If you’ve decided to rent a self-storage unit or mobile storage unit, your next step is calculating how much storage space you'll actually need. That way, you'll be able to get a fair estimate on the price and how many units to plan for.
Book too little space and you’ll be squishing your valuable goods together. Book too much and you’re paying for more than you need. Here's a quick guide on how to estimate how much storage you need before you book.
Whether you’re decluttering, renovating, moving between homes, or just need more space for yourself or your business, this is how you can get the most out of your storage.
Step 1: Take inventory
The most obvious and easiest way to estimate your storage needs is to take inventory of what you’re storing. Grab a pen and a paper, or open a notes app on your phone, and start recording everything you need to store. Try to systemise the list, especially if you’re storing multiple rooms. This will make the process a lot easier (but more of this later.
Here's an example of what your list might look like:
- Kitchen:
- Fridge/freezer
- Dishwasher
- Microwave
- Small appliances (toaster, kettle, etc.)
- Living room:
- Sofa
- Chairs (x2)
- TV unit and TV
- Rug
- Coffee table
- Office:
- Chair
- Desk
- Archived paperwork (2020-2024)
- Business stock (last year’s campaign)
Whatever your situation, having the list in front of you makes the next step (using the calculator) much more accurate. It also helps you spot things you might have forgotten, like the lawnmower in the garage, the bikes, or the boxes stacked in the spare room.
Pro tip: Note anything fragile, oversized, or awkwardly shaped separately. These items can’t always be stacked or packed tightly, which affects how much usable space you actually have. It’s worth flagging them before you get a quote.
Step 2: Use our online calculator to estimate your storage space
Once you have your list, now comes the easy part. Use our online storage calculator and let it do the heavy lifting for you.
Simply enter the items from your inventory list and the calculator will estimate the size of the storage unit or the number of units you’ll need. This is the starting point to understanding what your storage will cost.
As a rough guide, one Holloway storage module holds 10m3. This is typically enough for one to two rooms’ worth of furniture and belongings. If you have a larger household or more things, you can get multiple modules. It might even be more cost effective to opt for a large container storage unit.
Still not sure? Talk to our team
If you’re still not confident, you can speak to our expert team to get an accurate estimate. They’ll ask you all the right questions to help you work out the right sized storage and the right number of units you’ll need. Our team does this every day, so contact us today for a personalised quote.
Step 3: Factor in how you’ll pack
The calculator gives you a good estimate, but how you pack affects how much space you actually use. Our best advice to make the most of your storage space:
- Stack items save space. Boxes, plastic tubs, and flat-pack furniture can be stacked vertically, making much better use of your module's full height.
- Factor extra space for bulky and fragile items. Large sofas, pianos, and antiques need room around them and can't be packed tightly. So, add a little more to your estimate than the numbers suggest.
- Disassemble furniture where possible. Break down bed frames, dining tables, and shelving units so they take up less space. If you're not sure how to do this safely, ask your removalists for help.
- Don't fill it to the brim. Leaving a little room in your module makes it easier to access your belongings if you need something.
Step 4: Find out what it'll cost
Once you know how many modules you'll need, the natural next step is getting a price.
A few things that can affect your storage quote:
- Size or type of storage module
- Number of modules you need
- Duration of storage (short-term vs long-term)
- Whether you need packing materials or a wrapping service
- Collection and delivery of the module to and from your property
For a full breakdown, we’ve put together dedicated guides for Sydney storage prices, Melbourne storage prices, and Brisbane storage prices. Because everyone's situation is a little different, the best way to get an accurate quote is to use the calculator, then confirm directly with your storage company.
Book your storage unit today
To calculate your storage needs, start with a list of everything you’re storing. Then, use our inventory calculator to match it to a rough storage size. Make sure to factor in bulky or fragile items and how tightly you want the unit packed. And finally, get a quote based on your estimates.
When you're ready to move forward, Holloway Removals and Storage takes care of the rest. We can deliver the storage module to your door, load it, store it in our secure facility where you can access it easily. We can redeliver it to you when you need it. Get in touch with our team to get started.
