When renting a storage unit, one of the first choices you’ll need to make is whether to choose drive-up access or indoor access to your unit—which depends on your unique storage needs. Consider the following factors to help you determine what type of self storage you need for your things:

• Access frequency
• Whether you need long or short-term storage
• Type of items (e.g., delicate or temperature-sensitive items, or belongings like paper files & bulky furniture)
• Budget
• Security preferences

Each option provides different storage solutions that work better for certain items. Read more below to see the difference between drive-up and indoor storage—and which one is best for your storage needs!

What Is Drive-Up Storage?

Drive-up storage is a unit accessibility feature equipped to ground-level, garage-like spaces that you can park next to—or sometimes inside—making loading and unloading items easier and less stressful. Usually arranged in rows outdoors, drive-up storage will also often have wide-drive aisles to accommodate a variety of vehicle sizes—though select facilities offer drive-up access units inside a drive-in building for sheltered protection while loading or unloading. Units with drive-up access are especially ideal for those who need to visit their storage unit often, such as small business owners, contractors, and more.

Top Reasons to Rent Drive-Up Access

• More efficient loading & unloading of items into unit via direct outdoor access for moving vehicles—rather than across parking lots, hallways, or within elevators
• Wide drive aisles to accommodate a variety of vehicle sizes & cargo
• Larger range of sizes & are likelier to be available in large sizes
• Often more widely available & budget-friendly than indoor units
• Accessible outside of business hours via extended access hours (as provided by facility)

What Should You Store in a Drive-Up Storage Unit?

While there is overlap between what can be stored in a drive-up storage unit vs. an indoor unit, some items are better suited to each option—just make sure to check with your facility which items are allowed to be stored. Here are some items to consider storing in a drive-up storage unit:

• Furniture (e.g., couches, office equipment, tables, mattresses)
• Appliances (e.g., refrigerators, washers & dryers, ovens)
• Seasonal decorations
• Landscaping equipment (e.g., lawn mowers & other tools, gardening supplies)
• Sports & recreational equipment (e.g., bikes, jet skis, kayaks, camping gear, golf clubs)
• Business inventory
• Smaller vehicles (e.g., motorcycles, cars, small boats, ATVs)
• Tools & construction materials

What Is Indoor Storage?

Indoor self storage units are located side by side in the interior hallways of a building. Units equipped with this accessibility feature provide more protection from external weather conditions, often offer helpful amenities like climate control, and provide enhanced security options. You might choose to rent indoor storage if you have delicate items, live in an area with sudden weather changes or intense seasons, or want to store items for a longer period of time.

Top Reasons to Rent Indoor Storage

• Additional protection from weather, dust, debris, & pests due to being housed within a fortified building
• Increased privacy & additional security options (e.g., electronic gate access, security access to your floor only, closer proximity to facility staff, well-lit hallways, & more).
• Higher availability of indoor climate-controlled storage unit types (e.g., air-cooled units, heated storage, & humidity-controlled storage)
• Likelier to have small units & storage lockers available
• Accessible via elevator access & first-floor access

What Should You Store in an Indoor Storage Unit?

When it comes to indoor vs. outdoor storage units in general, you should store things indoors if they need additional protection from the elements or if you want additional security features. Another important factor to consider is the length of time you want to store for—certain items may be fine in outdoor storage for the short term, but may need more controlled indoor conditions for longer-term storage. Along with items that need climate-controlled storage—which is most frequently available via indoor storage—here are items that are best stored in a unit with indoor access:

• Electronics (e.g., flat-screen TVs, batteries, video games, & camera equipment)
• Clothing
• Household appliances (e.g., microwaves, toasters, & blenders)
• Kitchenware (e.g., pots, pans, dishes, china)
• Collectibles & keepsakes
• Wooden & upholstered furniture
• Antiques
• Medications
• Books, magazines, paper documents, & newspapers
• Grills
• Musical instruments
• Artwork
• Wine

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Looking to rent indoor or drive-up access units? Extra Space Storage has storage facilities across the U.S. that offer secure solutions for different storage needs. Find reliable self storage near you!