If you have never used self storage before, it can feel overwhelming and/or confusing. Here, we will guide you through self storage and answer the question – what is a self storage facility? 

If you have never used a self storage facility before, it can feel confusing and you cannot be expected to know the  ins and outs of the industry. You may not even be sure what a self storage facility is, what can be found within it and how it can help you. 

Within this article, we are going to answer the question – What is a self storage facility? – by talking in depth about what it is and how using it will be beneficial to your life. 

What is a Self Storage Facility?

To begin, let us answer the question – what is a self storage facility? 

The standard definition of a self storage facility is that it is a place which has a vast array of storage units available to rent for domestic or business purposes. 

The storage units usually come in a variety of sizes, allowing the facility to cater to many different needs. Many storage facilities also offer differ types of storage units, such as drive-up units and warehouse storage. 

The storage units are usually rented on a short-term basis, often month to month, but many storage facilities are also happy to cater to longer term needs.

Self storage facilities are used by a variety of different people for a variety of reasons. These can vary from moving house to renovating, to business storage or student storage. 

Common Uses of Self Storage Facilities

There are many common uses of self storage facilities, with them often falling into either domestic or business categories. Within this section, we will look at some of the top reasons for using a self storage facility. 

Moving House

Moving house is known for being  stressful. The process of moving can be a long one and it is often not straightforward. Many people vote it as being the most stressful event that happens in an adult’s life, beating out divorce and having a baby to the top spot. 

No matter what causes the stress, using a self storage facility will help to alleviate some of the stress by providing you with a safe, secure place to store your belongings whilst you decorate your new home or deal with any issues that may arise. 

It will also mean that you can pack nice and early and get your old home ready for the new owners. You can also unpack at your own pace which will relieve some of the stress of feeling like you have to get your new home ready quickly and from having to live surrounded by cardboard boxes. 

Renovating

Like moving home, renovating your home can cause a great deal of stress. It causes a lot of upheaval in your life, whether you are renovating one room or the entire house. 

Whilst you are renovating you want to know that your belongings are safe from the dirt and debris that comes with renovations. You can bring all of your belongings, including large pieces of furniture and carpets, to a self storage facility where everything will be kept clean and safe. 

Seasonal Storage

Self storage can be used to store seasonal items. This is handy for domestic  and business reasons. 

For domestic use, you can store seasonal clothing, seasonal sports gear or decorations within a storage unit. This will help you to keep your home tidy and organised. 

For business use, if certain times of year are busier for you, such as Christmas, you can use your storage to store the excess stock that you need to cover this period. If you already have storage and it’s full, you can add some extra storage to cover you for the busy seasonal period.

Travel Storage 

A self storage facility will really come in handy if you are heading off on your travels for an extended period of time or if you are moving abroad for work. 

A self storage facility will give you a safe, secure place in which to store your belongings whilst you are away, giving you peace of mind that your belongings are all protected. 

Business Storage 

If you run your own business, you will reach a point where you need to find some form of storage solution. This could be for stock, equipment or for business documents. 

Using a self storage facility will give you the space you need to keep your inventory organised, which will allow for easier inventory management and make things such as packing orders much easier for you and your team.

If you do not have an e-commerce or retail business, a storage unit will still be helpful to you and your business via our document storage. All businesses need to hold onto certain documents for an extended period of time. 

Records about your business and financial records need to be kept, with financial records needing to be kept for 6 years. Storing your documents with us will allow you to not clutter up your workspace whilst having complete peace of mind that your documents are secure. 

Working From Home 

The pandemic started us all off working from home and many people have continued to do so. Between January and March 2025, 28% of working adults worked from home for at least some of this time period. This is because many people quickly saw how it benefited their life when they had no choice. Many people feel they have a much better work/life balance as they no longer have long commutes. 

It has however had some drawbacks for some people. Some people struggle to switch off from work, particularly if they don’t have a designated workspace. By using a self storage facility, you could declutter some of your home and create a dedicated workspace in your home. 

Benefits of Using a Self Storage Facility 

There are many benefits to using a self storage facility. Within this section, we will look at some of the key benefits and let you know what Cinch Self Storage has on offer. 

High Quality Security 

One of the key benefits of using a self storage facility is that your belongings will be protected by state-of-the-art security features. All professional storage facilities will have enhanced security features such as CCTV, gated access and alarms. 

All of our facilities are covered by 24/7 CCTV surveillance and we have pin-code access to add an extra layer of security. Each of our storage units is fitted with an intruder alarm and smoke and fire detectors. This protects your belongings from theft and environmental factors. 

Convenience Is Key 

Next, there is the level of convenience that self storage gives you. If you are using it for business purposes, you can run your entire business from your unit, making your business more streamlined and efficient. 

Also, many self storage facilities offer excellent accessibility to your storage unit. Many of our stores offer convenient access hours that will work with your needs. These are given at the customer’s request and the store’s discretion so please speak with your store team to find out more. 

Variety Of Storage Units To Choose From 

Self storage facilities offer units that come in a variety of sizes. This allows for many different customer needs to be catered for.

Across our stores, we have a large variety of storage units available, with some starting at as small as 10 square feet and some going all the way up to 700+ square feet. This helps us to cater to a variety of different customers with different needs. 

To find out the storage units available in your local store, please head to our website. 

Flexible Rental Agreements 

Many self storage facilities offer flexible rental terms, including Cinch Self Storage. This means that if you want to upscale or downscale your unit, you are free to do so, before your rental period has expired. 

At Cinch Self Storage, you are also free to leave before your rental period has expired. We just need you to give us a short period of notice. 

How to Choose the Right Self Storage Facility

When it comes to choosing the right self storage facility, you need to consider several factors. These include:

• • Location – What location works best for you and your needs?
  • Security – Does the facility have good security in place? Do not be afraid to ask about this. It is important. 
  • Unit size options – Does the facility have the right size unit for your needs? If you aren’t sure, talk to the facility team. They will be able to guide you to your perfect unit.
  • Access hours – When do you need to access your unit? Can the facility cater to this need
  • Price – What is your budget? You should be clear about this before you begin looking for self storage. 

If you ask yourself or the facility team these questions, you should find the right self storage for you. 

Self Storage Facilities 101

A self storage facility is simply a place in which you can rent a storage unit in order to store your personal or business items. They offer you units that come in a variety of sizes and a variety of types. Before you rent a storage unit, it is important that you consider your needs and ask all the right questions. And don’t be afraid to ask the facility team if you need any help. 

We encourage you to  evaluate your storage needs and consider the benefits of using a self storage facility. A self storage facility will offer you extra storage space that is flexible, convenient and secure.

We hope you have found our guide helpful. If you would like to know more about self storage, please click here to find your local store.