Sometimes, your home can just feel too full, you’re moving house or you need to clear away some seasonal decorations. Whatever your reason, having a safe, accessible place to keep your valuable belongings can be a huge help.
Storage units are the ideal solution when you need a temporary new home for your possessions. For example, if you’re moving house, it can help bridge the gap between properties or give you more time to sort through boxes. Same for if you’re renovating, it can give you more room – and protect your items from dust, paint and potential damage. Or, if you’re travelling overseas, a storage unit can keep your possessions safe for an extended period of time, especially if you decide to rent out your home during that time.
Whether you need a quick fix or to secure your items for months, it’s important to know the difference between short-term furniture storage and long-term storage.
Short vs long-term — what’s the difference?
The fundamental difference between short and long-term storage lies in the commitment, cost and use of your storage unit.
For short-term storage, this generally ranges from 7 days to 1 month and uses a rolling contract, should you need to extend your rental agreement. It’s perfect for quick renovations, moving delays or for students looking for short summer storage.
For long-term furniture storage, the initial agreement term is more than a month but still uses a rolling contract for easy extension. Although it depends on the storage company, some offer discounts for longer commitments, such as for 6/12 months. Longer storage is ideal for long-term travel, permanent downsizing or major building work.
What size unit do I need?
Choosing the right size unit saves money and makes sure your furniture is stored safely without overcrowding or damage. We recommend checking our storage size estimator tool, but here’s a quick guide to storage locker sizes:
- 10-25 sq. ft. is the equivalent of either a large wardrobe or a small single bedroom, so it is ideal for a few boxes or some small furniture.
- 35–50 sq. ft. is the equivalent of either a double bedroom or a small 1-bed flat, making it perfect for some major appliances and bigger pieces of furniture.
- 75–100 sq. ft. is the equivalent of a 2-bedroom flat or house and is roughly the same size as a single garage, making it ideal for a living room set, dining table and bedroom furniture storage.
- 125+ sq. ft. is roughly the size of a double garage, perfect for storing furniture from larger homes.
A good rule of thumb is the room-by-room guide: the furniture from one average room usually fits into a 50 sq. ft. unit (e.g., bedroom set) or less. Remember, you’ll need to leave some space for getting things in and out, and chances are things won’t fit together perfectly like Tetris!
Packing & protection checklist
Proper preparation is invaluable when it comes to keeping your furniture in pristine condition while it’s in storage and is even more important for long-term storage.
- Clean and dry: Ensure all items are thoroughly cleaned and completely dry before packing to prevent mould or attracting pests.
- Disassemble: Take apart beds, tables and modular shelving to make it easier to carry, transport and stack. Store all screws and hardware in a clearly labelled bag with the instructions and tape it to the main item.
- Wrap and pack everything: Use specialised moving blankets, bubble wrap, sturdy cardboard boxes and plastic stretch wrap for protection to help prevent damage. Pay special attention to corners and delicate finishes – there’s no such thing as too much packaging. See our packing guide for our expert advice and box shop for professional packing materials to help make storing simple.
- Elevate: If possible, place all your items on pallets or blocks to raise them off the floor, protecting them from potential dampness or accidental spills.
- Climate tips: If you’re storing wooden furniture, leather or upholstered items, we’d recommend a climate-controlled unit.
Costs, insurance & access
For both long- and short-term storage solutions, as well as size and packing, you should consider the costs, insurance and access to your chosen unit and your belongings.
Costs
It can be hard to understand how much a storage unit costs when first looking into your options. The main thing to remember is that the cost involved with a storage unit is driven by a few key factors:
- Size: The square footage of the unit.
- Duration: How long you’re looking to rent the unit for.
- Location: Units in major cities can sometimes have higher rental prices.
- Unit type: Climate-controlled units are more expensive than standard units.
No matter what size or type of unit you’re looking for, remember to do some independent research to check that the storage unit company is reputable and has good reviews, as price isn’t everything.
To help with short-term furniture storage costs, we offer 50% off for up to 8 weeks, so get in touch today for a tailored quote. We also offer a price guarantee so if you find someone else out there offering better value for money, we’ll match it.
Insurance & contents protection
Your stored furniture and other belongings are valuable, both sentimentally and financially. While most facilities have excellent security (including us!), insurance gives you that extra peace of mind. Here at Titan, we require all customers to have content protection. This can either be through your homeowner’s insurance policy (the policy must state that it covers your possessions whilst in the storage facility and include details of the store) or purchase coverage directly through us. Learn more about our StoreProtect options on our website.
Access
Whoever you store with, always ask about access hours and options when choosing a long- and short-term storage solution. There may be limitations on how you access the facility (keypad or through an individual with a key), when you can access it (business hours vs 24 hours) and even accessibility inside the building (lifts/stairs/loading areas, etc.).
At Titan, our customers have access to their units between 5am and 11pm, 7 days a week, and we offer trolleys and lifts, so there’s no need to worry about carrying heavy boxes around. If you need access outside of these times, please contact our store managers, who will do their best to help.
How to store specific items
To ensure maximum protection and space efficiency when you store furniture:
- Sofas: Wrap fully in plastic or furniture covers, then store vertically (on an end) if possible, to save floor space.
- Tables: Disassemble the legs and wrap the tabletop carefully, then store it vertically against a wall.
- Mattresses: Invest in a mattress bag to protect from dust and moisture. Store flat on an elevated surface or upright against a wall. Never stack items on top of a mattress.
- Antiques: Always use non-acidic packing paper and professional grade moving blankets. Consider a climate-controlled unit for these delicate items.
FAQs
How long can I store my furniture?
We have no maximum stay policy, so you can use our furniture storage units for as long as you need, whether it’s for short-term furniture storage (a few weeks) or several years of long-term storage.
Do I need climate control?
For very valuable items, wooden antiques, electronics or leather, a climate control storage unit is highly recommended.
Is insurance included?
No. You must have contents protection (insurance) for all items stored. You can use your own policy or purchase ours.
Can you help me move my furniture?
Yes! We can recommend trusted local removals partners to help with packing and transportation to and from your furniture storage units.
Ready to safely store your items?
Get a quote for your furniture storage units today and enquire about our 50% off storage offer.
