Despite the size of the average American home doubling since the 1970s, the one thing that we all seem to lack is space. Almost 9% of households in the United States rent a self storage unit and the occupancy rate for self storage facilities in fall of 2016 was almost 88%. For many of your belongings, a standard storage unit will work fine, but for certain items, like antiques, paintings, or technology, looking into a climate control storage space is probably a good idea. There are a number of reasons for this and we’ll discuss the advantages of having a climate control storage space and what you should look for overall in storage units. If you’re going to store your belongings, you want to make sure that they’re treated right!
Why Use a Climate Control Storage Space?
A climate control storage space ensures that anything valuable, unique, or sensitive to its environmental surroundings stays safe. Climate controlled storage spaces may also be more resistant to dust, pests, and humidity, by nature of their more sealed environment, which benefits all your belongings, not just your valuables.
If you want to keep your items in mint condition, climate controlled units are worth looking at — and in some cases, with paintings or old books, experts might advise that you specifically get a climate controlled storage unit to preserve them.
There are a few factors that you should consider when looking at both regular and climate controlled units. For one, if you live in an area that has high temperature fluctuations or high humidity and you have valuables you want to store, you should definitely seriously consider a climate controlled unit. The length of time you’re storing your items for also matters — if it’s heirloom pieces that you won’t be pulling out of storage regularly, you want to make sure that they’re still in good condition when you do. And, of course, if the items are of high value or particular sentimental value, it’s better to err on the side of caution.
What Should I Look For In a Storage Unit?
A clean, dry, well-maintained storage unit is imperative. You’ll be visiting the storage unit before you move things in, so check out not only the floors with units on them, but see how the rest of the building looks. It’s indicative of how well the units might be kept.
Security is also paramount when it comes to a storage unit — you want to make sure that your items are safely stored! Round the clock video surveillance is a must, as is good lighting both inside and outside. Each storage unit should have a multi-lock system, and some storage facilities may even offer individual door alarms.
You should also check and see if the storage unit offers 24/7 access — if you need your things in a pinch or realize you packed something you needed, you need to be able to get in there, even if it’s a weekend, or late at night, or a holiday.
Drive-up access is also helpful, so you can avoid lugging things up stairs or maneuvering into elevators.
Use Your Storage Unit to Your Advantage
Even though you’ve got the extra storage, there’s no need to just set it and forget it. Many people wind up paying for space they don’t actually need. It’s worth going through your unit every now and then (even if it’s just a box at a time!) and seeing what you might not need anymore.
And you should also know what’s IN your storage unit in the first place. If you didn’t make a list that details what’s in each box, basket, or container, start doing that now. When you go to get something later, that list will make your life much easier, especially if you have a lot of things in the storage unit.
Keep your home relatively clutter-free and organized with the help of a storage facility. Consider a climate controlled unit for valuables or delicate possessions and don’t forget to stay on top of what’s actually in your unit as the years go by!
