What You Can (& CANNOT) Store in a Storage Unit

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Self storage units have become increasingly popular over the years due to their flexibility, affordability, and overall convenience when you need space. However, first-time storage tenants and potential customers often find themselves wondering just what can you store in a storage unit?

Luckily, our comprehensive guide is here to answer that question and more. Read on to find out what you can and cannot store in a storage unit!

What You Can Store

If the belongings that you store in the unit are safe, lawful, and adhere to your rental contract guidelines, you have quite a bit of leeway when it comes to selecting items for storage:

Furniture

Furniture is commonly stored in storage units, especially during moves, throughout renovations, and when households are downsizing. From sofas and tables to dressers and bed frames, a storage unit provides a secure space to keep your furniture safe and protected from damage.

Household Appliances

Large and small household appliances such as refrigerators, washing machines, microwaves, and even seasonal items like air conditioners and heaters can be safely stored in a storage unit.

Seasonal Clothing and Décor

Clothing and decorations for different seasons can take up a significant amount of space in your home. A storage unit is ideal for keeping off-season clothing, holiday decorations, and other seasonal items organised and easily accessible when needed.

Electrical Goods

Electrical goods like TVs, tablets, and gaming systems can be stored in a unit to free up space at home or during a transition. Take the necessary steps to properly pack and protect electrical items to prevent damage while in storage. Use high-quality packing materials and transport items securely so they remain in good condition.

Sporting Equipment

Renting a storage unit is an effective way to store bulky sporting goods like bicycles, golf clubs, and skis during the off-season. These items often take up considerable space at home when not in use.

Business Inventory

For businesses with excess inventory or seasonal stock, a storage unit provides a cost-effective solution. It helps maintain a clutter-free workspace while ensuring that inventory remains easily accessible.

Important Documents

Important documents such as legal papers and financial records as well as sentimental items like photographs can be stored in temperature-regulated units with enhanced security features to protect them from damage or loss.

Collectibles

For collectors with limited space at home, a self-storage unit offers a secure haven to preserve cherished items. Carefully boxing up an extensive Lego collection or shelving rows of delicate model kits protects these prized possessions from damage. Larger memorabilia pieces, like a firstborn's crib or a vintage bicycle, can be safely stowed away without cluttering living spaces.

Vehicles

Some storage units are designed to accommodate vehicles, including cars, motorcycles, boats, and caravans. This is especially useful for those who lack sufficient space at home or need to store a vehicle for an extended period.

Musical Instruments

Instruments like electric pianos, guitars, and brass instruments require careful storage to prevent damage. Temperature-regulated storage units help maintain the optimal conditions to preserve the integrity of these valuable items, while giving them the space they need so they aren’t squeezed in next to other items at home.

What You Cannot Store

Self storage facilities are secure and convenient places to stash your extra stuff without worry. That said, they come with various guidelines users must follow to keep themselves, staff, and other customers safe. Local fire codes, environmental regulations, and insurance policies can dictate what you are and aren't allowed to store. Here’s a list of commonly prohibited items:

Live Animals

Storing pets, livestock, and any other living creatures is prohibited. Storage units cannot safely sustain animal life and animals may introduce odour and waste issues, and can spread diseases to the storage units and staff.

Perishables

Storing any perishable foods, plants, and flowers should be avoided. The variability in temperature and humidity causes these items to quickly spoil and rot. This creates contamination, foul smells, and hygiene issues for all sharing the storage facility.

Explosives

It’s extremely dangerous and illegal to store fireworks, ammunition, flares, and any other explosive or reactive substances. Their unpredictable instability means they could ignite and cause fires or lethal explosions. This violates fire safety regulations.

Flammable Liquids

Only tiny amounts of accelerants, solvents, oil-based paints, and other flammable fluids can be stored safely. Their combustible nature means they could easily ignite destructive fires that could endanger store staff and destroy entire facilities.

Fuel

Petrol, diesel, and other liquid motor fuels produce flammable vapours that are easily sparked by electricity, switches, and lightning. They also leak and destroy surrounding possessions.

Toxic Materials

Banned toxic items like bleach, ammonia, weedkillers, battery acid, and corrosive chemicals leak hazardous fumes over time and leakages eat through other stored goods. Only tiny amounts specifically for intended storage use are allowed.

Electric Mobility Devices

Electrically powered wheelchairs, mobility scooters, and similar vehicles can overheat, catch fire, and leak battery fluid if stored improperly, damaging other people’s stored items. No fuel or batteries may remain connected.

Illegal Items

Goods prohibited by law like weapons, hazardous waste, and other contraband items should never be stored, as these put respectable storage companies and renters at great legal risk. All storage rental agreements mandate compliance with relevant laws.

What To Consider Before Placing Your Items in Self Storage

Before selecting a self storage provider, determine what specifically needs storing and for how long to make the right choice for your storage needs.

Unit Sizes

With StorHub’s helpful storage space calculator, you don’t have to guess which unit is right for you. Just tell us what you have and how many, and we’ll suggest the perfect unit size for your belongings. It’s that easy!

Facility Security

At StorHub, we use top-notch security to make sure your stuff stays safe all the time. Our storage units have 24-hour CCTV monitoring, alarms on each unit, and motion sensor lighting.

Location

Located in 4 Capital Place, our Rouse Hill storage facilities are near the intersection of Windsor and Annangrove Roads, fulfilling the storage needs of the Hills District community.

Access

With 24-hour storage access, customers can enjoy the flexibility to choose the access hours and frequency that meet their needs, whether it’s getting something from storage once a week or visiting multiple times a day.

Rent Secure Self Storage with StorHub

Contact us to learn what can and cannot be stored in our storage facilities before your move. Our highly trained staff stays well versed on the ins and outs of self storage rules and regulations, so feel free to pick their brains on any storage-related queries.

With Storhub, signing up for a storage unit is a breeze thanks to our Storage Specialists, so you can simply relax and enjoy your newfound space.