STORAGE 101: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT SELF STORAGE
There's a lot to consider when renting a local storage unit for the first time. What storage unit size is best for you? Do you need climate control? Fortunately, the experts at Extra Space Storage make finding the right storage solution simple. Use this guide to learn the basics of self service storage, and feel free to reach out to our friendly, knowledgeable team at any point for assistance.
WHAT IS SELF STORAGE?
Self storage provides space for individuals to rent and store their personal or business items. Unlike full-service storage services where the customer has limited access to their belongings and relies on the storage provider to store and manage their belongings—self service storage gives you much more control. You can pack and arrange the storage unit however you’d like, access your belongings anytime during the location’s business hours, and move items in and out of storage whenever you’d like.
What Can I Store in a Storage Unit?
You’re free to store almost anything in a storage unit at Extra Space Storage with some exceptions—except anything dangerous or illegal. Of course, some items fall into a gray area, so be sure to ask the facility manager before renting a storage unit to see what’s allowed on the property.
Items you CAN store include (but are not limited to):
Furniture
Appliances
Electronics
Clothes
Business inventory
Sporting equipment.
Items you CANNOT store include (but are not limited to):
Food
Drugs
Vehicles not in working order
Anything that's flammable or combustible (i.e., gas, propane tanks, car batteries)
Self Storage Amenities for All Your Storage Needs
Climate-Controlled Storage
Storage units with climate control are typically maintained between 55 and 80 degrees to help protect temperature-sensitive items from extreme heat and cold. Some local facilities may even have humidity-controlled storage or heated storage to provide additional protection from external conditions.
Commercial Storage
We offer unique business storage solutions—such as warehouse spaces, workshop units, and office spaces for rent—to accommodate small businesses, contractors, and other commercial self storage customers!
Vehicle Storage
Extra Space Storage provides secure vehicle storage solutions for cars, motorcycles, boats, RVs, trailers, campers and other vehicles. Storage options vary from facility to facility, but there are three standard types of vehicle storage available: indoor storage, outdoor storage, and covered outdoor storage.
Wine Storage
Need a safe place to store a wine collection? Select Extra Space Storage locations offer wine storage as a service to keep your valued collections in pristine condition.
24/7 Access
For some customers, our regular storage gate hours (6am to 10pm) don’t work. That’s why Extra Space Storage proudly offers an alternative for those with unique schedules. With 24/7 gate access, you can swing by your storage unit when it’s convenient for you. Be sure to speak with the facility manager to see if 24/7 access is available.
Storage Lockers
For storage needs small enough that even a 5×5 storage unit would be too big, storage lockers provide the perfect solution. Locker units range from 2×2 to 4×5 with reduced-height ceilings.
Self Storage Insurance
Although your personal belongings inside a storage unit is often covered by your homeowners insurance or renters insurance, self storage insurance through Extra Space Storage has unique benefits. From the possibility of more coverage and lower insurance premiums, it’s worth learning more about insuring your storage unit.
Packing & Storage Supplies
Need a lock for your storage unit? Want additional packing supplies for your move? Extra Space Storage sells moving boxes, packing supplies, locks, and more at our nearby locations.
Extended Access Hours
With extended access hours, Extra Space Storage customers can access their storage units when it’s convenient for them. While our office hours are typically from 9:30am to 6pm, our gate or access hours are typically from 6am to 10pm, seven days a week. There’s no need to stress about getting to your storage unit during work hours at Extra Space Storage.
Understanding Storage Unit Access Types
Extra Space Storage renters can find various storage unit access types equipped with handy amenities designed to help you store. Understanding these units and their offerings can help you narrow down your selection and find your ideal storage rental.
Outdoor, Drive-Up Access
Comparable to garage space, outdoor storage units with drive-up access are incredibly popular due to their convenient accessibility. Pull your vehicle (including moving trucks and even semi-trucks at some locations) right up to the storage unit to load and unload items.
Indoor Access
Indoor storage units are located within a building, making them more like a walk-in closet than a garage space. Not only does this protect from the elements, but it also means having access to self storage features like climate-controlled storage.
Common Reasons For Renting a Storage Unit
Discover short-term or long-term storage at Extra Space Storage! Whether you need to store for 1 week, 1 month, or even longer, we have the space you need for everything from moves to major life transitions.
Moving
Storing personal possessions while moving to a new home, transitioning between leases, living in temporary housing, and relocating across the country are some of the most common reasons for renting self storage.
Home Renovations
Remodeling a home or office can take several weeks or months and may require you to move furniture and appliances out of the way. Moving these items to a storage unit temporarily is a convenient solution.
Life Transitions
Whether it’s downsizing for retirement, caring for a family member’s estate, or working through a natural disaster, self storage can ease the burden when sudden life changes arise.
Business Storage
Small to mid-size businesses and contractors often use commercial storage for business vehicles, inventory, construction work, and more. We provide the extra space needed to keep your business running smoothly.
Decluttering
The best way to avoid moving to a larger home or office while also keeping your space clutter-free is to move items that you want to hang on to but don’t necessarily need at the moment to a nearby storage facility.
College Storage
Freeing up space in a dorm room, heading home over the summer, or studying abroad for a few months are all reasons why college students rent affordable storage close to their university campuses.
Apartment Living
Renting a storage units can make apartment living easier. Especially if you live in a studio or one-bedroom apartment with limited storage space, renting a local storage unit can help you get more room.
Military Living
Active military and military families are typically on the move every few years, making their way to different bases. As these changes can be drastic, military storage can be an incredible help when relocating.
Storing a Vehicle
Cars, motorcycles, RVs, boats, trailers, commercial vans, and more can be stored safely indoors within a vehicle storage unit or within our outdoor covered parking spaces, freeing up your driveway or garage space at home or the office.
How to Choose a Self Storage Facility
So you want to rent self storage—but how do you choose a local storage facility? Checking out a facility's security features, speaking with customer service, researching affordable storage rates, and more can help you choose the best place for your belongings!
Security
When you store your belongings at a self storage facility, you’re trusting that they’ll keep your belongings safe. Extra Space Storage utilizes top-notch security measures like well-lit facilities, video surveillance, and electronic gate access. Some of our storage locations take security a step further with features like on-site resident managers, individually alarmed units, and security access to your floor only.
Cleanliness
When searching for self storage near you, consider the cleanliness of the locations you’re looking at. Storage facilities that take measures to keep their facilities clean show you that they care about you and your belongings. At Extra Space Storage, we take extensive measures to maintain the quality of our facilities. We want you to feel welcome and comfortable at our locations and know that your belongings are in good hands.
Customer Service
The level of customer service a storage facility offers matters. Many companies don’t even have staff on site to assist their customers with questions or when something goes wrong. At Extra Space Storage, our staff is dedicated to helping you with your self storage needs. We take pride in the professionalism, knowledge, and positive attitude our team brings to work every day.
Location
The best location for you will vary based on why you’re renting a storage unit. If you just need more space at home, something close to home or on the way home from work will be perfect. If you’re moving to a new home and using storage to help with the transition, local storage near your new home might make more sense. Think about how and when you’ll need to go to the facility and determine the most convenient location for you.
Price
Several things go into the cost of a storage unit, including facility location, storage unit size, amenities like climate control, and more. As you search for cheap storage, knowing your budget will make it much easier to decide on the location and the price of a storage unit that makes sense for you. At Extra Space Storage, we offer cheap self storage and move-in specials at many locations, including first month free and first month half-off.
Renting a Storage Unit at Extra Space Storage
Hear from our customers about what it’s like to rent a storage unit with Extra Space Storage. We provide a wide range of storage unit options like climate control and drive-up access, as well as convenient amenities like moving carts and exceptional security features. We’re here to help you store your belongings with ease!
