Why Do People Use Self Storage?
Matt Wallace
6 Minutes
January 5, 2023
You've probably already seen some kind of self storage unit out there and wondered what the real use of these spaces is in people's lives. Well, self-storage units are an increasingly popular way to safely store items, freeing up space in your home or office.
But the usefulness of these spaces can go much further, so in this article we decided to share the most common reasons that lead people to use self storage units.
Moving to a New Home
When moving to a new home, self storage can be used for both short- and long-term purposes. It's great for storing items that cannot fit in the new living space or items that need to stay secure during the moving process.
People might also use self storage when downsizing their homes. Storing items at self storage units is a great way to maintain access to items that they can't keep at their new residence.
To provide more space at home
Not everyone has space at home to store all their items and most people like to have free space, even in the garage. So when getting rid of their belongings is not an option, self storage spaces can be extremely useful for people because they can choose an unit close to their home and have access to their items whenever they need.
To help organise a home renovation
Another benefit of self storage is that it can help protect your belongings during a home renovation. When renovating your home, there is usually a lot of dust, paint and your furniture can easily get scratched or stained. This can damage any items you have around the house, such as electronics, furniture, artwork, and other fragile objects.
By placing these items in a self-storage unit, you can be confident that they will remain safe and secure during the remodelling process. In addition, this will prevent you from having future expenses to fix or change the furniture that could be damaged in the renovation process.
To keep vehicles safe
Self storage units can also be used to store a vehicle for long or short periods of time, especially useful if you are going to be away from home for an extended period and don't want to leave your car in the driveway, avoiding the risk of your car being stolen on the driveway or even in the garage.
Also, self storage units provide protection from the elements in certain seasons. So, if you don't want to use your car during the winter, for example, keeping it protected from possible damages, a container storage might be a good idea.
To store a loved one’s belongings
The grieving process is not always easy, and our loved ones' belongings can bring back many memories that we may want to relive in the future. For this reason, many people choose to keep their family's belongings after the death instead of getting rid of those things.
Or in some cases, people decide to store those things for a while until they feel well enough to deal with the belongings that bring back so many memories, such as photos, furniture and even clothes.
For their business
Self storage spaces can also be an invaluable asset for different kinds of companies and especially online businesses, as commercial self-storage units provide a secure and easily accessible space to store inventory, documents and other important items.
Businesses that need more space to operate can benefit from self-storage in the form of office or retail space without having to commit to long-term leases or contracts. Also, a storage unit can be a more affordable option for those who don't want to spend the money on moving to a larger office and need to access their office equipment easily, for example.
Some other reasons that lead companies to use storage spaces are:
- Storing equipment and furniture during an office move
- Storing seasonal stock or extra stock, this option is often used by decoration stores, for example
- To keep tools, machinery and other types of equipment safe during specific seasons, such as winter.
To Keep Really Valuable Items Safe
Your own home may not always be the best place for you to keep your valuables, such as paintings or jewellery, safe. Self storage is an ideal way to keep your belongings safe and secure while freeing up space. Self storage units provide protection from theft or damage, as well as climate control for sensitive items such as electronics and artwork.
Also, self storage units provide a safe and secure environment for one's items with 24-hour security guards, CCTV surveillance, access control systems and even special types of insurance. This ensures that your items are kept safe from theft or damage.
Student Storage
University years can make any student accumulate a lot of things, such as books and other types of study material, and student residences generally do not offer much space to store things. Storage spaces are also very useful for students during the summer break. This way, they don't have to take the things that they for at university back home with them.
Also, when the children are going to spend a few years at university, parents may want to have a little more space in the house but do not want to sell the items, as the children may return when they finish their studies. Thinking of it, they can decide to keep their children's belongings safe during college in a self storage unit.
When Living Abroad
Using self-storage while living abroad is a great way to keep items safe and secure while you're away from home. Self-storage protects your items from theft, so you don't have to worry about your stuff while you're away.
Furthermore, storage units that offer climate control make it possible to store sensitive items such as electronics and artwork safely in one place during the duration of a stay abroad. Plus, if you live in a rented space, renting storage space will be cheaper than continuing to pay rent and having to have someone look at your items every now and then.
