Short-Term vs. Long-Term Storage: Which Option Suits You Best?

Short-term storage is great if you’re dealing with a remodel, or if you just need some extra space during your move. Short-term rentals are usually pricier month-per-month, but if you do it right, you won’t need the unit for very many months anyways.

• Three months or less: Anything longer than three months, and you should be looking for long-term storage instead. Due to the short time window, we recommend short-term storage as a temporary fix - so make sure you’ve got buyers lined up for your extra stuff.
• Best for: Plenty of people book short-term storage when they move, or when they’re dealing with a remodel, a fumigation, or just a temporary lack of space (whatever the cause may be). If that sounds like you, short-term storage is your ticket.
• Higher monthly rate, but less time overall: Short-term storage rentals come at a higher monthly rate. Since you’re paying month-to-month, your final price depends on how long you’ll actually need to rent the unit.
• Something to consider: Temporary solutions oftentimes turn into permanent (or at least long-term) problems. Be honest with yourself. Can you REALLY find a home for all that stuff in storage, before three months are up? If not, go for long-term instead.

Long-term storage is what you need when you absolutely can’t get rid of your extra stuff. Some people treat long-term storage as a garage-away-from-home, and others may book a small unit for their holiday decor. 

• Longer than three months: When you book long-term storage, you usually sign a lease for longer than three months. You’ll be thankful for the extra breathing room if your storage unit is full of stuff you’re trying to get rid of.
• Best for: Sometimes long-term storage is unavoidable. Let’s say you’re terminating your lease to live abroad for a few months. Or you were recently willed a bunch of items, and you’re still sorting out who gets what. Think of it like an extension of your garage.
• Lower monthly rate, but you’re locked in for a long-term lease: Realistically speaking, a lot of short-term rentals turn into long-term engagements. You may as well just skip straight to a long-term lease and get a lower price while you’re at it.
• Something to consider: Do you REALLY need all that stuff? Long-term storage is useful, but if you’ve filled up an entire home (or apartment) and you STILL need more space, it may be time to clean house a little instead of burning more money every month.

We’ve been in the moving game long enough to know a few dos and don’ts of storage. If you want the best storage possible (and you don’t want to damage your items) keep these mistakes in mind:

1. Don’t forget to get multiple quotes. You’re paying a monthly fee. The least you can do is make sure that your monthly fee is as inoffensive as possible. Get multiple quotes from multiple places, and weigh whether all those extras are really worth the extra cost.
2. Don’t be too optimistic. “I’ll only need this storage unit for a month,” said some guy four years ago. Don’t underestimate how long you’ll need a storage unit, otherwise you may be on the hook for short-term pricing for all the extra time.
3. Please book in advance. Speaking of timing and being realistic: book in advance - preferably at the same time you book your movers. You don’t want to be rushing for a storage unit when you just found out your old sofa doesn’t fit in your new place.
4. Please think about the weather. Does your storage unit live in a hot and dry climate, or does it get humid and damp? Are you storing sensitive furniture? Don’t cheap out if you think climate control will make a difference.
5. Don’t skimp on boxes and packing. While we’re on the subject of cheaping out, don’t neglect your packing supplies. You may not be hauling this stuff around, but properly boxing and packing your items will make them much easier to take out of your unit.
6. Please visit your storage unit in advance. Visit your storage unit in advance so you can visualize how much space you have. This really helps you make a plan, and it also helps you avoid unpleasant surprises. Example: The door’s too narrow for your piano.
7. Remember: First out, last in: When you pack your storage unit, make sure you’re putting your must-have items right at the front. You don’t want to have to climb/crawl all the way to the back every time you’re visiting storage.
8. Don’t be careless with your valuables: Storage is great for furniture and other items around the home, but if you have jewelry, precious metals, cash, and other high-value belongings, you may want to look into a safe-deposit box instead.
9. Think about whether you need storage in the first place: We don’t want to get all Marie Kondo on you, but it’s an important question to ask yourself: “Do I really need all this stuff?” Sometimes, it’s just cheaper (and easier) to sell off items or give them away.

You never know what can happen in the future. Even if you’re just storing items for a few weeks, we recommend prepping your storage unit like a time capsule.

• Ditch the perishables. We shouldn’t have to tell you this one, but here goes: If you have anything that can go bad - whether it’s food, plants, or toothpaste - it doesn’t belong in your storage unit. Pack like it’s long-term, even if it’s short-term.

• Throw out anything that’s even remotely damp. Moisture is the enemy. Make sure everything is as dry as possible before loading it into your storage unit. Wipe your items down, and if possible let them air out for an hour or so in case you missed any spots.

• Clean everything. Bacteria and mold can grow and grow and grow. Wash everything before you pack it all up, and try to do a deep-clean if possible. This also means one less step when you’re unpacking and taking items out of storage!

• Label everything. When you pack your boxes, make sure they’re clearly labeled. We recommend labeling by room. Kitchen stuff goes in the “Kitchen” boxes, preferably with an extra note that’s a little more specific. Same goes for “Bedroom”, “Office”, etc.

• Make a gap between your boxes and raw concrete. Cold surface meets warm, humid air, and you get condensation. Condensation will spread to your boxes unless you keep them separated somehow. Planks or a tarp is better than nothing.

• Leave air gaps for circulation. Another good reason to put down some 2x4s before you place your boxes? Air gaps. The more circulation, the less chance for moisture to mess up your items. Want extra credit? Leave spaces between your items, too.

• Invest in silica gel packets. Y’know those “SILICA GEL: DO NOT EAT” packets you find when you buy a new suitcase? Those are designed to absorb moisture. And you can buy them online, too! Put them in your boxes to be extra safe.

• Dust happens. Put a tarp over everything. You’ve loaded up your storage unit, and it’s nice and tidy. Want to keep it that way? Put a tarp (or just a few old bedsheets) over everything. This’ll keep the dust off your stuff, which makes unloading a lot less messy.
• Load it up smart. Put least-used items in the back, most-used items near the door, and stack smart to make it easy to unload and get to everything in the unit. Oh, and if you’re absolutely trying to sell off some items, make sure they’re easy to access, too.

You’ve seen the pros and cons of short-term vs long-term storage, and now it’s time to see who’s the best in the business. Fortunately, iMoving makes that part easy. Check out our moving marketplace to compare prices and services, and book your secure storage today.