London is one of the most expensive cities in the world. Some say it is because of its status as one of the world’s top financial centres, but the truth is, it isn’t that simple. More so than being one of the financial capitals in the world, London has seen a steady increase in living expenses due to its ever-growing population.
Because of the rise in population, the demand for food, housing, and space also rises. And with the demand being astronomically higher than the supply, merchants and manufacturers are left with no choice but to raise their prices. Despite this dilemma, though, thousands of people still move into London annually.
If you plan to move to London or are already set to make a move shortly, you will probably look for ways to cope with these expensive living costs. Well, you’d be glad to know that there are, in fact, several ways for you to do this.
One particular way, though, is quite famous for London residents right now: renting storage units. Storage units are remote spaces that you can rent to store items that you can’t fit anywhere else. Are you intrigued? Read on to find out more.
The average size of a 1-bedroom London apartment is a measly 46 sq m. This figure is less than the recommended living space for Research from the Royal Institute of British Architects found that this lack of space can lead to a dissatisfied life among London residents.
Over 47% of the people surveyed by Riba reported that they don’t have enough space for all of the furniture that they owned. 57% said that they didn’t have enough storage space, and 28% felt that they lived in such close quarters with everyone that they can’t get away from other people’s noise.
It’s no secret that there’s not much privacy when you live in confined quarters. To afford the rent, some residents choose to co-share —sharing their 46 sq m flat with someone else. The 46 sq m space then becomes divided into two or three, making it harder to find space for their items or have some much-needed privacy.
So what’s the solution? When you can’t afford to rent a bigger flat, London residents only have one choice left: renting storage units in London. Here, I have outlined the benefits of renting a storage unit in London.
Reduce Clutter
Storage units allow homeowners the unique opportunity to declutter their houses without having to throw away their items. Often, when we’re decluttering, we feel bad for throwing away things that may still have use for us. We can send them to a secure location with storage units that we can access when the need arises.
Some of these items include:
- Furniture
- Seasonal Clothes
- Baby stuff
- Cribs
- Extra appliances
- Spare bedding and sheets
- Photo albums
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Guaranteed Security
Self storage facilities are safe and secure facilities. Only the unit owner has access to their storage unit. Site managers ensure that all storage units are kept spacious and dry. As long as all tenants follow the rules on what you can and can’t store, then your unit will be safe.
Some items that you can’t store are:
- Explosives
- Firearms
- Plants
- Pets
- Perishables
- Gasoline
Easy Moving and Renovations
If you’re new to London and moving from a different place, a storage unit will make your life so much easier. Normally, you’d want to do some renovations in your new home to make it feel more home-y. Additionally, the new place may actually not yet be ready by the time of your Moving Day. Don’t impede your construction by having boxes littered around the house while renovators come in and out.
Construction work is done much faster when no furniture might break. Just think of how much you’ll save because your contractors finished the job more quickly than expected.
Versatile Seasonal Interior Designs
London is the place to be during the holidays. There’s just so much holiday cheer for everyone. If you have a flair for interior design and decorating, then a storage unit is perfect for you. Homeowners often feel the need to redecorate their house according to the season or holidays. This can lead to an accumulated pile of holiday decorations, from autumn leaves to Santa Claus figurines. There’s also the bulky ones that take up so much space like Christmas trees and Halloween decorations.
Read here to find out How to Get the Most Bang for your Buck in London.
Death
In the unlikely event of a family death, a storage unit provides a space to safeguard their items until their will has been approved and passed down. This also allows the family to grieve their loss without being reminded too much of their dead relative.