Downsizing in Boise? Here's How to Store Your Stuff
Boise's market is booming, so a move to Boise often means moving to a smaller, new construction community. These homes typically come with gorgeous hardwood floors, stunning kitchen finishes, and just enough garage space to support 2 cars and some lawn care equipment. With garage space getting filled up quickly during a move, there's a growing need to find additional storage options outside of the home.
Self-storage has become an ideal (and affordable) solution to help new Idahoans with their storage needs.
A self-storage facility provides you with a safe, secure place for your stuff, and it offers 24/7 access to all of your belongings. You don't have to worry about theft, water damage, sun damage, or temperature variation damage, because your belongings are covered—at least that's the case if you use Barber Valley Self Storage. You don't have to worry about a thing! All you have to do is figure out which size storage unit is suitable for your needs.
Preparing to Downsize
If you're finding that you need to downsize to fit into your new Boise home, you'll want to work to identify which items should be put in your storage unit and how much space you’ll need. As you do this, we recommend going through these steps:
- Take inventory of what you plan to store: This is two-fold. You'll want to identify what needs to go in your unit, but you'll also want to make a list of what you're going to put in the unit. This can help you remember exactly what went into your unit and can prove helpful for insurance purposes.
- Measure each item you plan to store: Having the right size unit matters—you don't want to be stuck with stuff you can't store, or pay for more than you need. By measuring your items, you can identify the right size of storage unit that you'll need to store your belongings.
- Prepare your belongings for transportation & storage: Pack everything with care and cushion things where appropriate. Dismantle furniture and other items to maximize your storage space. Wrap all glass items in paper and bubble wrap to protect against breakage.
Once you've prepared all your items for storage, it's time to pick the right size storage unit for your items!
4 Questions to Ask Yourself
When deciding on a storage unit, there are a few things to consider to ensure you have the best experience and an ideal situation that fits your needs. Take the time to answer the following questions:
Is this unit big enough for my belongings, and does it leave me enough extra space for a path?
Organizing your storage unit in a way that leaves a clear path from the front to the back is ideal. This allows the additional walking space we need to retrieve something without the additional hassle of wondering how we’re going to reach the box in the back. If you're just storing a boat and limited recreational equipment, you probably won't need as much room to walk around, but it's still something to consider.
Do I need a climate-controlled unit?
Some people need climate-controlled units to ensure antiques, fabrics, and other temperature-sensitive items don't age faster, but climate-controlled units aren't always required. If you aren't sure if you need a climate-controlled unit, call us! Or check out our page on climate-controlled units for more information to help you decide.
Do I need a storage unit that's at a secure facility?
The chances are high that you want security at your unit. Most people store valuable items in storage facilities, and it's essential to make sure those are protected 24/7. It also provides an extra sense of security if you need to pick up items after sunset. During Idaho winters, you could be picking up items in the dark any time after 5 pm.
Is it important to choose a storage facility that’s close to my house?
You should consider getting a closer unit to where you live if you need to access your storage unit frequently. If not, you can expand your search to cover more territory, but keep in mind you might be frustrated down the road if you need to access something quickly and your facility is on the other side of town. Boise isn't a huge city, but it's still worth learning more about what area of town you'll live in and opt for a storage unit that's in that area or an adjacent one. For instance, if your new home is going to be in East Boise, you probably don't want to choose a facility that's on Eagle Road.
Determining Which Size Storage Unit You Need
Once you've answered the questions we covered, the big question is: "Which size storage unit do I need?" This question should be pretty easy to answer if you answered the others! Here's an idea of what each size of unit could potentially hold:
- Small Storage Units: Our small units are varied sizes that are the equivalent of many walk-in closets. You should be able to store a small amount of furniture and some boxes comfortably.
- Medium Storage Units: Our medium units also vary in size, but they are relatively the size of one-car garages. These could store a small boat and some other recreational gear or store the equivalent of a one-bedroom apartment, including furniture and appliances.
- Large Storage Units: Our large storage units are roughly the square footage of a two- to three-car garage. They could store the equivalent of a four- to five-bedroom house, potentially with room to spare.
If you need to secure the storage unit before moving, but you're out of state, contact us to let us know which size you would like. When you arrive, we can get your contract squared away.
Take a look at the sizes of units we have available and the details for each! Then contact us to get your storage unit reservation squared away.