Self-Storage Guide WhatStorage
We all need extra space to store our stuff in. For most people, this comes as the garage, a spare room, a closet or a cupboard under the stairs. Often than not, these spaces are filled to the brim with extra furniture, used clothes, books, personal mementos, and other items that are too valuable to throw or give away.
WhatStorage? provides a safe and cheap storage solution for your valuables in locations all over the UK including self storage blackpool, self storage belfast, self storage glasgow, and self storage brighton. Stop cramming everything in the back of the closet and check out the nearest self-storage unit near you! Self-storage facilities are also useful for when you’re moving houses or renovating parts of your house. It is a versatile, flexible and affordable option for many other circumstances when you would need a safe place to store your items.
About Self-Storage
Self-storage refers to renting out a storage space or unit from a storage company. Storage units are available in a wide variety of sizes, amenities, and locations, and are usually accessed via a garage-door like entrance.
Safety:
The units are kept safe through superior security mechanisms like built-in or separate locks, and sometimes even a combination of the two. You’ll also have peace of mind knowing that your things are safeguarded by the staff working on the premises, while other security measures like on-site cameras and 24/7 security are also on hand to keep your items safe. Storage facilities are also clean and safe from rats (unless your items came with them), and other pests that ruin your items.
Rates:
You’ll be charged a monthly fee to keep your items in the storage unit, and the amount is typically, storage prices are based on a number of variables: the size of the unit, its location, the level of quality and services offered, as well as other amenities like climate control and the level of demand that the facilities have.
Indoor and Outdoor storage:
Generally, there are two types of storage facilities available today. There are outdoor access facilities, which allows you to drive-up and access your storage units from the outside, and then there are indoor storage facilities that can only be accessed from the inside of the premises.
Outdoor access units are a convenient option as you are able to access them from the outside and they’re more affordable when compared to Indoor storage. Outdoor units are usually in the form of a container storage. However, this option won’t give you access to extras like climate control.
Indoor storage units are a more secure option and come with the added benefit of climate control and other perks. However, they’re only accessible from the inside, and your unit may even be housed in a distant area of the warehouse that requires elevator access, making it a tad bit challenging to move your stuff in and out of the facility.
Create a list of all the items you want to store and determine which type of storage facility will work better for you.
What is self-storage typically used for?
The storage industry continues to grow each year. More and more people are storing their items instead of letting them rot in the back of their closets. Here are just some uses for a self-storage facility:
Decluttering
Clean out your closet, attic and basement this spring and store all extra items in a self-storage unit. We all put sentimentality in items but simply put, there’s just not enough space for them in our homes. By renting a self-storage facility, you get to hold on to your important valuables while having a lot of space in your home.
Downsizing
Downsizing has become a trend in the UK. A lot of people move from larger homes to smaller apartments/flats these days. Whatever the reason, it would be impractical to bring all your furniture and appliances into your new place. However, most are too valuable to sell or just give away.
The best way is to keep them in a storage unit. You never know when you’ll need them again. Rest assured that they’ll be safe and in good condition when you come back for it.
Moving
Moving from one place to another is a nightmare. There’s a lot of packing, carrying and unpacking that needs to be done. However, there are times when you can’t move all your stuff in one go. The kitchen may still be under construction or the garage is having its roof fixed. Storage units will help keep your furniture, appliances, and other items safe and secure, just waiting for you to pick them up.
Remodeling
Thinking of renovating your house? Don’t just store all your items in the middle of the living room while you spruce up your room. Having them stored in your house will create an unnecessary pressure to finish quickly so you can have a living room again. Just rent out a storage unit and keep all your items safe while the renovation process is underway.
Business Storage
Storage units can also come in handy for businesses and have a versatile range of uses in this regard. For example, you can rent out a business storage unit to use as a distribution hub, to hold surplus stock, to run your mail order/eBay store, or to store old office furniture and equipment while you wait to sell it or move it to another space.
Student Storage
Don’t have enough space in your room or going home for the summer break? Either way, getting a self storage saves students from the stress of dealing with a lot of campus stuff. Instead of having to bring all your things when travelling back home for the summer, you can rent a student storage to temporarily store your stuff.
What can I keep in my storage unit?
You can store these items in a storage unit with minimal preparation:
Electronics
Keep in a climate-controlled storage unit. Extreme temperatures can damage both their internal and external structures rendering them useless. Moisture from the air can get onto the metal and corrode/rust pieces of equipment
Apparel
Place clothes inside a plastic bag or a box before storing inside the unit, and opt for a climate-controlled unit with interior storage.
Furniture
Always keep furniture in a climate-controlled interior unit to avoid humidity damage, and make sure that it’s off the ground for better ventilation and airflow. Most furniture are made from or has wooden parts. This makes them more susceptible to damage caused by extreme temperatures. To help you decide on the size of van you need for your furniture move, check out our van size guide.
Books
A climate controlled interior unit is your best bet when storing books because it’ll prevent mould from forming and destroying the books.
Canned Food
While it’s commonly not allowed to store food in storage due to the risk of vermin infestation, sealed beverages like wine, bottled water and beer, as well as non-perishable canned goods may be stored
Which items should not be kept in storage?
Believe it or not, there are certain items that you should never keep in a storage facility, as they’re either strictly forbidden or hazardous. These include:
Drugs and/ or Stolen Goods
Don’t risk getting busted by keeping your grow-room inside a storage unit. It is illegal to keep stolen items inside storage as well. Might we add that stealing is also illegal.
Garbage
This one’s a no-brainer. Why would you even store garbage?
Guns
While some facilities do allow the storage of registered firearms in their facilities, others have very strict and clear rules against it. So, be sure to ask your facility manager before you decide to store a gun in your unit.
Flammable, Hazardous or Explosives Materials
You should never keep items in a storage unit if they could possibly spill over and cause a fire or explosion
Pets
Need we say more? It is illegal, inhumane and just evil to keep your pets alone in a dark, cold room.
Plants
Plants are not allowed because they will rot and attract undesirable insects to your unit.
You
While it’s okay to use your unit as a workshop or an alternative office, it is illegal to use your storage unit as a live-in residence. It’s not an Airbnb.
Home Living Space Additions
Turning marginal areas into livable spaces such as turning basements into rec rooms, home theaters, or home offices – or lofts into spare bedrooms. If you looking to declutter your belongings and need a tempory place to store them, consider looking into self-storage facilities near you.
Looking for a way to transport your stuff into a storage unit? Hire a man with a van to help you out! You can also check out our Man and Van guide for more helpful tips. Meanwhile, if you’re looking for a full-package moving service, do consider a removals company to assist you and make your move much easier! For more helpful tips in hiring a man and van service, check out our Man and Van guide.