Do You Need Self-Storage And Which Rental Unit Is Right For Your Family?

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Which self-storage unit is right for your family's needs? If you have kids, pets, and a house filled with clutter, take a look at the questions to ask before you choose a rental.

Do You Really Need a Storage Unit?

Before you take the next step towards renting a unit, make sure you really need the extra space. You may need an outside-of-the-home storage area if:

• Your family is expanding. Are you ready to welcome a new family member? The birth or adoption of a new child means you'll have less usable space at home. Make room for baby and store your less-than-child-friendly belongings in a rental unit.
• You don't want to throw or give away your memories. The boxes and bins of old summer camp letters, your child's artwork, and A-plus exams take up most of your basement's space. Instead of the trash, stash these items in a storage facility.
• You are ready to move. Your child's toys, dog's bed, and cat's scratching post won't give your home the neutral look your real estate agent advises. A storage unit gives you off-site space to de-clutter your home before you list it for sale.

Along with these reasons, you may need a storage rental if you have too many seasonal items (such as holiday decorations or pool toys), excess clothing, or hand-me-down toys/baby gear you want to save.

How Much Do You Need to Store?

After deciding you need a storage unit rental, it's time to take the next step and choose the size. The size of the rental depends on what the facility offers and how much you want to store. To better understand your family's size needs:

• Create an inventory. A storage inventory categorizes and lists everything you'll put in the rental unit. Create categories based on person, room, season, or another theme. Review the inventory to assess storage size.
• De-clutter your home. Do you need to store everything in your basement, attic, or crawl space? After you remove, throw away, give away, recycle, or sell everything you don't need, you can get a better view of what you have left to store.
• Talk to each family member. Even though you may already know what you want to store, your spouse, parent, child, or another household member may have their own ideas. Make sure you know what each family member plans to store before choosing a unit.

Even though the right size choice is important, it isn't the only factor to consider. The type of items you want to store may affect your decision-making process. If you have temperature or humidity-sensitive items (such as electronics or wooden furniture), you'll need a climate-controlled unit.

For more information about self-storage, contact a local storage facility, like Freeport West.

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4 November 2020