One of the most critical aspects of organising your removal is working out how much storage space you actually need. Not only do you need to work out the cubic metre ridge so you can choose the storage container, but you can also use the same estimate to order your packing boxes.

A good self storage company will give you assistance in working out the space you will need but you may want to do your own calculations to make sure you’re not being overcharged.

Nevertheless, it is always better to do on the side of more space than less, for obvious reasons.

The simplest method to use them in calculating your requirements is to move through your house room by room. By carefully measuring every item in every room you will soon obtain an accurate figure. If you do not wish to get into too much detail, you can make an estimate using some rules of thumb. Let’s look at some examples.

Lounge room

In the lounge room you will need to run your tape measure over each piece of furniture. This is a relatively simple process and should not take you too long. If you have a modular lounge then you can usually estimate each piece at .3 m³. An average three seater lounge will take up 1.5 m³ and a footstool .35 m³. A coffee table can take between .25 m³ and .4 m³. Be careful to include every item in the room and don’t forget about artwork and mirrors on the walls. On average lounge room can use between 13 m³ and 15 m³, after you add portable items like heaters and air-conditioners. Pianos can also take up about 1.5 m³.

Dining Room

The dining room can be one of the most underestimated rooms in the house. Tables and chairs take up a surprising amount of space so you can count on 5 m³ or 6 m³ to be safe.

Kitchen

An average kitchen including a table and six chairs with fridge, freezer, and microwave will take up around 5 1/2 m³.

Laundry

The laundry is a small room and is unlikely to consume more than one cubic meter.

Bedrooms

An average main bedroom will take around 4 1/2 m³, but this estimate will vary widely with the size of beds. Many bedrooms also include specialty items like water beds which will need to be estimated separately.

Sundry Items

it is often easy to leave out some specialty items when estimating. Make sure you include the following items:

• Sewing machines and tables.
• Golf clubs.
• Exercise equipment.
• Vacuum cleaners and polishers.
• Portable air-conditioners.
• Mats and mops.
• Plants and pots.
• All outdoor furniture.
• Contents of your shed including toolboxes, barbecues and garden equipment like mowers and snippers.

It is certainly a time-consuming task to make an accurate estimate. The above numbers is only a guideline and should simply be used to give you a very rough idea. To get the right figure you should consult with the storage specialist you are using.

Your removalist will also be able to offer you expert advice so you should have no trouble choosing the right size storage container.