Not everything needs a big unit. If you are clearing out a closet, storing a few pieces of furniture or making room for guests, small storage units are often the right fit and the lowest monthly cost. WES STOR rents 5×5 and 5×10 drive-up units at 7 Elmata Ave in Pawcatuck, CT, just across the Pawcatuck River from Westerly, RI and minutes off I-95. This guide covers what each small unit costs, what fits inside, how to choose between them, and how to book one.
Small storage units near Westerly, RI: sizes and prices
To start, WES STOR has two small sizes. In addition, both are drive-up, so you can park next to the door and carry things straight in.
- 5×5, $70 a month: 25 square feet, the size of a standard closet
- 5×10, $95 a month: 50 square feet, comparable to a walk-in closet
These are standard monthly rates, and you can also book both sizes online on the storage units page. In other words, the 5×10 gives you twice the floor space of a 5×5 for $25 more a month.
What fits in a 5×5 storage unit
According to the WES STOR size guide, a 5×5 storage unit is a good match for smaller items such as:
- Small seasonal items
- Small and medium boxes
- Loveseat or small chair
- End tables
- Record collections and family keepsakes
- Twin mattress
- File cabinets
For example, a 5×5 works well for holiday decorations between seasons, beach chairs and umbrellas from a summer in Watch Hill or Misquamicut, or the boxes of papers and photos that have taken over a spare closet. In addition, it suits a small business that needs a place for file cabinets and records.
What fits in a 5×10 storage unit
By comparison, a 5×10 storage unit holds noticeably more. In fact, the size guide lists:
- Contents of a small apartment or dorm room
- Mattress set
- Small couch or loveseat
- Desk and chairs
- Bicycles
- Small appliances
- Medium to large boxes
As a result, the 5×10 is a common choice for a student between semesters, a renter moving into a smaller place in Westerly or Stonington, or anyone who wants the bikes and boxes out of the house for a while.
5×5 or 5×10: what size storage unit do you need?
To decide, first look at your largest piece. For instance, if the biggest item is a twin mattress, a small chair or a file cabinet, a 5×5 will usually do. However, once a mattress set, a couch, a desk or bicycles are on the list, the 5×10 is the better fit.
Next, count your boxes. For example, a handful of small and medium boxes fits in a 5×5, while a larger stack of medium to large boxes needs the 5×10. In general, if you are still unsure, choose the larger size. That way, you have room to leave a gap in front and reach the things in the back.
On the other hand, if your list includes the furniture from a one-bedroom apartment, both small sizes will be too tight. In that case, see the guide to the 10×10 storage unit near Westerly, which is $150 a month. Finally, for every size from 5×5 to 15×15, see the size guide or the guide to storage units near Westerly, RI.
Tips for packing a small unit
In a 5×5 or 5×10, every square foot counts. For this reason, a few habits make a small unit hold more:
- Use boxes of the same size. This way, they stack evenly and stay steady.
- Go up, not out. Instead of spreading boxes across the floor, stack them toward the ceiling with the heaviest ones on the bottom.
- Stand the mattress on its side. After that, lean it against a side wall so it does not cover the floor.
- Put what you need most near the door. For instance, keep holiday decorations in front if you will pull them out in December.
- Label the boxes on two sides. That way, you can read them without moving anything.
Also keep in mind that the units are not climate controlled, so plan ahead for anything sensitive to cold, heat or humidity.
Access, security and local staff
- 24/7 gated access: renters use a keypad at the gate any hour, any day
- Well-lit property with 24/7 video surveillance
- Office hours: a real person on site Monday to Friday, 9 to 4, not a call center
- Local ownership: family-owned since 1985
Because every unit is drive-up, a small unit also works like extra closet or garage space close to home. So if that is what you are after, the guide to garage space for rent near Westerly has more ideas.
How to book a small storage unit
You can book a 5×5 or 5×10 online any time on the storage units page. After that, bring your first load whenever it suits you, since the gate is open to renters around the clock. Also, for help choosing a size, call (860) 599-2730 or send a message, and the office will help on a weekday.
Small storage units FAQ
How much is a small storage unit near Westerly, RI?
At WES STOR in Pawcatuck, CT, a 5×5 is $70 a month and a 5×10 is $95 a month. Also, both are drive-up units, and the facility is directly across the Pawcatuck River from Westerly.
What fits in a 5×5 storage unit?
A 5×5 is the size of a standard closet. In practice, it typically holds small seasonal items, small and medium boxes, a loveseat or small chair, end tables, a twin mattress or file cabinets.
What fits in a 5×10 storage unit?
A 5×10 is comparable to a walk-in closet. For that reason, it can hold the contents of a small apartment or dorm room, including a mattress set, a small couch, a desk and chairs, bicycles and boxes.
What size storage unit do I need?
Generally, boxes and a few small pieces fit in a 5×5. However, for a mattress set, a couch or bicycles, choose a 5×10, and for the furniture from a one-bedroom apartment, look at a 10×10 instead.
Where can I find cheap storage units near me in Westerly?
The smallest unit at WES STOR is a 5×5 at $70 a month, just over the bridge in Pawcatuck, CT. In addition, renters get 24/7 gated access and a staffed office on weekdays.