Most of us have excess belongings stuffed in the loft, the garage or cupboards - things we don’t use often, but don’t want to get rid of because we might need them one day.
Storing those things in the loft, garage or cupboards can make your home feel cramped and cluttered, items can be damaged by weather (or by being squashed into a compact space), and there’s a risk of theft, fire or flood, so it’s not ideal!
If you have more belongings or
business stock than you can comfortably (and safely) store at home, you might be considering finding some sort of external storage. There are quite a few options to choose from, and lots to consider, so we thought it would be helpful to outline some information about the various types of self storage that are available.
1. Indoor Self Storage
This is the type of facility offered by Safestore. Our conveniently located stores are large warehouses that contain dozens of individual, secure units. The units are all indoors, so they’re protected against the elements and remain temperate all year round.
Our stores are covered by monitored CCTV and alarms to guard against unauthorised access, and fire and pest prevention measures are in place. Each individual unit is secured with a padlock or keypad, to which you - the person renting that unit - have the only key or code.
What can you store in indoor self storage units?
Our units are available in various sizes, so you can choose a size that suits what you want to store. You can add shelves to help you organise your unit and make sure your belongings don’t crush each other.
Our smallest units are 10 sq ft lockers, which are about the size of a car boot, and good for:
- Student belongings,
- Archive documents,
- Out-of-season clothing and bedding,
- Christmas decorations.
Our largest units are rooms of over 500 sq ft, which can be used to store:
- The entire contents of your house during a move,
- Business stock, equipment and tools.
We have units of all sizes in between those two extremes, so you can choose a unit that’s large enough for what you want to store, without having to pay for empty space you don’t need. Other things you could store in an indoor self storage unit include:
- Camping gear,
- Garden furniture,
- Luggage,
- Bikes,
- Toys,
- Books,
- Sports equipment,
- Extra furniture and furnishings from downsizing or moving in with a partner.
If you want to store heavy or bulky items, we’d recommend you rent a ground floor unit: we have forklift services and trolleys available to help you load and unload your unit, and drive-up room access is available in many of our stores. Otherwise, we have lifts and wide corridors for you to be able to access self storage rooms and lockers on other floors of the store. Several of our stores have secure external space available if you want to store items such as a caravan or motorhome.
Accessing belongings in an indoor self storage unit
If you rent a self storage unit from us, you can access it whenever you like during our opening hours (add things or take them out as and when needed). All our stores are open 7 days a week so you don’t need to worry about not being able to get your belongings out whenever you want them back.
2. Container Storage
Container storage is just what it sounds like. You know those big metal shipping containers you’ve seen stacked up at the docks or on cargo ships? They’re the containers we’re talking about here. You rent a container and fill it with whatever you need to store, close and lock it with a padlock, and it’s kept locked in a compound with other shipping containers.
The compounds are usually unmanned and may be accessible to the public, though some may be secured with perimeter fencing, CCTV and keycard access.
As these containers are made of metal and not insulated in any way, they are open to the effect of changes in temperature. The rain won’t get in, but your belongings may be affected by excess heat or cold, and condensation in shipping containers is a constant problem.
What can you store in a container storage unit?
These are a good option for bulky items that won’t be adversely affected by condensation or temperature change, for example:
- Cars / motorbikes
- Plant and machinery
The standard internal width of a storage container is 7 ft 9 in and the standard internal height is 7 ft 9 in; the most common lengths are 20 ft or 40 ft. These are therefore good for storing large items only.
Accessing belongings in container storage
As container storage yards aren’t usually staffed, you’d need to arrange an appointment to access your storage container if it’s in a secure compound.
3. Collection and Storage (“Box Storage”)
Box storage companies supply you with however many boxes you request (some will allow you to use your own boxes), and you pack up whatever it is you want to store. The company then collects the boxes and takes them to their storage facility. When you want your boxes back, you contact the company to arrange for your boxes to be returned (for a fee).
This can be useful if you don’t have your own means of transport, and it’s good for storing things you don’t need regular access to.
What can you store with Box Storage?
Box storage is not intended for large items like furniture, but if you can fit it into a box and don’t need it back for several weeks or months this can be a convenient option. For example:
- Gardening equipment
- Clothes
- Luggage
- Books
- Toys
Accessing belongings in Box Storage
You can request that some or all of your boxes are returned by appointment; the company will arrange a time and date to deliver them to you, usually for a fee. Otherwise, they may be returned at the end of an agreed contract period.
4. Lockups
This type of storage has been around for a long time. These are garages, usually located in residential estates, and either the owner of the garage (or a lockup company that owns several garages) rents the space out for long or short periods.
If you have a garage of your own, there is no real benefit to using a lockup unless your own garage is full or you use it to park your car. There are no special security measures, though some may be covered by CCTV (that may not be monitored). As long as you’re insured and the belongings you want to store are not particularly valuable, lockups can be a cheap option for self storage.
What can you store in a Lockup?
Space is limited to the size of the garage. Damp can be an issue, and the security level depends on the strength of the door. For this reason, you should only keep low-value (or well insured) items that will not be adversely affected by the elements.
Accessing belongings in a Lockup
You can usually access your belongings whenever you want, day or night.
5. Removals Depositories
If you’re moving house, your removals company may offer storage units where they can store your furniture and belongings until you’re ready to move them into your new home. This can be particularly useful if you need to decorate or renovate your new property before moving in, or if there’s a delay with your purchase but you still want to press ahead with the sale..
These indoor facilities are usually secure and dry, located in large warehouses.
What can you store in a Removals Depository?
This type of storage is designed to store anything you would transport from one home to another during a house move. The entire contents of your home and garden can be stored here, in bulk.
Accessing belongings in a Removals Depository
Typically, you won’t have access to your belongings while they are in storage, and there may be a fee if you need to retrieve items earlier than planned.
If you sell your home before your new house is ready or available, it can be difficult to say exactly how long you’ll need the storage space for, so always check the terms and conditions for any hidden return fees.
Find the Right Storage Solution for You
When choosing the right type of self storage facility for your belongings, you’ll need to consider what facilities are available, and what you need to store. Think about how often you might want to gain access to your belongings, and whether your belongings need to be kept clean and dry as well as secure.
What do you want to store?
Here are some of the most common things people need to put into storage and which types of storage are suitable for those items.
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Thinking of choosing indoor self storage at Safestore?
We offer convenient,
indoor self-storage in a wide range of sizes at highly competitive prices, ensuring your possessions are safe and easily accessible when you need them. We have stores all over the country, so there’s sure to be one close to you -
find your closest store here.
If you’d like more information about facilities at your local store, or if you’d like to reserve a unit with us, please give us a call on 0800 444 800, or chat with one of our friendly team online for some no pressure, no obligation information.