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Self Storage: TV Shows Get It Right (and Wrong)

1 December 2022

Self storage is a large and ever-growing industry, and it’s no wonder why. It is an affordable and convenient way to store your belongings. In fact, it has become so common that many shows surrounding the topic have popped up on television. From Storage Wars to A&E’s Storage Hunters, there are plenty of programs dedicated to the storage industry.

As of late, however, self storage has also been featured in a number of mainstream shows, such as Netflix’s You, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, The Big Bang Theory, and many more. While these shows don’t necessarily focus on self storage, they do use it as a plot point or setting from time to time. However, how much of what they’re showing about self storage on TV is actually true? 

In this blog post, we’ll take a look at some of the most popular TV shows and identify which ones got it right. Moreover, we’ll also debunk some of the myths that these TV shows have (sometimes unknowingly) perpetuated about self storage.

By the end of this article, you should have a better idea of what to expect should you ever find yourself needing a storage unit.

Let’s begin, shall we?

You

Most of us here are probably already familiar with the TV adaption of this thriller novel by Caroline Kepnes. If you’re not, this hit show revolves around Joe Goldberg, a seemingly harmless bookstore manager who falls in love (read: gets murderously obsessed) with Beck, someone who lives up to his ideals of what a “perfect woman” should be. However, as soon as this perfect picture is shattered, Joe’s dark side takes over, and he will stop at nothing to have Beck for himself. In the show’s second season, this cycle of love and murder repeats itself in a new city with a new love interest, Love Quinn.

Throughout this journey, Joe finds himself one trusted companion, a temperature-controlled glass box. This box’s original purpose was to keep rare and fragile books in good condition. However, Joe uses it to store his “precious cargo,” as he likes to call it, until he’s able to convince them he’s doing it for their own good or, almost a hundred per cent of the time, (SPOILER ALERT), he’s ready to dispose of their bodies.

You may ask, “Where does self storage come in, then?” Well, Joe always finds a place to store his trusty glass box. And in the second season, he keeps the box in, you guessed it, a self storage unit.

Now, while we certainly wouldn’t recommend using a storage unit for such nefarious purposes, the show does get a few things right. First, storage units come in various sizes, including ones large enough to house Joe’s glass cage. If you need to store something that’s a bit out of the ordinary, rest assured that there’s probably a storage unit that can accommodate it. Check out our Self Storage Size Guide to learn more about storage unit sizes you may choose to avail.

Second, storage facility personnel cannot enter your unit without your permission. This is a widely known regulation in the self storage industry, and it has been put in place to protect your privacy. (I mean, how else would Joe have been able to get away with everything that went down in there?)

However, there is also one thing the show got wrong: Although facility personnel are not allowed to access your personal storage units, self storage facilities are under surveillance 24/7. That means nobody would have been able to drag in unconscious (or dead) people without being caught on camera. (And let’s be real, Joe did that a lot!)

All in all, You is a great show that does an excellent job of representing self storage, albeit in a very dramatised (and traumatising) way. More importantly, and this should go without saying, you should not use a storage unit for illegal activities like holding people captive and being a serial killer. You may, however, use one for your other hobbies like arts and crafts, woodworking, or even as an extra closet space. Also, maybe, don’t kidnap people and kill them, period?

Brooklyn Nine-Nine

Throughout its eight-year run, this police comedy has featured self storage units quite a few times. And unlike in You, where the storage unit barely affects the storyline, Brooklyn Nine-Nine often uses self storage as an element that somehow ties an entire storyline together.

For example, the first time we see a storage space in the show is during its pilot episode. The aforementioned episode comes to a head when the team of detectives from the ninety-ninth precinct discover a suspect has been using a storage unit for quite some time. There, he is found and arrested for murder. 

Later in the series, we also see a self storage unit and its contents used as evidence against Detective Charles Boyle’s girlfriend, Genevieve, who has been accused of art theft. While all the evidence, including a receipt from the self storage facility, puts Genevieve in a bad light, the nine-nine is able to prove her innocence just in the nick of time. 

Lastly, and probably most memorably, Detective Jake Peralta also uses a self storage unit to continue investigating the case of Jimmy “The Butcher” Figgis while under witness protection in Florida. Figgis is a New York City mob boss out to kill him and his boss Captain Raymond Holt. Although he’d been advised to lay low and assimilate, Jake struggles to find a home in Coral Springs, Florida, and secretly sets up shop in a self storage unit, where he keeps any and all items related to the case, including his case files. Jake, Holt, and the rest of the crew also use this as a hideout towards the end of the storyline when they are involved in a dramatic standoff with Figgis and his henchmen.

In conclusion, Brooklyn Nine-Nine does a great job of normalising the idea of self storage and reminding us that it’s an accessible solution for anyone needing extra space. Whether you’re a detective trying to keep your case files out of sight or just someone looking to free up some space at home, a self storage unit can be exactly what you need. After all, document storage is just one of the many uses for self storage.

It should also go without saying that self storage units are not this prone to criminal activity in real life. Storage facilities are highly secure and monitored to ensure the safety of tenants and their belongings. It’s always important to ensure you’re using a reputable facility with good security so that you can rest easy knowing that your units are safe and sound.

Station 19

Aside from crime thrillers and police comedies, various first responder drama shows have also featured self storage in their stories. One of the most popular ones is Station 19. A spin-off of Grey’s Anatomy, this show follows a group of heroic Seattle firefighters and paramedics who respond to various emergencies throughout the city.

In one of the show’s most memorable episodes to date, the crew finds a self storage facility being ravaged by fire. As they arrive, the firefighters quickly realise that not only is the building filled with antiques and collectables, but it’s also home to a homeless man who’s been paying off the caretaker and using one of the units as his makeshift home.

Quickly, the firefighters of Seattle FD Station 19 must act fast to save the facility and its occupants, including the facility’s caretaker, the aforementioned homeless man, and a band that has been using the facility as their practice space.

Soon after getting everyone out, the mission becomes to stop the fire from spreading – but only after the firefighters find tanks of propane (!!!) in one of the units. The situation quickly becomes dire as several firefighters get stuck in the facility and need rescuing before the propane tanks react to the fire. Former captain, and patriarch of Station 19, Pruitt Herrera, is able to save the day, and everyone, except him, makes it out alive.

The episode, while dramatic and suspenseful, is also a testament to the importance of following self storage safety protocols, such as not storing combustible materials, not living in storage units, and using reputable facilities who will put your safety above everything else, including earning a little more. Here are some tips on How To Choose A Self Storage Company.

It also underscores the need for fire safety in self storage because, when done right, these facilities can be some of the safest places to keep your valuables. By following proper protocol, you can rest assured that your belongings are secure and protected from danger.

Girls

This millennial comedy-drama follows a group of four best friends in their twenties as they navigate life, love, and adulthood in New York City. The show is full of witty dialogue, relatable storylines and characters that quickly capture viewers’ hearts.

In one episode, the main character Hannah Horvath finds herself adrift after her ex-boyfriend kicks her out and moves her belongings into a storage unit to accommodate his new girlfriend. While she tries to reclaim her space in their apartment, she finds nowhere to go and decides to live in the said storage unit temporarily.

You’ll probably already know this isn’t the best idea from the get-go. Not only is it illegal, but it’s also unsafe. After all, while storage companies always make sure to keep their facilities clean and safe, some things are just out of their control. That means you can never be sure what kind of critters you’ll find in a storage unit; many things could pose a health risk, such as hazardous materials, mould or mildew.

One thing the show gets right, however, is the fact that a self storage unit is very much useful when getting you through major life changes such as breakups and moving. However, it’s always important to remember that self storage units are not meant to be used as shelter and can be dangerous if proper precautions are not taken. 

Not sure if self storage is the best option for you? Check this out.

The Big Bang Theory

Sheldon Cooper, the lovable nerd and one of the main characters in this popular sitcom, is known to be a bit obsessive when it comes to organising his belongings. However, despite his organised belongings, Sheldon finds it challenging to part with everything he has ever owned. He puts these items in a self storage unit, where he can visit whenever he needs to see them.

In the episode, Sheldon opens up to his girlfriend, Amy, about his fear of throwing away his old possessions and shows her his secret storage unit. There, she assures him that having this attachment to possessions is nothing to be ashamed of and allows him to make peace with this part of his personality.

This episode is an excellent reminder that self storage units are an ideal way to store items that you can’t necessarily part with but also don’t need on a daily basis. Whether it’s sentimental items, old clothes or home décor, renting a storage unit is the perfect option for keeping these items safe and secure.

TBBT does not really give us anything to debunk, but it does give us a chance to remind you that having a storage unit to store your sentimental items is perfectly normal. Decluttering only sometimes requires you to get rid of everything, and renting a self storage unit can help you keep the things that you’re not ready to part with. Just make sure to use reputable facilities for your safety and peace of mind. 

Bob’s Burgers

This animated classic follows Bob, Linda and their kids as they run the family burger business. In this episode, the family inherits a storage unit from distant relatives and finds themselves hoping for a big windfall. They discover that the storage unit contains old furniture, rusty kitchenware and mementoes from years ago. From here, the story takes a weird turn as they discover a man who claims to be a mannequin that came back to life. That story is for another day, but it’s a reminder that you never really know what you’ll find inside your storage unit.

While the plot of this episode makes for great comedy, the show is an excellent reminder of just how long you can keep items in self storage units. As long as you keep up with your payments, no one will be asking what you keep inside the unit or when you intend to take it out. So if you ever find yourself in need of long-term storage, a self storage facility is the way to go!

However, as we’ve already discussed, no self storage space is fit for human habitation (even if they claim to be a mannequin that has come to life). We can’t reiterate this enough. Especially when every other show features a character or two living in their storage unit!

Glee

This comedy-musical became a worldwide phenomenon within its first year of airing. Teens and adults alike fell in love with the show because of many things, including its charming cast, unforgettable music covers, outlandish, yet relatable storylines, and most importantly, its knack for finding ways to make every kind of person feel represented.

One of the many things that people found loveable in this show is the relationship of Kurt Hummel, William McKinley High School’s first openly gay student, and Blaine Anderson, a prep school singer who later on moves to WMHS to be with Kurt. Klaine for short. Like any other relationship on the show, their relationship goes through many ups and downs, with a seemingly final separation happening in the sixth season, where the couple ended up ending their engagement. Of course, it wouldn’t be Glee if there wasn’t some kooky storyline that follows this breakup. And this is where a self storage unit comes in.

Now, before we go any further, I’d like you too keep an open mind. Remember, this is the sixth season and things kind of get lost in the sauce somewhere in the earlier season, but that’s not why we’re here today.

Okay, so, some time after Klaine’s breakup, Sue Sylvester, the series’ main antagonist, comes out as a die-hard Klaine shipper, and plots to blackmail the two into getting back together. As she does this, she brings her assistant and favourite student, Becky Jackson, to a self storage unit which she calls her Hurt Locker. She uses this to keep track and plan out all of her plans for revenge against the people whom she believes have wronged her. A part of this storage unit is also covered with Klaine memorabilia and decor.

You already probably know what I’m going to say. Storage units are versatile and you can use them to store practically whatever you want, as long as it’s safe and legal. Whether it’s to store old family heirlooms and other memorabilia, your own “hurt locker,” or a shrine dedicated to your favourite couple, that’s up to you. But seriously, probably not the last two, yeah? It’s not exactly illegal, but it is kinda weird.

It should also be noted that most self storage facilities do not allow you to hang up stuff on your storage unit walls. Instead, all you’ll be provided is an empty room with space for you to store boxes and the like. Should you need filing cabinets or shelves, ask your storage unit company if this is something they will be providing or if you need to find some on your own.

Breaking Bad

Skyler White, the wife of the show’s main character, Walter White, finds herself in a difficult situation after her husband’s meth-cooking business takes off. He is suddenly making a lot of money, and she turns to a self storage unit at a loss on where exactly they can store all this cash. There, she stores all the money behind a tarp in order to keep it safe and away from prying eyes.

Well, we shouldn’t have to say this, but money laundering is not legal and self storage units are in no way the ideal place to store large amounts of cash! We strongly advise against storing anything illegal in a self storage unit. Moreover, while self storage units are often safe, clean, and secure, it is not a good idea to keep extremely valuable items in a unit. After all, the last thing you want is for an uncontrollable event to occur and your items to be destroyed.

Self storage units are a great place for storing your everyday belongings, but they should be used as something other than a secure bank account. Be sure to keep valuable items in a safe or with someone trustworthy instead of leaving them unattended in a self storage unit. 

Read more about Self Storage Tenant Insurance.

How I Met Your Mother

Last on the list is How I Met Your Mother. In this episode, Barney Stinson gives Robin Scherbatsky the keys to his storage unit, where he has stored the things that reminded him of his relationship with the latter after she accused him of being able to throw away everything from their time together.

This only goes to show that a storage unit is not only there to store items physically but also to give you a place to keep your memories safe. In a storage unit, you never have to worry about throwing away important souvenirs and memories.

These are only some of the lessons you can learn from watching TV shows, but the moral of the story is this: Self storage units are a great place to store your items as long as you remember to keep them responsibly. Be sure never to store illegal or extremely valuable items in a unit and only use reputable storage facilities for your safety and peace of mind. By following these simple rules, you can make sure that your self storage experience is as positive and comfortable as possible.

Have you decided on renting a self storage unit? Make sure to book one using WhatStorage. Using our platform, you can find the cheapest and most suitable self storage option for you. We have partners in London, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Liverpool, and more!