A guy came into our office at High Point Storage yesterday. He’s a plumber but he’s trying to start a side business doing something with computers. I didn’t fully understand it. But he needs space to work that isn’t his living room where his roommates are always watching TV.
He asked if he could set up a desk in his unit.
I told him yeah, people do that all the time.
Then he asked how to actually do it without messing up.
So here’s what I told him. And here’s what I’d tell you if you’re thinking about the same thing. Some storage places don’t want you hanging around. They want you in and out. That’s their right.
But if you want to spend time in your unit, just ask. Call the office and say “I’m thinking about using my unit as a little workspace sometimes. That okay?”
If they say no, you saved yourself trouble. If they say yes, ask if they have any rules. Some places care about furniture or hours or what you can do in there.
At our place, we just like to know what’s going on. Helps us keep an eye on things.
Picking the Right Size
You don’t need as much room as you think.
A 5×5 is small. Like really small. You could fit a small desk and a chair. That’s about it. Your knees might hit the wall.
A 5×10 gives you more breathing room. Desk on one wall, maybe a shelf on another. Room to stand up and stretch.
A 10×10 is what most people end up with. Desk, chair, maybe a filing cabinet, maybe a small couch or chair if you want a place to sit and think.
I had one guy try a 10×20 for his office. Too big. He filled half of it with junk he didn’t need. Downsized to a 10×10 and liked it better.
Where in the Facility
This matters more than you’d think.
Units near the bathrooms are convenient but you’ll hear the door open and close all day. Units near the entrance get more noise from people coming and going. Units in the back are quiet but you’ll walk farther.
Think about what bothers you. If you need quiet, pick a spot away from everything. If you don’t mind noise, being close to the entrance saves steps.
What You Actually Need
Don’t buy a bunch of stuff yet. Start small.
- A chair: Not some fancy expensive chair. Just one that doesn’t hurt your back after a few hours. Thrift stores have them cheap. So does Facebook Marketplace. So does your mom’s basement probably.
- A desk: Folding table from Home Depot works fine. So does an old door on cinder blocks if you’re handy. So does a cheap desk from someone who’s moving.
- Light: The lights in storage units are terrible. They buzz and flicker and make everything look gray. Bring a lamp from home. Or a clip-on light from the hardware store. Or battery powered LEDs if there’s no outlet near your desk.
- Power strip: Most units have one outlet. Maybe two. Get a surge protector with a long cord so you can plug in your computer and phone and lamp.
That’s it. Everything else can wait.
Stuff People Forget
After watching people do this for years, here’s what always catches them off guard.
- Internet: No WiFi in storage units. You need a hotspot and a data plan that can handle your work. Check your phone signal before you rent. Walk inside, close the door, try to load a website. If it’s slow, try a different unit.
- Temperature: Even climate controlled units feel different than regular buildings. One guy I know keeps a space heater in his unit all winter. Another keeps a fan going year round just to move air around.
- Bathroom: Where’s the bathroom? How far? How long to get there and back? One woman told me she stops drinking water an hour before she usually leaves. Probably not healthy but she says it works for her.
- Food: No kitchen here. No break room. No vending machine. Pack lunch. Bring coffee in a thermos. One guy keeps snacks in his desk drawer.
- Noise: You’ll hear stuff. People loading trucks. Kids asking for candy. The guy down the aisle playing music while he organizes. Headphones help. So does a fan for white noise.
Take Your Time Setting Up
Don’t try to do this in one day. I’ve watched people try and it never ends well.
- First week: Just clean the space and hang out in it. Bring a folding chair and your laptop. Work for an hour. See how it feels. Notice the light and sounds and temperature.
- Second week: Bring your desk and chair. Set them up where you thought they’d go. Work for a few hours. Move things if they’re not working.
- Third week: Start adding stuff. A rug if the floor feels hard. A plant if you have light. Pictures on the wall. Whatever makes it feel like your space.
One guy took two months to finish his setup. Brought one thing each week, used it for a while, kept it or returned it. By the time he was done, everything in there had a reason to be there.
Problems You’ll Have
I’m not going to pretend this is perfect. People run into stuff.
- Neighbors: Most people just grab their stuff and leave. But some hang around. If your neighbor plays loud music or leaves trash around or just makes your life harder, tell the office. We can’t fix what we don’t know about.
- Weather: Rainy days mean wet shoes and damp air. Hot days mean sweating before you start. Cold days mean numb fingers. You learn to deal with it or you decide this isn’t for you.
- Feeling weird: Some people will think you’re strange for working in a storage unit. Your friends might make jokes. You have to be okay with that or it’ll bug you.
- Lonely: Working alone in a concrete box can feel isolating. Some people love the quiet. Others miss the coffee shop noise. One woman I know started inviting a friend to work in the unit next door. They’re not together but they wave sometimes. Small thing, helps.
When It Works Good
For all the problems, I’ve seen some really nice setups.
There’s a guy who edits videos. His unit has two monitors and speakers. Says it’s quieter than his apartment and he gets way more done.
There’s a woman who runs a craft business. She has shelves of stuff along one wall and a table for packing orders along another. She can work without tripping over boxes at home.
There’s a college kid who studies in her unit during exams. Brings a camping chair and a lamp and a pile of textbooks. Says the lack of distractions helps her focus.
There’s a retired guy who uses his as a workshop. Tools on one wall, workbench on another, radio playing old music. Comes by almost every day.
Business Stuff to Think About
If you’re running a business from your unit, a few things to know.
- Insurance: Your stuff might be covered by our insurance but your equipment might need its own policy. Check with whoever does your insurance.
- Mail: You can’t get mail at a storage unit. But some places, including High Point Storage, will accept packages for customers. Just ask.
- Visitors: Most facilities don’t allow client meetings. We’re set up for storage, not for having guests. If you need to meet someone, do it somewhere else.
Making It Last
The people who stick with this treat it like a real job.
They show up around the same time every day. They have a routine. They don’t get distracted by other people’s stuff or other people’s problems. They keep the space clean because clutter in a small space feels bad fast.
They also know when to quit. If it stops working, if you hate going there, if your work gets worse instead of better, try something else. Nothing wrong with admitting this isn’t for you.
Come Look Around
If you’re wondering whether this could work for you, stop by [Your Storage Service Name] and look around. We’ll show you different units and talk about what you’re trying to do.
Bring questions. Bring a tape measure if you want. Bring a notepad and write down stuff I forget to mention.
And if you end up setting something up, show me. I like seeing what people do with their spaces. One woman put up Christmas lights because she said the regular lights were depressing. Another hung a whiteboard on the wall and uses it for ideas.
Your space should work for you. However that looks, we’re here to help.
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