A self-storage unit is a space rented, usually month to month, to hold belongings you do not need at home right now. Used seasonally, it lets you rotate out-of-season clothing, sports gear and vehicles. Match the unit to the season: climate-controlled for heat- or damp-sensitive items, covered or indoor space for vehicles, and the smallest size that fits.
Key Takeaways
- Self-storage units are normally rented on a short-term, month-to-month basis, which suits seasonal rotation of belongings.
- Common unit sizes run from 5 ft x 5 ft (closet-sized) to 20 ft x 20 ft (about a two-car garage); 10 ft x 10 ft is the most common size in the U.S.
- Climate-controlled units hold a steadier temperature; Public Storage, for example, says its climate-controlled units are designed to stay between 50°F and 82°F, without a guarantee.
- Hazardous materials, perishable food, firearms, living things and unregistered vehicles are typically banned; the rental agreement is the final word.
- Unpaid rent can lead to a lien sale (storage auction) of the unit’s contents, and the facility is generally not liable for theft, so insurance matters.
We are living in a world of consumerism. In a consumerist world, the consumers are made to buy more than they need. In a situation where the consumer could very well have repaired or replaced a product, she is made to buy a new one.
Consequently, all of us end up having much more than we really need-some of the things we buy we may seldom or never use. As a result, our homes and offices are cluttered with so many products.
The problem is to have too many products that we cannot throw away because we may need them one day. But, at the same time, you cannot keep them in our homes because they occupy too much space.
To solve this, Self-Storage has emerged as an industry that gives rooms, lockers, containers, and whatnot to keep your things safe and within your reach. It is not as if you can only go to a Self-Storage facility during a particular time of the year.
Self-Storage facilities can be used in all seasons. You only need to keep certain things in mind before choosing the facility.
Spring Storage
The Spring season is a time of warm and humid weather. There are things like bulky coats and extra vehicles that you can put away because you do not need them for a long time. Some of the pertinent things to keep in mind while choosing a Self-Storage facility are:
Covered Vehicle Storage: The Spring season is a time of strong winds and storms. If you have an extra vehicle without a proper place to keep it safe, it will be wise to rent a Self-Storage facility. It would be best to keep in mind that the facility is a closed space and free of mice or other miscreants that may damage the vehicle.
Dehumidified Storage: It can get highly humid during some parts of the Spring season. It is essential to look for a facility with dehumidified or climate-controlled units that keep humidity in check, because damp air encourages mold and mildew. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency advises keeping indoor relative humidity below 60 percent, ideally between 30 and 50 percent.
Summer Storage
There are certain winter appliances and winter clothing in summers, like sweaters, hats, and scarves, that you may want to put away to get space for things you need in the summers.
At the same time, you would also want to rent a Self-Storage facility because you may need to keep certain things that are too big to keep at home, but you may want to use them from time to time in the summer season.
Climate-controlled storage: It may sometimes get boiling during the summer season. Therefore, it is pertinent to go for a Self-Storage facility where you can find enough air-controlled solutions. This will save your items from being susceptible to heat and from getting damaged.
Vehicle Storage: The summer season is a time of recreational activities when you may want to have fun with family and friends. You may have a boat or a jet ski but do not have a place to keep it at your house.
Even if you have space, you are not sure if you have the time to look after it from time to time. In such a case, you may store the vehicle in a facility and use it whenever you want. It is essential to choose a facility that permits vehicle, boat or RV storage, offers a space long enough for the vehicle and trailer, and has suitable security. Many facilities require stored vehicles to be registered and insured by the renter, so check the rental agreement first.
Fall Storage
Fall is the transition from summer to winter weather. A storage unit makes it easy to swap out the things you no longer need after summer, such as patio furniture, beach gear and boats, for the things you will need in winter.
Deals in temporary storage: If you only need space for a few months, look for a facility that offers month-to-month rental, which is the usual arrangement in the self-storage industry, so you are not locked into a long lease. Label every box and keep an inventory list so items stored for a short period are easy to find again.
Winter Storage
There are many things like summer clothing that you may not want to keep with you at home in winter.
Heated Storage: In cold climates, look for heated or climate-controlled units for items that freezing temperatures can damage, such as electronics, wooden furniture, musical instruments and documents.
Indoor Vehicle Storage: Indoor storage shields a vehicle from snow, hail, rain and road grime. Before storing a car for the winter, wash and dry it, add fuel stabilizer for longer storage, follow the manufacturer’s advice on the battery, and inflate the tires to the recommended pressure.
Conclusion
You may find the need to have a Self-Storage either because there is too much to keep at your house and office or at a time of shifting when you need a temporary place to keep all your belongings until you settle at the new place.
Self-Storage provides you with private spaces to keep your things for as long as you keep paying the rent. Units are usually secured with the tenant’s own lock, and staff do not have casual access to the contents, but the facility is generally not liable for theft, so check your home insurance or buy the storage insurance most facilities offer.
What Is a Self-Storage Unit?
Self storage, short for “self-service storage”, is an industry that rents storage space such as rooms, lockers, shipping containers and outdoor parking to individuals and businesses, usually on a short-term, often month-to-month, basis. The tenant has exclusive access to the space and normally secures it with their own lock.
Modern self-storage facilities first appeared in Texas in the late 1960s. Europe’s first, Abbey Self Storage, opened in central London in 1979. According to industry figures cited by Wikipedia, there were 47,539 self-storage facilities in the United States at year-end 2019, and about 80% of facilities are owned by individuals or small investors.
Nearly all jurisdictions prohibit using a storage unit as a residence, so a unit is for belongings only.
What Size Storage Unit Do You Need?
The right size depends on how much you rotate out each season. The most common unit sizes, with typical comparisons, are:
| Unit size | Roughly the size of | Seasonal use |
|---|---|---|
| 5 ft x 5 ft | A large telephone booth | Boxes of winter or summer clothing, holiday decorations |
| 5 ft x 10 ft | A large walk-in closet | Seasonal clothing plus bikes, skis or camping gear |
| 10 ft x 10 ft | A child’s bedroom | Patio furniture, garden equipment and sports gear |
| 10 ft x 15 ft | A living room | Contents of a room during a move or renovation |
| 10 ft x 20 ft | A one-car garage | Many passenger cars, or a large household’s seasonal items |
| 20 ft x 20 ft | A two-car garage | Several vehicles or a whole home’s contents |
As of 2015, 10 ft x 10 ft units were the most common size in the U.S., making up 16% of units. For a car, Public Storage describes a 10 x 20 unit as a common starting point, but measure the vehicle and the door opening before renting.
Climate-Controlled vs. Standard Storage
A climate-controlled unit is an indoor unit designed to keep temperature, and sometimes humidity, more consistent than a standard drive-up unit. Public Storage says its climate-controlled units are designed to maintain temperatures between 50°F and 82°F, while stating that it does not guarantee temperature or humidity ranges. Other operators set their own ranges, so ask before renting.
| Feature | Standard (drive-up) unit | Climate-controlled unit |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Usually single-story buildings with drive-up doors | Usually interior units, often in multi-story urban buildings |
| Temperature | Follows outdoor weather, with natural ventilation | Held within a set range by an air system |
| Best for | Tools, garden equipment, metal and plastic items | Electronics, wooden furniture, documents, photos, instruments, fabrics |
| Cost | Usually lower | Usually higher; rates vary by location and size |
Climate control matters most in the hottest and coldest months and in humid climates, which is why it appears under several seasons above.
How to Store a Vehicle Seasonally
Many facilities offer indoor units for cars and outdoor parking for RVs and boats. Public Storage’s vehicle storage guidance recommends these steps before storing a car:
- Wash and thoroughly dry the car to remove dirt, road salt and grease that can contribute to corrosion.
- Check fluids and complete any oil change that is due, following the manufacturer’s schedule.
- For longer storage, add a compatible fuel stabilizer and follow its label directions.
- Follow the manufacturer’s advice on the battery, such as disconnecting it or using an approved maintainer where the facility permits.
- Inflate the tires to the manufacturer’s recommended pressure.
- Remove food, trash and scented items that could attract pests.
- Use a fitted, breathable cover, and never cover a wet car.
Never run a vehicle’s engine inside a storage unit or any enclosed space: exhaust contains carbon monoxide, which can be deadly. Outdoor parking is usually cheaper but leaves the vehicle exposed to the weather, so a quality outdoor cover is recommended.
What You Cannot Keep in a Storage Unit
Storage operators publish a list of prohibited items in the rental agreement, which is the definitive source for a given facility. Commonly banned categories include:
- Hazardous materials: gasoline, diesel, kerosene, propane tanks, compressed gases, paint and paint thinner, fertilizer, pesticides, fireworks and explosives.
- Perishable food: fresh produce, meat, dairy and anything that can spoil and attract pests.
- Firearms and ammunition at many facilities.
- Living or dead plants and animals.
- Unregistered or uninsured vehicles.
- Tires at some facilities, because of fire risk and disposal costs.
- Illegal items such as drugs and stolen property.
Security, Insurance and Unpaid Rent
Controlled-access facilities may use gated keypad or card entry, security cameras, individual door alarms and, at some sites, biometric scanners. Unlike a warehouse, facility staff do not usually have casual access to a unit, which is why operators are generally not liable for theft. Most facilities sell insurance, sometimes through a third-party carrier, and some require it as a condition of rental; a homeowner’s or renter’s policy may also cover items stored off the premises.
If rent goes unpaid, U.S. facilities can enforce a lien under each state’s lien law. The facility must first notify the tenant, commonly by certified or registered mail, then give public notice of a sale. The tenant can pay the balance and reclaim the unit at any time until the auction begins. In Canada, the process and legal requirements are set out in the Repair and Storage Liens Act.
A Season-by-Season Checklist
| Season | What to store | Unit features to look for |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Winter coats, boots, snow blowers, skis, holiday decorations | Dehumidified or climate-controlled space; covered vehicle storage |
| Summer | Sweaters, scarves, space heaters, winter sports gear | Climate control for heat-sensitive items; boat and jet ski parking |
| Fall | Patio furniture, grills (empty of propane), beach gear, bicycles | Month-to-month terms; drive-up access for bulky items |
| Winter | Summer clothing, lawn equipment, boats, convertibles | Heated or climate-controlled units; indoor vehicle storage |
Planning a move rather than a seasonal swap? See our guides to the best storage options for relocation and the packing and moving checklist. For sensitive items, our explainer on climate-controlled storage pods covers another option, and the article on the rise of affordable storage units looks at urban demand.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most common storage unit size?
The 10 ft x 10 ft unit, about the size of a child’s bedroom, was the most common self-storage size in the U.S. as of 2015, making up 16% of units. It typically holds furniture, boxes and seasonal equipment from one or two rooms.
Is climate-controlled storage worth it?
Climate-controlled storage is worth considering for electronics, wooden furniture, documents, photos, instruments and fabrics, especially in very hot, cold or humid places. Public Storage, for example, says its climate-controlled units are designed to stay between 50°F and 82°F, though it does not guarantee a range.
Can you live in a storage unit?
No. Nearly all jurisdictions prohibit using a self-storage unit as a residence. Tenants found living in a unit can be evicted and may be fined.
Can I store a car in a storage unit?
Yes, if the facility allows vehicles and the unit fits the car; a 10 x 20 unit is a common starting point for many passenger cars. Facilities usually require the vehicle to be registered and insured, and you should never run the engine inside the unit.
What happens if I stop paying for my storage unit?
The facility can impose a lien and, after notifying you and publishing notice of the sale as state law requires, sell the contents at a storage auction. You can usually stop the sale by paying the full balance before the auction begins.
Are my belongings insured in a storage unit?
Not automatically. The facility is generally not liable for theft, so check whether your home or renter’s insurance covers items stored off the premises, or buy the storage insurance that most facilities offer.
