Self-storage: advantages and tips

In times when space is often a luxury, self-storage offers a flexible and practical solution. In this article, we take a look at the benefits of self-storage, give you valuable tips on how to find the best storage space and explain how this modern solution can help you to keep things tidy and gain more space for the essentials.

What is self-storage?

Self-storage is a trend that originated in the USA and has now established itself worldwide. It offers a practical solution to the increasingly pressing lack of space, especially in large cities. The term self-storage means something like “store it yourself.”

“A self-storage facility, also known as a self-storage center or rental storage facility, is a place where you can store furniture and other items that you don’t currently need,” explains Wikipedia.

Think of self-storage as an extension of your home – exactly to the extent that you need. Is your office bursting at the seams? Is your home already overflowing? Do you need a safe place for your collectibles or seasonal items?

With a self-storage unit of the right size that you can rent for the exact period you need extra space, you don’t have to look far in many cities. It’s like an extra room where you can store almost anything you don’t need at home.

The great advantage of self-storage is not only its enormous flexibility, but also its accessibility.
As a rule, you have round-the-clock access to your rented unit. So you can access your “home extension” at any time, just like at home.

Digitalization in the self-storage industry

Around 200 years ago, the industrial revolution turned everything upside down by radically changing old ways of working and ways of thinking. Today, digitalization is causing equally profound upheaval and affecting almost every area of our lives. The self-storage industry is not immune to this and is experiencing exciting changes as a result of digital transformation.

Storage used to be a real challenge. Let’s take Theresa as an example: she was about to move to Japan and needed to find a solution for storing her belongings. After hours of searching in the phone book, she finally discovered a provider for self-storage in Vienna. The contact was tedious and the choice of storage sizes was limited. In the end, she had to rent more space than necessary and paid unnecessarily high costs as a result.

Today, storage is much easier thanks to digitization. Georg, a freelance artist, needs additional space for his works of art. With just a few clicks, he can find self-storage compartments from STORE ROOM online. He can easily calculate the size of his compartment and rent it quickly and easily. With the STORE ROOM smartphone app, they have access to their stored items at any time – convenient and modern.

Opportunities and risks of digitalization

Digitalization brings many advantages, but also challenges. Data protection and security are particularly important, especially in the self-storage sector. At STORE ROOM, we rely on the latest security technologies to protect our customers’ data in the best possible way. At the same time, it is important to us that people who are less tech-savvy can also benefit from digital advances.

Digitalization is changing our lives comprehensively – and this also affects the self-storage industry. Future technologies such as drones could make storage even easier. STORE ROOM is always striving to offer you the best solutions and meet the challenges of the digital future. Our smart self-storage solutions stand for innovation and security. Digitalization makes storing personal and business items easier and more convenient than ever.

Advantages of self storage units

What advantages does self-storage offer compared to conventional storage rental, and how do you find the best provider from the wide range of options? We have summarized the most important points you should consider in order to find the perfect solution for your storage needs.

24/7 Access: Access around the clock

Many self-storage providers offer 24/7 access to the storage units – but this is not always guaranteed.
With STORE ROOM, however, you can be sure that you have access to your storage unit around the clock. With other providers, always find out exactly at what times and under what conditions you can access your storage units. If 24/7 access is important to you, STORE ROOM is the right choice for you.

Access via smartphone app instead of locks

Of course, you don’t want anyone to gain access to your home without your permission – and the same certainly applies to your self-storage unit. To keep your belongings safe, your storage unit should always be reliably lockable. Some self-storage providers sell locks and keys, while others require you to bring your own padlock.

At STORE ROOM, we rely on a modern solution with digital access technology. Using our smartphone app, you can not only open and close your storage room securely, but also control the barrier to the site and the door to the main building. The best thing about it? You can easily pass on access rights to others. Would an employee like to retrieve files from your warehouse or your aunt want to pick up your toboggan? No problem – everything is managed via our app.

Location near you

As with real estate, one thing counts above all with self-storage – location, location, location!

Ideally, your self-storage unit should be within easy walking distance, whether you own a car or not. Of course, you are more flexible if you have a car, but most people only make the long journey if they are not satisfied with the nearest self-storage facility or have opted for one that is further away.

Practical transport aids

A car is particularly useful if you want to store more than just a few small boxes. If you don’t have your own vehicle, you can usually use car-sharing services.

For larger or more bulky items, it is advisable to use a suitable van. Ask your self-storage provider whether it is possible to hire a van or whether there are any partnerships with removal companies.

At STORE ROOM, we have solutions for customers without their own car: you can rent a van from us by the hour or day or we can arrange reliable partners for transportation. Our location in Vienna South is conveniently located directly on the A21 highway at the Vösendorf interchange – perfect for a stress-free journey!

State-of-the-art security technology

Security is a key issue with self-storage. Providers must not only ensure that unauthorized persons do not have access to your storage units, but also ensure general security. As not all self-storage providers offer the same high security standards, prices can vary greatly.

A high-quality self-storage facility should meet the following standards:

Round-the-clock monitoring: The security cameras should be active 24/7.
Optimal storage conditions: The temperature and humidity must be ideal for storing your treasures.
Minimizing the risk of fire: Safety precautions should keep the risk of fire as low as possible.
Quick notifications: You should be informed immediately if something unusual happens, such as unauthorized opening of your unit.

Attractive and fair pricing

If you compare the prices of self-storage providers, it quickly becomes clear that they can vary greatly.
Many factors influence the price, so it’s important to know what you’re getting for your money. A common misconception is that self-storage units are automatically expensive. First of all, the price depends primarily on the size of the unit. Think carefully about how much space you really need to optimally store your things.

When comparing prices, you should also consider other factors such as:

Insurance: Is it included in the price?
Access: Do you have round-the-clock access to your warehouse?
Security: How good are the security precautions?
Flexibility: How easy is it to cancel your storage unit or switch to a different size?
Booking process: Is the booking process straightforward or complicated?

Think about whether you want to pay more for a reputable provider or would rather trust a more innovative, cheaper company. Think about which services are important to you and what budget you are prepared to spend. With this clear idea, you will find the right self-storage provider for your needs and your treasures.

10 tips for secure storage in self-storage

Wondering how best to store your belongings in a storage unit? We’re happy to share our best tips and tricks to make finding and managing your storage unit easy for you.

1. Find the right bearing size

Choose the right compartment size to avoid problems later on! With many providers, changing the size of your storage compartment is complicated and expensive. With STORE ROOM, however, it’s very straightforward. If you are unsure which size you need, STORE ROOM will be happy to advise you – we will help you find the best solution for your needs.

2. Organize packaging material

Make sure you have the right packaging material in advance – or get it directly from your self-storage provider! The right material not only makes storage easier, but also protects your items and ensures that they stay clean and safe.

Don’t leave any of your stored items unprotected. Use blankets, boxes, bubble wrap and other packing materials to store your treasures safely. Fragile items in particular should be packed carefully.
But even small items benefit from good packaging – it saves you time when packing and unpacking and ensures that everything remains in perfect condition.

Pack and label your items systematically and thoughtfully. Make sure that regularly used items are easily accessible. If you’re good at Tetris, you’ll be able to store your things efficiently and save space.
Labels are real lifesavers when you need something from your warehouse later on.

3. Insuring valuable items

Make absolutely sure that you take out insurance. Reputable providers will always offer you basic insurance. If your items are important to you and you want to store them professionally, then it should also be important to you to insure them accordingly.

4. Read and check the rental agreement

Many self-storage providers often hide additional costs and make it difficult to cancel or change a compartment at a later date. So make sure you read all the details carefully – especially the small print.
As with a rental contract, you should always have all the information to hand and have a clear understanding of your rights and the provider’s terms and conditions. That way, you’ll be well prepared and avoid any unpleasant surprises.

5. Inform about prohibited items

Never store prohibited items in your storage unit. A reputable self-storage company will inform you exactly which items are not allowed. Some prohibitions are self-evident, such as perishable, dangerous or flammable goods and all living things. Others might surprise you, such as valuables like cash and jewelry. Make sure you are aware of these restrictions to avoid problems.

6. Control and monitor access rights via app

Don’t let strangers into your self-storage unit and always keep it locked. This is particularly easy with STORE ROOM: you receive an immediate notification via our app when your storage door is opened or closed. If the door is accidentally left open, you will also be informed. As your smartphone acts as a key, it’s also easy to manage access authorizations via the app. So you don’t have to worry about losing or messing up your key. You can also check when and who has entered your storage compartment at any time.

7. Create warehouse inventory list

Make a list of the items you want to store. This inventory list will not only help you to determine the right storage size, but will also ensure that you stay better organized in the long term. A simple list is sufficient, but a more detailed list with exact measurements of the items can also be useful. This way, you always have an overview and know exactly what is in your storage space.

Keep important items that you need to access frequently closer to the entrance of the compartment.
You can stow the less important items further back. This will save you time looking for them later and you’ll find everything more quickly.

8. Never miss a payment

You don’t want to have to move out of your storage unit unintentionally any more than the self-storage provider wants to lose you. Sure, it can happen that you forget to make a payment – it happens to all of us when we have a lot on our plate. But try not to make a habit of it. Make sure that your payments are received by the provider on time and smoothly. Set yourself a reminder or a deadline to make sure you always remember on time.

9. Do not make any changes to the storage compartment

Do not make any changes to the self-storage compartments. A compartment is not a workshop and should be left in the condition in which you found it when you rented it. Activities such as DIY or other prohibited activities can create dangerous fumes and can be risky for both you and others. Follow the rules and ensure that the compartment remains safe and untouched.

10. Use customer service and feedback

Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you have any questions or if something is unclear. The staff at STORE ROOM will be happy to help you, whether it’s answering your questions or providing on-site support in the storage department. They are there to help you, so don’t hesitate to speak to them.

Don’t forget to leave a review, for example on Google or Trusted Shops! If you are satisfied, be happy about it and give your self-storage provider five stars. If your experience wasn’t so positive, share your honest opinion in a public review so that others don’t experience the same difficulties. Be clear, understandable and fair.

Parting with things that are close to your heart is never easy. With self-storage, you can keep these treasures safe without having to give them away forever. Create space in your home, office or garden according to your needs.

Whether you want to store valuable memorabilia or simply seasonal items, it is important that they are safe and well stored. Before you decide to rent storage space, you should compare different providers and choose the best option for you. With STORE ROOM you are on the safe side: your items are stored under optimal conditions and our app gives you flexible access at any time.

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