Rental storage units, also known as self-storage and mini-storage units, are a booming business right now, as storage facilities seem to be cropping up everywhere. People collect more and more items, and their possessions grow out of their attics and basements, forcing them to rent monthly storage units. The appeal of storage units is having access to a clean, safe, well-lit and efficient area for storage. It also helps to get the clutter out of the house and into another place altogether, either for sorting through or keeping for a while.



Storage away from the home or business can be an easy and convenient solution to disorganization and lack of space. Over a lifetime of acquiring belongings, many people simply run out of room to keep it all, but do not want to give everything away because of the sentiment attached to the items.

In the past 45 or so years, tens of thousands of personal storage facilities have sprung up like wildflowers all over the world. The structures are usually made of metal and concrete with roll-up garage-type doors. They are found in all kinds of surroundings, from rural to suburban to urban. In modern times, outside storage units have become like an addition to the house for controlling the overflow of beloved material goods.

The increase in relocation in recent years has also contributed to the wider use of storage units. It is now common for people to live in ten or more different places during their lives. Since they are not staying in a homestead for much of their lives, the things they own have come to represent home to many modern families.

Some people who seek out storage units are retirees, looking to make their living space more manageable by moving to independent senior apartments and assisted living homes. They may be downgrading from a four-bedroom house filled with all their cherished belongings to a one-bedroom apartment. The storage unit becomes the solution to what to do with their possessions before they are ready to sell them or give them to relatives.

The high activity lifestyle of many people contributes to their reasons for having a storage unit. Seasonal sports equipment, such as camping gear, water skis, personal watercrafts, snow boards, tennis rackets, and golf clubs are some of the things people store when the time of year does not call for it. Small closets and lack of attics and basements are other reasons. Some people choose to store for a few months, while others maintain storage units for years. The cost of renting a storage unit is less for those who are willing to sign long-term leases.

Of course, businesses need extra storage too. Many offices rent storage spaces to keep track of old invoices, receipts, and statements. Not too long ago, businesses were using much more paper and less computer files. For a business that has been around a while, all that paper has to go somewhere, at least for the recommended seven years. Many companies also rent storage units to store supplies and equipment, such as those used for a painting and construction company.

Whether the reason for leasing a self-storage space is personal or business-related, here are some tips for maximizing the use of a storage unit:

- Put most used items in the front of the unit for easy access.

- Pack boxes so that they are easy to move and handle.

- Write the contents of the boxes on both top and sides of box for easier finding.

- When stacking boxes, put heavy boxes on the bottom and lighter ones on the top.

- Maximize the space of the unit by disassembling furniture and stacking items strategically.