Many people start their self-storage journey by renting a storage locker, thinking that starting small is the best option. A locker storage unit makes sense and it’s a natural choice if you only need to store a handful of boxes.
However, if you find yourself squeezing items in or leaving things at home because you’ve run out of space, it may be time to rethink your locker storage unit. It can be a bit daunting to think of scaling up your storage size, but the process is simpler than you might think.
What’s the difference between a storage locker and a storage unit?
Storage lockers and storage units each have their own advantages, catering to different needs and stages of life. Whether you’re storing a few personal items or managing a larger transition, the right option depends on how much space you need and how you plan to use it. Here’s what sets them apart:
- Storage lockers: small locker units in storage facilities that typically measure under 3sqm. They’re best suited for small items and boxes storing documents, and even luggage.
- Storage units: larger enclosed spaces that vary in size to accommodate different needs. They can be equivalent to a walk-in wardrobe size or a full garage and beyond.
Storage units and storage lockers are both forms of self‑storage, with the key difference being their size and capacity. While lockers are suited to smaller, lighter items, storage units offer more space for larger belongings or higher volumes.
Signs your storage locker has hit its limit
The tricky part of upscaling your storage locker unit is knowing when to act and move into a bigger unit. You might be holding off on that decision because you think you can go a little longer with squeezing things in. There are a few clear signs that can help you make a choice:
You’re playing Tetris every time you visit
Every time you make the trip to your locker storage, you end up playing Tetris trying to fit things in – it can be time a consuming and quite frustrating task.
Items you need regularly are buried under everything else
It can be difficult to access what you need in a storage locker, as your goods are often stacked tightly on top of one another. With little room to move around, you usually have to dig through everything just to retrieve a single item.
You’ve started leaving things at home that belong in storage
Instead of using the locker storage you’re paying for, you start to keep things at home – cluttering your spare room.
You’re making more trips than you should
You find yourself doing more trips to your storage locker than you thought just to get one single item at a time.
Your life circumstances have changed
New hobbies, a new baby or business overflow have caused you to store more than you initially were. Your life circumstances have changed and so did your storage needs.
Over time, the costs of endless trips to your locker – plus the risk of damaging your belongings due to tight stacking – can outweigh the cost of upgrading to a storage unit.
What can a unit hold that a storage locker can’t?
When it comes to the storage option that’s right for you, it all boils down to your specific needs and lifestyle. However, it’s safe to say that storage units offer a wider range of solutions when it comes to sizing.
Here’s what you can typically fit in different size storage units:
- Small units usually advertised as small, 3-5sqm units can usually fit the contents of a small apartment or shared room, such as sporting equipment, or seasonal items (i.e Christmas decorations).
- Medium units – 9-12sqm storage units that can fit contents of a 1–2 bedroom home, furniture, white goods.
- Large units ranging from 18 to 25sqm, large storage units can hold full household contents, vehicle storage, small business inventory.
Is upgrading your storage locker to a unit worth the cost?
The main thing that holds people back is storage locker rates, which are lower than storage unit rates. However, the long‑term cost of sticking with a storage solution that no longer meets your needs can end up being much higher.
A few savings you make when you upgrade to a storage unit include:
- The cost of damaged or inaccessible items stored incorrectly
- Time lost on inefficient trips to an overcrowded space
- The mental load of knowing your storage situation isn’t working
Additionally, with flexible month‑to‑month plans at National Storage, you can easily move between units as your needs grow or shrink. Customers can upgrade to a larger unit for exactly as long as they need, ensuring you only ever pay for the space you actually use.
What about climate-sensitive items in a locker?
Upgrading from an outdoor storage locker to a storage unit isn’t just about the size. Of course, it always helps to have more space to navigate through your storage, but that’s not the only benefit.
With a bigger space there’s more airflow and better conditions to store climate-sensitive items like furniture, wedding dress or couture, wine, artwork, antiques and other sentimental items. Choosing the right sized unit for your belongings can help you preserve them better.
How to choose the right size storage unit
If your main question now is how to choose the right size storage unit, this practical guide can help:
Step 1: start with an inventory. Take the time to go through the belongings you keep on your storage locker and the items you need more storage for.
Step 2: determine how often you’ll need to access your unit. If there’s items you’ll need to access often, it means they’ll need to be reachable. In other words, you not only need space to store them but to move around in your unit.
Step 3: Use National Storage’s size guide as a starting point – it’s built for situations exactly like this.
Step 4: When in doubt, call the storage centre. The team can help match a unit size to your specific need.
How to make the switch: upgrading your storage with National Storage
After considering the steps above, making the switch is easy. National Storage makes upgrading your storage locker to a unit straightforward and stress‑free.
- Contact your National Storage facility to discuss available unit sizes. Units can usually be upgraded within the same centre, with no full removal required.
- Explore the low-commitment options with National Storage’s month-to-month payment terms. Flexible solutions that mean you’re not locked in if circumstances change again.
- Take the opportunity to declutter, making a list of the stored items you’re actually using versus the ones you no longer need.
Once you’re all moved in, there’s a lot you can do to keep your storage unit tidy and organised. Contact your National Storage facility to learn more about shelving and labelling.
Ready to upgrade from your storage locker? Find your next unit with National Storage
Upgrading your storage locker into a storage unit is a straight-forward, low-commitment process with National Storage. Use our size guide to calculate the best solution for you or contact the nearest National Storage to you to explore options.
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