Storage Units Near Me
Referred to as “mini storage” or “public storage” in the past, many people say “storage units” nowadays when they are talking about public places where you can store your stuff. Storage units near me allow people to rent a secure space in order to store items. This could be anything from documents to furniture or even an automobile.
There are a variety of reasons why people use storage units near me to store their belongings. We’ve created a short list of the most popular reasons below.
- Moving: Probably the most common reason people use storage units near me is to store their belongings while they are in the process of moving. When moving from one house to another, many people are forced to move out of their old house before their new house is move-in ready. Storage units provide a safe place to temporarily store your belongings until your new house is ready.
- Remodeling: If you’ve ever remodeled or renovated your house, you know what a pain it can be to have to move your furniture from one room to the next. Repeat this for more than one room and it quickly makes sense to just store everything in a storage unit until the renovations are completed.
- Downsizing: If you’ve ever had to move from a house to an apartment or smaller house, then you know all about downsizing. When downsizing, you usually have three options. You can either sell the stuff you can’t fit at the new place, you can ask a friend or family member to store it at their place, or you can rent a storage unit until you move to a larger place.
- Seasonal Storage: Attending college is great. Having to lug all your stuff into your car and drive it hundreds or thousands of miles back home for the summer is not. Now, repeat that process 3 years in a row and you quickly realize that renting a storage unit for 3 months is a much more viable and convenient option.
- Home Staging: What would you do if your realtor told you that if you removed half of your belongings from your house you would have a much better showing and possibly increase your sale price? You would rent a storage unit for a few months and get that big payout the day it’s sold, of course!
- Emergencies: whether it’s a fire, tornado, flood, or zombie apocalypse, storage units near me are there to temporarily store your belongings until the house is repaired or rebuilt and life is back to normal again.
Storage Units Near Me – What’s the Difference?
When it comes to storage units near me, there are many options to choose from. We’ve listed the different types of storage units you may find at a public storage place below.
Traditional Storage Units
A traditional storage unit is a bare-bones storage space with one sliding “garage” door and nothing else. If you have items to store that can stand extreme temperatures or high humidity, then a traditional storage unit may be the best option for you. Traditional storage units near me are usually the least expensive to rent since they are the most basic option available.
Below is a list of items that are acceptable to store in a traditional storage unit:
Appliances Furniture Entertainment Supplies Miscellaneous
There may be other items that are safe to store in a traditional storage unit. Always check with the storage place if you’re not sure whether it’s safe to store an item in a traditional storage unit or not.
Storage Units Near Me with Climate Control
Storage units near me with climate control are units that are protected from the outside temperature thanks to a heating and cooling system. Because of this they are usually more expensive to rent than a traditional storage unit.
Probably the number one reason to use a climate controlled storage unit is for storing electrical equipment and/or food stuff that must be kept at a certain temperature.
Humidity controlled storage units are storage units that have a humidifier/dehumidifier system that keeps the air inside moist in the winter and dry in the summer. This helps to protect certain materials, like paper and textiles against mold or mildew.
If you’re going to be storing bedding materials, clothing, and documents, it may be a good idea to spring the extra cash for a humidity controlled storage unit.
Many storage unit places advise their customers to rent a climate controlled storage unit if they plan on storing the following items:
Electronics Appliances Furniture Supplies Miscellaneous Entertainment
Storage Units with Electricity Near Me
If you need electrical outlets inside your storage unit than you’ll one to rent storage units near me with electricity. Some public storage places allow their customers to set up offices or workstations inside their storage unit. Bands have been known to rent a storage unit in order to practice playing their music as well.
Storage Units Near Me with 24 Hour Access
Storage units near me with 24 hour access allow you to store and access your stuff any time, day or night. Of course, convenience like this doesn’t come cheap, so you’ll have to pay a premium in order to rent one of these units.
Size Really Does Matter
When it comes to storage units near me, size really does matter. The following sizes are standard for most storage units:
- 5’ x 5’ (25 sq ft.)
- 5’ x 10’ (50 sq ft.)
- 10’ x 10’ (100 sq ft.)
- 10’ x 15’ (150 sq ft.)
- 10’ x 20’ (200 sq ft.)
- 10’ x 30’ (300 sq. ft)
Some public storage places may offer the following size storage units on a limited basis:
- 20’ x 20’ (400 sq ft.)
Below, we’ve listed the kinds of items you should be able to store in each size.
5’ x 5’ Storage Unit
Average Price: $50 – $85
These units are about the size of a small closet. You should expect to be able to store the following items:
- File Boxes
- Chairs
- Dresser Drawers
- 3 Boxes of Clothes
- 2 Small Storage Bins
- Tall Furnishings (ex: floor lamps)
5’ x 10’ Storage Unit
Average Price: $50 – $85
People living in a small one-bedroom apartment will find these units to be the perfect size for storage. You should expect to be able to store the following items:
- Refrigerator
- Chair
- Table or Desk
- Up to 15 Boxes
- Bicycle or Motorcycle
10’ x 10’ Storage Unit
Average Price: $140 – $160
These units are popular with people living in a large one-bedroom apartment. You should expect to be able to store the following items:
- Bed
- Refrigerator
- Oven
- La-Z-Boy Chair
- Up to 4 Boxes
- 2 Small Storage Bins
10’ x 15’ Storage Unit
Average Price: $175 – $200
These units are popular among two-bedroom apartment renters. You should expect to be able to store the following items:
- Small Couch
- Table or Desk
- Refrigerator
- 2 Beds
- Up to 13 Boxes
- 1 Large Storage Bin
10’ x 20’ Storage Unit
Average Price: $250 – $280
Perfect for a two or three-bedroom apartment or house. You should expect to be able to fit the following or similar items in these units:
- Refrigerator
- Oven
- Microwave
- Desk
- Table
- 4 Beds
- Couch
- Up to 10 Boxes
- 2 Large Storage Bins
- Or 1 Compact/Mid-Size Vehicle
10’ x 30’ Storage Unit
Average Price: $275 – $300
Perfect for a two or three-bedroom apartment, house, or a boat or commercial trailer. You should expect to be able to fit the following or similar items in these units:
- Refrigerator
- Oven
- Microwave
- Desk
- Tall Cabinet
- Table
- 4 Beds
- Couch
- La-Z-Boy Chair
- Up to 14 Boxes
- 2 Large Storage Bins
- 1 Compact/Mid-Size Vehicle
20’ x 20’ Storage Unit
Average Price: $295 – $325
Some public storage places can provide you with an extra-large storage unit. These units are perfect for commercial and business customers. You should expect to be able to fit the following or similar items in these units:
- Refrigerator
- Oven
- La-Z-Boy Chair
- Flat-Screen Television
- 2 Tables or Desks
- 2 Large Couches
- Tall Cabinet
- Up to 19 Boxes
- 4 Large Storage Bins
Parking
Some public storage places even provide short or long-term parking spaces, both indoor and outdoor, for the following:
- Car
- Pickup Truck
- Trailer
- Motor Home
- Boat
What Should I NOT Keep in Storage?
While storage units near me are great for storing many of your personal belongings, there are some items you should not store in any of these units. Doing so will almost certainly get you evicted from the public storage place.
Perishable Food
Obviously, food that will go bad should not be kept in a storage unit. The obvious reasons for this are:
- Bad Odor
- Attract Bugs
- Attract Mice and Rats
Guns
While some public storage places will allow you to store your firearms, you must check with the facility management first. Many public storage places have very strict guidelines when it comes to gun storage.
If you do have permission to store your guns, be sure you have the following in order:
- Firearm Permit
- Unload Before Storing
Hazardous or Flammable Materials
Another obvious one. Never store ANY material that is corrosive, flammable, or may explode under high temperatures, even if it’s in a climate controlled storage unit. If you’re unsure whether the material you’ll be storing falls under any of these categories, do your research and check with the facility management first.
Garbage
Just like perishable food, storing garbage will cause a foul-smelling odor, attract bugs and vermin, and put your other non-perishable items, like clothing, bedding, and documents at risk as well.
Illegal Items or Stolen Property
Only a complete moron would rent a storage unit and turn it into a grow-room for marijuana. You are prohibited from storing any illegal drugs, illegal guns, or stolen property in your storage unit.
Plants
Because plants require sunlight and water to survive, storing them in your unit will almost certainly cause them to perish. Once that happens, they’ll attract insects and vermin, putting your bedding, clothes, and documents at risk.
Pets
Not only is it illegal to store pets in a storage unit, it’s inhuman as well. Plus, you won’t be able to hide them from the facility management as well. Find a shelter, kennel, friend, or family member to look after your pet instead.
Yourself
Yes, your climate controlled storage unit stays at a comfortable temperature. No, your climate controlled storage unit does not come equipped with indoor plumbing. Using your storage unit for temporary activities is one thing, but the second it becomes obvious that you’ve moved in, you’ll be evicted from the premises immediately and for good.
A Few Things to Keep in Mind
In addition to choosing the right size and type of storage unit for your storage needs, you’ll also want to consider the following when choosing storage units near me:
- Contract: Read over your storage contract carefully and ask the facility management questions about any stipulations you’re unsure of. Most importantly, make sure you’re clear on the terms of payment. You don’t want your storage unit to be the next star of Storage Wars!
- Inventory: While most storage facilities are safe and secure, theft does happen occasionally. It’s always a good idea to make a list of every item you’re storing in case you have to fill out a police report.
- Insurance: While your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance should cover most of your items, you may want to consider purchasing the public storage facility’s tenant insurance policy anyway. That way you’ll have peace of mind in case certain items are not covered by your homeowner’s insurance.
- Storage Deals: Many public storage places will offer a discounted rental rate if you rent your storage unit for a certain period of time. It works out for both parties since you want a lower rate and they want a long-term customer. You may also be able to persuade the public storage facility to give you a low-cost “group rate” if you and a few friends rent separate storage units at the same time. Some public storage units offer a referral discount as well for each customer you refer that rents a unit.
Show me the best storage units near me.