Most Common Items To Keep In Self-Storage

There are many different reasons you might need a self-storage unit for short-term or long-term use. Typical items for storage run the gamut from furniture to paperwork, but here are some of the most common items people regularly store at reputable self-storage facilities across the country as well as a few reasons why.

Extra Furniture

Furniture is one of the most commonly stored items since many households end up with a wide variety of furnishings that aren’t needed but may be useful someday. You might have extra furniture for various reasons, such as an inheritance, downsizing, combining households, new furniture purchases, or decluttering.

When stored securely and correctly, you can keep your furniture in good condition before selling it, giving it to your kids when they move out, upgrading to a larger house, or finding a friend or family member who needs it.

Old Appliances

Just like furniture, households often end up with extra appliances for many of the same reasons. You might have an extra refrigerator after buying yourself a newer, bigger, better model. If there’s nothing wrong with your old refrigerator, you may want to save or sell it to someone who needs it. When you don’t have room in your home to keep old appliances, an off-site storage facility is an ideal solution.

If you own rental properties, storing a variety of appliances on hand to replace broken appliances for your tenants is a common practice. A long-term off-site storage unit is much better than cluttering up your own home. Whether you’re storing fridges, washers, dryers, stoves, dishwashers, or microwaves, keep them all safe in self-storage with appropriate packing.

Holiday Decorations

If you’re big into decorating for the holidays, you may have a massive collection of decorations used only once a year. Christmas is a particularly epic decorating excursion, and if you have tons of boxes with adornments, you might find them taking up too much room in your home.

Since you only need them for a short time every year, holiday decorations are definitely in the top 10 list of stock items for storage. Box up your artificial Christmas tree and all the trimmings, deflate those Halloween blow-up displays, and contain your stuffed Easter bunnies to safely store them away in a self-storage facility until you’re ready to use them next season.

Wardrobe Changes

If you need more space in your closets and dressers, but don’t want to downsize your wardrobe, a self-storage unit could be the answer. Seasonal clothing is common for storage because you only need them for part of the year. Bulky winter clothing takes up a lot of space, so pack it up properly and store it off-site. As the seasons change, pop over to your storage unit to trade out your winter wardrobe for your summer garments, and vice versa.

When you have a weight loss or weight gain, you also might want to store the nicer clothes that no longer fit, in case you need them again. Maternity clothes and baby clothes are also commonly stored, especially if you’re planning on having more children or want to share them with a friend or family member.

We Have The Storage Space You Need

Other common items for storage include paperwork, collector items, seasonal tools and equipment, books, media, photographs, electronics, toys, and baby gear. No matter what you need to store, we have the solution at Clifton Rt. 46 Self Storage in Clifton, New Jersey.

Our professional staff help you find the right size and type of storage unit for the items you value. We offer indoor and outdoor storage spaces, including climate-controlled units for items sensitive to temperature and humidity changes. Contact us at 973-772-1300 today to discuss your storage needs, or reserve a storage unit online.

Debunking The Most Common Self-Storage Myths

If you’ve never rented a self-storage unit, you may have some preconceived notions about public storage facilities. You may have avoided contracting from these facilities because you’ve heard some common self-storage myths. Many myths aren’t true and can be debunked by visiting a reputable self-storage facility for a tour and asking a few questions. Consider these myths compared to the facts. 

Storage Facilities Aren’t Safe

Some people won’t rent self-storage units because they’ve heard they aren’t safe, but most storage facilities are more secure than you think. Storage companies take steps to make tenants feel comfortable during their visits and inspire confidence that they’re items are kept secure.

They often add security features to safeguard your belongings, including electronic controlled access gates, which require tenants to input their unique code to enter the facility. They may also use digital video cameras to provide monitoring and also ensure the facilities are well lit.

Although no storage facility is entirely theft-proof, choosing a facility with numerous security features reduces the risk of someone breaking in and stealing your belongings.

All Facilities Require Long-Term Contracts

You may have heard that public storage facilities require you to sign a long-term contract, but most facilities offer convenient month-to-month rentals. Some facilities do provide discounted rates for paying several months’ rent in advance, but you usually have the option to pay monthly at the regular price. The flexibility of paying monthly gives you the freedom to rent a unit for as long as you need, such as during a home or business renovation, or storing your college kid’s dorm room furnishings during summer break.

Without a long-term lease, you can cancel your rental when you no longer need storage after giving a 30-day notice. If you do find a facility that only offers long-term leases, keep looking, you’ll find others that don’t.

Storage Units Are Dirty

You may also hesitate to rent a storage unit because you’ve heard they’re dirty. If you visit a storage facility and the spaces are dirty, go somewhere else. Most self-storage companies pride themselves on providing a clean, well-maintained facility. These companies diligently clean each unit after a tenant moves out to ensure the next tenant has an immaculate space to store their belongings. Before renting a unit, always request a tour of the facilities and space you’ll be renting to ensure the staff promotes cleanliness.

Expensive Self-Storage Myths

Many people avoid renting a self-storage unit because they’ve heard they’re costly. It does cost more to rent off-site storage compared to storing your belongings in your own garage or attic, but you’ll find storage facilities with reasonable rates in most areas.

Many public storage companies offer various discounts, including reduced rates for military personnel, students, and members of certain organizations, such as AAA. Keep your monthly storage costs down by choosing the right size unit, or opt for a standard unit instead of pricier climate control if you’re not storing sensitive items.

Ask reputable storage facilities about the affordable options they have for various income levels and any current specials they might have.

You Must Buy Insurance From The Storage Facility

Dishonest storage companies may trick you into purchasing insurance coverage through them to protect your belongings or even require it in their rental contract. Reputable storage facilities give you several insurance options, including using your existing homeowner’s, renter’s, or business insurance coverage.

Your policies usually cover professional off-site storage, but often limit coverage to 10% of your policy’s personal property limit. However, your insurance company might let you purchase an endorsement to cover the value of your stored contents. You can also search for an independent third-party company that provides self-storage insurance policies.

Choose A Safe Storage Facility In Clifton, New Jersey

Clifton Rt. 46 Self Storage in Clifton, New Jersey, takes numerous steps to ensure your safety and the security of the belongings you entrust in our care. Tenants use a unique code to enter our fully fenced facility through a controlled access gate. Our digital video surveillance provides additional security, and you’ll never be in the dark in our well-lit facility. 

Contact us at 973-772-1300 to schedule a tour and let our professional staff debunk common self-storage myths you’ve heard, or reserve your storage unit online today.