Summer is an exciting time. The kids are home, schedules shift, and for many Canadians, it's the season of moving, renovating, downsizing, or finally tackling that overflowing garage. But with all that activity, you may be looking for an easier or cheaper way to manage your stuff. A summer storage unit may be the solution you are looking for.
The Hidden Costs of Avoiding Summer Storage
Clutter and lack of space tend to generate their own expenses in ways that sneak up on you. While it is easy to focus on the costs of summer storage, there are hidden costs in not having the storage you need, including:
Buying duplicates: When seasonal gear is buried and hard to find, people often buy extras they don't really need. Or, you may impulsively donate items when space becomes cramped, only to have to rebuy them later.
Damage from poor storage: Furniture left in a damp basement, camping gear piled in a hot attic, or holiday decorations crammed into a closet can deteriorate faster than items stored properly.
Rushed decisions during a move: Without a temporary place to keep your stuff, you may end up renting a bigger (more expensive) moving truck, extending your lease by another month, or ditching items you'd rather keep (only to replace them later).
Renovation overruns: Home renos almost always take longer than expected. Without somewhere to put your furniture, you're likely to face delays, potential damage, and cramped living conditions. Also, with your stuff out of the way, the renovations may move faster, saving you time, stress, and money.
Missed housing gaps: Moving can be stressful and expensive. Between deposits, moving trucks, boxes, and more, you may be eager to save on any potential expense, including a storage unit. Putting your stuff in storage to stay with friends and family for the summer can give you a chance to recoup your savings while reconnecting with the ones you love and figuring out your next chapter.
A storage unit solves all of these problems at once, and it typically costs far less than even one of these headaches.
What Does a Summer Storage Unit Cost?
Storage unit pricing varies based on size and location, but to give you a realistic frame of reference:
Small storage units (5x5 or 5x10) typically run $60-$120+ per month, and they are perfect for seasonal items, a few boxes, or sports equipment.
Medium storage units (10x10 or 10x15) run roughly $120-$200+ per month, and they can typically hold the contents of a one-bedroom or two-bedroom apartment.
Large storage units (10x20 or bigger) cost $200-$350+ per month, and they typically work well for full household moves.
Renting for just two or three summer months has a total cost of $180 to $1,000+, depending on the size you need and any discounts or promotions you find. You can explore our Storage Unit Size Guide for more details, or view the pricing at storage locations near you.
The Savings of a Summer Storage Unit
1. Making a Summer Move Cheaper and Easier
Moving in the summer is common as leases end, summer break starts, and life happens. A storage unit lets you move on your own timeline instead of rushing everything into a moving truck in one chaotic day. This means:
Having a place to keep your items between places means you don't have to extend your lease an extra month while moving (or face the stress of doing it all in one day).
Moving may be easier to DIY with a storage unit instead of paying for professionals.
Avoid the surge pricing for peak-day truck rental or moving services when you can transition to a storage unit at your own pace.
Take your time deciding what goes where in the new place, allowing you to make smarter buying decisions.
You can save $200-$500+ on moving costs alone just by staging the move through a storage unit.
2. Avoiding a Larger Home or Apartment
If storage space is the reason you're considering a larger (and more expensive) home or apartment this summer, a storage unit can bridge that gap at a fraction of the cost. In a city like Calgary or Toronto, the difference between a two-bedroom and three-bedroom rental can easily be $400-$800+ per month. Paying $150 per month for a storage unit instead? That's potentially $250-$650+ saved every single month.
3. Protecting Valuables During a Renovation
The warm weather seems to kickstart a renovation season in Canada. If you're redoing floors, painting rooms, or doing a kitchen overhaul, your furniture and boxes need somewhere to go. A short-term storage rental is almost always cheaper than the damage of cramming all of your stuff into one room or risking the cost of work delays.
4. Storing Recreational Equipment Off-Season
Summer is the time to pull out your warm-weather gear (like bikes, kayaks, surfboards, and camping gear) and put away cold-weather items (like skis and snowboards). Keeping off-season stuff in a storage unit frees up your storage space while protecting expensive equipment from heat damage, pests, and humidity.
Choosing the Right Storage Unit: A Quick Checklist
The storage provider you choose can impact your pricing, stress, and moving experience. Before you rent, there are a few questions you can ask yourself, including:
Is there a rent increase policy? Some providers raise rates after just a few months. Look for facilities that lock in your rate for a full year.
Is it billed by the full month? Some facilities use 28-day billing cycles, which means you're effectively paying for 13 "months" a year.
What's the access like? Extended hours matter when you're in the middle of a move or renovation.
Is there a trial period? A risk-free window (like Bluebird's 7-day money-back guarantee) means you're not locked in if the unit doesn't work out.
Are there hidden fees? Setup fees, administration fees, and lock purchases can add up fast.
Find a Bluebird Summer Storage Unit Near You
Whether you're moving, renovating, downsizing, or just trying to reclaim your living space for a few months, a summer storage unit from Bluebird can help. With a 365-day price lock, full-month billing, and a 7-day risk-free trial, we help you rent with confidence. Whether you need a small unit for the summer or something bigger, we make it easy to find the right fit.
Find a Bluebird Storage location or contact us to get started today.
