How to Choose the Right Self Storage Unit

Most people don’t think about renting a self storage unit until they actually need it. Usually this happens just before a move, while preparing for a renovation, or at sudden unexpected life events such as a divorce, a newborn, or after a family member passes away. Suddenly, stuff is piling up, people can't store all items in their home and realise that finding extra space in, for example, a self storage facility is really a must. But then they start searching online, and it gets very confusing very fast. There appear to be dozens of self storage facilities nearby. All with different prices, sizes, and promises. So how do you actually choose?

After having analysed thousands of storage facilities across Europe while building up The Storage Scanner, and hearing stories from hundreds of renters, here’s our guide on what really matters when choosing the right self storage unit. We have categorized the items to look out for into 12 topics. While all of them are - in our opinion - important, the ultimate value you assign to each topic differs from person to person.

1. Location

Let’s start with the obvious one: a storage facility near you is usually more convenient. In real estate there is the golden rule: "it's all about location, location and... location". But proximity is in our opinion not everything. The real question is how you’ll use the storage unit.

If you’re storing items you want to access often, let’s say, seasonal clothes, tools, or business stock, you’ll thank yourself later for choosing a unit on your route to work or near home. A 15-minute drive is fine. Based on many talks with storage tenants, the maximum distance to be considered as “do-able” is below 25km. Driving an hour-long trip every time you need a single box isn’t ideal.

On the other hand, if you’re storing long-term items, such as furniture during a move abroad, archived paperworks, or (seasonal) household goods, location is less critical. You might get a cheaper self-storage unit a bit further out of the city without sacrificing quality.

Platforms like The Storage Scanner make comparing the different self storage locations easy. You can see multiple facilities on one map, compare prices by city, and decide whether the price difference between inner-city and out-of-town storage facilities is worth the extra driving time.

2. Security

When you put your furniture or other stuff in a self storage unit, you do not only hand over your belongings, you’re also handing over trust. Basically you trust the self storage provider to make sure your stuff remains dry and safe in a clean space.

At a minimum, we would recommend to look for:

• Gated access with a keypad or smart entry system.

• 24-hour CCTV that covers entrances and hallways, not just the front gate.

• Individual unit locks and alarms.

• Adequate lighting.

Some facilities even use motion sensors and digital entry logs, which give an extra layer of peace of mind. The digital entry systems often also allow for 24/7 access, which can be a huge benefit as it does not restrict you to standard opening hours. Note that the best operators proudly explain how their security works because they know it’s a selling point.

In each country, there are also self storage associations with certain quality standards of which security is one of them. The German/Austrian Self Storage Association has, for example, a quality stamp of 21 criteria a self storage facility needs to adhere to. This ensures the safety in these facilities is of high quality.

3. Cleanliness

Cleanliness is another important factor, as you do not want your stuff to get dirty. An easy way to assess the cleanliness is to just walk into any facility and take a deep breath. If it smells musty or dusty, that’s a red flag. A well-run storage site will have tidy hallways, clean floors, good lighting, and proper doors. Units should be dry, free of mold, and regularly checked for leaks or pests.

It might sound obvious, but having a clean self storage unit protects your belongings more than you think. Moisture and dust are silent destroyers. A few months in a damp, dirty unit can ruin furniture, paper, or electronics. Luckily, most facilities in Europe are indoor and clear. However, outdoor (container) storage might pose a risk. However, pricewise, these types of units also tend to be cheaper than indoor (traditional) self storage.

4. The Right Size

Size matters in self storage. Choosing a storage unit size is where most people overpay. They either pick something too small and end up renting two units, or too big and pay for half-empty space.

As a rough guide:

• 1–3 m² fits boxes, suitcases, or seasonal items.

• 5–8 m² suits a small apartment’s contents.

• 10–20 m² works for larger moves or business inventory.

• 25 m²+ handles vehicles, bulky furniture, or full-house storage.

If you’re unsure, ask the staff for help or use an online size estimator. A good tip from us would be to always take ca. 10-20% bigger than you'd think you need. This enables you to store your stuff efficiently and create some space to walk towards the back of the unit. Very useful if you need to grab stuff that’s stored at the back of your storage unit.

A good facility will also let you switch to a larger or smaller unit if your needs change, without hefty penalties.

5. Pricing

Everyone loves to rent cheap, obviously, but cheap self storage can quickly turn expensive when hidden fees start appearing. Always read the little details. Some operators show, for example, the price excl VAT. In some countries, such as the United Kingdom, you often pay VAT on self storage. As such, the final price would come in 20% higher than stated. Additionally, operators sometimes show the price for a rental period of 12 months, whereas more short-term prices (1 month, 6 months, etc.) are actually more expensive.

Other questions, you need to ask yourself are:

• Is the price introductory or fixed long-term? Does it for example include a 50% discount for the first 3 months?

• Are insurance, locks, or admin fees included?

• Do I pay for access outside office hours?

• Is there a deposit, and is it refundable?

Some facilities offer discounts for pre-paying several months upfront, while others provide rolling monthly contracts. In other words, there are a variety of ways used in the market to “hide” the actual price. Prices on The Storage Scanner are corrected for these factors, so the price you see is always the price incl VAT (if applicable), and the price on a rolling monthly basis. This level of transparency helps you compare self storage in an easy way.

6. Climate Control

If you’re storing anything valuable or sensitive, for example electronics, wooden furniture, artwork, photos, or even an old, special wine, consider climate-controlled self storage. These type of units maintain stable temperature and humidity year-round, protecting your items from mould, or rust. They’re especially important in regions with cold winters or humid summers. For example in Norway, Sweden, or Finland.

Climate-controlled self storage costs a little more, but it can save you a lot. In order to assess whether a climate-controlled self storage unit is worth it, apply the rule-of-thumb. Is the extra cost worth the extra protection of your stuff?

7. Opening Hours

Imagine realizing around 6:30 p.m. you need your business samples for a new e-commerce client, and all samples are locked inside a self storage unit that closes at 6 p.m. This type of frustration can be prevented by choosing a facility with extended opening hours, or even 24/7 access. Do you have an e-commerce brand and do you want to explore how self storage can help you run your business? Read our blog here.

As a tip, we would recommend you to look for a facility that matches your routine. Does the facility have restricted opening hours during the weekend, but are you only able to visit during weekends? Then you might need to consider a different self storage facility. In Europe, more and more self-storage providers now offer 24/7 entry with digital locks or gate codes, providing you with access whenever you need.

Next to the opening hours, other features could also be important when making a decision. For example:

• Is there parking close to the entrance?

• Are trolleys available?

• Can large vans or moving trucks access the site easily?

There are also features, other than the opening hours. For this, please see section 11 below.

8. Staff and Service

This part often gets overlooked, but the staff can completely change your experience. A good team is helpful, patient, and transparent about costs and policies.

When you call or visit, notice how the staff in the self storage facility treats you: do they answer clearly, and explain options without pressure? If so, that’s a green flag. If they rush you or avoid questions, it might be better to consider an alternative self storage provider.

9. Insurance

Even the cleanest, most secure facility can’t control everything. Floods, fires, or accidents happen. That’s why self-storage insurance matters. Some facilities include basic coverage, others make it optional. You can also take on insurance yourself via one of the many self storage insurance brokers. In order to assess whether self storage insurance is worth it, ask yourself what the value is of your stuff (not only material, but also emotional), and compare this with the monthly recurring insurance premium.

10. Reviews and Reputation

Before committing, take ten minutes to read reviews online. Not just the star rating, but the comments themselves. These offer you various insights into the different storage facilities. If multiple people praise the same things (cleanliness, staff helpfulness, safety), you can trust it’s consistent. If you keep seeing complaints about billing, access, or poor communication, you might want to reconsider your choice.

11. Additional Features

Some extras are worth paying attention to:

• Drive-up units

• Online booking and payments

• Flexible rental periods

• Business storage options with invoices and VAT support.

Not every customer needs these, but if you do, these extras are a valuable addition.

12. Visit in Person

Before you sign anything, it is recommended to visit the facility. Have a look at the unit you’ll be renting, test the locks and check the lighting. Pictures online can look great, but only an in-person visit tells you whether a place feels safe.

If you can’t visit, choose a provider with strong reviews and verified photos. The Storage Scanner helps by verifying listings and flagging trusted operators across Europe.

Final Thoughts

In the blog above, we have presented 12 topics we would recommend to take into account, when looking for the right self-storage facility.

A good facility is clean, secure, fairly priced, and run by people who care about your belongings. It saves you time, keeps your belongings safe, and makes life a little less stressful during transitions, such as a move, renovation, or stressful life events.

Independent platforms like The Storage Scanner collect thousands of storage options in one place, so you can compare locations, prices, and more in minutes. All at zero additional costs. The Storage Scanner currently shows more than 3,500+ self storage providers in Europe, which in total have more than 10,000 facilities. Whether you’re moving, renovating, or simply need extra space, The Storage Scanner makes it easy to find the best self storage space near you.