Running a small business often means finding creative solutions to everyday challenges, especially when managing space. Whether you’re working out of a home office, a small storefront, or a shared workspace, storage constraints can quickly become a bottleneck as your business grows. This is where self-storage units can provide a game-changing solution. Self-storage units can help you store inventory, supplies, or equipment, enabling small businesses to streamline operations and focus on what they do best—serving their customers. Here, we’ll go over a few notable benefits of small business storage and how to find a unit that works for you.
What Types of Small Businesses Benefit from Self Storage?
Most businesses can benefit from having additional storage as long as what’s stored meets storage facility rules and regulations. Here are a few examples of small local businesses that can benefit from commercial storage units.
E-Commerce Businesses — Small e-commerce businesses can operate from home when their inventory is kept in secure, climate-controlled storage units.
Brick-and-Mortar Retail Stores — The same idea applies to inventory for small brick-and-mortar retail stores with limited indoor storage.
Home Services or General Contractors — Regardless of your contracting type, drive-up storage options can help simplify day-to-day operations without cluttering your home.
Offices — Small businesses that operate out of an office can also benefit from offsite self-storage. Keep extra office furniture, supplies, or appliances accessible yet out of the way so you can use your workspace more efficiently.
Real Estate Professionals — Home staging is often one of the realtors’ duties, and they need a place to store all that furniture when it’s not in use. Climate-controlled units give them the perfect place to store all of their staging accessories between listings.
Restaurants — Opening a small restaurant takes a lot of work, and it’s important to have everything you need available in case of an emergency. Month-to-month storage units can be a great place to store extra dinnerware, tables, chairs, or even kitchen appliances.
Landscapers — Landscaping equipment is often large and bulky, which can take up a ton of space in your personal garage. Small business owners can utilize a drive-up access storage unit to make daily loading a breeze.
Artists — Regardless of the medium you use, storing extra supplies, completed works, or even reference items in a storage unit can help declutter your life. Storage units are a great option for artists as long as temperature and humidity are controlled.
Almost every business can utilize affordable business storage solutions to help manage inventory or keep their supplies secure and protected when not in use. Of course, finding the right storage space for your business also depends on location and cost. However, there are still several advantages over traditional options like warehousing or leasing a bigger office or storefront.
6 Benefits of Renting a Business Storage Unit for Your Company
As a small business owner, staying organized is one of the most important ways to keep operations running smoothly. Operating in a confined space can become challenging, especially as your business storage needs grow. Rather than spending thousands of dollars on warehouse space, maybe it’s time to consider strategically using self-storage units. Some of the benefits of this type of small business storage include the following:
1. Affordable Storage Solutions
Warehouse space is typically rented out per square foot, with the annual average being around $8 per square foot for spaces around 10,000 square feet. That comes out to $80,000 per year. Some options exist to get smaller spaces, but these may be limited based on where you operate or live. Alternatively, you could rent a bigger office space or storefront to accommodate your storage, but that doesn’t typically equate to much savings. As rental and leasing costs continue to rise, small businesses can’t afford to pay for space they don’t need.
Self-storage units offer an affordable solution and ensure that you only pay for what you need. For example, on average, a 10’x30′ self-storage unit (perfect for commercial business inventory) costs about $250/month. That comes to just $3,000 a year, which is much more affordable than 12 months of higher rent or warehouse space.
2. Reduced Clutter in Office Spaces and Businesses
A clutter-free workspace is essential for both productivity and professionalism. When your office or business space is packed with surplus items, it can negatively impact your ability to work efficiently and make a positive impression on clients. Self-storage units allow you to relocate excess inventory, documents, or equipment that aren’t part of your day-to-day operations, creating an organized environment where you can focus on core business activities.
3. Increased Accessibility
Finding facilities near your business is essential; otherwise, you may spend too much time driving back and forth. Try to find an option that isn’t too far or is at least somewhere on your commute to and in front of your physical business location. Regardless, self-storage units typically have a wide range of access hours, so you can take care of loading and unloading on your watch. This can give you plenty of time to handle logistics without digging into billable hours.
4. Supported Long-Term Scalability and Flexibility
Another benefit of small business storage is the flexibility and scalability over time. For one, many self-storage facilities offer both short- and long-term leases that allow you to test things out without a long-term commitment. You can rent an off-site business storage unit near your location for a few months and see how things go. If all goes well, simply extend your lease with the property manager. Alternatively, if you find that the storage unit size is too big or too small, you can adjust your space accordingly.
Facilities that offer these types of flexible arrangements are great because there’s no need to deal with all the logistics of trying to break a lease or pay for unnecessary space. This also makes small business storage a great option for companies that plan to grow in the future.
5. Enhanced Commercial Storage Security
Security is a top concern for business owners when storing valuable items offsite. Fortunately, many self-storage facilities are designed with advanced security features to ensure your belongings are protected around the clock. Unlike traditional warehouses or shared spaces, which may have limited or outdated security measures, modern storage facilities are equipped with systems that give you peace of mind.
Most storage units offer 24/7 video surveillance, ensuring that every area of the facility is monitored for unauthorized activity. Many also use gated access systems with unique entry codes or keycards to restrict access to tenants only. Some facilities even include on-site security personnel or motion-detection lighting to further deter potential intruders.
6. Controlled Environments to Safeguard Your Belongings
Finally, using a self-storage unit with climate control ensures that your belongings are kept in the best condition possible. This is essential for temperature-sensitive items like electronics, art supplies, or other types of inventory. Since some warehouse storage facilities don’t offer this amenity, a storage facility can give you the peace of mind you need when putting your entire inventory in the hands of a third party.
Just make sure you confirm with the facility when choosing your options for self-storage for your business. If they don’t offer climate-controlled storage, choosing a different company is best.
What Can You Store in a Business Storage Unit?
One thing that should be clear when using self-storage is that there are some restrictions on what you can and cannot keep in your unit. Restrictions may vary based on the facility and location, so it’s important to double-check before you sign your lease. Some of the most common prohibited items include things like:
Gasoline
Compressed gas
Propane tanks
Paint
Fertilizer
Fireworks
Combustible or flammable chemicals
Other hazardous materials
Food
Perishable items
Unregistered vehicles
Anything that’s wet
Firearms
Weapons
Illegal items
Money
Anything that’s alive (or dead!)
Typically, self-storage facilities provide a waiver that you must sign to acknowledge their terms. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your inventory, please discuss them with the property manager on-site.
How to Find the Best Storage Unit Options for Your Small Business
When you’re ready to find business storage near you, contact The Lock Up Self Storage. We offer flexible leasing options alongside various sizing options to fit everyone’s budget and needs. All our units are temperature-controlled and climate-controlled to keep your things in the best condition possible, regardless of how long you need to store them. To give you even more peace of mind, all our locations have top-of-the-line security features, such as controlled gate access, motion-sensor lighting, 24-hour camera monitoring, and perimeter alarms. To find a self-storage unit for your business needs, contact The Lock Up. Give us a call at 1-866-327-LOCK or browse available units online today.
