How to find affordable storage in Brooklyn
New York is a big city. But it’s also a very populous city. So space can be quite a commodity. Many New Yorkers live in small apartments where they don’t have much space for unnecessary things. At the same time, many New Yorkers don’t really want to get rid of most of their stuff just because they’re running out of space. The solution, of course, is storage. But if you live in New York then you also know just how expensive it can be. Everything from food to rent to NYC movers can have quite an impact on your budget. So it’s no wonder you don’t want to spend a fortune on storage. Luckily, it’s possible to find affordable storage in Brooklyn and get extra space without paying through the nose.
Find affordable storage in Brooklyn by asking around
The good news is that you’re definitely not the only person in New York looking for affordable storage. Thousands of people rent out storage units in Brooklyn every day when moving, remodeling, or just decluttering. And odds are that you know at least one of those people somehow. So ask your family members, friends, colleagues, and other acquaintances if they’ve recently rented storage and how happy they were with it. They might be able to point you in the direction of some good storage NYC that they’re willing to vouch for. And even if they had a terrible experience, at least they’ll tell you what to avoid. Finally, you can also always turn to the internet. Social media is a good forum to connect with locals and get the best tips on where to find the perfect Brooklyn storage.
Find affordable storage in Brooklyn by contacting local movers
Moving companies are the most common providers of storage space. Luckily, New York has plenty to choose from. So look up reliable Brooklyn movers in your area and see what kind of storage they provide. This is your best bet for finding clean and secure units, a variety of unit sizes, and a lot of different options including climate-controlled storage, warehouse storage, mobile storage units and more. The added bonus is that professional movers can usually help you with deciding the type and size of unit you need. So don’t hesitate to contact them! Even if they themselves don’t provide the type of storage you need, they might be able to direct you to someone who does or accommodate your needs in other ways.
Find affordable storage in Brooklyn by thinking creatively
When we talk about finding storage space in Brooklyn, we are usually thinking of storage units somewhere outside of your home. But the truth is that the most affordable storage you can find is already in your possession. All you need to do is think outside of the box and utilize the space you already have in the best possible ways.
Get rid of the stuff you really don’t need
The first step towards maximizing your space is getting rid of the stuff you don’t need. Of course, the whole point of using storage is getting to keep all your things. But let’s be honest for a second – there’s no way you truly regularly use everything you own. So there’s really no reason to keep all of it. Get rid of the things you haven’t used in a year or more, clothes you’ve outgrown, appliances you’ve upgraded, books you have no desire to reread. You don’t even have to throw them away if they are still useable – gift them to someone, donate to a charity, or sell them online for some quick cash. As long as they’re not taking up space in your home unnecessarily, any solution works.
Use the extra space in your home
The most affordable storage you’ll find in Brooklyn is the one that’s already included in your regular expenses – the extra space in your home. Even in the smallest apartments, there’s usually plenty of space people don’t utilize properly. Just rearranging things to open up more space and playing a bit of Tetris with your belongings in the cupboards will go a long way. But you can also use places in and around your home that you wouldn’t normally think of as storage.
Store things in and under your furniture
Just because you’ve put some furniture in a room doesn’t mean that furniture is the only thing you can put in that room. Coffee tables, bedside tables, cupboards, and closets have plenty of surface space to put things on. Many furniture pieces (like ottomans and sofas) have hollow parts that you can put things in. Finally, if you protect your belongings from dust, you can easily store them under the beds, tables, and other pieces.
Hang things up on walls and from ceilings
Walls and ceilings are among the least used parts of a home. We tend to think of them as just a spot for decorations, a place to hang lighting or art. But some well-placed shelves and ceiling hooks will give you tons of extra storage space. You can put just about anything on them from decorations to books to plants to sports equipment. However, remember to check how much weight they can carry before you get carried away. And if you’re renting your home, check with your landlord whether you are allowed to make changes to walls and ceilings.
With proper packing, you can store things outside
Storing things outside is not normally an ideal solution. There’s a reason people use storage units instead of just leaving their things lying out in the field. However, with the right packing supplies and under certain conditions, you can use your balcony, parking space, garage or yard for storage if you really can’t find affordable storage in Brooklyn. Think of this as a last resort and don’t use it for anything super valuable. Plastic and watertight containers are your best bet. But sturdy boxes can work in covered or partially enclosed spaces. Remember to bring all your stuff inside for the fall and winter too! Water damage could be a real problem if you leave boxes on your balcony in the winter.