Knowing what to store in your storage unit will vary from person to person, and there are lots of different situations which will impact what you choose to store, for example if you’re a business owner vs someone looking to store some valuables.

Regardless of your reasoning, in order to optimise your space, it is important that you know what to store, and for your own peace of mind the sooner, the better! This article looks at why people use self-storage, and dives into the top 6 things you can put in your storage to optimise your space.

Why do people use self storage?

People use self-storage for a variety of reasons, driven primarily by the need for additional space. For most, self-storage provides a practical solution for managing belongings during different life changes such as moving house, downsizing, or decluttering a home. It offers a secure place to store seasonal items, sentimental possessions, and recreational equipment that might otherwise clutter living spaces.

Additionally, self-storage can serve as a temporary holding area for items during events like university breaks, ensuring that belongings are kept safe and accessible when needed.

Businesses, on the other hand, utilise self-storage to optimise and manage their assets more effectively. It is a cost-effective way to handle excess inventory, office supplies, and equipment without the need for additional commercial space.

Self-storage helps businesses maintain a clutter-free work environment, this flexibility supports business growth, especially for startups, as it provides a scalable storage solution that adapts to their evolving needs.

Ultimately, the reason people use self-storage is because of the convenience it represents, both for long term and short term, there are so many reasons why someone might initially choose to use self-storage as previously highlighted, but the benefit is the space and peace of mind that comes with it.

The Top 6 Things to Put in Your Storage Unit

There is a vast range of belongings that people can choose to store in their units, however we still get a lot of questions on what can be stored and what can’t. Knowing what to store is crucial, as this will determine whether actually you need a storage unit or not. And, will help you save time when it comes to packing your belongings!

Furniture

Storing furniture in self-storage can be necessary for various reasons such as moving, home renovations, decluttering, and can even be specific for business needs.

As furniture makes up the vast majority of an individual’s belongings it is one of, if not the most common thing you see in storage. And, as we generally own more furniture than other items it means there are so many more considerations, and situations that can impact the need for storing these belongings, such as…

• When moving, there may be a gap between homes, or a new home might not have enough space, making storage a more practical solution until you figure out what to do with your things. 
• During renovations, storing furniture can protect it from damage. 
• Decluttering for more space or staging a home for sale often requires moving excess furniture into storage. Another situation where we see this is with inherited furniture, this might need to be stored temporarily while deciding whether to keep, sell or store to keep it safe.
• Businesses often use storage for office furniture, whether it’s during relocations or renovations or even to keep excess inventory without it getting in the way.

Furniture that we recommend you store includes…

• Living room sets (sofas, chairs, coffee/side tables)
• Bedroom furniture (beds, dressers)
• Dining room pieces (tables, chairs)
• Office furniture (desks, cabinets)
• Outdoor/garden furniture

Seasonal Belongings

Storing seasonal belongings in self-storage is a useful and practical storage solution to free up space at home when these items are not in use. For example, all times of the year there will be situations where we use different belongings: In summer, you might bring out our summer clothes, and garden furniture. Whereas in the winter a lot of people will bring out seasonal decorations whether that’s Halloween decorations or Christmas decorations. The reason that storage is so useful in this regard, is that while you wait for these specific times and seasons, this furniture just sits taking up space. Take garden furniture for example, while it’s not in use (especially in a very rainy country like the UK) it just sits outside getting hammered by the elements. On the other hand, with Christmas decorations might just get thrown in a cupboard, taking up space that could be used for something else. Ultimately, storage is an ideal solution that both frees up space, and protects your belongings while you wait for the time to bring them out again.

Student Belongings

Generally, students will bring and gain a lot of things that they store in their accommodation, which is why storing student belongings while situational can be very beneficial!

Student accommodation is typically temporary, with many students coming from far away, including international students travelling from abroad. For those who don’t live nearby, this can also present a few challenges.

First, there’s the initial move into their accommodation. Later on, many students will need to vacate their current housing, whether due to a change in accommodation or other reasons. Often, they must wait to move into their next place, which usually happens during summer breaks. This creates the challenge of finding a temporary place to store their belongings, whether back at home or with someone else. But, if you live abroad, taking your things back home isn’t feasible.

Storage is a useful solution that enables students to safely store their things, making any summer breaks, accommodation moves, abroad programs or even internships more feasible.

Storage can also be useful for specific fields of study that involve things that take up a lot of space, for example aspiring musicians, or events managers.

This convenience allows students to focus on their studies and other activities without the hassle of managing excess belongings. Ultimately, using storage solutions for student belongings provides a practical and efficient way to maintain an organised, stress-free living space throughout the academic year.

Baby & Kids Belongings

Storing children’s items in storage can greatly optimise your home space. As children grow, they quickly outgrow clothes, toys, and furniture, which can lead to clutter and reduced living space. Storing these items in a storage unit can free up essential room for daily activities and maintain a tidy, organised home.

In addition to freeing up space, a storage facility allows you to keep sentimental items, such as baby clothes, toys, and furniture, without sacrificing your home’s functionality. There will always be an emotional attachment that comes with these belongings, as they are associated with happy memories, and as such a lot of families are hesitant to throw out or sell these belongings. Following this, outside of sentimental value, some families may keep their babies things in case of the event of having another child, saving them time and money.

Storing these items securely ensures they are protected from damage and can be easily accessed when needed for future use or passed on to other children.

Business Inventory

Using a storage unit for your business inventory can really help optimise your workspace and make things run more smoothly. By moving extra furniture, seasonal items, or equipment you don’t use often into storage, you free up valuable office or retail space. This creates a more organised and productive environment where your team can focus on what really matters.

Plus, with that extra space, you have the chance to use it in ways that directly benefit your business. Whether it’s setting up additional workstations, creating a better space for customers, or making room for new inventory, a less cluttered workspace can boost productivity and improve the overall experience for everyone involved.

Valuables

Storing large valuables in a secure facility can significantly optimise your space, and it ensures the safety of your possessions. Items such as artwork, antiques, instruments, and other valuables often take up substantial space at home.

One benefit of storage units is that they are usually equipped with security features such as 24/7 surveillance, controlled access or, are in a secure location. This means that any valuables you do store are protected.

Final Thoughts

Self-storage offers a versatile and effective solution for a wide range of needs. By understanding what to store, you can make the most of your space.

From furniture, to seasonal items, to student belongings – self-storage helps in decluttering and optimising your living or working environment. An uncluttered space is a clear mind, and using self-storage can transform how you handle your space and possessions, making things more organised and less stressful.