Storage Options for Individuals, Students & Businesses
Compare self storage, garage boxes, containers, lockers and pick-up services. Clear benefits, drawbacks and tips to help you choose the right option.
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Last-minute moves happen more often than you think. Whether it’s a job change or a sudden lease termination, moving on short notice is stressful mainly because of the time crunch. The good news is you can regain control with a clear plan. This guide will walk you through urgent steps to stabilize your move. We’ll show you how self-storage buys you time and reduces pressure, so you’re not scrambling to decide everything at once (Need local options fast? Check our Storage Near You page for nearby units in your location.)
When the clock is ticking, don’t try to perfectly sort or declutter every item. That may sound counterintuitive, but sorting is time-consuming and can lead to regretful toss-outs under pressure. Instead, pack everything you can and move it into storage as-is. This strategy creates a buffer: you’ll deal with detailed decisions later, not today. In a last-minute move, storage is your best friend for compressing decisions into a less hectic time.
Rushing to decide what to keep or trash will only slow you down and add anxiety. Experts note that forcing immediate decisions often leads to regret – storage gives you “breathing room”.
Think of a short-term self-storage unit as a pressure release valve. By moving non-essentials into a small storage unit (about 1–5 m²), you free yourself to focus on the immediate necessities. (Check out Small Storage Units options for 1–5 m² spaces ideal for boxes and small furniture.)
Once you’re settled in your new place or have more time, you can go through the stored items at your own pace. Storage provides a safe holding area so you’re not forced to purge belongings in a panic. It’s okay to delay decisions - better than making a choice you’ll regret in six months.
Product Tip: Opt for a short-term storage rental with flexible access. Many facilities let you rent by the month (or even weekly in some cases) and access your unit anytime. Short-Term Storage plans ensure you’re not locked into long contracts while you sort out your move.
Don’t underestimate the importance of quality packing supplies in a rush. When moving in a hurry, boxes, tape, and bubble wrap are not optional – they are lifesavers. Having plenty of boxes on hand means you can quickly contain and carry your things, rather than making dozens of small trips with loose items. Loose items will slow you down and are more likely to be dropped or left behind. In contrast, boxed items stack neatly, protecting your valuables and simplifying transport.
Grab these essentials right away: moving boxes (assorted sizes), wardrobe boxes for hanging clothes, strong packing tape, bubble wrap (or towels/blankets for padding), and labels or permanent markers. Why so urgent? If you run out of boxes or tape, your packing momentum screeches to a halt. By securing supplies first, you maintain packing efficiency. Professional movers emphasize using sturdy boxes and robust tape for a reason – it keeps your items safe and speeds up the process.
Piling random stuff into a car or van is inefficient. Sturdy moving boxes protect your things and allow easy stacking in both trucks and storage units. For heavy items, use small boxes; for lighter bulky items, use larger boxes. This makes lifting easier and prevents boxes from breaking.
Wrap fragile items in bubble wrap or towels so you don’t have to gingerly hand-carry each breakable. Use wardrobe boxes so clothes stay on hangers, you can transfer them straight to your new closet with no re-folding. These steps might feel like extra work, but they prevent accidents and repacking later on.
As you seal each box, label it with a marker (room or contents). In a last-minute move, boxes will be everywhere; labels ensure you can find essentials without tearing everything open on the first night. (Trust us, you don’t want to spend an hour searching for your toothbrush or work shoes.)
Tie to Storage: Well-packed boxes make storage Tetris easier. If you end up using a storage unit, uniformly sized boxes can be stacked to the ceiling, meaning you can fit more into a smaller space. Efficient packing could let you rent a 3 m² unit instead of a 5 m², saving you money. Plus, clearly labeled boxes are easier to retrieve from storage when you need something – no guessing games.
Here’s the secret to a low-stress, last-minute move: you don’t have to move everything at once. Break your move into two phases by leveraging a storage unit. Move your immediate essentials into your new place first (the things you’ll need in the next couple of days). Everything else? Put it into storage for now. This way, you’re not frantically trying to fit an entire household into a moving truck overnight. As one moving expert puts it, using storage (or a portable container) lets you “pack on your own timeline” instead of rushing everything in one day.
How to split your move using storage:
Essentials are things like your bed, a week’s worth of clothing, basic kitchenware, toiletries, important documents, and devices. These should go directly to the new home. Non-essentials (seasonal gear, books, decor, most furniture, etc.) can be safely boxed and left in storage for later retrieval. By doing this, you’ll walk into your new place with only what you truly need right away.
For furniture, electronics, or anything sensitive, consider an indoor, climate-controlled unit. This protects against humidity and temperature swings (important for wood furniture or electronics). If you have large items or plan multiple drop-offs, look for a facility with ground-floor or drive-up access – driving right up to the unit door saves a ton of time when unloading.
Place frequently-needed items toward the front of the unit and less urgent stuff in the back. For example, if you’ll want your large dining table after a month but not immediately, store it at the back and keep easier access to things like a box of extra linens or office files you might need sooner. This way, your storage unit becomes an organised extension of your home during the transition.
By splitting your move, you remove the pressure of an all-or-nothing moving day. You might move into your new place over a couple of days or weeks in stages – essentials first, storage items later. This staggered approach is a game-changer for last-minute moves. (For more tips on using storage when moving, see our Storage for Moving Home guide.)
Under normal circumstances, people obsess over choosing the perfect storage unit size. In a last-minute move, flip that priority: focus on a convenient location first, size second. A unit that’s close by (or along your route between old and new home) will save you hours of driving. Time is the one thing you’re short on, so minimize the distance and hassle.
Here’s why location wins over size for an urgent move:
If your storage facility is 30 kilometers away to save a bit of money, you’ll waste precious time on the road and fuel costs. Choose a storage location within, say, 5–10 km of your home. This way, each run to drop off or pick up items is quick. Multiple short trips in one afternoon are far easier than slogging through traffic on a long haul.
Even if a nearby facility costs slightly more or only has a unit slightly bigger than you think you need, consider the trade-off. Paying for a unit that’s easier to access can actually save you money if it cuts down on moving labor or prevents you from taking time off work. One storage expert notes that a unit on the ground floor or closer location can be worth the premium because it reduces the effort (and cost) of moving in and out.
Look for facilities with perks that matter when you’re in a rush: longer opening hours or 24/7 access, so you’re not constrained by a 5 PM closing time; drive-up units or at least carts and elevators if it’s indoor, to speed up moving things in; and good parking or loading zones. These conveniences mean you can squeeze in a storage run at odd hours or quickly unload heavy items without searching for trolleys.
On the size question: get a unit that you think will fit what you’re storing, but don’t overthink it. If the closest storage only has a unit a bit larger than you anticipated, that’s fine – you’ll have extra space to maneuver. Conversely, if only a slightly smaller unit is open but it’s close by, you can make it work by packing efficiently. (Stack boxes to the ceiling and disassemble furniture to save space.) In short, proximity and accessibility beat a perfect size estimate when every minute counts.
A key tactic to avoid overwhelm is to immediately set aside anything you won’t need in the next few weeks. These items can go straight into storage and out of your way. By visually and physically removing them from the heap, your move becomes more manageable. Ask yourself: “Can I live without this item for the next month?” If yes, box it and label it for storage. You’ll thank yourself later when your new living space isn’t cluttered with things you didn’t actually need right now.
Common examples of “store it for now” items:
Off-season clothing and gear. If it’s summer, you can store your winter coats, boots, and holiday decorations. If it’s winter, all the camping gear, beach chairs, and bicycles can hibernate in storage. These are items you know you won’t use immediately, so get them out of the way.
Maybe your temporary housing or new apartment is smaller, or not fully furnished yet. That second couch, the fancy dining set, or spare shelves can be stored instead of squeezed into your current living area. Don’t force-fit furniture where it doesn’t comfortably go – keep only basics and store the rest. (For instance, couples moving in together often can’t fit duplicate furniture pieces in one place, so storing the extras is a smart solution.)
Important documents should travel with you, but boxes of old files, books, and archives can sit in storage until you settle in. They’re heavy and bulky, and you won’t read them in the first month post-move. Just make sure they’re in waterproof boxes or plastic bins if needed, in case of humidity.
Musical instruments, crafting supplies, bulky sports equipment – unless these are your daily stress outlets, you probably won’t touch them during the first hectic weeks in a new home. Better to keep them safe in storage than have them underfoot. (Exception: if playing guitar calms you, by all means keep it out!)
Why storage helps: In many sudden moves, the next home is a question mark – you might be moving into temporary housing, staying with friends, or your new lease starts later than your old one ends. If your new home isn’t ready yet or is much smaller, storage absolutely comes to the rescue. Rather than making rash decisions to sell or give away half your stuff, you can store it and decide later in a calmer frame of mind. It also means your living space remains uncluttered and livable; you won’t be tripping over ski gear in July or trying to find space for ten extra boxes of stuff in a tiny studio. Think of your storage unit as a holding pattern for non-essentials – life is simpler when you only surround yourself with what you need now, and let the rest wait until you’re ready.
Choosing a storage size quickly can be tricky. Here are rough guidelines to help you pick a unit for short-term use during your move:
Studio apartment: ~1–3 m² of storage space (like a walk-in closet or small locker) should suffice. This fits several boxes and a few small furniture items.
1-bedroom home: ~3–5 m² storage unit (about the size of a small bedroom). This can typically hold the contents of a larger one-bedroom or small two-bedroom apartment if packed efficiently – think a dozen or more boxes plus furniture like a couch, mattress, and dining set.
Family home (multi-bedroom): ~6–10 m² unit for the overflow. You might need closer to the upper end (10 m²) if you’re storing most of a 2–3 bedroom house’s contents. If it’s just to bridge a short gap and you’ve pared down, you might squeeze into ~6–8 m² by stacking high.
Disclaimer: These estimates are just to get you in the ballpark – your needs may vary. Since this is temporary storage for a quick move, you can often manage with a smaller unit by using vertical space (stack boxes) and packing tightly. It’s okay if everything fits snugly; you won’t need to access all of it frequently. Many storage facilities are flexible if you need to swap sizes later. When in doubt, choose a tad smaller and pack smart, or ask the storage staff – they can often recommend a size after hearing what you have. Remember, you’re not aiming to live out of the storage unit; it’s a short-term garage for your stuff while you get settled.
See also our blog about choosing the right self storage unit here.
Just because you’re moving in a hurry doesn’t mean your storage rental has to be super short. Short-term in storage lingo usually means a month or two, and that’s perfectly fine. In fact, renting for at least a month is common and gives you breathing room to not rush the second half of your move. Most self-storage units are rented on a month-to-month basis, so you can extend as needed without hassle. If you think you’ll need storage for 2 weeks, consider taking a full month anyway – having a buffer will relieve stress, and the cost difference is often minimal. (Some facilities even allow rentals as short as two weeks, but double-check minimum terms.)
Key points on timing:
This is the standard minimum at many storage companies, and it’s a sensible timeframe. One month gives you several weekends to gradually move things out of storage and into your new place (or vice versa). If your situation stabilizes faster, great – you can always empty the unit early. But having that month ensures you’re not frantically clearing out the unit after just a few days.
Need an extra month (or two or three)? Nearly all self-storage is pay-as-you-go. You continue renting for as long as you need, and you can usually stop with just a few days’ notice before the next billing cycle. This flexibility matters more than the exact end date. It means you don’t have to know exactly how long you’ll need the storage – you’re not locked in. Focus on handling your move, and if unpacking or home-buying takes longer than expected, just keep the unit a bit longer.
Avoid renting “just enough days” to force yourself to empty the unit under pressure. For instance, if you think you might be able to retrieve everything in two weeks, go ahead and rent for the full month. It’s far less stressful to have extra time and end up leaving the unit a week early than to underestimate and frantically move stuff out because your rental expires. Give yourself grace time.
In short, short-term storage gives you flexibility. Use it to your advantage. It’s better to pay for a couple of extra weeks of storage than to live in a chaos of boxes because you rushed to unpack everything at once. When you’re ready and settled, you can clear out the unit and end the rental – on your schedule.
Even with the best intentions, moving in a hurry can lead to missteps. Here are some common mistakes to avoid (we’ve hinted at many of these earlier) and how to counter them:
Don’t assume a storage unit will be available the day you need it. During busy times (end of month, summers), units fill up quickly. The mistake is putting off reserving a unit until moving day, only to find none available in convenient locations. Solution: The moment you know you’re moving, secure a storage unit. Even if you’re not 100% sure you’ll need it, it’s better to have one ready (you can usually cancel or adjust if plans change). This way, you have a fallback and can start stashing boxes early rather than tripping over them at home.
In a panic, people often rent a unit far larger than necessary “just in case.” The result? You pay for a half-empty space. Overestimating size can also make you pack sloppily since you’re not worried about space, leading to more boxes (and work) than needed. Solution: Use the smallest reasonable unit and pack it efficiently. Our size guide above gives a baseline – aim for that or even one tier down and see if you can make it work. You can fill a small unit floor-to-ceiling (safely) before upgrading to a bigger one. If it truly doesn’t fit, you can always get a larger unit or an additional one, but at least you won’t overspend from the start.
A storage facility 30 km outside of town might be cheaper per month, but what do you lose? Time and convenience. This mistake can cost you more in gas and exhaustion than you save in money. Solution: Pick a nearby storage location, as we stressed in Step 4. The convenience of a close, easily accessible unit is worth the slightly higher rate when you’re under a tight schedule. You’ll make quicker trips and be able to react if you suddenly need something from storage. In an urgent move, time is money, spend it wisely by reducing travel time.
This is a classic last-minute error: everything gets thrown together. Important items you intended to keep with you (passport, charger, work uniform, medication, baby supplies, etc.) end up buried in a storage box, and you’re left scrambling or repurchasing things. Solution: Pack a clearly labeled “essentials” box or bag that stays with you. As suggested earlier, set aside the must-haves for your first 24–48 hours (think of it as your survival kit). Keep this kit in your car or new home – do not send it to storage. Also, label any boxes going to storage with “STORAGE” and those going to the new home with “NEW HOME” (or use colored stickers) so there’s no mix-up. A few minutes of planning prevents the nightmare of not knowing where your critical items are.
By watching out for these mistakes, you can dramatically smooth out a frantic move. In essence, plan a little, even when time is short: book what needs booking (storage, movers, etc.) sooner than later, and keep your priorities straight (essentials vs. non-essentials). It’s all about avoiding the pitfalls that turn a tough move into a nightmare.
When you’re in the thick of a last-minute move, having a reliable storage solution lined up can bring a huge sense of relief. Our platform lets you compare locations and prices instantly. Simply use our Search function and you’ll see available units in your area, complete with sizes and rental prices. No long-term commitments, no hidden fees – just straight-up flexible storage to get you through your move.
Why use storage now? It’s a safety net. By securing a unit, you know you have a place for overflow belongings, delays, or any curveballs your move throws at you. Maybe your new apartment’s elevator is broken on move-in day – store your furniture for a day or two. Or perhaps you haven’t found a new home yet – store your whole household temporarily. Having storage ready means you’re prepared for the unexpected, which is the whole challenge of a last-minute move.
Take a moment to arrange your storage today: it’s quick and can all be done online or with a short phone call. Search your city or neighborhood, choose a nearby facility with good access hours, and reserve the unit that fits your needs. Many of our locations offer immediate move-in, so you can start bringing items over within hours. And remember, short-term rentals are welcome – whether you need a unit for two weeks or two months, you’ll find options that cater to you.
Finally, a calm reminder: you’re handling a lot, but you’re taking the right steps. Securing storage, packing smart, and breaking the process into manageable chunks will transform your last-minute move from chaotic to coordinated. Whenever you’re ready, click “Find storage near you” and take that next step. You’ll be surprised how much peace of mind comes from seeing those storage unit doors open, knowing you have a safe spot for your things. Now, go forth and conquer that move – one box at a time, one step at a time. You’ve got this!
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