When most people picture self‑storage, they imagine dusty boxes of forgotten knick‑knacks. In reality, a secure, climate‑controlled StoreSmart unit can become an extension of your office or home—freeing up breathing room without forcing you to purge the things you value. Below you’ll find five unexpected items that thrive in storage, followed by five proven hacks to organise your unit (and your life) for stress‑free living.
Five “Wait — I Can Store That?” Items
1. Seasonal Sports & Outdoor Gear
Kayaks, surfboards, ski boots and mountain‑bike racks hog precious square metres for nine months of the year. Clean, dry and pad them, then let them hibernate in storage while your garage evolves from obstacle course to orderly workspace.
2. Family‑Heirloom Furniture
That vintage credenza from Gran might not fit your current décor, but selling sentimental pieces feels wrong. Wrap it in breathable furniture blankets and stand it upright at the back of your unit—protected from bumps and humidity until you’re ready to give it pride of place again.
3. Tax Records & Legal Paperwork
SARS recommends keeping business records for at least five years. Rather than sacrificing filing‑cabinet real estate, box documents by tax year, label clearly, and store them in the rear corner of your unit. They’ll stay secure yet instantly retrievable for audits.
4. Hobby Overflow
Whether it’s camping equipment, cosplay costumes or 1:8 scale model cars, passions multiply faster than cupboards. A small 2.5 sqm locker keeps hobbies contained so your living areas stay zen.
5. Bulk Household Supplies
Buying cleaning products and non‑perishables in bulk slashes costs—but where do you stash a year’s worth of paper towels? A waist‑high shelving rack inside a 1.5 sqm StoreSmart unit turns bulk‑buy chaos into supermarket‑style order.
Five Storage Hacks for a Tidy, Low‑Stress Life
1. Vacuum‑Seal & Stack
Compress off‑season clothing and linen into vacuum bags, then stack them like pizza boxes on top shelves. You’ll cut volume by up to 70 % and keep moisture at bay.
2. Colour‑Code by Room or Team
Pick a colour for each household room (or office department). Stick matching labels on every box so you can spot what you need at a glance—no rummaging required.
3. Create an Aisle
Leave a 30 cm walkway down the centre of your unit. The small sacrifice in floor space pays dividends when you need to grab a single archive box without unloading half the unit.
4. Roll‑In Shelving Units
Freestanding metal shelves on castors transform vertical space into organised heaven. They also let you pull entire sections forward like supermarket gondolas.
5. Digital Inventory with QR Codes
Snap a photo of each box’s contents, upload it to a shared cloud folder, and print a QR code for the lid. Scan‑and‑search beats paper lists every time.
StoreSmart units—from 1.5 sqm come with 24‑hour access, CCTV security, and transparent month‑to‑month pricing. Reserve online in minutes, or pop into our Cape Town or Johannesburg reception desks for a chat. Decluttering isn’t about throwing life away; it’s about giving the things you love (and the space you live in) room to breathe.