At some point, almost everyone’s probably had that awful feeling that there’s just too much stuff in their house and not near enough space. Maybe the house is cluttered, or your kids just have a never-ending amount of toys. The messes just never seem to end.
There are usually a few solutions to this, of course: if you have an attic or basement, you can pack some stuff up and put it there. You could have a garage sale or donate things to consignment shops. Or, the old standby, just sort through all the clutter and throw stuff away. However, all of those things are easier said than done. Maybe some of that stuff is super sentimental, and you just can’t bring yourself to put it away, which is completely fine.
There is one more option if that’s the case: renting a storage unit. Now, storage units are great —especially if you either have a lot of stuff or some larger items to store away— but there are also some drawbacks to them. Let’s take a look at both:
Pro: Cost-Effective
One of the biggest plus sides of storage units is that the costs are flexible. You only have to pay for the storage you need and only for as long as you need it. If you’re constantly moving around or living in temporary accommodations, then it can be cheaper to store some of your items rather than transporting it.
Pro: 24-Hour Access
Some storage unit companies grant their customers with a key so that they may access their self-storage unit 24-hours a day. However, this can vary from company to company, as some will only allow access during business hours. If you can find one of those companies that do allow 24-hour access, then it can be a significant advantage if you have to grab your stuff in a pinch.
Pro: Variety of Sizes
Don’t you hate paying for more than you need? Well, some storage unit companies get that, so they’ve got a massive range of storage unit sizes. From walk-in-closet size to bigger than some apartments, there’s a perfect size for anyone.
Pro: Some Places Offer Insurance
Storage units are often reliable and as long as you avoid the sketchy ones, they should be safe enough to keep your belongings. Some storage facilities even offer insurance for your items being stored, so if your facility offers that, it might be something to consider.
Con: Items can be Hard to Find
Storage units can get very cluttered very quickly, and it can be almost impossible to find anything. Especially if you have some smaller items that can get lost amongst the clutter very quickly. So, unless you have some super effective inventory system, it can be a struggle to try and track down any items in your self-storage unit.
Con: Not Everything Can be Stored
Okay, so this shouldn’t come as a complete surprise, but not everything in your house can be stored. Some items like hazardous materials, unregistered vehicles, weapons, perishables, or live plants and animals aren’t allowed to be stored in storage units. These things are pretty obvious, but some companies might have some other restrictions that can be frustrating.
Con: Security
Okay, so we’re playing devil’s advocate a little bit, but this is something to consider. Yes, the units have locks, but some companies may or may not have video surveillance. Plus, employees might not have gone through comprehensive background checks. There have been numerous cases of storage thefts being inside jobs, and it’s something to be wary of for sure.
Con: Transporting the Items
While some storage units help you put the items into storage, you'll have to get your own truck to move it out. You’ll have to provide yourself with a moving vehicle and some helping hands. This, of course, can be a hassle, but it’s just one of the things that will have to be figured out to store your things.
