using storage units for hobbies

Posted on: 14 May 2015

Most people use storage units to store extra belongings they don't have space for, or to temporarily store their things while moving or traveling long-term. Some of the features that make storage units great places to stash your extra stuff also make them the perfect environment for more creative uses. Storage units are often affordable to rent by the month, offer a great deal of privacy, have 24-hour access, come with electricity, and may even be climate controlled. Here are four creative ways to take advantage of these storage unit features:

Art Studio

A storage unit can make a great art or photography studio. As an artist, you know just how much more likely you are to create art when you have a dedicated space for doing just that. You can keep all of your art supplies set up and ready to go in your storage unit instead of having to put them away after every art creation session. Storage units are also private, quiet, and distraction-free, making them an easy space to concentrate solely on your art

Storage units are much more affordable than renting an actual studio somewhere, and you can rent one with power, lighting, and climate control in order to create the perfect creative environment for painting, drawing, photography, or even sculpting.

Band Rehearsal Space

When you have a band, a common problem is finding a suitable place to practice regularly. Between roommates, significant others, and complaining neighbors, practicing at home is usually out of the question unless you want everyone to be mad at you. Storage units can be great options for band rehearsal, because they're cheap, private, secured, and you can leave all your stuff there. Simply follow this guide to using storage units for band practice to get started.

Office Space

If you're in the early stages of a new business, renting an office space can be incredibly cost prohibitive. Why not consider a storage unit instead? They come in a variety of sizes, can be climate controlled, and offer 24 hour secured access, making them a potentially great alternative office space. Simply set up your desk and computer, put in some shelves for your equipment or inventory, and you have yourself an instant office space!

Be sure to check with your storage unit company to make sure you're allowed to set up internet there. Many facilities do allow this, but if not you may be able to set up a "hot spot" or other portable internet solution in able to run your business from the storage unit.

Inventory Space for a Resale Business

A great way to make extra money is to start a resale business. You can purchase furniture, household goods or other items cheaply at thrift stores, yard sales, and storage auctions, fix them up a bit, and then resell them online for a profit. The problem with this sort of business is that it requires space to keep all of your inventory before it sells.

Rather than clutter your own home with your inventory, you can find a storage unit at a place like Epic Group Inc where you can keep everything organized and ready to sell. You can keep your packing and shipping material in the storage unit as well, in order to further streamline your resale business. Be sure to talk to your accountant about this option, as you should be able to write off the monthly cost of the storage unit as a business expense come tax time, just as you would if you were renting a warehouse.

As these four examples show, with a little imagination your rented storage unit can be used in a variety of interesting and creative ways.