What Size Storage Unit Do You Actually Need?

Running out of space at home? About to downsize? Want to declutter? A storage unit might just be exactly what you need. These days, thousands and thousands of Australians are using units to store all sorts of personal items and belongings.

The question is; what size storage unit do you actually need? Because the answer can vary from person to person, this article is going to explain the types of storage available and what unit sizes are suitable for different items.

Let’s begin.

What Types of Storage Units are Available?

Storage units come in a wide range of shapes and sizes. There are also units designed to accommodate their own specific purpose. Here’s a quick look at the most common:

Personal Storage

A personal storage unit is a great option for everyday belongings that you either don’t need or no longer have enough space for. These units can be very useful if you’re moving house, renovating, downsizing, travelling or simply need to free up some space at home.

Smaller units generally suit boxes, clothes, and smaller collections of items, while larger spaces can hold everything from furniture to bicycles and more. At StorageWorks, we have over 50 different storage sizes and shapes available, so you can tailor your selection around what you actually need to store.

Best for: Homeowners, renters, families, people moving house, downsizers and anyone looking to declutter.

Business Storage

From excess stock to equipment, documents, office furniture and other items, these units are a great place to store anything that you simply don’t have room for on your usual premises.

Of course, the “right size” will depend on the type of items you have, and the amount of items you need to store. A few boxes of paperwork will obviously need less room than pallets of stock or bulky equipment.

We have a range of sizes for both short-term and long-term business storage, with facilities that can also accommodate deliveries and dispatches.

Best for: Retailers, tradespeople, offices, online businesses and other businesses that need additional storage space.

Warehouse Storage

Need something a little larger and more substantial than a standard storage unit? Warehouse storage just might be your best bet.

It’s perfectly suited to larger items, bulky equipment, furniture and anything else that requires plenty of floor space. We currently have warehouse spaces of up to 60m², with facilities that have been purpose designed to make it easier to store larger quantities of goods.

Best for: Businesses with substantial inventory, stock, equipment or commercial storage requirements, as well as households storing large amounts of furniture or belongings.

Vehicle Storage

Vehicle storage is exactly what you can gather from its name. This is a dedicated place to store your vehicle when you don’t have the room, or simply don’t want it taking up space at home.

StorageWorks offers vehicle storage suitable for bikes through to regular-sized cars. The right space will depend on the size of your vehicle and how frequently you need to access it.

Best for: People storing cars, motorcycles, bikes or other vehicles, particularly if they’re not being used regularly.

Budget Storage

On a tight budget? No problem at all. If you’re budget-conscious or looking for a cheaper storage option, please ask about our lower prices at our next-door facility at 279 Pacific Highway, Artarmon. Depending on the length of storage, these lower prices when combined with one of our special offers could result in a discount of between 25% to 33% off our normal prices!

Our self storage centres are located on the Pacific Highway at Artarmon on Sydney’s lower North Shore, between North Sydney, Crows Nest, St Leonards, Chatswood and Lane Cove.

We provide secure, convenient, clean, easy to access self storage space

Use Our Storage Space Calculator

Not sure how much storage space you’ll need? We have a handy Storage Space Calculator that you’re more than welcome to use.

Simply select the areas of your home you’re storing belongings from, such as the bedroom, lounge, dining room, kitchen, laundry or outside. You can then enter the quantity of individual items, including beds, wardrobes, bookcases, chairs, mattresses and cartons.

The calculator adds everything together and provides an estimated amount of storage space needed, giving you a useful starting point when comparing your storage options.

Keep in mind that it’s only a guide. Individual items can vary in size, so the calculator can’t account for every possible difference. For a more accurate idea of the space you’ll need, you can use the estimate alongside the StorageWorks Space Estimator or speak with the team.

Planning Your Storage Space: Tips & Tricks

Finding the right storage unit is one thing. Making the most of the space you’ve got is another. Luckily, a little planning not only goes a long way, but it’ll also make it easier to fit everything in and access your belongings later.

1. Think About What You’ll Need First

Before you book a storage unit, think about how much you actually need to store. This will help you narrow down the unit size and style early on. Once you’ve secured the unit, think about which items you might want to access and what can be kept there for a longer period.

2. Make a Storage List

Write down everything you’re planning to store. This is an excellent way to work out how much space you need, plus it gives you a useful record of what’s inside once everything is packed away.

3. Plan Your Layout

Don’t simply put items wherever there’s an empty spot. Consider where larger furniture, equipment and other bulky belongings will go first, then work smaller items around them.

4. Measure Larger Items

Measure furniture, appliances, equipment and other bulky items before choosing your storage space. Knowing their dimensions can give you a much better idea of how much room you’ll actually need.

5. Dismantle What You Can

Large furniture and other suitable items can often be dismantled to save space. Keep screws, bolts and fittings together in labelled bags so everything is easy to put back together later.

6. Protect Your Belongings

Use suitable covers and packing materials to protect furniture, equipment, fragile items and other belongings from dust, scratches and knocks. StorageWorks stocks a range of packing supplies to help with this.

7. Make Use of the Height

Don’t just think about floor space. Stack suitable items safely to make use of the vertical space available, keeping heavier belongings lower down and lighter items towards the top.

8. Keep Similar Items Together

Group related belongings where possible. Keeping furniture, business stock, equipment or seasonal items together makes it much easier to find what you’re looking for later.

9. Leave Room to Move

Try not to fill every available gap. Leaving some space between items can make it much easier to access different parts of your storage space without having to move everything.

10. Keep Track of What’s Inside

Once everything is stored, keep your inventory somewhere accessible. You can also take photos of larger items or the layout of your storage space, giving you a quick reference when you need to find something.

Self-Storage in Sydney

Whatever life has in store for you, we’re here to help you make room for it. From smaller budget-friendly options to larger warehouse storage, there are plenty of options to suit any situation.

The Storage Works facility is home to over 1500 storage spaces. We also offer concierge services for the receipt, dispatch of shipments, and an EV Tesla charging point. Please also read our FAQs before ordering a unit.

Need more information about our storage options? Call us on 02 9901 3200 or email us at artarmon@storageworks.com.au to explore your options for personal storage, business storage, warehouse storage, vehicle storage, or removalists/recycling services.

StorageWorks Pty Ltd is the trustee for the StorageWorksTrust and is a member of the Self Storage Association of Australasia.