Storage Facility Options: Size, Price & Security Guide

Finding the right storage solution depends entirely on your situation. Are you storing a few boxes during a quick move, or protecting valuable inventory long-term? Do you need daily access, or just somewhere safe to stash seasonal items? This guide walks you through every option (from garages to professional facilities) so you can make an informed choice based on what you’re actually storing and for how long.

Understanding Your Storage Options

Before you can choose the type of storage that suits your needs, you need to understand what’s available and when each option genuinely makes sense for your situation.

At-Home Storage

Using spare rooms, garages, sheds, or under-bed space is the most accessible option. It’s free, immediately available, and you control access completely.

When this works well:

• You’re storing items for a few weeks or months
• You need frequent, immediate access
• You’re dealing with low-value or easily replaced items
• You have available space that isn’t needed for daily living

What to watch for:

Australian garages and sheds experience significant temperature and humidity swings that damage wood, electronics, and fabrics over time. Items stacked behind other belongings become progressively harder to reach. Security is limited to your home’s existing locks. What starts as temporary storage often becomes permanent clutter taking over living spaces.

Best for: Short-term overflow during moves, seasonal decorations you access annually, bulky items like sporting equipment you use regularly.

Portable Container Storage

Companies deliver a container to your property, you load it, and they transport it to their facility or your destination.

When this works well:

• You’re moving and need temporary storage during the transition
• You’re renovating and want everything packed once, then retrieved once
• You have accessible driveway or street parking for delivery
• You need a short-term solution (typically weeks to months)

What to watch for:

Containers often sit outdoors at storage yards, exposed to weather. Accessing items requires scheduling a delivery, which takes days and costs extra each time. You pay for both storage and transport. Container size is fixed: you can’t easily scale up or down.

Best for: House moves, major renovations, temporary storage during property staging or sales.

Warehouse Storage

Traditional warehouse leases offer large-scale space (hundreds of square metres) for businesses with significant inventory or equipment needs.

When this works well:

• You need substantial space for palletised goods or large equipment
• Your business has consistent, predictable storage requirements
• You want a semi-permanent base for inventory management
• You need to install custom shelving or establish logistics systems

What to watch for:

Long-term lease commitments (typically 12-36 months) with penalties for early termination. Limited access hours. Higher upfront costs and ongoing expenses including utilities and maintenance. You pay for the entire space whether using it all or not.

Best for: Established businesses with large, stable inventory needs, manufacturing operations, distribution centres.

Friends or Family’s Place

Storing items with relatives or friends is free and keeps belongings with people you trust.

When this works well:

• You need storage for just a few weeks
• You’re storing a small number of low-value items
• You have clear communication about duration and access
• They have genuinely available space

What to watch for:

No insurance coverage if items are damaged. No professional framework for handling disputes or changing needs. What starts as “just for a month” often extends uncomfortably. Most home insurance policies don’t cover items stored for others.

Best for: Emergency overflow during very short transitions, temporarily storing a few boxes between homes.

Professional Storage Facilities

Purpose-built facilities offer secure, accessible units in various sizes with professional management. Providers like Roomia specialise in flexible storage solutions designed around real customer needs.

When this works well:

• You need flexible, medium to long-term storage (months to years)
• You’re storing valuable items, important documents, or inventory
• You want regular access without coordinating with others
• Items need protection from humidity, temperature swings, or pests
• You value flexibility to scale up, down, or end storage without penalties

What Roomia offers:

• Free move-in van hire for the whole day (not just part-day). Drive an automatic LDV van with no special licence or tow bar needed
• Free trolleys to make loading and unloading manageable
• 24/7 secure access so your schedule controls when you visit
• On-site managers for personalised support and immediate assistance
• No lock-in contracts—genuine month-to-month flexibility
• Sustainable facilities with solar power and LED lighting
• Wide aisles, covered loading bays, goods lifts designed for practical use

Best for: Personal storage (moving, renovating, travelling), business storage (inventory, seasonal stock, documents), furniture storage during transitions, and vehicle storage for cars, boats, and caravans.

Comparing Your Options

What Makes a Professional Storage Facility Different?

Not all storage facilities offer the same protection and service. Here’s what separates quality providers from those cutting corners.

Security Features That Matter

Great self-storage facilities require great security measures. Quality facilities use multiple protective layers working together.

Essential security features:

• 24/7 video surveillance covering entry points, hallways, and unit corridors
• Individual unit alarms that alert staff to unauthorised access attempts
• Gated access with PIN or keycard entry restricting site access to current customers only
• Motion-sensor lighting throughout corridors and outdoor areas
• On-site management during business hours for immediate response to security events

Roomia’s modern, secure buildings feature advanced alarm systems, comprehensive CCTV coverage, and on-site managers who prioritise safety without compromising accessibility.

Access and Convenience

Storage is only useful if you can reach your belongings when needed. Access policies vary dramatically between facilities.

Look for:

• 24/7 or extended self-service access—your schedule controls when you visit, not facility hours
• Drive-up units—load and unload directly from your vehicle
• Wide corridors and lifts—accommodate trolleys and large furniture
• Weather-protected access routes—covered loading areas so rain doesn’t complicate visits

Some facilities still operate with restricted hours (9am to 5pm weekdays only), making your belongings effectively inaccessible when you actually need them.

Additional Services That Matter

Beyond basic storage space, quality providers offer services that make the entire experience easier:

• Free move-in van eliminates the need to hire separate transport
• Free trolleys on-site for easy loading
• Packing supplies and boxes available for purchase
• Contents protection options like StoreProtect for added peace of mind
• Flexible terms with no penalties for ending storage early

Questions to Ask Before Choosing Storage

Independent consumer advice from CHOICE recommends evaluating facilities thoroughly before committing. Here’s your checklist:

About security:

• “Can I see your CCTV system in operation right now?”
• “Do individual units have alarms, or just the facility perimeter?”
• “What’s your track record with security incidents?”

About contracts and costs:

• “What’s included in the monthly rate—locks, insurance, administration fees?”
• “Is there a minimum contract term or lock-in period?”
• “What happens if I need to end my rental early?”

About practical access:

• “Can I access my unit at any time, or are there restrictions?”
• “Is there trolley and lift access for upper-floor units?”
• “What size unit do you recommend for my situation?”

Red flags to watch for:

• Vague answers about security or past incidents
• High-pressure sales tactics pushing immediate sign-ups
• Refusal to show actual units before you commit
• Hidden fees that inflate the advertised rate
• Poor lighting or visible maintenance issues during your visit

Quality providers welcome informed questions and transparency.

Matching Storage to Your Situation

The ideal storage solution aligns with your specific circumstances.

Moving house?

A professional storage facility with flexible month-to-month terms and easy vehicle access gives you breathing room to settle in without pressure. Use Roomia’s free moving van to transport your belongings, then take your time unpacking and determining what fits in your new space.

Renovating?

Analysis from KPMG shows renovation spending now represents 40% of total residential construction spend. Look for drive-up units near your property with unrestricted access hours so you can drop things off or retrieve them around your construction schedule.

Running a business?

E-commerce growth has created strong demand from small businesses and entrepreneurs needing affordable, flexible space for inventory. Professional storage with scalable units gives you room to grow without warehouse lease commitments. Start small, expand as inventory grows, reduce space during slower seasons.

Downsizing or decluttering?

Choose a provider with transparent pricing and no lock-in contracts. The freedom to end storage without penalties means you can make decisions about items at your own pace rather than feeling rushed by contract obligations.

Storing vehicles or equipment?

Seek dedicated vehicle storage with covered bays, proper ventilation, and security suited to high-value items. Not all storage facilities accommodate vehicles, so verify specifications before committing.

Roomia’s sustainable design and customer-first approach mean you get comprehensive protection without sacrificing convenience or locking yourself into rigid contracts. Ready to experience storage that adapts to your needs? Find self-storage near you and see why thousands of Australians trust Roomia.