As a homeowner, storage space can often be a problem. You just own so many items and not enough space to have a spacious and tidy house. Look around your room. I am sure that you can pinpoint a dozen items that you can do without. But, of course, you can’t just throw these away because you don’t use them every day. They still have their use and value.
So what’s the solution? Renting storage space.
Self-storage is an affordable and versatile alternative for homeowners to have a remote storage space where they can store all of their extra items. Storage units generally contain these items:
- Seasonal clothes
- Power tools
- Extra furniture
- Books
- Personal Souvenirs
- Appliances
- Cars & Motorcycles
The general rule when storing items inside storage units is that these items must have some value. One of the main misconceptions about storage units is that it encourages hoarding behavior. Most storage facilities will tell tenants to declutter and pick off their items first so they don’t store rubbish inside.
Forget what you’ve watched on an episode of Hoarders. Storage units are beneficial to you. Are you still apprehensive? Read ahead for the best benefits of self-storage units for homeowners.
1. Easy Transitioning
Whether you’re moving to a new home because of a new job, upgrading your lifestyle, or divorce, you want to make your life easy with a storage unit. The transition from Point A and Point B is not always instantaneous. Complications can occur like the new place may not yet be ready for you.
Another issue is that you want to renovate your new place to a more personalized setup. Of course, having boxes of your stuff and furniture inside of your house while contractors and construction workers hammer away is not ideal. Both your items and workers are at risk.
2. Downsizing
Another reason why homeowners rent storage units is because of downsizing. Downsizing is the process of moving to a smaller (and cheaper) apartment. Often, this is done by families who want to lower their rent expenses. Studies find that Londoners, on average, spend nearly half (49%) of their income in rent.
Many Londoners, and even those outside London, choose to rent small apartments or even co-share so that rent is not as heavy on the bank account. To make up for the lack of storage space, homeowners rent storage units. Everything that they don’t need for daily life is sent away to storage.
This phenomenon is not exclusive to London. Even residents outside of London like Hertfordshire are looking for self storage options. A self storage unit in Watford is always in demand as rental fees continue to increase.
3. Allows Frequent Travel
If your job requires you to be out of town frequently, you would want to rent a storage unit to safely keep your items. While you’re away, your house is often left unattended. Burglaries and petty crime often occur to empty houses. If you don’t want to come home to your personal belongings missing, then a storage unit is the way to go.
Are you worried about your home security? Read how much it costs to set up a burglar alarm system here.
This is also great if you are going out of the country and will be leaving your car. Leaving behind your car in a parking lot is definitely not ideal. You may return to it damaged, or worse, missing. With a storage unit, homeowners with no garage of their own can still travel freely.
4. Office/Workshop Space
One of the most popular uses of self storage units is to convert it into a mini-office space or workshop. Not everyone has a garage inside their homes. With apartments becoming more and more common, homeowners have to turn to storage units for their very own office/workshop.
Some hobbies require a lot of space — space that your house may not necessarily have. With a storage unit, you get to pursue woodworking, carving, canvas painting, or whatever you are passionate in.
5. Convenient and Versatile
Storage units come in different sizes and with multiple amenities. You can virtually transform it into anything that you want. Do you have a business? Why not turn your self storage unit into a business depository where you keep all of your office supplies? At the same time, if you’re in the ecommerce industry, you can also use your storage unit as a drop-off and pickup site for your products.
6. Cost-Effective
Storage units provide homeowners space for a fraction of the cost of an extra bedroom inside their homes. Renting a house with an extra bedroom for your items can add £ 200-500 to your rent. Meanwhile, a storage unit of the same size will only cost £ 50-100 per calendar month.
Looking for other ways to save? Here are 5 Clever Ways To Save Money on Essential Household Items.
When you constantly find yourself looking for more space inside your house, it’s time to consider storage units. Storage units help clear the clutter out of your house and allows you to be more creative with your interior aesthetics.