Too much stuff and not enough space? You may have a clutter infestation on your hands. As arguably the most annoying household pest, clutter can sneak up on you when you’re least expecting it.
Clutter is more than just unopened mail strewn across the counter or a stack of unread books collecting dust in the corner, clutter could be the culprit of your spiking stress levels.
If you’re looking to pare down the clutter infiltrating your living spaces, a 5’x5′ storage unit is a great place to start.
Remember, the smallest storage units, like a 5’x5′ storage space, can have a big impact. Big enough to house your Halloween decorations, bulky pool toys, and a ski season’s worth of gear, but small enough to remain budget-friendly, the 5’x5′ storage unit is just right.
How Big Is a 5’x5′ Storage Unit?
5’x5′ storage units are 5 feet in width, 5 feet in length, and about 8 feet in height, totaling an estimated 200 cubic feet of space. Comparable to the size of a walk-in closet, you can treat a 5’x5′ storage unit as an off-site utility closet or an extension of your home garage.
It is important to note that not all common household items—such as queen-sized mattresses—can fit in a 5×5 storage unit. If you need to store larger items or mattresses than a full-sized bed, look at bigger storage options, such as a 5’x15′ or 10’x10′ storage unit.
What Can Fit in a 5’x5′ Storage Unit?
So, what exactly can fit inside a 5’x5′ storage unit?
For an inside look into the items commonly stored by 5’x5′ unit renters, check out the list below:
- Holiday decorations
- Books/Documents
- Electronics (TVs, video game consoles, tablets, and the like)
- Small to midsize boxes or storage containers
- Seasonal clothing
- Sporting gear/equipment
- Gardening tools
- Glassware and mirrors
- Pool accessories
- Small household furniture
- Twin or full-size mattress
- Desk
- Dining room chairs and stools
- Dresser
- Baby accessories
- Carpets, lamps, end tables, and other small décor items
If you need to store several of the items listed above, cramming all of your belongings into the unit and hoping for the best just won’t cut it. You’ll need to adopt a mindful approach to storage unit organization so that you can utilize every square inch of your 5’x5′ unit.
To maximize your 5’x5′ storage space, consider rotating out seasonal items. Store skis, snowboards, sleds, and other equipment over the summer and pool toys in the winter.
What Are the Common Uses for a 5×5 Storage Unit?
When it comes to utilizing a 5×5 storage unit, the options are virtually endless. Here are five of the most common uses for the 5×5 storage unit:
Decluttering a home or apartment
Clutter is insidious, creeping in over time. Instead of wishing you had more square footage to house your trinkets, knick-knacks, and memorabilia, consider decluttering. For most, the hardest part of decluttering is parting ways with sentimental items or belongings that could prove valuable one day, someday.
Enter the 5’x5′ storage unit.
A 5’x5′ storage unit can help you to declutter without the pain of parting with possessions you treasure (and may need to use again one day) Be it your high school prom corsages or your son’s first bike, entrust a 5’x5′ unit to free up storage space better spent elsewhere.
Julia Cameron once said, “When we clear the physical clutter from our lives, we literally make way for inspiration and ‘good, orderly direction’ to enter.”
Storing between semesters
When the Spring semester adjourns and the dorms close for the summer, college students are faced with an all-too-common dilemma: what am I supposed to do with my stuff until the Fall semester?
While there’s always the option of shipping your dorm essentials across state lines, the far more affordable option is temporarily storing your mini fridge and multi-purpose furniture in a 5’x5′ storage unit. This storage unit type is neither too large nor too small—just spacious enough to store a dorm room’s worth of “stuff.”
If you’re strapped for cash and working with a student budget, turn to Neighbor, a storage-sharing marketplace with a wealth of budget-friendly options. For hundreds of dollars less than traditional storage units, you can rent out a storage space with a month-to-month contract. That way, you aren’t cornered into a year-long contract when you only need to store for the summer.
If you’re looking for college-friendly storage, rent out a storage space long before finals week. Wait too long, and a storage facility’s limited inventory of 5’x5′ storage units may be occupied, forcing you into a larger (more expensive) unit than you need.
Keeping a small business organized
As a small business owner, you’ll need to store inventory, samples, business archives, and important documents. Unfortunately, renting out office and warehouse spaces can take a heaping bite out of your annual budget. For those up-and-coming small business owners, a 5’x5′ storage unit will go a long way.
If you plan to store sensitive documents, opt for a climate-controlled 5’x5′ unit. While climatized storage will cost you extra, a climate-controlled 5’x5′ unit still costs significantly less than other bigger storage options (think: 5×10, 5×15, 10×10, 10×20).
How to Choose a 5×5 Storage Unit: A Step-by-Step Mini-Guide
Compare and Contrast
There are many factors you should take into account before choosing the storage facility that’s right for you:
- Self-service vs. full-service
- Number of locks (the more, the better)
- Storage location
- Safety and security of the facility (in-person surveillance, video monitoring, etc.)
- Convenience (drive-up access, etc.)
- Contract terms (short-term rental, long-term rental, etc.)
- Pricing options (check for online discounts and other specials!)
- Accessibility (Is the facility open 24/7? Is it possible to access your 5×5 storage unit on Sundays? How about during the holidays?)
Check out your options for temperature-controlled units
If you plan to store any of the items below, a temperature-controlled 5’x5′ storage unit is a must:
- Musical instruments
- Novels and comic books
- Clothing
- Wine
- Electronics
- Music collections (tapes, vinyl, etc.)
- Artwork
- Important personal or business documents
Understand costs, billing, and more
Before renting a 5’x5′ storage unit, or any other unit for that matter, gain an understanding of what you’re paying for. What does the unit cost per month? When are payments due? Can you pre-pay? Can I upgrade to a larger storage unit size if a 5’x5′ doesn’t suffice?
How to Pack and Organize a 5×5 Storage Unit
As one of the smallest storage units on the market, packing and organizing a 5’x5′ storage unit is no small feat. Fortunately, with the right approach, you can get your money’s worth out of every square foot.
How to store furniture
While a 5×5 unit can’t accommodate all of your living room furniture, it can still hold one or two pieces, such as a table and two chairs.
To store a table, first remove the legs and then store the table tops vertically. As for any other piece of furniture, cover it with quilts, towels, or old sheets to keep out dirt, moisture, and dust. That said, don’t store your furniture in an unclean space. Give the unit a thorough cleaning before storing your furniture.
How to store clothes
Begin by folding or rolling your clothes and loosely placing them in sealed boxes or containers. Then, if possible, add oxygen absorbers or silica packets to prevent mold growth. Lastly, consider storing the more fancy or elegant apparel in garment bags to prevent dust accumulation.
How to store delicate items
Begin by wrapping individual dishes, mirrors, glassware, and antique items in bubble wrap or newspaper. Carefully arrange the items in a sturdy box such as a plastic container. Store the boxes on heavier items to ensure that they are not crushed from above.
How to store seasonal decorations
The trick here is to remove any loose parts before placing the decoration inside a 5’×5′ unit. It’s safer and easier to store your Christmas wreath or fall displays in pieces, as opposed to an entire unit.
As a general rule of thumb, it’s best to store these seasonal items in plain sight. This way, you can easily access the items when the season calls for holiday décor.
How to store gardening tools
Most gardening tools are prone to rust. So, before storing your landscaping tools in a 5’×5′ storage unit, clean the tools thoroughly and coat them with motor oil or boiled linseed oil to prevent rusting. As a best practice, move your gardening equipment to the back of the storage unit. Tools of this nature are sturdily made and might even have sharp edges, so keeping them away from the entrance prevents cuts, bruises, and other injuries.
How to store sports gear
Storing sports equipment can be difficult, especially when you’re dealing with a limited amount of space. This is your chance to be creative. On one of the walls of your 5’x5′ storage unit, install a corkboard. When you use a corkboard, you can easily hang items of various sizes so that your gear becomes easily visible and accessible. For larger items, consider hanging hooks.
How to store a full-size mattress
If you’re wondering whether a full-size mattress can fit inside a 5×5 storage unit, the answer is yes. However, you’ll need to insert it vertically and diagonally in the unit. Ask for a hand when placing your mattress to keep the unit’s door and roof from scratching, puncturing, or tearing it.
Pro-tip for Packing a 5’x5′ storage unit:
With the rather limited space that a 5×5 unit provides, it’s likely that you’ll put most of your items in boxes. To maximize every inch of space in there, consider stacking boxes on top of one another. But be careful: putting heavy boxes on top of lighter ones could crush your most prized possessions. Do the reverse, and you’ll be good to go.
What Is the Average Price of a 5×5 Storage Unit?
The majority of 5×5 storage units are rented on a month-to-month basis, and the prices depend on a range of factors, including:
- Location: 5’x5′ storage units that are located downtown will cost more than the ones located in suburban areas.
- Duration of rental agreement: Typically, longer contract terms translate to lower monthly costs.
- Value-added services: Services like 24/7 access, insurance, and temperature control will certainly drive up the cost.
5×5 Storage Unit FAQs: What’s True and What’s Not?
In this section, Neighbor will answer some of the most frequently answered questions about 5’x5′ storage units.
What size moving truck is needed for a 5’x5′ storage unit?
A typical pickup truck or moving van will do the trick here. You can also use a 5’x8′ or 4’x8′ Cargo trailer.
Can a couch fit inside a 5’x5′ storage unit?
Yes! It’s possible to fit a couch inside a 5’x5′ storage unit, but it will need to be stored on its side
How do I find a cheap 5’x5′ storage unit near me?
Great question. You’d be surprised by the sheer number of 5’x5′ storage units available near you, all at very competitive prices. Start exploring the affordable storage options in your neighborhood. Then settle for a unit that lands within your price range.
Ready to Rent a 5×5 Storage Unit?
We hope this information will prove helpful in your quest to find the perfect 5’x5′ storage unit for your needs. Now you know never to underestimate the power of a small (but mighty) storage space.
