When students first move from their homes to student accommodation, they have to adjust to a much smaller living space. Some students adjust more easily than others. The result is conflict as someone encroaches on someone else’s space.
There are some tricks you can use in your room to make sure you have enough room to store all your belongings. But self-storage is also an option, especially if you share a unit to make it more student budget-friendly.
First, a few tricks for your room.
Maximise wall space
You can do more with walls than stick up some posters and photos. You can put up some adhesive shelves (no permanent holes or marks) and use over-the-door hooks for coats.
You can also use over-the-door pocket organisers, which can hold a variety of items. You can get one with large pockets for toiletries, undies, socks, slippers, and even books and stationery. Some of the sturdier options can hold up to 80 pounds.
You can get over-the-door shoe racks and racks that have pockets and hooks, so you can store jewellery, scarves, hair accessories, belts, and hats.
Maximise space under your bed
The space beneath your bed is not just for dust bunnies. Storage drawers come in many different sizes so there is bound to be something that fits in that valuable space. You can store just about anything down there, from shoes and bags to sports kits, bed linen and towels.
If your bed is low, you can get bed risers to increase space for drawers.
Storage containers
You can get affordable interlocking cabinets or drawers that you can customise to the best size for you. Cover it with a throw and a four-unit cabinet makes a great bedside table. You could take increase it to six or eight drawers and share it with your roommate. The drawers are separate so you both have equal storage space without risk of encroachment.
Multi-use furniture
Chairs aren’t just for sitting. You can get a comfy ottoman with storage space in the base. You can get an ottoman with storage space in the base and with a top that flips over into a temporary coffee table.
Another seating option is a bench with storage space. They’re quite popular as outdoor furniture but they’re absolutely comfy enough for your room.
A combination shelf and desk, with a desk that folds up is a great space saver. You could even stick a mirror to the underside of the desk so that you can see it when the desk is folded up.
Still with desks, a desk organiser is a great way to optimise space while keeping all your stationery and study aids in one safe place – where you can always find them.
A clip-on light attached to your desk takes up less space than a floor lamp or standard table lamp. It’s also portable, so you can clip it to your bed to read at night.
Now for self-storage units
All the hacks in the world aren’t going to find space for snow suits, skis, snowboards, and boots during the warmer months. You’re also going to need somewhere to store some first-year textbooks when you’re working your way through the fourth year of your degree.
This is especially true when your roommate also has hundreds of pounds worth of textbooks weighing down the shelves.
If you’re going to take a year to study abroad or do an internship for a few months you’ll also need a place to store your belongings. The same applies if you’re going home for extended holidays. You need somewhere safe – that is not your parents’ home – to keep your electrical equipment, seasonal clothes, sports equipment, and perhaps even your ottomans and bed.
Many self-storage facilities have options specifically for students, including special rates and discounts for long-term storage.
You’re going to have to get storage that provides the best environment for your belongings. Temperature-controlled units, for example, are best for your computer and related items. Your clothes, bedding, and towels don’t need climate control so make sure you ask about storage types so you don’t end up paying for features you don’t need.
Whatever the environment, you need to pack your belongings to keep them safe. Don’t use boxes that are already tearing along the sides. Rather use durable plastic containers. The storage drawers and units you already have from storing goods in your bedroom will work well. Just make sure you cover them with a sheet or blanket or towel to keep the dust off.
Buy a high-quality padlock, one that can’t be cut by bolt cutters – and always keep a set of spare keys so you don’t lock yourself out.
Make sure you get the size you need too. You probably don’t need space big enough to hold the contents of a two-bed house. Some facilities have 9 ft lockers which is ample space for a typical student’s needs. A 25 sq/ft unit is recommended if you have to store some furniture and large pieces of sports equipment, especially if it’s seasonal. A 50 sq/ft unit is best if you have to pack up and store the entire contents of your room; this would be when you go abroad for several months or a year to study.
Whether you need long-term or short-term storage, you need storage insurance. Storage facilities tend to offer insurance but it’s best to go with a dedicated insurance provider.
Additional considerations
In a nutshell:
- Access: is it easy for you to get to the facility, and is it easy to access your unit at the facility
- Security: Is the facility secure? Is it securely fenced, are there security cameras? Are their smoke detectors and fire alarms?
- What items are and are not permitted? The storage facility should give you a list.
Try to book as early as you can so you can be sure a unit is available.