We live in a world and where space is at a premium and where consumer goods are becoming more readily available – and cheaper. In addition, an ageing population means that for many, downsizing their living spaces makes sense. The net effect is that homeowners and other parties (such as business owners) are faced with a challenge – where exactly do they store their excess goods. For some, the storage question does not arise. If they lack the sentimentality to hang onto the goods an old-fashioned yard sale can quickly free up valuable space. Those who own larger properties may have basement space or a garage where unused goods can be stored. Others may be more minimalistic, so they do not feel the need to accumulate goods.
However, there are still other groups of consumers who require storage space that is flexible and accessible – and these are some of the reasons that self-storage spaces have proliferated in the last years. Each group of individuals may have different reasons for exploring the self-storage option.
Let’s take a closer look at some of these groups in an effort to understand both the popularity of the option – and just why investing in self-storage units has become so popular.
Military families are among the largest groups that make use of self-storage. They are often constantly on the move and in the case of single persons may be stationed overseas for long periods of time. In this case, it simply makes sense to store their goods – especially considering the fact that when they return from their deployment they may find themselves stationed in a different geographical area than the one that they left. Self-storage allows them the freedom to quickly and efficiently relocate their goods. There are plenty of options across the country also, for example, if you need self storage Olney you will get an exceptional service and a secure unit that’s yours, and only yours.
The recently separated or divorced may also find themselves in possession of far more goods than they have space for in a smaller residence. In this case, it makes sense to store the goods until they are certain of the direction that their lives will take – and what sort of residence they will finally settle on.
Today more and more people are taking the opportunity to work from home due to the restrictions in place caused by the COVID-19 virus. Many businesses have chosen not to renew their rental contracts. However, at the same time, many business owners are aware that their operations may require office space in the future – and are therefore deciding to store vital equipment in self-storage facilities.
It may seem odd – but even those who have storage space in a larger property may prefer to use self-storage facilities. In fact, a 2013 study by the Self-Storage Association indicated that 64% of people who had the extra space still preferred to keep many of their goods in self-storage. In the United States that equated to around 10.8 million households that use self-storage – and there is no reason to think that the trend of 2013 has not continued.
Self-storage facilities continue to evolve – making them a more and more attractive proposition for a variety of users. More stringent security, fire-proofing, drive-in bays and temperature-controlled self-storage options are all playing their part in making these facilities more and more attractive. Add to this the proximity to homes and places of work all combine to make self-storage an attractive option. That trend seems set to continue.