Tips to Avoid Common College Storage Mistakes

The end of your spring semester can be an exciting but stressful time. You’ve just finished your exams and you’re ready to head home for the summer, but first you must find a secure storage space for your dorm room or apartment complex. Look no further than Home Star Storage for affordable state college storage units this summer. Home Star Storage offers storage solutions in Memphis, TN. Read our guide today and learn how to avoid common college storage mistakes this summer!

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Tips for College Student Storage

Don’t Overpack – Donate or Sell Unneeded Items

Your storage area is a limited space. As such, you might want to consider selling or donating any unnecessary items you won’t be needing after break. That sagging couch with the stains in the corner, or that bulky tv you never used? Consider listing these items for sale online on your campus’ message boards, or an area marketplace like Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace. They might not be worth much, but remember that your goal is to free up wasted space, and so any small amount made is worth it. Look at it as some extra gas money for your trip back home.

Alternatively, if the idea of selling your items seems like too much work, you can simply donate them to an area church or thrift store. Regardless of your method, be sure to minimize waste and only store what is necessary over your summer break.

Don’t Cheap Out – Pick the Right Size Storage Unit

Look, we understand; as a broke college student you might be tempted renting the smallest size storage unit to save some money over your break. Still, there is nothing worse than running out of storage space mid-move. Consider sizing up to a larger unit to avoid any future hassle when you are moving out of your dorm room or apartment complex. Moving.com helps detail the appropriate amount of space you might need in their recent article highlighting summer storage tips for college students. As they discuss, a 5×5 size storage unit will appropriately hold a small dorm room’s contents; however, you should consider sizing up to a 5×10 unit or larger if you live in a two or three-bedroom apartment. Use their outline as a reference when considering what size storage unit to rent.

Equally as useful, Home Star Storage provides a free storage space calculator online for the convenience of renters. Simply input any items you plan to store, and this handy tool will provide you with an estimate as to how much storage space you will need. Subsequently, the tool will recommend the proper storage size for your square footage estimate. Don’t make the mistake of renting too small of a storage unit this summer – pick the right size storage unit for your needs!

Don’t be Unorganized – Pack Your Storage Unit Efficiently

Organize and pack your storage unit efficiently from the beginning to avoid potential move-out issues when you return from summer break. Be sure to label all boxes and storage bins, and make sure to utilize your storage unit’s “vertical space” – larger bins should be placed on the ground, whereas smaller and more lightly packed boxes can be stacked on top. Consider creating an inventory list of items loaded into storage. Additionally, some renters find it helpful creating an area map of their storage unit’s layout.

Organize the contents of your storage unit strategically. Place large items such as mattresses or desks flush with your storage unit’s wall. Inversely, pack items such as textbooks or seasonal clothing items closer to your storage unit’s entrance for easy access. Be sure to visit Home Star Storage today for moving and packing supplies!

Home Star Storage – Self Storage in Memphis, TN

Visit Home Star Storage today for your source of affordable state college storage units. Our interior storage units are monitored for consistent temperatures all year long, and our facility has 24-hour recorded cameras for the safety and security of renters. Additionally, renters can enjoy the convenience of month-to-month rentals – this feature is perfect for college students looking for summer storage rentals. Avoid common college storage mistakes this summer, and rent with Home Star Storage today!

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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.