For young Canadian families looking to put down roots, Edmonton is a compelling choice. Housing prices are far more affordable at about $400,000 on average, significantly lower than the likes of Vancouver and Toronto. Meanwhile neighborhoods like Glenora and Windermere are renowned for their family-friendly facilities such as parks, schools and community activities.

Having said that, even at Edmonton prices, few families can afford the large, sprawling properties that were commonplace 50 years ago. Smaller houses and apartments are the new normal, but that doesn’t have to mean living in clutter or adopting a strict minimalist lifestyle. Renting a self storage facility means growing families can live in clutter-free comfort while having everything they might need within quick and easy reach.

Finding the perfect self-storage facility in Edmonton

There are Edmonton storage units and facilities across the city, so householders can afford to be choosy in finding the one that is perfect for their needs. Here are some of the things to consider:

Proximity – find a storage facility that is close to home. The idea is to have an “overspill” facility to store items that you might need at short notice, so you want your belongings to be close to hand.

Size – storage units are available in a range of sizes. The smallest are similar to a walk-in closet while the largest are approximately the size of a double garage. Of course, the price increases with size, but sometimes going larger is more cost- effective. For example, a 5x10 unit might cost $39 per week while a unit twice the size is only $50 per week.

Security – reputable storage companies will prioritize the safety and security of your belongings. This goes beyond sturdy doors and padlocks and should include recorded CCTV and regular patrols.

Climate control – Edmonton is renowned for its cold winters and hot summers. Temperatures can drop below -30C (-22F) in winter and above 30C (86F) in summer. So choosing a climate controlled storage unit is really a must to protect your belongings from damage.

Access – most storage companies allow access to the units during regular working hours and at weekends. However, some provide units that can be accessed 24/7. Think about your specific needs, and if in doubt, err on the side of flexibility.

Making the best use of your storage facility

One of the biggest mistakes that you can make is to use a storage unit as a dumping ground for belongings that you never use but cannot bear to part with. All that achieves is an extra monthly expense with no tangible gain, so it is important to take a pragmatic approach.

Categorize Items as follows:

1) Things you use every day – these include everyday furniture, white goods, bed linen and so on. Of course, these need to remain in the home.

2) Things you use periodically – for example seasonal equipment, sport equipment like paddleboards, spare furniture or bedding for guests and backup kitchenware.

3) Things you might need in future – for example outgrown baby equipment and clothes or heirloom articles that you don’t have a use for at present.

4) Things you are never likely to use – such as outdated technology, unused gifts or textbooks and other paperwork that has served its purpose.

An effectively used storage unit will contain items that fall into category three (stored at the back) and category two, stored in easier reach. This is why it is so important to find a storage facility that is in easy reach so that, for example, you can go there to quickly retrieve some spare chairs or a guest bed set when visitors arrive.

The reality is that many storage units end up full of items that fall into category four that are untouched from one year to the next. The best way to avoid falling into this trap is to regularly assess what you have in storage and not be afraid to recategorize items as time goes by. Any that are relegated to category four can then be sold, donated to charity of discarded as appropriate.