consider that instead of storage. Before paying for a storage unit, explore all your options; you might find that it’s not worth the money to store your items.

Location of the storage facility?

The location of the storage unit is an important factor in deciding where to store your items. Of course, you want a facility that’s close to you, but what if you are moving back home? Will you store your items closer to your school or to your home? How easy will it be for you to access the storage facility? For some people, it’s better to store their things closer to home; for others, it isn’t. You need to consider these things when deciding where you will store your things.

What is the size of the unit?

Of course, the size of the unit is one of the most important factors when deciding where to store your items. If you have more things to store, then you will need a bigger, more expensive storage unit. If you have few things to store, a smaller unit will suffice. If you are not sure how big your unit should be, check out these animations from ExtraSpace Storage that will show you how much stuff can fit in units of each size. Be sure to select the right sized unit, you don’t want to run out of space to store your items!

Will you need a ground floor unit?

Most people don’t consider this when looking for storage, but it’s very difficult to carry all your stuff to a second or third-floor storage unit. It’s much easier to move your things into a ground floor unit. For this reason, ground floor units might cost a little bit more than upper floor units. Still, if you need the convenience of a ground floor unit, it’s worth the money. If you don’t absolutely need a ground floor unit, you might save some money by taking an upper floor unit.

Is the unit air-conditioned?

Especially if you need to store your items in the summer, you should make sure your storage unit will be air-conditioned. This is important if you don’t want your items to get musty or if you are storing delicate items. Like the ground floor units, air-conditioned storage units might cost more money, but it’s definitely worth it. When you’re looking for storage, get an air-conditioned unit if you can afford it.

What are the unit’s access hours?

Another factor to consider when deciding where to store your items is the unit’s access hours, or when you can access your unit. Will you need to access your unit during non-business hours? If so, make sure your unit has 24/7 access.

What is the facility’s security like?

The security of the storage facility is an important part of storing your items. After all, if the place does not have good security, why would you trust them with your stuff? Wherever you decide to store your things, make sure that it has security features such as 24/7 surveillance, that you provide your own lock, and that you can protect your items with insurance.

Storing your stuff over the summer does not have to be a confusing or intimidating process! If you do your research, you can decide which storage option is best for you. As you explore your options, consider the location and security of the facility, the size and access hours of the unit, and whether the unit is on the first floor or not. Once you know these things, you will have a good idea of what you are getting into when you store your items, and you will be better equipped to decide where to store your items over the summer.

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