The home size
The most important information for movers is the size of your home. For example, a small one-bedroom home might fit into a 10’ container, while a two- or three-bedroom home needs a 20-footer. Next, they will ask you if you are taking your appliances with you, and how much outdoor items you have. At this point, it is good to know if you will need additional storage at your new place for a period of time after you have moved in.
Clean and dirty items
If you want to pack together large indoor items, like furniture and TVs, with outdoor equipment, like bicycles or patio sets, start with a 20’ container. In this case, plan to leave at least one foot of space between the indoor and outdoor items, and fill it with moving boxes. Alternatively, you can wrap the items you need to protect in blankets or plastic sheets. Another option is to hire a separate 8’ or 10’ storage for outdoor items and avoid getting your furniture dirty.
Tip: It is always more feasible to rent two 20’ containers than, for example 20’ and 10’. This way, you can get more storage for a small price difference.
Forward planning
The size of your moving storage unit ultimately depends on three questions – what you need to store, for how long, and how accessible it should be. It may be that you have family heirlooms like period furniture or art that don’t fit with your new home décor. In this case, renting one larger and one smaller unit makes more sense, as one 10’ or 8’ container will cost less in the long run. A smaller storage also fits more easily in a driveway or backyard, and gives you better access to your items.
Packing tight
Bulky pieces of furniture or outdoor equipment will fit into one or two 20’ storage units, but if you have a lot of boxes or smaller pieces, a separate 10’ container is a better solution. Not only is it safer, but you will be able to pack a large number of boxes tighter, eliminating the gaps that may cause shifting in transit. For small items, a full, tightly packed unit is better than a half-full larger one.
Maximizing space
When storing larger items, make sure they are fitted together and secured from damaging in transit. Two couches, for example, can be stacked one upon the other, in Tetris-style. Soft items, like mattresses and rugs, can double as barriers to keep stacked boxes in place. These Brisbane-based experts for removals use moving boxes that are fitted with slotted rails with a unique strapping system for tying down furniture.
Moving vehicles
Not many cars and small trucks are wider than 6’-7’, so the storage size will only depend on your vehicle’s length. Remember, though, that you will need an extra foot or two on the driver’s side for you to get out. One 10’ unit can fit two motorcycles, snowmobiles, quads or jet skis.
You do not need a moving storage the size of your house. Once you start planning and packing smart, you will be surprised how much furniture, garden equipment and boxes can fit into one or two standardized container units.