Lately, more and more storage facilities are opening up shops worldwide. Although most often, people who hire self-storage units are people who are in the process of moving, there are various scenarios in life when you just need some extra space.
Let’s find out all about it below!
When moving
The most frequent reason people rent storage units is to ease their moving experience. Everyone knows that this process is stressful and has to begin at least a couple of months before the actual relocation so that you avoid being overwhelmed, and any negative feelings are reduced to a minimum, and to ensure that the transition goes as smooth as possible.
Some of the most likely scenarios that require self-storage:
- Downsizing: when you have to move into a smaller home quickly, and you don’t have time to sort through all your stuff properly. This option allows you to avoid making any decisions you might regret later.
- Staging a home for sale: realtors recommend renting a unit to store certain items or things that might not be appropriate and might jeopardise the selling process.
- When consolidating homes: this scenario occurs when someone moves in with their significant other or when an elderly parent moves in with the family. As a rule of thumb, there is always lots of stuff that is better left in storage until the appropriate time for sorting through the items comes.
- During a separation: although never an easy moment, breakups do tend to happen. The person who’s moving out can reduce some pain and stress if they hire a storage unit for all their stuff and decide where to put it all only once they’ve landed on their feet.
To free up space at home
Even before minimalism and Marie Kondo became really popular, people have had the urge to declutter. And for a good reason, since many scientists and researchers claim that an orderly and clutter-free environment has many positive effects on the brain and psychological well-being of humans.
Lots of people might need to rent extra space then, so they can properly sort through all their belongings and meanwhile ensure that they have a clean and orderly home.
To save a few bucks, some storage companies advise you to really think of the value of each item that you want to store and whether it still can be useful to you or if it’s something you are just holding onto out of sentimental value.
To protect vehicles from the elements
Protecting your vehicles from the elements, regardless of whether it’s a car, motorbike, even RV or boat, is a must to ensure that many costly repairs are avoided, and the longest lifespan of not only the exterior but also the interior is ensured.
That’s why, if you don’t quite have a big enough garage to accommodate your wheels, hiring a storage unit can be really useful.
Many storage companies offer covered outdoor and indoor storage options where you can leave your vehicles protected until you need them again.
To store a loved one’s belongings
It’s painful when a loved one passes away, and at that moment, going through all their belongings is the last thing on many people’s minds. However, life intervenes, and we’re often forced by circumstance to empty the house so that it can be sold or rented.
If your family member hasn’t decluttered or downsized in years, sometimes you might get overwhelmed by the sheer amount of stuff accumulated. That’s why, if you’re going through a grieving period, it might be best to put all items in storage until you are ready to deal with that.
Giving yourself some space in these moments is always a good idea and will also ensure that when the moment comes, you will be ready to make the best possible decisions.
To empty a dorm room
Every summer, young adults who visit college face a dilemma about what to do about all their stuff. Most frequently, they choose to rent a storage unit, especially if they live far away and relocating the stuff simply isn’t feasible.
Storage options near campus are usually ideal options. What’s even better is that they provide just the exact space needed to store a dorm room and apartment-sized belongings. Not only will they have a much smoother transition come time for the next semester, but they will also avoid overstuffing their parents’ home or garage for the summer.
Things you can store in a storage unit (and what you can’t)
Whether you want to free some room in your house, you’re in the process of moving, or you’re simply winterising your gardening tools and equipment, there are plenty of occasions where it makes sense to hire storage space. Not only is it convenient, but sometimes simply necessary.
However, there are items you can and can’t store inside a storage unit.
Here are the most common things people store in a rented unit:
- Boxes;
- Appliances;
- Furniture
- Electronics;
- Seasonal decorations;
- Gardening tools and equipment.
There are also a few things that are prohibited by law and can’t be put inside a rented storage unit because they’re illegal or simply hazardous.
Things you can’t do or store in a storage unit include:
- Money;
- You can’t live (or sleep) there;
- Tires;
- Stolen property;
- Living (and dead) things like animals, plants, ashes (human or animal);
- Hazardous materials like acid, gas, fertiliser, petrol, grease, etc.
A word of caution: if you leave your stuff but fail to pay the rent, most often, your items will be sold off at an auction. That’s why it’s important to contact the management team and discuss your options before it’s too late to do anything about it.
Conclusion
Storage units are an excellent solution for people who need space to store all their belongings, regardless of the reasons. They’re not only safe and secure but can be of great value when there comes a moment in your life when you’ll really need them.
So the next time you are relocating or renovating your home or else, you might want to consider that storage space is well worth it and just what you need.
