How to Fit More in Your Storage Unit: Expert Tips and Tricks

It’s easy to underestimate how quickly a storage unit can fill up, especially when piling things in without giving it much thought. Next thing you know, you’re squeezing through narrow paths, holding your breath as you try to reach for a box.

But not if you arm yourself with efficient storage tips for packing and organizing everything, and this guide is here to help you with just that — fitting more things in a storage unit!

So let’s get to it and show you how you can really make every inch count since you are paying for it, right?

Declutter Before Storage

The first step in making the most of your storage unit is decluttering.

Packing everything you don’t need immediately might be tempting, but without sorting and minimizing clutter, you’re bound to waste space on items that don’t belong in long-term storage.

Sort Items into Categories

The easiest way to start decluttering is by sorting your belongings into categories, and this is the cheat sheet we swear by:

Still struggling to make decisions? Use the “One-Year Rule”: If you haven’t used an item in the past year, you probably don’t need it anymore.

Top 3 Decluttering Techniques

You’re not in this alone — use proven methods to streamline the process and make decisions more confidently:

1. Marie Kondo method: Ask yourself if an item “sparks joy.” If not, you know it, it’s time to let it go.
2. The 20/20 rule: Can you replace an item in 20 minutes for under $20? If so, probably not worth keeping.
3. Start with the easy stuff: Seasonal decoration, old electronic devices and clothes that don’t fit are good places to start because they aren’t as hard to get rid of. Building momentum with quick wins will make tackling more challenging areas like sentimental keepsakes or bulkier items easier.

Choose the Right Storage Unit Size

You want to have enough space to accommodate everything safely, but you sure don’t want to pay for more than you really need. So, before you ink that rental agreement, look closely at what you plan to store.

• List all your large items (furniture, appliances, sports gear) and estimate separately the number of boxes you’ll need for the smaller things.
• Measure out the dimensions of your largest items.
• For mixed loads (like furniture plus boxes), consider a larger unit to accommodate odd shapes and sizes.
• If you’re on the fence between sizes, go bigger.

Pro tip: Packed a 15-foot moving truck? You’ll likely need a 10×10 unit. Got a 25-foot truck? A 10×20 unit should fit everything.

Effective Packing Strategies

The secret to making the most of your storage unit is packing efficiently. How exactly?

1. Vertical Packing

Think vertical! Instead of spreading items on the floor, try stacking boxes and furniture vertically to save space. You can put heavier items towards the bottom and work your way up with lighter and smaller items, but the bottom line is to ensure everything is stable and won’t topple over.

2. Utilize Space-Saving Containers

Maximize storage space with vacuum-sealed bags for bedding and clothing and use stackable plastic bins for smaller items. These containers reduce clutter and keep things organized.

Pro tip: Label all containers clearly to find what you need without unstacking everything.

3. Fill Dead Space

Gaps in drawers, between boxes or inside storage bins? Use every inch. Pack smaller items, like shoes or towels, into these nooks to avoid wasting space, and use the insides of dressers or cabinets to store lightweight items.

4. Disassemble Furniture

For bulky items like bed frames or tables, take them apart before storing. This will save space and prevent weird shapes from hogging all the room.

Pro tip: Keep screws and small parts in labeled bags and tape them to the corresponding pieces.

Organize Your Storage Unit

Storage unit organization is a neat trick that makes the whole space feel bigger than it actually is — by setting up a smart system from the get-go, you’ll avoid playing hide-and-seek with your belongings later on.

1. Create Sections

Divide your storage unit into zones based on item type or use. Group similar items together, like all kitchen gear in one spot, seasonal decorations in another and bulky furniture in its own corner. Label each section clearly so you know exactly where everything is.

If you need to access certain items regularly (like sports gear or tools), keep those sections up front and within easy reach. Anything you won’t need for a while (old furniture or keepsakes) can go in the back.

Pro tip: Leave a clear path down the middle to easily access each section.

2. Use Shelves and Racks

Take advantage of vertical space by adding wall racks, hooks and sturdy, freestanding shelves. Just ask the storage facility manager what is allowed, as drilling holes into walls is generally forbidden.

• Use shelves for smaller boxes, tools or anything you want to keep off the floor.
• Wall racks and hooks are great for hanging things like bikes or garden tools.
• For even more flexibility, invest in adjustable shelves that you can customize as your storage needs change.

Note: Look for shelves that are deep enough to hold your containers securely but not so deep that they dominate your unit. Always check their weight limits, especially if stacking heavy boxes.

3. Accessorize for Efficiency

There are other storage solutions and accessories out there.

• Hanging organizers are perfect for keeping tools, cords and smaller items off the ground.
• Drawer dividers can turn a single bin into a neatly divided space for knick-knacks.
• Use clear containers for quick visibility or color-coded boxes if you want to sort items by category.
• Overhead racks (if allowed to be installed) are great for infrequently used items like skis or seasonal decorations.
• Pegboards come in handy for small tools and crafting supplies.

Additional Storage Unit Hacks

You’ll be amazed at how a few more efficient storage tips will keep your storage unit coherent and accessible, even if you’ve already mastered the art of packing and storage unit organization.

1. Avoid Overpacking

Overpacking a unit may seem like a good idea to maximize storage space, but this is just making problems where there don’t have to be. Cramming items in tightly can lead to damage (goodbye, fragile items!) and make it nearly impossible to get anything out without a full-scale excavation.

Pro tip: Leave a little breathing room around delicate items, and don’t stack too high — especially if you’ve got older, heavy boxes that could buckle over time.

2. Label Clearly

Labels help you map the storage unit — mark each box with its contents and the category it belongs to – the more specific, the better (e.g., “Winter Clothes” or “Office Supplies”). For bonus points, use color-coded labels to spot what’s what with ease.

If you’re using clear bins, you can skip the detailed labels and just jot down the category, since you can see inside. For everything else, stick labels on multiple sides of each box so you can identify items no matter how they’re stacked.

3. Regularly Review and Adjust

Your storage needs won’t stay the same forever. Make it a habit to check your unit every few months. Move out items you don’t need anymore and reorganize as necessary.

Use your periodic check-in to update your inventory list, so you always have an accurate record of what’s in your unit. And if you find yourself cramming things in? It might be time to rethink what really needs to be in there — or upgrade to abigger unit.

Here’s To Fitting More Things in a Storage Unit

When you open your storage unit a few months from now, there will be no wrestling with wobbly stacks or digging through random piles. Everything will be right where you left it — that’s what happens when your storage game is on point.

Sounds tempting? Secure the right unit size today on Storage.com and organize it like a pro!