Approximately 38% of Americans use self-storage — but chances are, an even higher percentage could actually benefit from having additional storage space.
Not sure if you could actually use a storage unit of your own? I recently had the chance to speak with Todd Allen, managing principal at Midgard Self Storage, who offered some key insights into top signs homeowners and renters alike can use to gauge whether they would benefit from renting a storage unit.
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1. Your Closets Are Full
“Probably the first place where most people start to notice they have a storage issue is the closet,” Allen says. “It’s an easy place to put extra boxes and items that you need to keep out of the way most of the time. But eventually, your closet gets to a point where it’s bursting, and it’s impossible to pick out clothing or find other items that you’re looking for. When it gets to this point, you really just have two options: declutter, or start putting extra items in a storage unit.”
If you’re reluctant to sell, donate, or trash the extra items in your closet, one solution is to organize them based on seasonality or frequency of use. For example, placing winter coats in a storage unit during the summer (and putting swimsuits in storage during the winter) can free up a surprising amount of closet space.
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2. You Can’t Park Your Car In the Garage
An estimated 93% of homeowners use their garage for storage. With so much space, homeowners will often sacrifice parking their car in the garage in exchange for using that space for storage. But as Allen explains, this isn’t ideal.
“Parking your car outside puts it at greater risk of vandalism, theft, and weather damage. And storing your items in the garage isn’t always the best for them, either. Items that are sensitive to extreme temperatures or excess humidity can suffer significant damage if left in the garage for an extended period of time. On the other hand, a climate-controlled storage unit keeps everything at a stable temperature so it will remain in good condition.”
It’s also worth noting that garage doors provide far less security than a secured storage unit. In fact, the garage door serves as the access point for 9% of burglaries — meaning anything kept in the garage is at greater risk.
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3. You Have a Lot of Seasonal Items
Another sign that you could benefit from a storage unit is owning a lot of seasonal items that only get used during certain times of year. “Holiday decorations are an obvious candidate for storage,” says Allen.
“But there are also a surprising number of ‘toys’ that only get used during certain seasons. Ski and snowboard equipment, camping gear, and swimming pool supplies are just a few examples of things that usually only get a few months’ use. Keeping these types of items in storage during their off season can free up a surprising amount of space.”
Carefully inventory your possessions to identify seasonal or little-used items that could spend more time in storage.
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4. Excess Clutter Is Stressing You Out
While some level of disorganization is normal in any household, excess clutter can become a serious problem. In fact, 55% of Americans report feeling stressed out by the amount of clutter in their homes. “An especially cluttered house can raise your cortisol levels, make it harder to concentrate and even trigger feelings of sensory overload,” Allen explains.
“Some people may become so embarrassed by the level of clutter that they become hesitant to invite others over, which creates a sense of isolation. Too much clutter can also make it harder to keep your home clean. All of these factors can combine to lower your quality of life and even contribute to emotional health conditions like anxiety and depression.”
Going through your possessions room by room can provide a more manageable starting point for identifying items to get rid of or place in storage.
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5. You Need to Renovate Your Space
Not every storage unit use case relies on having too many possessions in your house. As Allen notes, many homeowners only need to use a storage unit on a temporary basis — something that most storage facilities are able to accommodate. “With high housing prices causing people to stay in their homes longer, we see more people doing renovations to improve their existing space,” he explains.
“But renovating a kitchen or bathroom will naturally displace a lot of items while the work is getting done. This is where using a storage unit can really come in handy. You can put those items in storage for just the time that the renovations are being done, so they’re out of the way and not at risk of getting damaged during the work period. Once the renovations are complete, you can be done with your storage unit. That flexibility is incredibly valuable for a wide range of scenarios.”
Reclaim Your Home With Self-Storage
No two households have the exact same storage needs — but a self-storage solution can work well for many of these scenarios. With a variety of storage unit sizes, flexible rental terms and secure facilities, renting a storage unit is well worth considering for any situation where you need to create extra space.
