Storage Guide

Every storage type, explained

Not sure which storage fits your life? We break down what each type actually means, who it's for, and when it makes sense.

Self-Storage

Rent space by the month. Access it whenever you want. Use it however you need

Self-storage is exactly what it sounds like: you rent a unit in a facility and use it for whatever you need. Moving? Decluttering? Running a business from home? It's there when you need it, and you're not locked into long contracts.

Most places work month-to-month, so you can upsize, downsize, or leave when things change
Units range from small lockers to garage-sized spaces. Standard sizes run from 5x5 feet up to 10x30 feet
Pick your features: drive-up access for easy loading, indoor units for protection, climate control for sensitive stuff, 24-hour access if you work odd hours
People use them for everything: moves, business stock, seasonal gear, furniture between apartments, even long-term archiving

Vintage travel suitcases and luggage bags

Luggage Storage

Drop your bags for a few hours. Get on with your day

Checked out of your hotel but your flight's not till tonight? Luggage storage solves that problem. You'll find spots near stations, airports, and downtown where you can leave your bags safely while you explore. Way cheaper than hotel storage fees, and the lockers at stations are usually full anyway.

Pay by the hour or day. Usually works out cheaper than what hotels charge for holding luggage after checkout
Shops and cafes near stations and tourist spots offer storage. You're rarely more than a 10-minute walk from somewhere
Most places include basic insurance, so you're covered if something goes wrong (though it rarely does)
Book ahead if you want guaranteed space, or just walk in. Either works. Most accept same-day and let you pick flexible collection times

Compact lockers and small storage units in modern facility

Micro Storage

Small spaces for everyday items. Perfect for city living

Living in a small apartment but need somewhere for your ski gear, bike, or those boxes from your last move? Micro storage offers units as small as a closet. It's the middle ground between luggage lockers and traditional self-storage, designed for urban spaces where every square foot counts.

Units start tiny, sometimes just 10-15 square feet. Ideal for seasonal gear, sports equipment, or a few boxes
Often found in city centers and residential neighborhoods. Less driving than heading out to industrial areas
Lower monthly cost than standard units since you're only renting what you need
Flexible contracts mean you can upgrade if you need more space or downsize when you're done

Colorful shipping containers stacked for storage

Container Storage

Rent a shipping container. Ground-level access, no stairs

Containers are exactly what they sound like: weatherproof steel boxes sitting at ground level. Drive up, unlock, load directly from your vehicle. No elevators, no stairs, no wheeling things through corridors. Popular with businesses, tradespeople, and anyone moving large or heavy items regularly.

Ground-level access makes loading furniture, tools, and equipment straightforward. Drive right up to your container
Weatherproof and secure. Steel construction keeps moisture and theft out
Sizes typically 10ft, 20ft, or 40ft. Enough space for a move or serious business inventory
Often cheaper per square foot than indoor units. You're paying for secure outdoor space without fancy facilities

Outdoor RV and vehicle storage lot with security fencing

Outdoor Storage

Open-air space for vehicles, boats, and large equipment

Need somewhere to park an RV, boat, or work vehicle? Outdoor storage gives you a fenced, secured space without the cost of an enclosed unit. You get access when you need it, security cameras watching over things, and room for items that don't fit in a garage.

Much cheaper than indoor storage. You're paying for secure parking, not climate control or a roof
Perfect for RVs, boats, trailers, classic cars, or construction equipment that's too big for home
Most places have CCTV and gate access control. Your stuff stays secure even without walls
Drive-in access means no maneuvering tight spaces. Pull in, park, lock the gate, done

Stacked moving boxes and student belongings ready for storage

Student Storage

Store your stuff over summer. Skip the two trips home

Dorms kick everyone out in May. Your lease ends in June. You're going home for three months but can't fit everything in a suitcase. Student storage exists for exactly this situation. Store it in summer, collect it when school starts again. No lugging it all home and back.

Book for the summer break and forget about it. Most places handle the whole vacation in one go
Many providers will pick up from your dorm or apartment and deliver back in August. Saves finding a truck or begging friends for help
Split a unit with your roommates if you want to save money. Providers are used to it
Facilities near campus usually let you stop by if you need something mid-summer, though most people never do

Vehicle Storage

Safe space for your car, motorcycle, or classic vehicle

Going abroad for winter? Storing a classic car? Need somewhere secure for your motorcycle? Vehicle storage keeps your ride safe when you're not using it. Covered or open options, security, sometimes even battery maintenance included. Better than leaving it on the street or taking up garage space you actually use.

Indoor units protect from weather and theft. Outdoor spaces cost less but still include security
Classic car storage often includes battery tenders and ventilation to prevent damage during long-term storage
Month-to-month contracts let you store seasonally. Motorcycle in winter, convertible in summer
Most places allow access during opening hours so you can check on your vehicle or take it for a spin

Large warehouse with stacked cardboard boxes and inventory

Business Storage

Extra space for inventory, equipment, and documents. No warehouse lease required

Growing business but not ready for a warehouse? Business storage bridges that gap. Store your excess inventory, archived paperwork, equipment, seasonal stock. You get proper facilities without signing a three-year commercial lease or paying for space you only need part-time.

Drive-up units with loading bays make life easier. Back your truck up, load or unload, done. No carrying boxes up stairs
Month-to-month means you can add or drop space as your inventory levels change. Busy season? Get more. Slow months? Scale back
Proper security: CCTV, controlled access, entry logs. Your inventory and documents stay safe
Costs a fraction of warehouse rent. You're paying for storage space, not commercial property taxes and long-term contracts

E-commerce boxes and packages ready for shipping

E-commerce Storage

Inventory management and fulfillment space for online sellers

Running an online store from your spare room? Product boxes taking over your apartment? E-commerce storage gives you professional space for inventory without the cost of a warehouse. Store stock, prep orders, and some facilities even handle packing and shipping for you. Scale your online business without sacrificing your living space.

Store inventory close to your customers or near shipping hubs for faster, cheaper delivery
Many facilities offer fulfillment services: they'll pick, pack, and ship orders while you focus on growing sales
Flexible space means you can scale up during busy seasons (Black Friday, holidays) and scale down when it's quieter
Professional address for returns and deliveries instead of using your home address

Modern living room furniture including sofa and chairs

Furniture Storage

Keep your furniture safe between moves or during renovations

Renovating? Downsizing? Moving abroad but keeping your furniture? You need somewhere dry, secure, and big enough for sofas, beds, and dining tables. Furniture storage protects your belongings while your life's in transition, without forcing you into a year-long contract.

Climate-controlled units prevent warping, mold, and damage from temperature swings. Important for wooden furniture
Sizes range from small (few pieces) to large (entire house contents). Most providers help you estimate what you need
Short or long-term, your choice. Store for a month during renovation or years while living abroad
Facilities include carts, elevators, and wide corridors so you're not wrestling a sofa up three flights of stairs

Filing cabinet with organized business documents and files

Document Storage

Secure archiving for paperwork, files, and business records

Legal documents, financial records, business archives. You need to keep them, you don't need them cluttering your office. Document storage gives you secure, organized space for paperwork that must be retained but doesn't need to live in your filing cabinet.

Climate-controlled units protect paper from humidity, preventing yellowing and deterioration over time
Secure access and often insurance-approved for sensitive business or legal documents
Some facilities offer document management: they'll box, label, retrieve, or even scan files on request
Far cheaper than office space. Why pay premium rent to store boxes you rarely touch?

Boats docked at marina for secure storage

Boat & RV Storage

Seasonal storage for boats, motorhomes, and RVs

Your boat or RV spends most of the year parked. Why let it take up your driveway or cost you a fortune in marina fees? Dedicated boat and RV storage gives you secure space with easy access when you're ready to use it. Outdoor or covered, depending on your budget.

Outdoor spaces cost less. Covered storage protects from weather and UV damage if you're storing long-term
Wider access lanes than regular storage, designed for large vehicles and trailers
Many places offer services: battery charging, cleaning, winterization, even minor maintenance
Security includes gates, cameras, and often staff presence. Better than leaving it on the street or in a random parking lot

Wine cellar with wooden racks and organized bottle storage

Wine Storage

Temperature and humidity controlled space for wine collections

Serious about your wine? It needs proper conditions: stable temperature, controlled humidity, darkness, and no vibration. Wine storage facilities offer exactly that. Whether you're aging a collection or just need somewhere better than your kitchen, these units are built specifically for bottles.

Temperature stays constant, typically 54-59°F. No fluctuations that damage wine over time
Humidity control prevents corks drying out and oxidizing your bottles
Individual or shared cellars depending on your collection size. Some even offer racking systems
Insurance and security designed for valuable collections. Your investment stays protected

Art museum gallery with framed paintings on walls

Art Storage

Museum-quality climate control for artwork and collectibles

Art, antiques, collectibles. They're valuable and fragile. Humidity, temperature swings, and light all cause damage. Art storage facilities provide museum-level conditions: stable climate, no direct light, security suited for high-value items. Whether you're a collector, dealer, or just inherited pieces you want to protect, this is proper preservation.

Museum-quality climate control. Temperature and humidity monitored constantly to prevent deterioration
Enhanced security: restricted access, CCTV, often individual locked rooms or cages
Insurance-approved storage for high-value artwork, antiques, and collectibles
Viewing rooms often available so you can access and appreciate pieces without moving them out of storage

Skis and winter sports equipment ready for seasonal storage

Sports Equipment Storage

Keep your gear safe and out of the way between seasons

Skis in summer? Surfboards in winter? Bikes, kayaks, golf clubs, camping gear piling up at home? Sports equipment storage solves the problem of seasonal gear taking over your garage or spare room. Store it when you're not using it, grab it when the season comes around again.

Small units work for most sports gear. You're not storing furniture, just equipment that's awkward to keep at home
Climate-controlled options available for gear that shouldn't get too hot or cold
Ground-floor or elevator access makes carrying kayaks and bikes much easier than hauling them up stairs
Month-to-month means you can store seasonally without committing to a full year

Seasonal Storage

Store decorations, patio furniture, and summer or winter gear

Christmas decorations in January? Patio furniture in November? Seasonal items eat space for most of the year. Seasonal storage lets you reclaim your attic, garage, or shed. Store the things you need once a year, free up space at home, grab them when the season rolls around.

Perfect for Christmas decorations, patio furniture, winter sports gear, summer equipment
Small units are usually enough. A 5x5 or locker holds more seasonal items than you'd think
Flexible rental means you could store just for peak off-season or keep it year-round
Cheaper than moving to get more storage space, which is what people actually consider sometimes

Archive boxes stacked on shelves for long-term document storage

Archive Storage

Long-term document retention and business record keeping

Legal requirements mean some documents must be kept for years. You need them accessible but not cluttering your office. Archive storage gives you secure, organized long-term document retention. Often includes retrieval services so you can request files without visiting the facility yourself.

Climate-controlled to prevent paper deterioration over years or decades of storage
Organized systems with barcoding or cataloging. Find specific documents quickly when you need them
Many facilities offer document retrieval: request a file, they'll deliver or scan it for you
Compliant with data protection regulations and often certified for legal or financial record keeping

Large warehouse interior with pallet racking and logistics operations

Warehouse Storage

Large-scale commercial space for inventory and business operations

Need serious space for large inventory, equipment, or business operations? Warehouse storage offers commercial-grade facilities without the commitment of leasing your own building. Pallet storage, loading bays, sometimes even fulfillment services. It's professional logistics space on flexible terms.

Large units or dedicated warehouse space for serious inventory volumes
Loading bays, pallet racking, and forklift access for commercial operations
Some facilities offer fulfillment services: they'll pack and ship your products directly to customers
Flexible contracts let you scale space up or down as your business grows or contracts, without getting locked into long-term property leases

Cold Storage

Temperature-controlled space for perishables and specialty items

Need refrigerated or frozen storage? Cold storage facilities maintain specific temperatures for food businesses, pharmaceutical companies, or anyone with temperature-sensitive inventory. It's commercial-grade refrigeration on demand, without buying your own cold room.

Temperature ranges from chilled (36-46°F) to frozen (0-10°F) depending on your needs
Food-safe facilities with hygiene certifications for restaurants, catering, or food retail businesses
Pharmaceutical-grade options available for medical supplies requiring strict temperature control
Monitored 24/7 with alarms and backup systems. Your temperature-sensitive inventory stays protected

Climate Controlled Storage

Temperature and humidity regulated units for sensitive items

Electronics, wooden furniture, documents, wine, musical instruments, anything that doesn't like extreme temperatures or humidity. Climate-controlled storage maintains steady conditions year-round. It costs a bit more than standard units, but it prevents the damage that moisture and temperature swings cause to sensitive belongings.

Temperature stays between 60-80°F year-round. No freezing winters or sweltering summers damaging your stuff
Humidity control prevents mold, warping, rust, and deterioration of paper, wood, leather, and fabrics
Essential for electronics, musical instruments, antiques, important documents, and fine furniture
Indoor units mean extra protection from weather, dust, and pests compared to outdoor or basic storage

Cardboard moving boxes stacked for temporary relocation storage

Moving & Temporary Storage

Bridge the gap between properties with flexible short-term storage

Sold your house but your new place isn't ready yet? Overlap between leases? Moving abroad temporarily? Temporary storage bridges those gaps. Store your belongings for a few weeks or months without committing to long-term contracts. It's the safety net for life transitions that don't quite line up perfectly.

Week-by-week or month-by-month contracts. You're not locked in when you only need storage temporarily
Many providers offer pickup and delivery, saving you from renting a truck twice
Sizes for everything from a few boxes to entire house contents. Most people underestimate what they need, so get advice
Insurance available for your belongings in transit and in storage. Important when it's all your stuff in one place

Ready to Find Storage?

Compare options in one search

Bagdock shows you every type of storage near you. Compare prices, read reviews, and reserve the space that actually fits your needs.