The Top 7 Reasons Why People Use Self-Storage Units
If you’ve ever watched Storage Wars you’ve probably wondered why so many people have chosen to place their treasured belongings into a self-storage unit. While there is no one-size fits all answer, there are actually a lot of reasons why so many people rely on self-storage to keep their possessions safe.
Here are the top 7 reasons why people use self-storage units (in no particular order):
1. Moving
Moving can be extremely stressful for a variety of reasons. Whether it’s the moving day rush to get out of your old place and into your new home, having to pack and unpack all your belongings, living out of bags and boxes for an extended period of time, or all of the above, there’s not a whole lot to enjoy.
By investing in a self-storage unit, you can help eliminate some of stress that comes with moving by being able to pack and store your belongings early and then being able to sort through them and pick them up at your own pace after you’ve moved.
Here are some common moving scenarios that may require a self-storage solution:
Downsizing
Moving into a smaller home can be difficult. You’re not sure what you want to keep, how much of your furniture will fit, and it’s difficult to part with things that you’ve likely kept for so long. Instead of making a decision that you might regret later on, you can choose to store any extra items in a storage locker until after you’ve moved so that you can sort through it at your own pace.
Temporary Storage
A self-storage unit can act as a great temporary storage solution while you’re moving or staging your home. It allows you to pack at your own pace and avoid the ‘moving day rush’ to get everything out of one house and into the other quickly. They also help ensure that cherished items aren’t damaged or broken during the rush of a move.
Students
Many students choose to store their furniture and belongings in self-storage units while they are away for the Summer. Whether they are sub-letting their apartment or plan on seeking a new one when they return, a self-storage unit for students saves a lot of time and money compared to selling or throwing away all their existing furniture each year.
For more information, check out our storage and packing tips for students.
Relationships
One of the most common reasons couples use self-storage is when they are moving in together. While you decide whose furniture gets to stay (and whose doesn’t) or while you wait to find a bigger place, a self-storage unit can keep your items safe and protected until you need them again.
Inversely, when couples split-up (depending on the situation) it may be necessary to get your things out of the house quickly and a storage locker can be a great solution to storing your items until you figure out the next chapter of your life.
2. Decluttering
Over the years, we all accumulate junk. Whether it’s a bad birthday or Christmas gift, or just something that you’ve grown out of – a self-storage unit can let you store those things away until you’re ready to bring them home (just in time for a family member’s visit) or part with them completely.
Even if there is no underlying reason for wanting to declutter your home, a self-storage unit can give you the freedom to go through your items at pace and then choosing what to do with them later. If this is you, check out our other blog post to learn how to become a minimalist and live with less.
3. Preservation of Items
Preserving your items is essentially what the self-storage business is all about, but it goes far beyond the basic needs of having too much stuff in your house. There are several different scenarios that can occur where self-storage is the best choice for your needs.
Loss of a Loved One
When someone close to you passes away, you may be pressed to clear their belongings out of their home for several reasons. While this can be an extremely difficult and emotional situation, you don’t have to make decisions all in one day. Many choose to store their loved one’s belongings in a storage unit to go through it slowly and when the time is right.
Seasonal Items
Tired of having your hockey equipment, camping gear, skis, or other seasonal items taking up all the storage space in your home? Many have invested in self-storage units to keep those items out of the way until they are ready to be used next season. For more information check out our blog post to learn how to Store Your Outdoor Holiday Decorations.
Vehicles
Vehicle storage is another big reason why some people turn to self-storage units. Storing away seasonal vehicles such as ATV’s, Snowmobiles, Jet Skis, and Motorcycles can allow you to free up some garage or shed space and keeps them preserved until next season.
4. Home Renovations
When your home becomes a construction site, it may be necessary (or easier) to rent a storage unit to keep your possessions safe from dust, debris, or accidents while renovations are going on. After all, you’d hate to spend all that money on a home improvement project and then need to replace all your furniture as well.
Additionally, some contractors and construction workers utilize self-storage units for their businesses to keep their tools safe and secure when they are not being used.
5. Work from Home
As work from home positions become more common, it’s important that you have a dedicated workspace set up that’s separated from your living area. For most, this became a requirement due to the Covid-19 pandemic and even now a lot of companies have chosen to stay remote due to cost-savings or other reasons altogether. This is where self-storage comes in. Whether it’s temporary or for forever, you can easily clear out an entire room or section of your home without having to part with anything permanently.
6. New Family Member
Whether it’s a new baby, pets, or elderly parents moving in, self-storage units can provide you with a place to safely store your items and make space for the new addition to your household. Here are some examples of common situations that may require some extra storage:
Getting Ready for a Child / Baby-Proofing Your Home
When you’re getting ready for a new child, it is important that you’re able to clear enough space in your home to create a nursery or bedroom to accommodate them. This will only become more important as your child grows and becomes more self-sufficient.
Additionally, many families often choose to store away items that are potentially unsafe for their newborns in a self-storage facility as well. This way they can ensure that their child won’t accidently get hurt when they’re not looking or as they get older and are more mobile.
Pet-proofing Your Home
As most pet-owners know, nothing is sacred. That antique chair or your grandmother’s China cabinet can easily become the cat’s new scratching post or dog’s chew toy. To protect these items until pet’s are properly house-trained, you can opt to store them in a self-storage facility.
Parents Moving
Unfortunately, there often comes a time when the parental roles are reversed, and your parents will require your care or support to make it through the day. While this can be stressful to both parties for a number of reasons, the last thing you or they should worry about is downsizing their possessions. Help make their transition easier by safely storing their extra belongings or furniture in a self-storage unit until they’re needed, or until they’re ready to part with some of their belongings.
7. Business Storage
Depending on what type of business you’re in, a business storage unit could be a great investment to keep your home, workplace, or storage room clean. Keeping things like excess inventory, files and documents, or tools / materials, can help ensure that you don’t get rid of anything that could be useful in the future – all while keeping your workspace clean and clear!
For more ideas, check out our post on Why Self-Storage is Great For Small Businesses.
Storage Solutions for Any Need
No matter the reason, we can help you with any of your storage needs! Make Space Storage has self-storage facilities across Canada along with portable storage container rentals, boat and RV parking, and even packing supplies. At Make Space Storage, we specialize in affordable storage solutions for both residential and commercial customers.
Check out our website or contact us to learn more about our storage solutions and services or click here to find a Make Space Storage facility near you!
