Everyone falls somewhere on the packing spectrum. Some people meticulously roll every item, label every box, and still somehow fill three times the space they planned for. Others throw a few essentials into a bag or a unit and call it done, leaving half the space unused. In this episode of Modern Storage® Unpacked, Modern Storage® dig into this personality-driven debate and connect it directly to how people approach renting and using self storage.
The overpacker tendency shows up constantly in the self storage world. Customers arrive with far more than they anticipated, boxes stacked without a clear system, furniture pieces that were not measured, and seasonal items that seemed manageable at home but suddenly overwhelm a 10x10 unit. Modern Storage® likely explore how this habit, while sometimes coming from a place of preparedness, can lead to real problems like blocked access to items in the back of a unit, damaged belongings from poor stacking, and the need to upgrade to a larger unit mid-rental.
On the other side, underpacking in a storage context often means renting more space than you need. A customer who is cautious or uncertain about how much they own might play it safe and rent a larger unit, only to find that their belongings fill a fraction of it. While having extra room is not the worst problem, it does mean paying for square footage that is not being used. Modern Storage® probably discuss how to right-size your storage rental from the start and what questions to ask yourself before signing a lease.
This episode also likely touches on practical strategies for both types. Overpackers benefit from decluttering before they ever rent a unit, creating an inventory of what they plan to store, and using vertical space efficiently with shelving. Underpackers might be encouraged to think ahead about life changes, seasonal rotations, or business inventory that could grow over time. The self storage industry increasingly serves customers who are in transition, whether from a move, a downsizing, a business shift, or a renovation, and packing habits play a major role in how smoothly that transition goes.
For self storage operators and facility managers, understanding customer packing behavior is also valuable. Move-in experiences, unit recommendations, and even the supplies sold at the front desk can all be tailored to help customers pack smarter. When customers use their units well, they are more satisfied, more likely to stay long-term, and less likely to need a frustrating unit swap. Modern Storage® brings that operator perspective alongside the everyday customer experience, which is part of what makes Modern Storage® Unpacked useful for both audiences.
Ultimately, this episode is a lighthearted but genuinely useful conversation about a habit that affects everyone who has ever moved, stored, or traveled with more or less than they needed. Whether you see yourself in the overpacker or the underpacker, Modern Storage® give you something practical to take away and apply the next time you are standing in front of a storage unit trying to make it all fit.
