Exams finished, term ending, and suddenly you’ve got 48 hours to figure out what to do with your belongings? Don’t panic. This checklist will get you sorted with student storage without the stress or massive costs.
Quick Start: What You Need to Know Right Now
Timeline: Book your storage units for students at least 2 weeks before term ends Budget: Expect £30-80 per month for most student storage needs in London Space: Most students need 25-50 sq ft (about the size of a small bedroom) Essential: Get your uni storage box situation sorted first – everything else follows
Step 1: Sort Your Stuff (30 Minutes Max)
Keep at Home
- Clothes for summer/holidays
- Laptop and essential electronics
- Important documents
- Sentimental items
Store Until Next Term
- Textbooks and course materials
- Winter clothes (if storing over summer)
- Kitchen equipment
- Bedding and towels
- Furniture you can’t take home
Bin or Donate
- Broken electronics
- Clothes that don’t fit
- Expired food and toiletries
- Old notes from completed courses
Pro tip: If you haven’t used something all year, you probably don’t need to store it.
Step 2: Calculate Your Storage Space
Small Storage (25 sq ft) – Perfect for:
- Clothes and personal items only
- 10-15 boxes
- Small appliances
- Cost: £30-50/month in London
Medium Storage (50 sq ft) – Ideal for:
- Everything above plus furniture
- Desk, chair, small wardrobe
- 20-30 boxes
- Cost: £50-80/month in London
Large Storage (75+ sq ft) – For hoarders:
- Multiple furniture pieces
- Fridge, sofa, lots of books
- 40+ boxes
- Cost: £80-120/month in London
Quick size check: Measure your room. If you’re storing about half your room’s contents, go for small storage. If it’s most of your room, choose medium.
At Happy2Move, we’ve helped thousands of London students work out exactly what storage size they need. Our experience shows that most university accommodation rooms (especially in London) contain more than students initially think. A typical King’s College or UCL dorm room often needs medium storage when you factor in all the textbooks, electronics, and winter clothes accumulated over the year.
Step 3: Get Your Uni Storage Box Game Right
Box Sizes That Actually Work
Small boxes (book boxes):
- Perfect for: Books, files, small electronics
- Size: Usually 35cm x 25cm x 25cm
- Don’t overpack – books are heavy!
Medium boxes:
- Perfect for: Clothes, kitchen items, general stuff
- Size: Usually 45cm x 35cm x 35cm
- Most versatile size for student storage
Large boxes:
- Perfect for: Bedding, pillows, light bulky items
- Size: Usually 60cm x 40cm x 40cm
- Avoid for heavy items – you’ll hate yourself moving them
Where to Get Boxes Cheap
- Tesco/ASDA: Moving boxes from £1-3 each
- Amazon: Bulk packs work out cheaper
- Local off-licence: Often give away delivery boxes
- Happy2Move: Professional boxes designed for storage
Money-saving hack: Mix bought boxes with free ones from local shops for non-valuable items.
London student reality check: Don’t underestimate how much stuff you’ve accumulated. We regularly see students who think they need 10 boxes but actually need 20+. London living means making the most of every inch of space, so you’ve probably crammed more into your room than you realise. Factor this in when ordering boxes – it’s better to have a few extra than to run out on moving day when shops might be closed.
Step 4: Pack Like a Pro (Not Like a Panicked Student)
The 15-Minute Room Method
- Clothes: Roll, don’t fold. Vacuum bags save massive space
- Electronics: Original boxes if you have them, bubble wrap if not
- Books: Small boxes only – your back will thank you
- Kitchen stuff: Wrap anything breakable, pack heavy items in small boxes
Smart Packing Hacks
- Use your suitcases as storage containers
- Stuff socks and pants inside other items
- Take photos of how electronics are connected
- Label everything – future you will be grateful
Reality check: Don’t aim for perfection. Packed is better than not packed.
Happy2Move tip: We know that end-of-term is stressful enough without worrying about perfect packing. Our student clients often tell us they wish they’d known about proper packing techniques earlier. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, remember that our team can handle the packing for you – sometimes the time saved is worth more than the money spent, especially during exam period when every hour counts.
Step 5: Choose Your Storage Solution
Self-Storage Facilities
Best for: Students with cars or helpful parents
- More space options
- Usually cheaper per sq ft
- You handle all transport
Student Storage Services
Best for: Students without transport
- Collection from your uni/accommodation
- Professional packing available
- Delivery back to your new place
- Usually more expensive but way less hassle
Shared Storage
Best for: Students on tight budgets
- Share a larger unit with friends
- Split the costs
- Need to coordinate access
Sharing storage works brilliantly in London where students often know each other from halls or courses. We’ve seen groups from LSE and Imperial successfully share larger units, cutting individual costs significantly.
Happy2Move’s student storage service means you don’t have to worry about transport, packing expertise, or coordination with flatmates. We handle everything from collection to delivery, designed specifically for London students who have better things to do than spend their last week frantically organising storage.
Step 6: Book Your Storage (Don’t Leave This Late!)
Questions to Ask Every Storage Provider
- What’s included in the monthly price?
- Are there set-up fees or deposits?
- What are the access hours?
- Is insurance included or extra?
- What’s the minimum rental period?
- Do you provide student discounts?
Red Flags to Avoid
- No clear pricing
- Pressure to decide immediately
- Poor reviews mentioning billing issues
- Facilities that look poorly maintained
Step 7: Moving Day Strategy
If You’re Using Self-Storage
You’ll need:
- Transport (van hire, parents’ car, or multiple trips)
- Help lifting furniture
- Trolley or sack truck for heavy boxes
- Padlock for your unit
If You’re Using Collection Services
You’ll need:
- Everything packed and ready
- Clear access to your room
- Someone available to hand over items
- Inventory list of what’s being stored
Timing hack: Book morning slots if possible – you’ll have energy and the whole day to sort any issues.
Step 8: Set Yourself Up for Success
Before You Leave
- Take photos of valuable items
- Keep receipts for insurance purposes
- Note down your storage unit details somewhere safe
- Set a phone reminder for a few weeks before you need your stuff back
For Summer Storage Success
- Check on your unit once if possible (or ask someone local)
- Pay bills on time – late fees add up quickly
- Plan your return early – don’t leave collection until the last minute
Budget Breakdown: What Student Storage Actually Costs
DIY Self-Storage Option
- Storage unit (25 sq ft): £40/month x 3 months = £120
- Boxes and materials: £20-40
- Van hire: £50-80 for the day in London
- Congestion charge/parking: £15-30
- Total: £205-270 for summer storage
Full-Service Student Storage
- Collection, storage, delivery: £250-400 for summer
- No additional costs or hidden fees
- Professional packing included
- Total: £250-400 for summer storage
Value consideration: The convenience of full-service is often worth the extra cost, especially if you don’t have transport.
The hidden costs of DIY in London: Beyond the obvious expenses, consider that hiring a van in London means navigating congestion charges, limited parking around universities, and the very real risk of parking tickets. Many students end up making multiple trips or paying for help anyway. When Happy2Move collects from university accommodation, we handle all the London logistics – we know which roads to avoid, where we can park, and how to work around university regulations.
Last-Minute Storage Solutions
If You’ve Left It Really Late (Under 1 Week)
Priority actions:
- Call us directly
- Ask about emergency availability
Don’t panic if you’ve left it late: At Happy2Move, we regularly help students who contact us with just days to go. Our London-based team understands that student life is unpredictable – exams overrun, deadlines clash, and sometimes storage just isn’t top priority until suddenly it is. We keep emergency slots available specifically for these situations because we know that’s when you need help most.
Happy2Move’s Student Storage Service
As 2024 Packer of the Year winners, we know exactly what students need for hassle-free storage. We’ve been helping London students for years and understand the unique challenges you face – from tiny accommodation spaces to impossible parking around campus.
Our student-focused service includes:
- Collection from your accommodation
- Professional packing
- Secure storage
- Delivery to your new address
- Student-friendly pricing
- Flexible timing
Why London students choose us:
- No need to navigate London traffic with a hired van
- No congestion charges or parking headaches
- Professional handling by our award-winning team
- Experience with university accommodation requirements
- Understanding of student budgets and timelines
- Same team handles your storage from start to finish
Quick Reference: Your Storage Checklist
2 Weeks Before Term Ends
- [ ] Sort belongings into keep/store/bin piles
1 Week Before
- [ ] Book your chosen storage solution
- [ ] Start packing non-essential items
- [ ] Arrange transport if using self-storage
- [ ] Confirm collection details if using full service
Moving Week
- [ ] Pack remaining items
- [ ] Label all boxes clearly
- [ ] Take photos of valuable items
- [ ] Hand over to storage company or move to facility
After Storage
- [ ] Keep all receipts and documentation
- [ ] Set reminders for payment dates
- [ ] Plan your collection well in advance
The Bottom Line
Student storage doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. The key is planning ahead and choosing the right solution for your situation and budget.
Whether you go for a basic storage unit for students and handle everything yourself, or choose a full-service option that collects your uni storage box collection from your door, the most important thing is not leaving it until the last minute.
London adds extra complexity to student storage – from navigating busy roads with hired vans to dealing with strict university collection times. Your future self will thank you for being organised now.
Need storage sorted quickly and professionally? Happy2Move’s student storage service takes the stress out of term endings. We understand London students and London logistics. Get in touch for a quote that won’t break your student budget and remember, sometimes the peace of mind is worth more than the money saved.
