Furniture Storage in Cambridge and Newmarket: Sizes, Costs and Care
Furniture is usually the hardest thing to find room for. Whether you're between houses, renovating, downsizing or looking after a relative's belongings, sofas, beds, wardrobes and tables take up space that most homes simply don't have to spare. Storing them properly keeps them in good condition until you need them again. This guide covers what size unit you'll need, how to prepare your furniture, and what furniture storage costs near Cambridge and Newmarket.
What Size Unit Do You Need for Furniture?
Furniture takes up far more room than boxes, so start by listing your largest pieces: sofas, beds, wardrobes, tables and appliances. As a guide to our four unit sizes, with prices including VAT:
- Small, 2m × 3m × 2m high (about 65 sq ft), £81 a month: boxes, a bike and a few small pieces of furniture.
- Medium, 2.4m × 3m × 2.4m high (about 77 sq ft), £96 a month: the contents of a studio or one-bedroom flat, such as a sofa, fridge, washing machine and boxes.
- Large, 2m × 4m × 2m high (about 86 sq ft), £105 a month: a one or two-bedroom home, with room for a wardrobe, sofa, appliances and a table. The extra length suits long items that can't be stacked.
- Extra Large, 2.4m × 6m × 2.4m high (about 155 sq ft), £150 a month: the furniture from a two or three-bedroom house.
Check the height of tall items such as wardrobes and fridge freezers: our Medium and Extra Large units are 2.4m high, so most will stand upright. Our size guide shows each unit to scale with typical contents, and if you're unsure, describe what you have to us and we'll suggest the right fit.
Preparing Furniture for Storage
Clean and dry everything first. Wipe down wood, metal and plastic surfaces, vacuum upholstery and make sure nothing goes into storage damp. Dirt and moisture left on furniture for months are the main causes of marks, smells and mould.
Take large pieces apart. Remove table legs, take bed frames apart and lift out shelves. Dismantled furniture takes up much less room and is less likely to be damaged. Put screws and fittings in a labelled bag and tape it to the piece it belongs to.
Use breathable covers. Old sheets, blankets or furniture covers keep dust off while letting air circulate. Avoid wrapping wood, leather or upholstery tightly in plastic for long periods, as it can trap moisture. Bubble wrap is useful for corners and glass, but leave some room for air.
Protect mattresses. A mattress bag keeps a mattress clean. Store it flat on a clean surface if you can, or upright against a wall, and don't stack heavy items on top of it.
Look after drawers and doors. Empty drawers or fill them only with light items, and tape or tie doors closed so they don't swing open while you move them. Leave fridges and freezers defrosted, dry and with their doors slightly open.
Stand mirrors and pictures upright. Wrap them, protect the corners with cardboard and stand them on their edges, never flat with weight on top.
Keeping Furniture Dry and in Good Condition
Damp is the main risk to stored furniture, which is why where you store it matters. Our steel units are dry and well ventilated, but a few simple habits help too. Raise furniture off the floor on pallets or boards, leave a small gap between furniture and the walls so air can move, and keep a narrow walkway so you can reach things at the back without moving everything. Put the heaviest pieces at the back and on the bottom, and the things you'll want first near the door. For more tips, see our guide on how to pack a storage unit.
How Much Does Furniture Storage Cost?
At CamStorage, furniture storage costs from £81 to £150 a month including VAT, depending on the unit size. As a rough guide, the furniture from a one-bedroom flat fits a Medium unit at £96 a month, and a two or three-bedroom house usually needs an Extra Large unit at £150 a month. There is a refundable £50 deposit for the lock on outdoor units, and each key fob costs £20. Payment is by monthly Direct Debit, with a minimum of one month and one month's notice, so you only pay for as long as you need the space. Current prices are always on our prices page.
We insure the structure of each unit, but not its contents, so we recommend insuring your furniture separately. We work with Insurastore, a specialist self-storage insurer, and our FAQ has more details.
Furniture Storage near Cambridge and Newmarket
CamStorage is at Bottisham, just off the A14 at Junction 35, between Cambridge and Newmarket. Every unit has drive-up access, so you can park beside your unit and unload straight from the car, van or removal lorry instead of carrying heavy furniture across a car park. A forklift is available by arrangement for heavier items, the site is protected by 24-hour CCTV and keyfob gate entry, and your own keyfob lets you come and go at times that suit you.
See our pages for self-storage in Cambridge and self-storage near Newmarket for directions, or call 01223 901 021 to arrange a viewing on a weekday or Saturday morning.
