The Ultimate Guide to Self-Storage in Cincinnati
You want your storage needs to be taken care of easily and effortlessly with self-storage in Cincinnati. That’s why we have eight locations in Greater Cincinnati to serve you! Whether you’re looking for a top-notch storage unit for furniture or just want to store your RV for winter, we have many sizes of storage units to meet your requirements, from 5x5 up to 10x30.
Our ultimate guide to self-storage in Cincinnati gives you all of the details.
Table of Contents
1. Common Reasons for Self-Storage
2. Types of Storage
3. Choosing the Right Storage Unit
4. Preparing Your Items for Storage
5. Moving Items to the Storage Unit
6. Maintaining Your Storage Unit
7. Accessing Your Storage Unit
8. Cost & Payment
9. Troubleshooting Common Issues
10. Talk to Circle Storage for Storage Units in Cincinnati
Common Reasons for Self-Storage in Cincinnati
We get it. Life throws you sudden curves, or you gradually overfill your home with stuff. Life happens. When you don’t know what to do with your items, self-storage in Cincinnati can help you. The need for extra space, whether temporary or long-term, is the main reason why people talk to us. But the most common reasons vary.
Lack of Space in Your Current Home
One of the most common reasons people turn to us for self-storage in Cincinnati is the simple lack of space. Even if you have a five-bedroom home, you might find your Christmas decorations for your lawn have overtaken the basement. Or maybe your teenager’s hobby has made the attic, well, messy. A storage unit in Cincinnati provides a convenient and secure place to store items to declutter your home.
Downsizing & Transitioning
Downsizing is a significant life change that often requires careful planning. But sometimes things happen suddenly. From a college student going away to pursue their dreams or a divorce, you might not need as much space as you did before. Perhaps you’re moving to a smaller home, retiring, or relocating to a new city. You might have more belongings than what can fit into your new home.
Self-storage in Cincinnati offers a flexible solution during this transitional period, allowing you to gradually declutter and part with items while holding onto cherished possessions. You’ll have time to figure out what to do with your items.
Seasonal Items
Seasonal items, such as holiday decorations, sports equipment, swimming pool toys, and outdoor furniture, can take up a considerable amount of space in your home. You may only need these items for six months out of the year! If you don’t want to put up with three inflatable snow people in your basement year-round, self-storage provides a practical solution for storing these items when you’re not using them.
Home Renovations & Construction
Home renovations and construction projects often generate a lot of clutter. You might need a place to store your bed or kitchen appliances while your home is being renovated. If your business is in a transition, self-storage in Cincinnati offers a temporary solution for your firm. Furniture, appliances, and personal belongings need to be safely stored while work is being done. Your items will be secure and protected against damage and dust during your renovation project.
College Students & Young Adults
Your teenager collected a lot of stuff over the years, like sports trophies or mementos of their younger years. They probably can’t take all of their stuff with them to college, especially if they live in a dorm. Once they get there, they might find themselves without enough space for clothes and bedding. Self-storage in Cincinnati offers a cost-effective way to store belongings during breaks, in between home and college, or when moving between apartments.
Life Events & Unexpected Circumstances
Life is full of unexpected events, such as job relocations, break-ups, marriages, and medical emergencies. These situations can disrupt living arrangements and create a need for temporary storage. Self-storage in Cincinnati gives grandma or an in-law a place to keep items while they transition to a new place to live, whether it’s with you or in an assisted living facility.
Business Storage & Inventory
Businesses of all sizes rely on self-storage in Cincinnati. From small online retailers to contractors and service providers, extra space can give you a place for inventory, equipment, and supplies. A storage unit from Circle Storage can help businesses operate efficiently and maintain a clean, organized workspace.
Types of Self-Storage in Cincinnati
We offer three main types of storage in Cincinnati, and each one can meet the specific needs of your home or business.
Climate-Controlled Storage in Cincinnati
Protect your items against the ravages of hot summers and cold winters with climate-controlled storage with Circle Storage. Our facilities in Amelia, Springdale, West Chester, and Blue Ash North have state-of-the-art indoor storage that will keep your belongings safe. Our buildings control the temperature and humidity, which can protect sensitive items like furniture, electronics, and documents from changing temperatures and moisture.
This is a great long-term storage solution that is behind locked doors and offers 24/7 video surveillance. You’ll also get the convenience of an overhead canopy that protects your vehicle from any rain or snow that might happen during your move. You’ll also have access to heavy-duty carts and an elevator to help relocate your items from the moving truck or vehicle to your designated storage unit. We’re made for your convenience! Unit sizes range from 5x5 to 10x30.
Non-Climate-Controlled Storage in Cincinnati
When you have items that can withstand seasonal temperature fluctuations, like outdoor furniture, gear, or outdoor decorations, non-climate-controlled storage in Cincinnati offers the convenience of being behind a locked gate that only people with a storage unit can access with their unique code. You can easily pull a U-Haul truck up to the storage unit, unlock the disc lock with your key, and conveniently access your items. You’ll be in and out in no time with your organizational tactics and speed!
We recommend non-climate-controlled storage for Christmas decorations, patio furniture, seasonal equipment, workout weights, and sports equipment. You’ll be surprised how many items you can fit into one of these storage units!
RV & Vehicle Storage
Do you spend winters at home before setting off on your next RV journey? Haven’t sold your used vehicle yet? Are you waiting for lake season to begin again so you can fish till your heart’s content? RV and vehicle storage in Cincinnati is a great option when your driveway or garage simply isn’t big enough.
Storing your vehicle in Cincinnati at Circle Storage means it will be in a locked, fenced-in area. We highly recommend preparing your vehicle for storage so it stays in good shape when you return it. Whether you have a boat, car, or RV, we can help you manage storing your vehicle. These storage spaces also work for ATVs, snowmobiles, personal watercraft, riding lawn mowers, and trailers.
Look for vehicle storage at:
Amelia
Blue Ash
South Colerain
Eastgate
Harrison
West Chester
Choosing the Right Storage Unit in Cincinnati
Selecting the perfect storage unit in Cincinnati may take a little planning and effort. But you’ll be rewarded with a great storage unit that meets your needs.
Assess Your Storage Needs
Make a detailed list of everything you plan to store. Categorize items by size, weight, and value. You’ll want to move the heaviest items first because they will be the foundation around which you store the other items.
Based on your inventory, estimate the required space you need. We offer storage unit sizes from 5x5 to 10x30. Our sizing guide can help you determine how much storage you need based on the sizes of your items and how many you have. You won’t have to play games of Jenga to move your belongings in and out if you have too many things for the size you choose.
How often will you need to access your belongings? Frequent access might require a unit with easier entry or a larger size. A larger size makes it easier to organize your items.
You might even put some temporary shelves in the storage unit to make it easier to navigate rows and columns.
Select the Right Type of Storage
We have three types of storage units, as we mentioned. Choose the right type of storage for your needs before investing in self-storage in Cincinnati.
Consider Location & Security for Storage
Choose a storage facility that's convenient for your home or business. Most people who have self-storage in Cincinnati find a unit within 3 to 5 miles of their home. One of our locations could serve your purposes.
Look for facilities with security cameras, gated access, and on-site management. Circle Storage has all three! Most of our self-storage facilities in Cincinnati have someone on-site during normal business hours. All of our facilities have gated access for the pull-up units and locked access for climate-controlled storage in Cincinnati.
Consider purchasing additional insurance to protect your belongings. Yes, we have secure facilities. But things can happen like natural disasters. So, if you have valuable items, think about more insurance for self-storage in Cincinnati.
Compare Prices & Amenities
Obtain quotes from multiple storage facilities to compare prices and features. Remember, price isn’t everything. It’s also about the value and peace of mind that a self-storage in Cincinnati brings to the table.
Consider additional services like packing supplies and items that make moving your belongings easier. Circle Storage has retail supplies at each location when you need boxes, packing tape, bubble wrap, or furniture covers.
Check online reviews to gauge customer satisfaction and facility reputation. Google and Facebook are the two most popular platforms for reviews.
Preparing Your Items for Self-Storage in Cincinnati
You want your belongings to stay safe and protected when utilizing self-storage in Cincinnati. So, we have some tips and tricks to help you get ready for moving your items into one of our units.
Declutter Before Moving Your Stuff to Storage
Going through your belongings before packing allows you to eliminate items you no longer need or use. Create three piles of items labeled Keep, Sell, and Trash. The Keep pile are the items you keep in storage. The Sell pile are items you sell or perhaps donate to a local charity. The Trash pile goes in your trashcan. Decluttering makes your storage unit more efficient, and it could save you money in the long run.
Clean Thoroughly
Cleaning your belongings before storing them is crucial to prevent mold, mildew, and pests. Vacuum furniture, wash clothes, and wipe down electronics and appliances. Even if you use a climate-controlled storage unit in Cincinnati, make sure your items are completely dry before storing them. This is particularly important if you seal items up in bags or boxes.
Pack Smartly
Sturdy, corrugated cardboard boxes are ideal for most items. Avoid using weak or previously used boxes. Corrugated cardboard is also cost-effective. If you want something stronger, consider plastic tubs with lids.
Fill boxes completely to prevent shifting and damage. Use packing paper or bubble wrap to protect fragile items. Always put the fragile items on top of a stack of boxes or on shelving to reduce the risk of breakage.
Use clear, detailed labels on all boxes, indicating the contents and room of origin. You’ll love this easy-to-use system later when getting your items out of storage or moving to a new place.
Disassemble large furniture to save space and protect delicate parts. Wrap larger pieces in moving blankets. Think about the legs of a dining room table or the doors of a china hutch.
Wrap electronics in original packaging or use anti-static bubble wrap. Use clear tape to keep the power cords or other cords against the electronics if you don’t have the original packaging handy.
Create an Inventory
A detailed inventory of your stored items is essential for insurance purposes and to help you locate items when you need them. You can do this the old-fashioned way with pen and paper. You can also use your smartphone with a free inventory app. You can verbally record talking about what items are in particular boxes rather than having something in writing for efficiency. Take photos or videos of your belongings for additional documentation. Make sure you save these photos and videos! If you switch phones at a later date, make sure the SIM card goes from your old phone to the new one.
Items You Cannot Put in Self-Storage in Cincinnati
Renting a self-storage unit in Cincinnati is great for ordinary household items or a vehicle. However, we cannot have these items in any of our storage units for safety reasons.
Hazardous Materials
● Flammable liquids: Gasoline, kerosene, paint thinner, oil, etc.
● Gasses: Propane tanks, compressed gas cylinders, aerosols
● Chemicals: Cleaning supplies, fertilizers, pesticides, pool chemicals
● Explosives: Fireworks, ammunition, explosives
Perishable Items
● Food and beverages: This includes both fresh and non-perishable items.
● Plants and animals: Living creatures of any kind are not permitted.
Illegal Items
● Stolen goods: Storing stolen property is illegal.
● Drugs and paraphernalia: Any illegal substances or related items are prohibited.
● Weapons: Firearms, ammunition, and weapons of any kind are generally not allowed.
High-Value Items
- Cash and jewelry: Due to the risk of theft, it's not advisable to store large sums of money or valuable jewelry.
- Artwork and antiques: These items generally require specialized storage, which is not available at Circle Storage.
Other Prohibited Items
- Wet or moldy items: This includes water-damaged belongings or items with signs of mold. This can create an unhealthy environment.
- Tires: We have restrictions on storing tires due to fire hazards. Storing tires requires special permits.
- Oversized vehicles: Some storage units may not accommodate vehicles larger than a certain size. While we can accommodate RVs in some places, we cannot store large cranes, extended trailers, or oversized loads.
Moving Items to the Storage Unit in Cincinnati
Once everything is packed and organized, next is moving your items to the storage unit. How much time this takes depends on how quickly you want to accomplish this task and how much physical effort you want to exert. If you have an SUV, flip down the seats and pack it for multiple trips. For a room full of items, think about renting a moving truck or hiring a professional moving company.
Loading the Moving Truck
Load the items strategically by placing the heaviest items first, then the lighter ones. Put any furniture in first, like tables or chairs. You can stack items around them for the most secure fit.
Secure items with straps or blankets to prevent shifting. Heavy-duty straps can tighten or loosen as needed. Blankets protect items and can fill gaps where nothing else will fit.
Cover furniture with blankets to avoid scratches on wood or holes in upholstery. If you have any glass doors or mirrors, wrap them securely in blankets. Keep the blankets in place using masking tape.
Maximize truck space by filling gaps with smaller items. For example, you have a small box filled with dishes that’s quite heavy. It will fit perfectly on top of a wooden dining room table that you’ve filled mostly with cardboard boxes loaded with folded clothes.
Unloading at the Storage Facility in Cincinnati
Select a location that allows easy access to your items. All of our storage facilities are organized neatly and efficiently, whether you have climate-controlled storage or non-climate-controlled storage. Our climate-controlled facilities have covered areas next to a cargo door for inclement weather. Non-climate-controlled units allow you to pull a car or truck right next to the unit. You won’t have to walk far to unload your items!
It might be easier to organize your items before putting them into the unit, either in the truck or on the ground. That way, it’s easier to move things in and out. The ideal situation is to have the truck packed in the order you need to move items around the unit. But that’s not always possible.
Organize Your Storage Unit
Place heavy items on the bottom to help prevent damage to lighter items. If you have something bulky and made of sturdy material, like wood or metal, consider using those items to stack boxes around.
Create aisles for easy access within the storage unit. Leave enough space between rows of boxes to maneuver efficiently. Don’t stack things too high where you can’t reach them unless you have a step ladder.
Consider bringing in temporary shelving, depending on your needs. Shelving can make stacks of items more secure and can prevent damage to lighter items.
Why organize your storage unit properly?
● Can prevent breakage
● Makes removing or adding items easier
● Keeps the door clear and prevents snafus of getting in and out
● Saves time in the long run when moving items and cleaning the unit
Additional Tips for Self-Storage in Cincinnati
Take photos of your items in storage so you can find them easily at a later date. This also works for insurance purposes so you can prove to your insurance company that these items were indeed in the unit.
Consider professional help if you have a lot of items or can’t lift heavy items. Hiring movers can save time and energy. It depends on what you’re capable of doing. Sometimes, half a room of items can be too much. If you’re busy and don’t have time, hiring a moving company can give you back your weekend!
Regularly check on your items to make sure they look as you expect them to. We suggest looking at your storage unit at least once a season if you plan on utilizing long-term storage. If you have short-term storage, check your unit once a month.
Maintaining Your Storage Unit in Cincinnati
When we talk about maintaining your storage unit, we generally mean taking care of items when you check on your belongings.
Check the Lock & Door
The first thing to do when you get to your storage unit is check the lock. Does it operate normally? Can you unlock it easily and effortlessly with the key? Does the latch for the door work properly? It should easily slide open and close against the metal frame of your storage unit. The door should lift up as you expect within its track.
Visually Inspect Everything
After you open the door, notice how everything looks. Do your items appear the same way as you last left them? Is everything still packed neatly in rows? Did anything fall over? We recommend taking a photo of the inside of the unit every time you check it. That way, you’ll have confidence that everything is as it should be.
Keep It Clean
We ask that everyone who rents one of our storage units in Cincinnati keep their unit clear of trash and spills. So, if anything looks off because it fell over since the last time you were in the unit, make sure to clean up anything on the floor. When you move out, we ask that you sweep any debris out of the self-storage unit in Cincinnati. Think about keeping a broom and dustpan in the unit if you check it frequently.
Move Things Efficiently
How often do you need to move things in and out of your self-storage in Cincinnati? For seasonal items, you might only do this twice a year. Organizing your storage unit properly is the key to making this process go smoothly. You’ll only need to move certain items in and out. After you add or remove stuff, reorganize your unit to adjust for the new arrangement.
Accessing Your Storage Unit
Accessing your storage unit is much easier when it’s organized, and you know what to expect. Here are some pro tips about accessing your storage unit.
Find a Day With Good Weather
Weather is important, especially when it can get slick with rain, ice, or snow. Sometimes, inclement weather can’t be helped based on your schedule. For example, you only have one weekend to get the pool items or holiday decorations out because of work, family activities, after school events, and other obligations. Or perhaps you’re limited on the time you can rent a moving truck, or you’ve hired movers.
However, we recommend accessing your unit when there is no inclement weather in the forecast or snow on the ground. It will make moving items easier. Dress appropriately for the weather and for physical activity. Rather than have an umbrella, consider wearing rain-proof clothes for easier movement.
Plan Your Time Wisely
Make sure to leave extra time when accessing your self-storage in Cincinnati. Leave an entire morning or afternoon if you’re just moving a few items. Set aside an entire day if you’re going through the entire storage unit. The more trips you need to take back and forth to storage, the more it will increase your time. For small loads, set aside an hour per trip. Suppose you need to rent a moving truck. Set aside at least four hours. If you’re hiring movers, make a day of it.
Remember, it might be more cost-effective to hire movers if you want to spend more of your day relaxing. Moving can be a spectator sport! Weigh the pros and cons of the costs of your time versus the effort you need to expend to move things in and out of self-storage in Cincinnati.
After Dark at Self-Storage in Cincinnati
Sometimes, we can’t always get to our self-storage in Cincinnati during daylight hours. This is particularly true in the winter when it can get dark at 5 p.m. When it’s dark outside, make sure to bring a flashlight, even for climate-controlled storage, because you might need to see things outside by your vehicle.
When you have non-climate-controlled storage or vehicle storage, consider bringing an electric lamp that doesn’t need you to point it in a particular direction. You can put the lamp on the ground inside or outside the unit. Another option is to leave your vehicle’s headlights on and point them into the storage unit. However, you must be careful with this. Set the parking brake, even though all of our units are on level ground.
Remember Your Keys!
It might be easy to forget your keys in your vehicle as you access your storage unit. And you might be focused on getting your items in and out of storage rather than keeping your keys in your pocket. We see this every once in a while when someone with self-storage in Cincinnati leaves their car keys on the passenger seat, gets out, locks the doors, and the keys are locked inside the vehicle. And that’s also where the keys to the storage unit are! So, please be mindful of the keys. That’s why we recommend leaving enough time to get things in and out of your unit.
Remember your passcode, too. You’ll need this to access the gated area or the locked area of one of our storage facilities. Consider writing down the code on a small piece of paper and keeping that piece of paper in your wallet. You can also keep the passcode on your phone. But if you change phones, you might not remember the code. Always have a backup. You can call our team to get the code, but that may not work if it’s after business hours.
Cost & Payment of Self-Storage in Cincinnati
Our self-storage in Cincinnati is competitive with other storage options nearby. Remember, you get what you pay for. Your payments are due once per month. If you reserve a storage unit during the middle of a month for your first month, you’ll have a prorated rent for the first month.
Manage Costs of Self-Storage in Cincinnati
We have a few tips for managing the costs of your self-storage in Cincinnati.
First, find a unit that fits your needs. Our smallest and cheapest units are 5x5. Non-climate-controlled storage is less expensive than climate-controlled storage. However, belongings that are sensitive to weather and humidity might be ruined if you store them outdoors. We have units up to 10x30 if you need to store several rooms’ worth of items or a lot of business inventory.
See if you need to upgrade to a larger unit or invest in a second storage unit. It might be more cost-effective to upgrade to a larger unit instead. For example, a 5x5 unit might cost $39 a month versus $69 for a 5x10. So, two 5x5 units would be $78. You would save $7 a month. If you have long-term storage needs, these costs add up. Over a year, you would save $84 if you’re willing to spend a little extra time consolidating your storage units.
Don’t pay for more storage than you need. If you’re downsizing and need more space, wait until the month you’re moving to get a second or larger storage unit in Cincinnati. Try to move out of a storage unit before the first of the month. Once the first day of the month hits, you’ll need to pay for your unit. Once you move out, you’ll be refunded a prorated amount.
Paying for Storage in Cincinnati
Your storage payment is due every month on the first day of the month. There are three main ways to make your storage payment:
1. In person during business hours at our storage locations
2. Over the phone using a debit or credit card, also during business hours
3. Through our convenient online payment portal (the easiest way)
We highly recommend paying through our online portal. You’ll get reminders about your payment due, receive a receipt through email, and manage your storage payments in one easy place.
All you need is a debit or credit card and a few moments to spare. Create an account and log into our system when it’s time for a payment.
To sign up successfully, you must already be a tenant registered with an email address. Please enter the email address you are registered with below, an email will be sent to the address that will allow you to set an initial password and login.
Late Payments
Try to pay for your self-storage in Cincinnati on time. You’ll have a grace period to pay for the upcoming month of storage. But if it’s late, you’ll have extra fees beyond your normal payment amount. After a certain time, you’ll receive a certified letter notifying you that your storage is overdue.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
We see a few common issues with our self-storage customers. Please be aware of these to make your storage more efficient and accessible.
Access to Self-Storage in Cincinnati
We’ve found that access times work best from early morning to evening. In general, most of our self-storage in Cincinnati have access hours from 6 a.m. to 7 a.m. to around 10 p.m. Access hours vary by location. So, make sure you get to our storage facility within the specified time frame.
Make sure you leave enough time to get your items. That’s where organization comes into play. Having everything organized in rows and aisles is best.
What is your transportation situation? If you have a car, it might take several hours to move items back and forth from storage. So, leave enough time based on your transportation situation. An SUV or pickup truck would work better for your needs. If you have the money or time to get a moving truck, get the most time out of that truck while making access to your storage unit easier.
Cost & Budgeting
Read your storage contract thoroughly before signing it. The contract will outline when payments are due and any fees for paying it late. That way, there are no surprises. Make sure you see the due dates for payments and pay things on time. Overdue storage payments could result in your payments going to collections, which could appear on your credit report.
Long-term storage expenses can add up. Take steps to mitigate any changes in your situation that could make paying your monthly bills more difficult. Determine if your storage unit is something you can manage should your income drastically change.
Miscalculating the storage space you need can lead to overpaying for unused space. It also might lead to cramming your current unit to where you can’t even get inside of it. We cannot stress the importance of getting the right amount of storage to meet your needs!
Talk to Circle Storage for Self-Storage in Cincinnati
Circle Storage has eight convenient locations for self-storage in Cincinnati, including two brand-new, state-of-the-art facilities in Blue Ash and West Chester. Contact us to take the stress out of storage! We’re happy to help in any way we can.