Evolution and future of self storage

Many people have been in this situation. You have all you need, plus some things you don’t really use anymore—and they’re taking up too much space in your home. Moving excess or seasonal items into storage units has become a necessity for many people, especially when moving house. While the self-storage industry is not likely to disappear anytime soon, it is experiencing some changes that could lead to a reinvention of the industry. Our crew of movers and packers Seattle residents love has investigated the evolution and future of self storage. This will make it easier for many who are relocating to make their decision and understand self storage even better.

What is self storage and where did it all begin?

Over the past few decades, self-storage has become a popular option for people who need to keep their belongings but do not have room for them in their homes. The convenience of being able to rent a space that is accessible whenever you need it and the ability to hang on to possessions that matter have worked well together and led to the growth of this industry. You might remember when self-storage units appeared. They were extremely popular from the 1970s onward.

The concept of self-storage originated in the United States, but it has been gaining popularity in Europe as well. Self-storage is a flexible kind of rental space that is available to both individuals and small companies. Self-storage facilities have professional staff who can ensure the safe storage of your precious belongings. And the best thing is, it’s not only used by individuals but by international commercial shipping companies who discovered all its benefits.

A quick history of self-storage

The self-storage industry has improved in recent years. Temperature-controlled units, better security, and limited access together make people feel safer about storing their belongings. Nowadays, self-storage facilities have a cleaner and brighter look, too. The industry is better than ever and is expected to remain hot for the foreseeable future.

Self storage in the 90s

Storage facilities started offering climate-controlled spaces in the 1990s to protect clients’ belongings. There was a stage during which hybrid designs were built, providing convenient storage space as well as air-conditioned and heated units. Today’s architecture is a bit more upmarket, and facilities attract exclusive residential and corporate clientele who want wine or vinyl storage.

Self storage in the twenty-first century

The self-storage industry has been through some big changes in the twenty-first century, led by a change in housing. People are moving back to urban areas, wanting to live, work and play in close proximity. Baby Boomers, who are downsizing their homes and relocating to apartments that are smaller, are also renting more long-term storage for their belongings. Similarly, younger generations—who are relocating into smaller, more affordable homes and spending a lot of money on enjoyable activities— require storage for their musical instruments, outdoor equipment, etc. especially when between homes. If you are one of them, before contacting cross country movers Seattle offer, make sure to investigate all the storage possibilities.

The future of self storage

In the future,  you will be able to see self-storage facilities in all sorts of places. Hotel and apartment buildings fall under this category. They’ll even be part of the building’s infrastructure in some high-rise, mixed-use developments. Developers already use design elements like entrances that are accentuated, more colourful, LED lighting, building materials rich in variety, and more windows to make their self-storage facilities more attractive. This has encouraged city planners to consider them a commercial use and allow them into more locations.

As self-storage becomes more popular, sharing will become increasingly important. More people will use virtual storage, refrigerated storage, and shared storage solutions. Robotics will make self-storage more automated and allow more usable space in fewer building areas. Tenants would be able to indulge in drinks or dine while their storage pod is delivered to their door by a robot. Additionally, customers will spend less time collecting their toys and more time enjoying them.

The evolution of lifestyle storage

If you’ve never heard of lifestyle storage, we are here to provide some more clarity. Self-storage facilities should be neighborhood-friendly. They should be designed around the existing character of the community and become an essential component of the local infrastructure, like schools, groceries, and restaurants. Younger generations want edgier, urban-style self-storage. They prefer developments that are close to where they live and work, with full-service amenities.

Satisfaction and clarity are important. Lifestyle storage captures the residences with visual activity. It should incorporate a combination of street-level uses, such as office space, restaurants, or retail. Structures can be pedestrian-friendly and offer more services and conveniences.

More possible changes in the future of self storage

Businesses that use self-storage are a minority. They only make up 25 percent of all self-storage users, and that number has not increased in recent years. Operators of storage facilities should educate businesses about the benefits of self-storage. The future of self-storage will be much more predictable if more companies realize all the benefits of it. We invite you to take advantage of Seattle storage solutions, no matter if you are an individual or a business owner. Furthermore, as technology advances, so do security measures at storage facilities. Self-storage operators are using several tech-savvy security features that include:

• smart looks;
• sensors;
• timestamps;
• physical movement tracking etc.

Besides security, the evolution and future of self storage will bring ease to businesses and movers all over the US. Leaving your precious belongings will be much simpler when customers realize that they will not only be safe but maintained in the best possible manner. The different uses of storage units will change the landscape and the local infrastructure as we know it. Be amongst some of the first people to take all of the advantages to your use.

Why Choose Us

History

Hansen Bros. Moving & Storage is locally owned and operated by the same family for four generations, since 1890. We have a well-established reputation for service quality and reliability with a high percentage of repeat household and commercial clients.

Professionalism

We’re a certified ProMover by the American Moving and Storage Association with A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, voted “Best in Western Washington” in 2009 and from 2011 to 2016 by KING5. Our company is fully licensed and insured and member of WMC and AMSA.

Value

Hansen Bros. Moving & Storage provide free, no-obligation in-home estimate and competitive rates, including low minimum rates for shipments moving under 300 miles. We’ve set a refund policy for unused packing materials and three Puget Sound locations to help clients save on travel fee costs.