Proper storage is the key to living a more organized life. A messy home is inevitable when you don’t have enough storage space.
This is where renting a self-storage unit comes in. If you find your home with not much space left, you might want to look at long-term storage solutions for some of your items.
For example, those seasonal items you don’t reach out for regularly are acceptable to store off-site. Doing so can buy you more space within your home, so your home won’t have to feel too cluttered.
Before signing up for a self-storage unit, have a look first at this list of the pros and cons of using one to help you decide better.
The Pros
1. Better Organize Your Home
First on this list is one of the most apparent advantages of renting a storage unit.
When you have limited space at home and have quite a few belongings, your home will often look and feel cluttered. With a self-storage unit, you have that newfound chance of better organizing your home.
Start by decluttering, particularly assessing belongings to keep in the house. Selling or donating some of them can help save you from having to pay for a larger self-storage unit.
2. Insure Stored Items From the Unexpected
Some self-storage facilities offer insurance on your belongings against theft. If you can find one with this option, you have the assurance that your items are in good hands.
Even when you don’t get to check on your rented storage unit regularly, you know for sure that you won’t just wake up one day to the news that you’ve lost all of them.
While theft cases in Australia have recently declined, it’s not worth taking any chances. Home theft may significantly go up again. It’s best to take the proactive approach of insuring your stored items from the unexpected.
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3. Grants Convenient Access
You can think of your self-storage unit as like your garage, only that it isn’t in your home.
As long as your chosen storage facility is a drive away, not having your things right at home shouldn’t feel much of a disadvantage. You still have access to your belongings anytime you need them.
In fact, when you’re storing seasonal items, you won’t even have to visit your storage unit regularly to pick things up. The only exception is perhaps when you’re running a home-based business, where your storage unit can also double as your warehouse.
Many self-storage facilities offer features like 24/7 access. Should you suddenly find the need to collect something from your storage unit at the last minute, you can drive by anytime to do so.
The Cons
1. Security Can Be a Major Concern
Some self-storage units may not have enough security features in place. If you wind up choosing those storage units, then you’re putting your belongings at a higher risk of theft than storing them at home.
If you have pricier items or sentimental ones to store, you have to be vigilant about this. Remember that you aren’t there to check on your storage unit daily.
However, this risk isn’t absolute. For as long as you do your thorough research on a reputable and quality self-storage facility, this risk may not even be present at all. When looking for a self-storage service, be mindful enough to do these steps:
- Check the reviews to have an idea of the overall reputation of the storage facility;
- Assess security features, such as 24/7 closed-circuit monitoring, security personnel, and sophisticated lock systems for units.
2. It May Lack Climate Control
One of the common problems cited with renting a storage unit is the lack of climate control.
Some belongings don’t like being stored in humid or hot places. Depending on what items you’re placing in storage, some can easily get damaged when exposed to extreme weather conditions.
In this case, you should select a storage facility that offers climate control features. However, this is an add-on that can be pretty expensive. Be sure that the climate-controlled unit fits within your budget.
Conclusion
Many homeowners opt to rent storage space when they no longer have enough space at home.
This could be why you, too, have long been thinking about renting a storage unit but need a bit more push as to its merits.
Weigh each pro and cons according to your situation; as long as the pros still exceed the cons, then you’re all good with your decision to rent a storage unit.
