Have you ever considered using self-storage? Many people think self-storage is only for those moving house or downsizing, but that couldn't be further from the truth. Self-storage containers can have a multitude of uses and be instrumental in helping you organise your life and ensure your belongings are safe and secure. While you don't need to hoard everything you have ever owned in one like Sheldon from The Big Bang Theory, you can conveniently utilise storage units to help you maximise your quality of life and give you more flexible storage options.
Read on for some of the top uses for self-storage that can benefit you.
Moving Home
Going with the most obvious first, moving home is the ideal time to use self-storage. Not only does it give you a way to clear packed boxes from your home and large items that you won't be using in the run-up to the move, but it can ease the pressure come moving day if you run out of time to get everything in the new place.
No one likes to have to navigate around boxes, especially at a busy time like this, so book a unit and move everything you have packed there until you're ready to move home. On that day, your removal company can access the container on your behalf and start moving you into your new home while you get things organised in one or both properties. Plus, some companies offer a mobile self-storage option, meaning they bring the unit or you to load it up and then take it back to storage for you, so you don't even need to pick it up or drop it off with them.
Downsizing
People downsize for many reasons, but not everyone wants to part with belongings they cannot fit in a smaller place. This is where local self-storage facilities come in useful. You can still hold onto the things you love and want without trying to force them into your new home, whether this is memories from your children's childhood once they have left the nest, family heirlooms or if the move is only temporary until you find a bigger place. Pack it up and put it in storage to keep it safe without selling it or squeezing it into your new home.
Seasonal Items
Do you find yourself running out of space to store things or cramming your limited storage options so full they are bursting at the seams? Self-storage can give you flexible storage outside of your home that can free space inside of it. Think garden furniture, winter sports goods, Christmas items and seasonal clothing, for example. Whatever you don't use during specific periods of the year, you can use it in storage and rotate periodically.
This removes the need to add storage to your home, carry out expensive renovations to make room to store things or have them become damaged in an external building or being exposed to the elements.
Renovations
Another time when you will be forced to pack up your belongings and shuffle around the chaos is during home renovations, especially during more extensive work. Packing up and moving non-essential items to a storage unit means you can reconfigure your home to work better for you during this time, and you will have less clutter around to make things more complicated than needed.
Commercial Uses
It's not just personal reasons why people need to use storage units; far from it. If you work from home and need somewhere to hold stock, or you are an eBayer, this could be an excellent compromise to renting out commercial premises.
You can store office furniture, documents, stock, packaging and more in a storage unit and access it whenever is convenient for you so you can have everything you need to hand without you having to find space in your home to store it or things becoming damaged due to not having the proper storage at home or in an office/retail unit for example.
Heirlooms
Oftentimes, heirlooms are things people don't necessarily use on a day-to-day basis but are things to be kept within the family. A good option for ensuring they remain intact and undamaged is to put them in a storage unit for safekeeping. You can find climate-controlled units in all shapes and sizes, allowing you to ensure they don't become damaged by the weather or increased humidity if they are delicate.
Relocating Abroad/Prolonged Travelling
If you're heading off for new adventures in foreign climates, the last thing you want to do is sell everything on your own if you plan on returning at some point. Nor do you want to burden friends and family with your life in boxes if you aren't keeping a permanent base here.
Using a self-storage facility means you don't have to keep paying rent and bills on a property you don't use or, keep everything in a place you are renting out during your absence or rely on others to keep your property safe while you are gone. Pack it all up, load it into a storage container and choose the length of time you want them to hold on to it so it's all there for when you come back.
Student Storage
Students often don't have a lot of room to take things with them when going away to university. This is where self-storage can be a lifesaver, especially if they live in dorms or can't afford to live independently. It allows them to keep everything they need in a space they can gain access to without worrying about finding space for it. You can head out to the storage unit to pick up sports equipment, store books, notes and assignments or even put together assignments or find a quiet place to work for short periods, especially for practical subjects. It can be beneficial to have a place to go and store everything they need to help them during their courses.
Self-storage units can be a great way to help you find additional space you might not have otherwise had access to. From downsizing to being a bolt-hole for students or an effective security option for those not home very often, storage units can come in handy in many different situations.
Leave a Reply