Do I have to sign a long-term contract for my storage unit?

No, we offer flexible month-to-month leases that allow you to rent a storage unit for as long or as short as you need without long-term contracts.

Everything You Need to Know to Rent a Self Storage Unit

Image of indoor storage units at a SmartStop facility | SmartStop

When you need more space at home or at work, SmartStop Self Storage is the smarter way to store.

What Is Self Storage?

Self storage is a service that allows you to store your personal or business items in a secure facility on a short- or long-term basis. Think of it as an extension of your home, equipped with state-of-the-art amenities to guarantee the privacy and safety of your belongings. Self-storage facilities offer units in a range of sizes (typically ranging from 5’ x 5’ to 10’ x 30’) and month-to-month terms, allowing you to store anything from a few boxes to an entire home’s worth of belongings for as long as you need. They are also equipped with benefits like 24/7 surveillance, gated entry, climate control and extended access hours for your peace of mind and convenience.

Self storage can be a valuable resource no matter the stage of life you’re in. Whether you’re moving, decluttering your home, renovating, storing business inventory or studying abroad, renting a storage unit is a versatile way to keep your items secure and in mint condition until you need them again.

Reasons For Renting A Storage Unit

It’s a common misconception that storage units are only for people who “own too much stuff.” In fact, self storage is a versatile and flexible solution for a wide variety of needs, some of which you may not have considered. Here are some of the most common short- and long-term reasons for renting a storage unit.

Image of boxes, plants and other household items packed to move | SmartStop

Moving

If you’re feeling overwhelmed or stressed about an upcoming move, self storage is a convenient way to ease the transition, providing you with a secure space to keep your items safe until you’re settled. A storage unit allows you to declutter your home and prepare for staging, gives you time to finish any renovations, bridges a timing gap between leases and protects your valuables. Plus it allows you to gradually move your belongings into your new home.

Elderly couple packing up household items to go to storage before they move to a smaller home | SmartStop

Downsizing

Downsizing, especially after retirement, is often a practical option if your home is starting to feel too big for your needs or costs too much to maintain. While downsizing can help you live more minimally and give you more financial freedom to travel, it can be challenging to part ways with cherished family keepsakes. Instead of throwing them out, a storage unit is the perfect place to keep any items that no longer fit in your new home.

Images of couple revnovating a room in their home | SmartStop

Home Renovations

Home renovations can expose your furniture, appliances and other belongings to dust, debris and/or accidents. Whether your renovation project is one month, two months or even longer, consider keeping your belongings in a temporary storage unit to protect them from damage. Self storage offers flexible, month-to-month lease agreements so you can keep your items in storage as long as your renovation takes.

Image of vehicle in storage unit with door partially open | SmartStop

Vehicle Storage

Self-storage facilities are great for temporarily storing your extra family car, an RV, motorcycle, ATV, boat, commercial van, or other valued vehicle such as a classic car. Many storage facilities offer options to safely store your vehicle indoors within a drive-up storage unit or outdoor covered parking or uncovered parking spaces. This helps to free up space in your driveway or garage.

Man packing away Holiday decoration to take to storage | SmartStop

Seasonal Item Storage

Seasonal items can take up valuable space at home that would better serve other items you’ll use throughout the year. Whether it’s holiday decorations sitting in your closet or an RV or boat blocking your driveway, storing seasonal items in a self-storage unit lets you free up home space until you need them next.

Image of business person evaluating their inventory in a storage unit | SmartStop

Small Business Storage

Storage facilities provide services that are perfect for a small business's evolving, budget-conscious needs. Whether you’re struggling to organize your inventory or need a place to keep, business documents, equipment, marketing materials and supplies, self storage is an affordable and flexible way to expand your storage capacity without an expensive commercial lease agreement.

Image of woman looking through her sewing hobby supplies | SmartStop

Hobby Storage

Your passions are worth making space for at home. Whether you need to clear space for a new music room, reading nook or art studio, or store hobby items like seasonal sports equipment and extra crafting supplies, a storage unit can help you enjoy your passions without cluttering your home.

Person packing for an extended travle trip | SmartStop

Extended Travel

Leaving your items unattended while you travel doesn’t have to be stressful. Whether you’re going on an extended work assignment, deployed with the military or studying for a semester abroad, self storage is an economical and secure way to keep your items safe until you return. With month-to-month rental terms and no long-term commitments, you can book a storage unit for as long as you need — and continue keeping your items safe from damage and theft if you need to extend or shorten your time away.

Image of college aged student packing up items to go to storage | SmartStop

College Storage

Navigating college life comes with its own set of storage challenges. Whether you have limited space in your dorm or need to keep your belongings safe during summer break or a semester abroad, self storage can be a great short-term solution for students. With flexible month-to-month leasing options, storage facilities allow you to keep your textbooks, furniture and seasonal clothing conveniently located near your campus whether you need storage for a few months or the full school year.

Considerations When Choosing a Storage Facility

Location

Choosing a storage unit near your home or workplace allows you to easily access your belongings when you need them. However, your choice of location may vary depending on the reasons for renting a storage unit. If you are moving, you may want storage close to your new home. If you are storing an RV or boat, the storage facility should be close to where you plan to use these vehicles. In the end, understanding what will fit your needs best can help you choose the most convenient location.

Price

Keeping your items safe in storage shouldn’t break the bank. When vetting a storage option, explore different facilities and unit sizes in your area to find one that meets your budget and space requirements.

Security

Having secure, monitored premises is one of the most important considerations when choosing a storage facility. Before you book a unit, make sure the facility is equipped with 24/7 surveillance cameras, secure access gates (i.e., only renters are allowed in) and individual unit locks so you can feel assured that your items are safe, no matter how long you’re storing them.

Cleanliness

The storage facility you choose should undergo regular cleaning and maintenance — including pest control, building upkeep and routine inspections — to ensure your items stay in the best condition possible. Feel free to ask the manager of your local facility how often it is cleaned, and whether or not you can get a tour of the premises before booking.

Service

Service is a core part of trusting a storage facility to keep your items safe. Before renting a unit, make sure the storage provider has a customer service team available to help you during business hours. This includes a call center for general inquiries as well as on-site staff trained to provide tailored insights into your specific storage needs, whether you need help choosing the right unit or have a question about renting.

Storage Unit Sizes

Storing a few boxes or an entire home’s worth of belongings? Storage facilities typically offer unit sizes ranging from 5’ x 5’ to 10’ x 30’ to accommodate a wide range of storage needs. With SmartStop’s month-to-month leasing terms, you can always upgrade or downsize your unit as your needs change.

Small Units

Small units are perfect for minimal storage needs. They usually come in two sizes: 5’ x 5’ or 5’ x 10’. You can generally fit the contents of a hall closet or half bathroom in a 5' x 5' unit, while 5’ x 10’ units can accommodate the contents of a dorm room, small bedroom or studio apartment. Some facilities also offer storage lockers, which can fit documents or small appliances.

Medium Units

Medium units can hold the contents of a one-bedroom apartment (or a two-bedroom apartment in larger medium units), including larger furniture pieces and appliances. They typically come in three common sizes: 5’ x 15’, 10’ x 10’ and 10’ x 15’. A 5’ x 15’ is the size of a large walk-in closet, a 10’ x 10’ is like a small bedroom and a 10’ x 15’ is like a small office (and can fit a compact car).

Large Units

Large units can fit between a two-to-four-bedroom home’s worth of belongings, including refrigerators, sofas and vehicles. They come in several sizes such as 10’ x 20’, 10’ x 25’ and 10’ x 30’. a 10’ x 20’ unit is the size of a large bedroom, a 10’ x 25’ is like a one-car garage (this size can hold a car, truck or boat), and a 10’ x 30’ is like an extra-long one-car garage. Our Size Guide can help you determine the best storage unit size for your needs.

Parking

In addition to all the small, medium and large size units available at most self-storage properties, many storage facilities also offer parking spaces to rent for the storage of large vehicles such as a commercial truck, RV, boat or camper trailer. Some parking spaces are covered for additional protection from the elements, while others are uncovered. These spaces typically start in size at around 10' x 20' or larger.

Common Types of Self-Storage Units

Indoor Storage Units

Self-storage facilities primarily offer indoor storage units, which offer the protection and amenities of a fully enclosed, secure space. These units are often climate-controlled to protect against extreme temperatures and humidity—ideal for sensitive belongings—and shield items like cars and boats from weather and debris. Indoor storage is monitored by 24/7 video surveillance and protected by disc and cylinder locks.

Find indoor storage near you.

Drive Up Storage

Drive-up storage options allow you to load and unload directly from your vehicle into your storage unit. With ground-level access and wide, rolling doors, they’re ideal for storing large, bulky items or making your moving experience much more efficient.

Locate the nearest drive-up storage unit.

Climate-Controlled Storage

Climate-controlled storage units maintain a steady temperature (typically between 55 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit) and humidity level to protect items that are sensitive to extreme heat or cold and excess moisture. These may include furniture, important documents, musical instruments, leather goods and electronics, as well as other important items. Climate-controlled storage units are particularly important if you live in an area with a fluctuating climate.

Learn more about climate-controlled storage.

Vehicle Storage

Instead of cluttering your garage, driveway or street, storing your vehicle in an indoor storage unit or covered or uncovered parking space can free up space at home and protect your vehicle from weather damage, no matter how long you’re storing it. Plus, 24/7 video surveillance and gated facilities allow you to store your vehicle for extended periods of time without having to worry about break-ins or vandalism.

Explore our vehicle storage options.

Business Storage

Self storage is a convenient, affordable and scalable solution for small businesses facing space constraints. Whether you need to store extra inventory, office supplies, promotional materials or important business documents, self-storage facilities offer a range of services and amenities that can adapt to your evolving business needs.

Get the details on our full list of business storage amenities.

Office Space

Office space rentals allow you to expand your business without the overhead or long-term contracts of traditional office buildings. Conveniently located in select storage facilities, most office spaces are equipped with electricity, secure locks and other professional amenities — perfect for growing businesses.

Find a new space for your growing team.

Student Storage

Heading home for the summer or studying abroad? Instead of hauling all your belongings back home, renting a short-term storage unit near your campus lets you keep your items secure and easy to access when you return. It’s also perfect for keeping old textbooks you no longer need, seasonal clothes that won’t fit in a small dorm or apartment closet or supplies for clubs and organizations (including banners, signs and tables).

Find a facility near your campus.

Storage Lockers

Even a 5’ x 5’ unit may be too big for some storage needs. Storage lockers are the perfect solution if you need a compact space for documents, handheld electronics, counter appliances, and other small items. They’re also the most cost-effective rental option if you’re on a tight budget.

Find a storage locker near you.

Benefits of Renting Storage

Make Room

Even if you live minimally, there are many types of items that can take up empty space in your home. Whether it’s seldom-used household goods, seasonal decorations, bulky furniture or even items you are planning on donating/selling, a self-storage unit can clear space in small homes so you can make room for the things that matter.

Flexibility

Whether you’re moving, renovating a room or reorganizing your home, self storage is a great way to store your belongings. With flexible month-to-month leases, you can rent a unit for as long or short as you need, with no long-term commitments. As your storage needs change, you can also upgrade or downsize your unit — or even rent multiple units in the same facility at the same time — without having to execute a new lease agreement.

Security

Most reputable self-storage facilities offer state-of-the-art security measures — including 24/7 video surveillance, gated access and unit locks. So, you can rest easy knowing that your stored belongings are safe from theft and environmental damage.

Extended Access

While you may not have 24-hour access to your stored items, most storage facilities offer daily, consistent business office hours and extended early morning and late night gate entry for all storage unit rentals, allowing you to access your belongings whenever it’s most convenient.

FAQs

How do I rent a storage unit?

You can rent a storage unit online using our Storage Locator, with our Call Center at (888) 977-8672, or in person at any of our locations. If booking a unit online, simply choose your preferred unit size and complete the rental process with our easy-to-follow steps.

How much does self storage cost?

The cost of self storage varies based on the unit size, location, type (e.g., indoor vs. outdoor, covered parking vs. uncovered parking), and amenities like climate control. Our small units (5’ x 5’ or 5’ x 10’) typically range from $20-$80 per month and our large units (between 10’ x 20’ and 10’ x 30’) typically range from $100-$300 per month. Check our website for the most up-to-date pricing information and special online-only introductory discounts to save on your first month. If you have questions or need additional support, feel free to call us at (888) 977-8672 and one of our team members will be happy to help.

Are my stored items insured?

Our facilities provide property protection for an additional monthly fee, which is added to your unit rental cost. Check with the property manager for more information. If you already have homeowner’s or renter’s insurance, your policy may also cover your belongings in self storage. To learn more about the importance of protecting your stored goods and what items are typically covered and not covered, visit our blog.

Can I access my storage unit at any time?

You can access your storage unit freely during your facility’s specific gate hours, which you can find online or at your facility. If you need additional support, contact your property manager during office hours and they’ll gladly help.

How do I choose the right storage unit?

Our storage units range from approximately 5’ x 5’ (like a hall closet or half-bathroom) to 10’ x 30’ (like an extra long one-car garage). Our online Size Guide can help you find the best unit size for your belongings. You can always upgrade or downgrade to another unit size in the same facility or rent multiple units if your space requirements change.

What items are prohibited in a storage unit?

Prohibited items include perishables (food and drink), flammables, explosives, firearms, stolen goods, living things (plants and pets), and hazardous substances. Contact your local facility for a full list or if you have any questions.

What happens if I need more or less space after I move in?

It’s easy to upgrade or downsize your unit depending on your evolving storage needs. Simply contact the property manager so they can check the availability of other unit sizes in the facility. If the size you want to change to is available, they’ll assist you in the transition.

Do storage facilities offer storage and moving supplies?

Yes! Many of our facilities offer a wide range of storage and moving supplies, including dollies, moving carts, boxes, tape, and bubble pack, which you can purchase on-demand to help make your move as convenient as possible.

Do you offer storage for my boat/RV/car/motorcycle?

Yes, many of our facilities offer secure short- and long-term storage for boats, RVs/campers, cars and motorcycles. In addition to a range of unit sizes, we also offer indoor and outdoor storage options as well as covered and uncovered parking spaces.

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Find Convenient and Secure Self Storage Units Near You

What Is Self Storage?

Reasons For Renting A Storage Unit

Considerations When Choosing a Storage Facility

Location

Price

Security

Cleanliness

Service

Storage Unit Sizes

Small Units

Medium Units

Large Units

Parking

Common Types of Self-Storage Units

Benefits of Renting Storage

Make Room

Flexibility

Security

Extended Access

FAQs

How do I rent a storage unit?

How much does self storage cost?

Are my stored items insured?

Can I access my storage unit at any time?

How do I choose the right storage unit?

Do I have to sign a long-term contract for my storage unit?

What items are prohibited in a storage unit?

What happens if I need more or less space after I move in?

Do storage facilities offer storage and moving supplies?

Do you offer storage for my boat/RV/car/motorcycle?