Self-storage units make extra space in your home a reality.
Find out the strategies that work when it comes to how to store extra things at home.
Whether you just need more closet space for holiday decorations or boxes to help you declutter for a move, the benefits are endless when you use storage space smartly.
33% of Americans already use self-storage to supplement space in their homes and that number is rising. As home prices and square footage go up, people look for creative solutions.
Let's look at some of the best strategies to use a storage unit to free up space in your home:
- Why Renting Self-Storage Beats a Bigger Home
- The Top Self-Storage Strategies for Homeowners
- How to Choose the Right Storage Unit Type
- Seasonal Storage Tips to Maximize Space
- Money-Saving Storage Solutions That Work
Why Renting Self-Storage Beats a Bigger Home
Let's crunch some numbers real quick.
Average American home square footage is down 6% since 2016 but we still buy more stuff than ever before. 35% of self-storage renters specifically say they use a storage unit because they lack space at home.
Renting a self-storage unit is also way cheaper than buying a larger home.
Nationwide average rent for a 10x10 storage unit is about $123 per month. Compare that to the additional mortgage payment if you added on a bedroom or garage at home.
Paying for a storage unit while you search for storage units near me is a financially savvy move.
You get the space you need without the big financial commitment of a move or major renovations.
Let's run some numbers so you can see the true value of a storage unit.
A self-storage unit gives you:
- Immediate extra space
- Zero property taxes
- Zero maintenance costs
- Flexibility to downsize later
The Top Self-Storage Strategies for Homeowners
The secret to using self-storage to maximize home space is simple.
You need a strategy for using self-storage units. It's not as easy as shoving all your junk in a storage unit.
Store items by how frequently you use them.
Smart homeowners store by frequency of use:
- Store immediately: Used less than twice a year
- Keep at home: Weekly or daily used
- Rotate out: Holiday decorations, seasonal clothes, sporting equipment
This simple rule frees up space at home while also helping you get what you need when you need it without hassle.
A better strategy is to focus on the home items with the biggest impact on space.
42% of all storage renters use self-storage when moving but many homeowners are smarter with storage and use it year-round for large space-eating items like:
- Furniture: Extra beds, seasonal patio furniture, inherited furniture sets
- Appliances: Extra refrigerators, holiday cooking equipment
- Sporting goods: Kayaks, bikes, camping gear, golf clubs
- Seasonal items: Christmas trees, Halloween decorations, winter gear.
Just moving these items out of your home can make a cramped room feel spacious.
How to Choose the Right Storage Unit Type
The big mistake most people make when looking for a storage unit is the first one they see.
They grab the first cheap unit they find without research and end up regretting it.
Choose your unit type for your home storage needs smartly.
Climate-controlled or standard storage units?
Use climate-controlled storage for:
- Electronics and appliances
- Important documents
- Wooden furniture
- Clothing and textiles
- Anything you can't easily replace
Standard self-storage units are good for:
- Metal outdoor furniture
- Sports equipment
- Tools and lawn equipment
- Plastic storage bins
The most popular self-storage unit size is 10×10 feet. It's also likely the wrong size for you.
5×5 units are great for seasonal clothes and small appliances
5×10 units are perfect for furniture for one room in the home
10×10 units hold the contents of a one-bedroom apartment easily
10×15 units give you more space for larger furniture and appliances
10×20 units are perfect for cars, boats, or multiple rooms of furniture
Pro tip: Start small with a storage unit and move up in size as you see fit. It's much easier to expand your storage than to waste money on a big unit and unused space.
Seasonal Storage Tips to Maximize Space
The biggest game-changer to maximize home space year-round is seasonal rotation.
Rotate your storage by season.
Don't keep 3-4 seasons of clothes and gear in your home at once.
Try the 3-season rotation method:
Winter storage: Summer clothes, pool equipment, camping gear
Summer storage: Winter coats, holiday decorations, snow equipment
Year-round storage: Rarely used items like spare furniture or keepsakes
The 3-season storage system keeps your closets under control and your home feeling spacious.
Holiday Storage Strategy
Holiday decorations are a big space hog in your home for stuff you use 2-4 weeks out of the year. Don't be a ho-ho home hoarder. Keep holiday décor clutter to a minimum with a smart storage plan.
Store all holiday décor together by season in clear, labeled bins. Keep a photo inventory list on your phone. Pack breakables in specialized holiday storage containers.
You will be amazed at how organized your home stays year-round when you get holiday décor offsite.
Decorating becomes easier and more enjoyable without your home getting trashed with bags and boxes of decorations.
Money-Saving Storage Solutions That Actually Work
Renting a storage unit doesn't have to be expensive.
With over 52,000 storage facilities across the US the competition keeps prices affordable. Use these money-saving hacks.
Time your rental for the cheapest storage prices
Best times to rent storage units:
- Fall and winter: Demand is lower
- Move in mid-month: Storage companies have less rush
- Rent outside summer peak season
Money-saving tips:
- Ask for first month free or call around to negotiate the best rate
- Long-term discounts: Most places discount rentals for 1+ years
- Consider renting with family or friends and sharing a unit
- Always check for any facility move-in specials or discounts
Cheap storage options outside self-storage facilities
Portable storage pods delivered to your home are great for short-term renovations.
Renting out unused garage space is often cheaper than a traditional storage unit.
Basement or attic storage rented from a neighbor is another option.
Business storage: Using your own office space for appropriate items.
Calculate total cost to make sure it's the best value
Storage isn't just a monthly fee.
You also need insurance (optional but smart), transport costs, and your own time for moving things.
A more expensive storage unit nearby may end up costing you less than a cheaper distant facility when factoring in gas and time.
Timing Is Everything
Most people make a big mistake when it comes to timing.
They wait until they are SO OVERSTUFFED in their homes before considering a storage solution.
Smart homeowners plan ahead.
If you are:
- Downsizing from a larger home or condo
- Starting a family and want to make space for baby gear
- Working from home and need an office
- Inheriting family items you can't part with or don't have room for right away
- Going through major life changes like divorce, separation, or retirement
These are smart times to consider using self-storage to free up space at home.
You don't have to wait until you're bursting at the seams to use self-storage.
Get ahead of the clutter curve and use self-storage smartly.
Bring It All Together
Smart homeowners get this.
Renting a self-storage unit is not a last resort for hoarders or the super-rich.
Renting self-storage to free up space in your home is a strategic decision to give you more living space, better organization, and lower moving costs.
Use storage units like smart homeowners do and you can join the 11% of US households who already use a self-storage unit.
Rent storage strategically by storing items based on how often you use them and rotating storage out by season. Done right a self-storage unit becomes an extension of your home that offers you:
- More living space
- Better organization
- Lower costs than moving
- Flexibility to adjust as your life changes
Experiment with a small unit first. Start with things you don't use that regularly. As you see how much space it frees at home you can change your strategy up. Most people are surprised at how much bigger their home feels after one smart storage decision.
If you are ready to get your space back, the solution is much simpler than you think.