Self-storage refers to a space or lockable unit in which customers store their personal property on a self-service basis. Self-storage allows customers who are relocating, selling a home, or simply looking for more space for their possessions an affordable, flexibly sized place to store the items. Businesses frequently use self-storage to store inventory or paperwork, rather than having to lease additional expensive commercial space. Unlike portable or door-to-door storage, self-storage customers have a key to the unit and/or code to entry gates so that they are not forced to make appointments to access their goods.

Almost anything, from abacuses to zithers, even cars and boats. There are a few common sense things that can't be stored: pesticides, fertilizers, hazardous substances, burnable fuels, explosives, living things, things that give off odors or which can decay, contraband, and food that's not sealed in cans. Be sure to tell the storage operator the kinds of things you plan to store. They'll be glad to help you sort it out.

Ask the storage operators for their recommendations. They have lots of experience matching spaces to storage needs.

Some operators offer cooled spaces, which they often refer to as climate controlled. Climate controlled may mean fully air-conditioned or evaporative cooled. Air-conditioned usually refers to air cooled by refrigeration, through the use of a condenser, and evaporative cooled refers to air cooled through water evaporation (swamp box). Climate controlled could also mean either heated and cooled to a constant temperature and humidity or just cooled by evaporation. Ask the self-storage operator exactly what is meant by climate controlled or air conditioned storage to make sure you are getting what you expect.