Whether you’re moving, decluttering, or downsizing, a storage unit can be the best option to give you the extra space you need. But if you’ve never rented a unit before, knowing where to start can feel overwhelming. From choosing the right unit size to preparing your belongings for storage, we’re breaking down everything you need to know to make the process simple and stress-free.
Determining the Best Size for Your Needs
Getting a storage unit that’s too small won’t allow you to properly store your belongings, while one that’s too big is a waste of money. Ideally, your first step would be to gather all the items you plan on putting into storage to get a visual understanding of how much space they take up.
Check out our handy breakdown of our storage unit sizes and what they can hold here to help you measure up your storage unit needs.
Climate-Controlled Vs. Non-Climate-Controlled
When deciding what kind of storage unit you need, you’ll need to figure out whether you’ll need climate-controlled storage or a traditional, non-climate-controlled unit.
The choice boils down to what kind of items you’re storing. If you’re storing electronics, photos, instruments, important documents, or other sensitive items, you’ll want to go with a climate-controlled unit; however, if you’re only storing lawn equipment and tools, you can probably get away with a non-climate-controlled unit, which will be cheaper.
Click here for more information on climate-controlled vs. non-climate-controlled storage units and factors to consider when making your choice.
Reserving Your Unit
Now that you’ve narrowed down your choices and know what storage unit you need, it’s time to go through the process of renting your storage unit and filling out any necessary paperwork. While that may sound like a drawn-out, tedious process, we have great news for you – you can easily reserve your unit online! View available units at each of our nine locations in Rapid City, Box Elder, and Belle Fourche, put in your contact and payment information, and you’re well on your way to securing your first storage unit.
Protecting Your Items
Get peace of mind that your items are safe with a Tenant Protection Plan, which are required for all new move-ins and included in our always low rate. Tenant Protection Plans start at only $12 per month and offer up to $5,000 in coverage in the event of burglary, fire, and other loss. Learn more about our Tenant Protection Plans here.
Getting Your Items Ready for Storage
Before you start moving your belongings into your newly acquired storage unit, take some time to prepare them so that they are easier and safer to store, and are better preserved for future use. Here are some tasks to take to accomplish this:
- Clean and dry items thoroughly to remove dirt and prevent odor and moisture.
- Disassemble large furniture if possible, keeping screws, bolts, and other small pieces in labeled bags so they’re easy to find later.
- Use plastic totes instead of cardboard boxes to store items, as they better protect your belongings from moisture, pests, and other risks.
- Wrap fragile items in packing paper or bubble wrap.
- Cover furniture with protective covers.
- Label each box or tote with its contents so it’s easier to find things when you need them.
- Don’t store food or hazardous materials.
Packing Your Storage Unit Like a Pro
When you go to move your belongings into your storage unit, don’t just start throwing things in with no plan of action. Instead, take the time to pack thoughtfully and put items you may access more frequently in the front, and store heavier, bulkier items towards the back. Here are some more helpful tips on organizing your storage unit so you can get the most out of your space.
Ready To Rent Your First Storage Unit?
Storage City is here to make the process easy with nine convenient Black Hills locations, multiple storage unit sizes and types, and online rental and account management. We also keep your stuff safe with our Tenant Protection Plans, gated, code-entry access only facilities, and around-the-clock security patrol.