The Ultimate Self Storage Guide 

Wondering how to choose the best storage solution for you? Welcome to our ultimate self storage guide, a rundown of everything you need to know before you hire a locker for your belongings. Whether you’re concerned about the security of a storage unit or you want to know what to expect from a self storage facility, we’ve got the answers covered.  

What is Self Storage? 

Self storage is a home-away-from-home for your belongings. If you don’t have enough space to store everything in your house, a storage unit is often the next port of call. Units tend to be rented out on a monthly basis, although you can hire storage long-term if you need a permanent solution.  

Types of self storage

Personal storage

Personal storage solutions are ideal for those Londoners needing temporary or long-term storage for their belongings, including furniture. Whether you’re moving (don’t forget to check our moving home checklist), decluttering, a student between accommodations, or traveling without a place to store your items, a personal storage unit offers the perfect solution.

Business storage

Business storage solutions are ideal for London businesses needing space for stock (such as online retailers), office furniture during relocation, or large storage units with 24/7 easy access. Lastly, business storage units are highly recommended for document archiving.

How to Choose the Best Self Storage Company 

When it comes to storage, everyone’s needs are different. Whether you have to prioritise your budget or a location as close to home as possible, every company will have its benefits and shortfalls. It’s important to consider exactly what you need before you make your decision! Here are a few aspects to watch out for when you’re choosing your storage solution.  

Price: Like all services, the cost of self storage is competitive. While it fluctuates according to amenities, security measures and climate control, the price of a storage container will be primarily influenced by its location. Luckily, that means that you can expect a certain number of amenities according to the price – if you’re not getting those, try somewhere else!  

Location: It’s important to hire a storage unit as close as possible to the location you need to access your items from. Whether you need to access your business unit regularly or unpack your unit into a new house, storage is pointless if it’s an hour’s drive away from base camp. Make sure to check out our storage locations and nearby roads and public transport links, as well as keeping an eye on the edge of London’s ULEZ.  

Amenities: Self storage isn’t just an open shipping container dumped in a yard. Your unit will be locked safely inside a manned building surrounded by staff, locks and amenities to keep you stocked up on anything you need. From purpose-built car parks to on-site forklifts and packaging materials, you should always check out the facilities at a self storage location so you know what to expect from your rental term.  

Security: If you’re storing your items away from home, you’ll want to know that they’ll be as safe as they can possibly be. That includes keeping out thieves and vandals, discouraging potential offenders and making sure that nobody can get inside your unit but you. Facilities achieve this with CCTV, staffing, fences and top-of-the-range locks to keep your items safe.  

Opening Hours: If you work until 5pm every day, you won’t benefit from a unit that you can only access between 9am and 3pm on weekdays. Look for 24/7 access and 7-day staffing, and make sure that the opening hours of your facility aren’t likely to change unpredictably.  

Awards and Reviews: It is always worth considering having a look at the quality of the storage company you decide to use. As you will give them your own belongings it is quite important to understand their commitment to their services. At Attic Self Storage, we have several awards and accreditations for the quality of our customer service.

As important as awards and accreditations, reviews from other customers are also essential to measure the quality of the services. You can check our reviews for each store on Google, or check our Trustpilot and Feefo accounts.

Ethic and Sustainability: Choose a self-storage company that values sustainability, community, and ethical practices. At Attic Self Storage, our evolving ESG policy ensures we minimise environmental impact, support local communities, and uphold responsible business practices through continuous improvement.

What Size of Self Storage Do I Need?  

The size of your storage container will fluctuate depending on your requirements. If you’re moving house, for instance, your storage container will be larger than it will be if you’re locking away some documents used for work. It’s important to get a feel for how much space you’ll need ahead of time, since you don’t want to be paying a monthly fee for a locker you aren’t using.  

Check out the storage calculator for a more detailed rundown of our storage sizes.  

How Secure is Self Storage?  

Self storage is as secure as you pay for it to be. Some sites will have better security measures than others, which can result in a higher level of safety for your items. You should always look into the security and active hours of a self storage company before you choose to store with them – especially if what you’re storing is valuable! Watch out for the following aspects of a facility in order to determine the safety of your belongings:  

• CCTV cameras 
• Staffing hours 
• Fences and locked gates 
• The quality of safe locks 

In general, self storage is very safe. No statement accounts for all circumstances, but it’s much less likely that thieves will be able to break into a well-funded facility than your home, especially in high crime areas.  

Insurance for Self Storage 

When you make the decision to store your belongings in a self storage unit, you’ll be provided with the option for insurance. This will sometimes be mandatory, and you should always check the coverage and policy of the provider before you sign a new document. A few aspects to watch out for include:  

• Theft 
• Vandalism 
• Weather disasters 
• Insects 
• Water leaks 

The price of your plan will fluctuate depending on where you store your items, the level of security the facility offers, and how likely your items are to be moved, stolen or damaged.  

Hire a Storage Unit 

Ready to hire a storage locker? We’re right there with you. Check our self storage process guide or find your personal storage solution with Attic Self Storage, whether you’re stowing away some out-of-season clothes or packing up for your next big move.  

Posted on 19th October 2022 by Shanaiqua Desa   |   Last updated on 16th April 2025

Shanaiqua Desa

Social Media & Marketing Communications Executive

Shanaiqua Desa is the Content & Creative Lead at Attic Self Storage. She has a Master’s degree in Advertising and Marketing from the University of Hull, UK, and 5 years of experience as a marketer. During her time at Attic, Shanaiqua has become an expert at understanding, both, the industry and, more importantly, its customers enabling her to create valuable content for anyone looking to use self-storage.

Read all posts by Shanaiqua Desa