What is Self-Storage? Everything You Need to Know
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Written by: Open City Self Storage
Almost everyone can benefit from self-storage. Whether you live in a big city or a rural area, you're moving into your first house, or moving out of your dorm for the summer, you can benefit from self-storage. Knowing what self-storage is, how it works, and common reasons to use self-storage you can decide whether this is a good time to sign up for a self-storage unit.
Open City Self Storage offers a range of self-storage options for people who need to store their belongings safely and securely. Here's what we want you to know about self-storage in Elburn, IL.
Self Storage Explained: What It Is and How It Works
What is self-storage? Self-storage businesses rent storage space to people and businesses on a short-term, month-to-month basis. Self-storage units come in different sizes and have different features to meet the needs of consumers.
Why Use Self Storage? Common Scenarios
There are many reasons that consumers turn to self-storage. Below are some common scenarios that cause people to choose self-storage for their needs.
Seasonal Storage
Some homes don't have space for seasonal items like holiday decorations and cold-weather clothing. Self-storage units provide a secure, safe place to store items only needed on a seasonal basis.
Businesses may use self-storage for the same purpose: to store signs, furniture, decorations, tools, equipment, and other items that are only needed seasonally. Self-storage keeps seasonal items out of sight and out of the way while they're not needed.
Moving
Many people turn to self-storage while they're moving. Self-storage can serve many purposes during the moving process.
- Store boxes that are already packed. During a relocation, your home may be filled with boxes that get in the way and make life difficult. Storing packed boxes in your self-storage unit makes it easier to move around the house while you're packing to move.
- Stage your home. If you're selling your house, you may need to declutter and stage your home. Use your self-storage unit to store items you don't want to be seen during open houses and home showings.
- Store items while you're waiting to move. Maybe you sold your house and are waiting for your new home to be built. Putting your items in self-storage during this time allows you to move into a temporary furnished home while you're transitioning from one address to another.
College Storage
College students need storage for many reasons. Some college students hang on to a storage unit throughout their four years. Here are some ways that college students benefit from self-storage:
- Keep items secure when living with many roommates
- Store items while studying abroad
- Store items over the summer while switching dorm rooms or moving back home
- Store items while transitioning from dorm life to a new apartment
Military Deployment
People in the military move around relatively frequently. Self-storage units make life easier for military service men and women by giving them a place to store their belongings until they're ready for them. This is especially true for people in the military who are deployed overseas.
Overseas deployments don't last forever. While military members are abroad, they often need a place to store their belongings. When they return to the United States, their belongings are safely waiting for them in their self-storage unit.
Vehicle Storage
Do you own a vehicle that you don't drive all the time?
Storing your car in self-storage can protect your car from damage while it's not in use. Vehicle storage keeps cars, trucks, and RVs safe when they're not needed.
The Key Benefits of Using Self-Storage
Here are the benefits of using a self-storage unit:
- Flexible availability. Self-storage units are there when you need them to help you control overflow in your home or stash belongings that need to be put someplace secure for the time being.
- Affordability. Self-storage units are relatively affordable and can be rented for a reasonable price by consumers of all kinds, including business owners, homeowners, college students, renters, and more.
- Convenience. Self-storage units provide an easy place to stash everything from old furniture to craft supplies, unused vehicles, sentimental items, holiday decorations, and more.
Top Considerations for Self-Storage
When choosing a self-storage unit for your needs, know what to consider.
Unit Size
Self-storage facilities typically offer a range of
unit sizes from very small to very large. At Open City Self Storage, we rent self-storage units in many sizes including 5'x10', 10'x10', 10'x15', 10'x20', 20'x20', and so on.
Choosing a unit size can be challenging, but we offer descriptions on our website to help you decide which size is best for your needs. Stop by our facility to see each unit for yourself.
Indoor or Outdoor
Indoor self-storage units tend to be climate-controlled but also lack the convenience of drive-up units. When considering whether to get an indoor unit with climate control or an outdoor unit with a drive-up, consider the ease of use and whether your belongings require climate control before making the final decision.
Security
Security is essential for any self-storage unit. Your belongings need to be kept safe wherever they are stored.
- Gated access. Gated access helps prevent people from accessing the storage unit that should not be there.
- Security cameras. Security cameras make it easy to monitor who is on-site and whether they should be there.
Find Your Storage Unit at Open City Self Storage
Open City Self Storage offers self-storage for people in and around Elburn, IL. To learn more about our self-storage facility, stop by our facility to see our storage units for yourself. Learn more about self-storage with these helpful tips.
Get the storage space you need when you need it at Open City Self Storage. Contact Open City Self Storage today to get started.
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