Common College Storage Mistakes to Avoid This Summer
The end of your spring semester is an exciting and hectic time. You’ve just wrapped up your exams for the year, and you’re looking forward to heading home for your summer, but you need to find an affordable and secure storage facility for your dorm room or apartment. Look no further than Load and Lock Self-Storage for your source of affordable state college storage units! Load and Lock Self-Storage offers services to the greater Pennsylvania area with 3 convenient locations in Albrightsville, Walnutport, and Canadensis PA. Read our helpful storage guide today, and learn how to conquer common college storage mistakes this summer!
Don’t Downsize – Pick the Right Size Storage Unit
Look; we understand as a college student you might be considering renting the smallest size storage unit to save some money over break. Still, there is nothing worse than running out of storage room mid-move. You might want to consider sizing up to avoid unnecessary stress during your move. Moving.com helps to highlight how much space you might need in a recent article detailing summer storage tips for college students. As they detail, a 5×5 size storage unit should provide sufficient space for a small dorm room; however, consider sizing up to a 5×10 storage unit if you are packing a two or three-bedroom apartment. Use moving.com’s guide as a reference when considering what size storage unit to rent.
Equally as helpful, Load and Lock Self-Storage offers its customers the use a free storage calculator online. Simply input any items you plan to store, and this handy calculator provides an estimate of the amount of storage space you will need, and subsequently what size storage unit you might want to consider for rental. Don’t make the mistake this summer of renting an inferior sized storage unit – pick the right size storage unit from the beginning!
Don’t Overpack – Donate or Sell Unneeded Items
As we’ve previously discussed, your storage unit offers a finite amount of space. As such, you might want to consider selling any additional items you may not want to store over your summer break. That cumbersome tv you were never able to watch, or that sagging floral print sofa in the corner? Consider listing these items for sale on your college’s message board, or you can post them on a local area marketplace like Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace. These items might not be worth much, but the goal of these transactions is to free up potentially wasted storage space, so any cash made is a bonus. Look at the extra cash as potential gas money for your car ride home.
Alternatively, if selling your items seems like too much of a hassle, you can donate your items to an area church or thrift store. Or, simply leave them with your friends on campus over your break. Regardless of the method, be sure to save wasted storage space by eliminating unnecessary items.
Don’t be Unorganized – Pack Your Unit Efficiently
Avoid the hassle of unpacking a disorganized storage unit when you return from break – organize and pack your unit efficiently from the beginning. Indeed, some renters find it helpful creating an overhead map of their storage unit’s layout for easier navigation. You can also use excel to create a spreadsheet of your storage unit’s inventory. Be sure to label all of your boxes and storage bins, and utilize your storage unit’s “vertical space” – pack large heavy boxes at the base of your unit, and stack smaller and more lightly packed boxes on top. Consider storing seasonal items or textbooks closer to your unit’s entrance for easier accessibility. Likewise, pack larger items such as mattresses, desks, or tables against your unit’s wall.
Be sure to use utilize proper packing materials when loading your storage unit. Wrap larger items in protective coverings like plastic wrap, bubble wrap, or furniture blankets. Read some additional tips with our handy packing guide here!
Load and Lock Self-Storage – 3 Convenient PA Locations
Come visit Load and Lock Self-Storage today for your source of affordable state college storage units. Amenities of our locations include temperature-controlled storage units, secure gated access, and the added convenience of moving and packing supplies sold on-site. Additionally, renters can enjoy the freedom of month-to-month rental options – this is the perfect feature for college students in the area looking for affordable summer storage options. Avoid common college storage mistakes this summer and rent with us today!
Come rent self-storage units in Pennsylvania today!
Walnutport PA | Albrightsville PA| Canadensis PA
Katie Mest
About the Author: Katie Mest is an SEO Specialist at Storage Asset Management in York, PA. She specializes in writing about the self storage industry, including storage tips and helpful resources. Outside of work, Katie enjoys camping, hiking, and exploring the outdoors with her newly adopted Greyhound rescue, Titan.
