Moving to a new home can be exciting yet stressful. There are so many details to coordinate — packing up belongings, hiring movers, changing utilities, updating addresses, and more. With everything going on, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. One way to make the moving process smoother is to rent a self-storage unit. Using self-storage when moving provides numerous benefits that can save you time, money, and hassle.
In the United States alone, over 14 million households rent self-storage units. The self-storage industry generates over $38 billion in annual revenue. With over 50,000 storage facilities across the country, it’s clear that self-storage is a popular choice for movers. Renting a unit provides secure, affordable storage space when you need it most. It allows you to move at your own pace without pressure. Self-storage gives you flexibility, convenience, and peace of mind.
Below are some of the key reasons why self-storage is an excellent option when moving homes:
- Declutter and organize before the move
One of the hardest parts about moving is deciding what to take and what to get rid of. Renting a storage unit gives you the opportunity to declutter before moving day. You can sort through belongings room by room and determine what you actually need versus what can be donated, sold, or stored. This makes packing for the move more manageable. It also ensures you don’t waste money having movers transport items you don’t need right away in your new home.
- Store bulky furniture and off-season items
Furniture like mattresses, couches, and dining sets can take up a lot of space. The same goes for off-season clothing and sports equipment. Rather than squeezing these bulky items into a small rental unit or friend’s home, consider renting mini storage. These smaller storage solutions are perfect for items you don’t need immediate access to but aren’t ready to part with. By keeping them in mini storage, you leave room in your main living space for the essentials you need access to right away. You can retrieve the stored belongings later after you’re settled in.
- Allow for a gradual move-in process
For many people, moving everything into a new home all at once is overwhelming. Self-storage provides a great solution to make the move-in process more gradual and manageable. You can move essentials like beds, kitchenware, toiletries, and electronics into your new residence on day one. This lets you function comfortably in the home right away.
Then, you can take your time retrieving the rest of your belongings from the storage unit over the following days or weeks. Unpacking a few boxes here and there prevents you from feeling buried under a mountain of clutter all at once. With self-storage, you dictate the pace. Storage gives you the flexibility to get settled in gradually while keeping your possessions conveniently accessible.
- Protect valuables from moving damage
No matter how careful movers are, accidents happen. Valuables like fine china, antiques, or artwork are at risk for nicks, dents, or breakage during a move. For expensive or irreplaceable items, self-storage eliminates this risk. You can transport fragile items yourself and secure them in your unit. This prevents movers from handling these prized possessions.
- Gain flexibility during home renovations
If your new home needs renovations like painting, flooring repairs, electrical work, or plumbing updates, renting a storage unit buys you valuable time. You can start renovation projects right away without having to work around all your furniture and belongings. Simply pack up everything and move it into a self-storage unit for safekeeping during the process. This allows contractors full access to complete repairs and renovations efficiently.
Without using self-storage, your furniture and valuables are at risk of damage from dust, debris, paint spills, and tools during the work. Storing your possessions offsite keeps them protected and out of the contractors’ way. Once all the renovations are finished, and the dust has settled, you can move your items back in all at once. Storage lets you return to a fully updated home that’s ready for move-in.
- Facilitate an international move
For those moving overseas or across the country, transporting your entire household of belongings can be complicated and costly. Importing personal household items into a new country also often incurs taxes, customs fees, and tariffs that can really add up. Self-storage provides an invaluable solution in this scenario. You can put the majority of your possessions into a unit near your original home base and only ship or bring the bare essentials needed to get settled in your new international residence.
Leave the rest of your belongings conveniently stored while you go through the process of acclimating to your new homeland. If shipping items abroad, you can even use self-storage to help stage shipments and spread out import taxes over time.
- Provide a buffer between homes
Sometimes timing doesn’t align perfectly when buying and selling homes. You may need to move out before the new owners move in. Or your new home may not be ready on moving day. A self-storage unit provides a secure place to keep belongings while in between homes. You don’t have to move your items multiple times. You can simply move them directly from your old home into a storage unit. Then once your new home is ready, schedule the movers to deliver your belongings.
- Provide access to belongings when needed
Unlike other storage options like basements or attics, self-storage gives you full control and access. You can retrieve items from your unit conveniently anytime you need something — no advanced notice or permission is required.
Other methods, like attic or basement storage, often require digging through tightly packed boxes. But with self-storage, you can take out items effortlessly. This comes in handy when you forget to pack something or need off-season gear.
- Protect goods if the move is delayed en route
During a move, unexpected delays can happen – like bad weather slowing down a moving truck, vehicle breakdowns, or other unforeseen issues. This leaves your belongings stuck in transit limbo, often sitting outdoors, vulnerable to potential damage. Self-storage provides a quick backup plan to safeguard your possessions in the event of a moving delay.
If the movers get held up, you can immediately transfer your belongings from the moving truck into your rented storage unit as a temporary holding spot. This prevents damage to your valuables until the move can be safely rescheduled and completed. Self-storage gives you a secure contingency option if your move doesn’t go according to plan.
Conclusion
Renting a self-storage unit provides an affordable, secure way to make any move go smoother. The numerous benefits storage offers help reduce stress and headaches. Storage gives you time and flexibility to organize, declutter, renovate, and settle in at your own pace. Considering how convenient self-storage is for movers, it’s no wonder millions of Americans take advantage of it each year. If you’re planning an upcoming move, be sure to add “rent storage unit” to your moving checklist.