Best Ways To Use a Large Storage Unit

You rented a 10x20 storage unit or bigger, and now you're standing in front of 200+ square feet, wondering how to make it work without creating a disaster zone.

Our team at StorPlace on Central Pike has seen both. People who do well at large-scale organizations and those who turn it into an expensive junk drawer. The difference usually comes down to having a plan before you start moving stuff in.

Let us save you some headache.

The Big Storage Unit Trap

Here's what we see happen constantly. Someone rents a 10x20, starts with good intentions, and a system in mind. By day three, they're tired of organizing, so things get stacked "temporarily." Six months later, they need something from the back and have to move 47 boxes to reach it.

Large storage units are amazing when used correctly. But without discipline, they quickly become black holes. The key isn't just filling the space. It's making the space work for you.

Have A Pathway

First things first. No matter how much stuff you're storing, make sure to leave a center aisle down the middle of your unit. 

This seems obvious until you're actually moving in, and one more couch technically fits if you squeeze it in sideways. Don't actually do it.

A 3-foot wide center aisle lets you:

• Access anything without moving everything
• Actually, see what you have
• Don't dread every visit
• Find items in minutes instead of hours

Think of it like a hallway in your house. You wouldn't stack furniture in your hallway, right?

Vertical Space Changes Everything

People forget to look up. Most units have 8-foot ceilings. That's wasted space if you're only stacking 4 feet high.

Heavy-duty metal shelving is mandatory for large units.

Get 77-inch tall shelving units, 48-inch wide. You can usually fit 6-8 units in an ample space.

Yes, quality shelving costs $100-150 per unit. But here's the math our team always shares: if shelving lets you avoid renting a second unit, you're saving more than $100 monthly. It pays for itself immediately.

The Right Container

Large units need different container types:

Clear plastic bins: Your workhorse. 27-30 gallon bins work best. They are big enough to be useful, small enough to lift when full. Make sure they are clear, and you can see the contents without opening everything.

File boxes: Perfect for documents, photos, and smaller items.

Wardrobe boxes: For clothes on hangers. Worth it for suits and dresses, not t-shirts.

Original packaging: Use it for appliances and electronics if you kept it.

Never use garbage bags: They tear, don't stack, you can't see inside them, and they scream, "We gave up." Just don't.

Label All Of Your Items

We've seen too many units with vague labels like "stuff" or "misc." Completely useless.

Your labels need:

• Specific contents ("Kitchen - Pots and Pans")
• Box number
• Date stored
• Zone location

Here is a good example of the format: "Box #12 - Kitchen pots/pans, Qty: 8, Location: Left wall shelf 3, Date: 11/2025"

Tedious? Yes, it can be. But way less tedious than spending three hours hunting for something you know is "in there somewhere."

Can You Downsize?

Here's something our team believes in being honest about. Maybe you don't need this much space forever.

Every 6-12 months, ask:

• Am I using everything stored here?
• Could I consolidate into a smaller unit?
• Is the cost worth what I'm keeping?

We've watched people store furniture worth $2,000 for three years at $150/month. That's $5,400 to store $2,000 worth of stuff. The math doesn't work.

If you haven't touched something in two years and wouldn't pay to replace it, why pay to store it?

Why Central Pike Works

Our location offers advantages for large unit storage:

Access: Right off Central Pike near Old Hickory Boulevard. Easy from Hermitage, Donelson, or East Nashville without downtown traffic.

Hours: Extended access because life doesn't happen 9-5.

Climate options: Multiple sizes of climate-controlled large units for Tennessee's unpredictable weather.

Flexibility: Need to upgrade from 10x15 to 10x20? We can usually accommodate.

StorPlace Self Storage On Central Pike, Hermitage, TN

Large storage units are powerful tools when used correctly. They give you breathing room, organization space, and the ability to store business or household items properly.

But they require discipline. Plan your layout first. Invest in shelving. Label obsessively. Maintain regularly. Be honest about what you need.

Come see us at StorPlace Storage, 3510 Central Pike, Hermitage, TN 37076. Our team will show you the units, help you figure out the right size, and share setup ideas for your specific situation.

Because a large storage unit should make your life easier, not become another expense you're paying for but not using.