Do you feel like you have more stuff than space? There may not be any more room in your loft or garage. Or, perhaps, you’re looking to sell your house and need to store your furniture until you move into your new home.
You may start looking for storage solutions but come across self-storage and box storage and wonder what the difference is. To help you decide which option is best for you, we have put together this handy guide.
Self-Storage
A self-storage unit provides flexible, secure storage for your belongings. You will be able to choose what size unit you need and take your belongings there yourself and store them for however long you like.
You will be able to access the unit whenever you require and remove your belongings at any time, making it a good option if you would like easy access.
Advantages of Self-Storage
Some advantages of self-storage include accessibility and safety and security.
Accessibility
A self-storage unit is more readily accessible as the facilities are open 7 days a week for you to come and go as you please.
Safety & Security
A self-storage unit is highly secure and protected by 24-hour recorded CCTV and comprehensive alarm systems. You will also be the only one to have access to the unit.
Disadvantages of Self-Storage
The disadvantage of self-storage is that you will need to get your belongings to and from the unit, rather than having access to delivery drivers.
What is Box Storage?
If you don’t need immediate access to your belongings during storage, box storage could be the solution for you.
Box storage doesn’t require you to rent a storage unit, a storage provider will come and pick up your belongings and store them in their storage facility.
They will provide you with the boxes, so you can pack at your leisure and then collect your boxes at a time that is convenient to you. When you need your boxes back the box storage company will return them to.
Advantages of Box Storage
Some advantages of box storage include convenience and price.
Convenience
By using a box storage provider, a major advantage is convenience. You can get your boxes collected, stored, and returned without having to leave your front door. You don’t need a car or need to find a removal company to help you prepare and transport your stuff to storage. This means there are no worries about coordinating multiple companies when it comes to moving day.
Price
Unlike self-storage where you pay for a certain amount of space which can often go to waste, box storage allows you to pay only for what you store. This is cost-effective if you only need to store smaller items or a couple of boxes.
Safety & Security
Box storage facilities are highly secure and protected by 24-hour recorded CCTV and comprehensive alarm systems. No one has access to these facilities but the staff that works there.
What to Consider When Choosing Self-Storage or Box Storage
Choosing between self-storage and box storage is mostly dependent on what you need from storage and what you’re storing.
Box storage works best for people who want to store small items and boxes and who don’t need to access them regularly. Self-storage works best for people storing many large items and who require the ability to access their storage unit whenever they please.
We’ve put together this table of helpful considerations to make when choosing between box storage and self-storage:
| Considerations | Self Storage | Box Storage |
| How often do you need to access your items? | Be able to access your items regularly. | Don’t need access to your items regularly. |
| What do you need to store? | Better for large items or if you’re storing a lot of stuff. | Better for small items and boxes. |
| Flexibility | Can’t easily change unit size. You will have to move your stuff. | Can easily increase or decrease the amount of boxes you store. |
| Cost | Pay for a space to store your things. This may mean you don’t use all the space efficiently. | Pay only for what you store. |
Ready to Start Using Box Storage?
If you decide to choose box storage, Access Box Storage can help you out.
Simply enter your London postcode into our search bar to make a booking and select how many boxes and larger items you’d like to store and how long for. We’ll provide you with free boxes. Then, you can take your time packing and storing, and we’ll come to collect your boxes whenever you’re ready! It couldn’t be easier.
Check out our FAQs if you have any questions or get in touch with us today.