Moving House? Here’s How Storage Can Make It Easier

If you’re preparing to move house, there’s a good chance that you’re juggling more than you expected, too many boxes, not enough time, and a lot of uncertainty around dates. It can quickly become overwhelming.

Self-storage can help relieve that pressure. Whether you need to clear space before viewings, bridge the gap between homes or simply keep your things safe while you get sorted, a local storage unit gives you much more control.

All Boxed has flexible storage in Chippenham, Calne and Melksham, so you’ve always got somewhere local to put things while you get sorted.

Do you need a quick quote? Click here and we’ll get straight to it.

Looking for something in particular? Jump to a section:

• Why Moving House Feels So Full-On
• 5 Ways Storage Can Take the Pressure Off
• How All Boxed Keeps Moving Simple
• Not Sure What Size Storage Unit You Need? Here’s How to Work It Out
• How Soon Should You Book Storage?
• What Can (and Can’t) Go in Storage
• How All Boxed Keeps Costs Clear & Affordable
• A Quick Walk-Through of Booking Day
• Ready When You Are

Why moving house feels so full-On

Even when everything goes to plan, moving house can be a lot to handle. There’s paperwork flying back and forth, delays that crop up with no warning, and a house full of things you didn’t realise you owned waiting for you to sort. Trying to stay organised whilst keeping your home looking ‘viewing ready’ is no small task, especially if you’re also working, parenting, or moving as part of a chain.

The trouble is, most moves don’t run in a straight line. You might need to move out before your new place is ready, or hold off unpacking while a bit of work gets finished. Either way, trying to cram everything into one timeline rarely works. That’s where having somewhere secure and flexible to store your things can make all the difference.

5 ways storage can take the pressure off

Self-storage isn’t just for when you’ve run out of room, it’s a genuinely useful tool for making your move smoother.

Here are a few ways people use it to make life easier:

1. Declutter before you sell – Clear out anything that makes your space feel cramped so buyers can see the full potential of your home.
2. Bridge the gap between homes –  If there’s a delay between moving out and moving in, storage keeps your belongings safe and out of the way in the meantime.
3. Keep things clean during restoration – Moving into a fixer-upper? Store furniture off site whilst the dust settles.
4. Store seasonal extras –  Hide away Christmas decorations, garden gear, or ski gear you won’t need whilst you’re moving in.
5. Stay organised – Keep packed boxes out of the way and clearly labelled so you can grab what you need, when you need it.

How All Boxed makes moving simple

Our storage is designed to work around real people, not fixed timelines. Whether you need to store a handful of items for a week or keep your entire home contents somewhere safe for a month or two, we make it easy to sort, stay as long as you need, and leave without hassle.

There’s no minimum contract beyond a week, and you only need to give seven days’ notice when you’re ready to move your belongings out. If plans change last-minute, which they so often do during a house move, we will do all we can to best accommodate.

We’ve got a wide range of unit sizes, from 10sq ft storage units to full size 185sqft storage units, so whether it’s suitcases and keepsakes or the full contents of your living and dining room, you’ll find something that works perfectly.

And when it comes to cost, we like to keep prices as simple and fair as possible. You only ever pay for the space you use, and if you find a lower quote for the same type of storage locally, we’ll beat it. No hidden extras, no lock in contracts, just straightforward, reliable storage when you need it most.

Not sure what size storage unit you need? Here’s how to work it out

Figuring out how much storage you need isn’t always straightforward. It’s the big items, beds, wardrobes, white goods, bikes, sofas that take up the real space, and they’ll shape the size of the unit you need. A few boxes can be stacked easily. A fridge and a mattress? Not so much.

Once you’ve listed the bulky kit, grab a tape measure  and total up the floor space those big items cover when they’re sitting flat. Most storage rooms are eight-plus feet high, so anything you can stand on its end, sofas, mattresses, wardrobes, instantly saves square footage. White goods and bikes usually have to stay upright, which eats more room, so give them priority in your plan.

Once the big items are on your list, think about the smaller stuff. A standard removal box is about 45 cm square; four of them stacked use roughly the same floor space as a bedside table. Do a quick count of how many boxes you’ll end up with and add that footprint to the area you already need for the sofa, fridge and wardrobe.

• Only storing until move-day? Pack boxes tight to the ceiling and squeeze every inch.
• Need to pop in for tools, stock or paperwork? Leave yourself a narrow walkway (one-box width is usually enough) so you can reach the back without unpacking everything.

Add a small buffer for the odd bits you’ll remember at the last minute, garden chairs, a spare suitcase, the kids’ bikes. An extra half-metre of space is cheaper than having to swap units on moving day.

If the maths is making your head spin, All Boxed has a simple Size Calculator on the website. Tick off what you’re storing and it spits out a unit recommendation in seconds. If you’re still unsure, feel free to drop by and we’ll open a few rooms so you can take a good look at the spaces we have available.

Remember: it’s cheaper to start slightly bigger than to cram everything in, realise the door won’t shut, and have to swap units half way through. A spare couple of square feet costs less than  a second van run, and your back will thank you later.

How soon should you book storage?

If you’re wondering when to sort storage, the short answer is: earlier than you think. Storage often ends up as one of those “we’ll deal with it later” tasks, but the earlier you get it in place, the more flexibility you’ll have, especially if your move falls near school holidays, month-end, or a busy weekend when units book up fast.

At All Boxed, you can usually secure a unit at short notice, sometimes even on the same day, but that depends on availability at your preferred site. If you know your move-out date is confirmed or you’re staging your home for sale, it’s a good time to get the ball rolling. Even if you’re not 100% sure of timings, we can work with you to adjust as plans evolve.

Booking early also gives you more choice. You have a greater chance of securing a unit on the ground floor, close to access points, or in your ideal size, rather than having to compromise just because you left it too late.

It also gives you time to plan your packing, book transport if needed, and avoid the mad rush that comes from realising you’ve got too much stuff to move in one go. We’ve seen many people breathe a sigh of relief once their storage is sorted, it’s one less thing to juggle, and it gives you some breathing room if dates start shifting, (which they often do).

What can (and can’t) go in storage

It’s easy to assume you can pack up your home and bring everything along to storage, but there are a few things you’ll have to leave out. Most household and business items are completely fine, but some things are restricted for safety or legal reasons.

Furniture, appliances, boxes of clothes, books, sports kit, bikes, tools, and business stock are all perfectly fine to have in a storage unit. You can even store vehicles at some of our sites, we’ve got plenty of options to suit.

But there are a few red flags. Anything perishable like food or plants isn’t allowed, and neither are flammable or hazardous items, so things like gas canisters, fuel, paint thinners, and cleaning chemicals need to stay at home.

We also can’t accept firearms, fireworks, or anything illegal (which hopefully goes without saying).

If you’re not sure whether something’s allowed, just give us a ring and we’ll let you know straight away. We’re always happy to check, it’s always better to ask than to turn up and find you need to take half your van back home.

How All Boxed keeps costs clear & affordable

Moving is expensive enough without storage bills catching you out, so we make our prices as plain as the cardboard boxes you’re packing. The headline rate starts at just £9.95 + VAT per week.

To secure your storage unit, you’ll need to pay the first four weeks’ rent in advance, along with a refundable deposit equal to two weeks’ rent. This deposit is held separately and returned in full once the unit is vacated and left in good condition.

Here at All Boxed, we also offer a Lowest-Price Guarantee. If you receive a genuine like-for-like quote from another local provider, we’ll beat it, ensuring you get the best available rate without needing to negotiate.

A quick walk through of booking day

The booking process at All Boxed is designed to be simple, efficient, and fully transparent from start to finish. It starts with a simple online process, you choose your preferred location, select the unit size that suits your needs, and receive a clear, upfront quote. If you decide to go ahead, you can reserve the unit immediately by making a secure card payment. A confirmation email is then sent with your booking details and instructions for move-in.

When it comes to moving in, all you need to bring is a valid form of photo ID, either a driving licence or passport. On arrival, a member of the team will meet you at reception, check the paperwork, and show you to your unit. You’ll have the opportunity to inspect the space and ask any questions before signing the storage agreement.

The remaining steps are straightforward. In most cases, the full check-in process takes less than ten minutes, meaning you can begin unloading shortly after you arrive.

If you’re unsure of anything along the way, staff are always on hand to offer guidance and help ensure everything is in place before you get started.

Ready when you are

Whether your move is weeks away or fast approaching, we’re here when you need us. If you’re ready to get started, you can check availability, and get an instant, all-inclusive quote directly through our website, no account needed, no delays, and no obligation to book.

Prefer to speak to someone? Our team is based locally at each site, so if you’d rather talk it through, just give us a call. We’ll answer any questions, help you work out the right unit size, and talk you through what to expect on move-in day.
Every move is different, some straightforward, some a bit more complicated. Either way, having somewhere secure, flexible and affordable to store your things can make a big difference. Whether you’re in between homes, decluttering before viewings, or just trying to stay one step ahead of the chaos, we’ll help you find the space to manage it.

So when you’re ready, we’re ready. Get a quote, give us a ring, or call in for a chat. We’ll make sure storage is one less thing to worry about.