NY Times Article About America’s Obsession with Self-Storage

There is a frightening New York Times article from last Thursday’s Home and Garden section about America’s approach to clutter:  rent a storage unit.

Not only does this not solve the problem, but the article sharply puts out that many people use storage to delay decisions, or clear out their home for sale.  They then re-accumulate clutter in their homes, thus creating a new need for a second or third storage unit.  The costs can be thousands of dollars per year and the addiction is growing.  Here is the scariest statistic we’ve ever heard:

"There is 2.2 billion square feet of self-storage space in the United States or nearly 90-square miles, an area more than 3-times the size of Manhattan."

We feel storage is only useful for short-term periods, or for out-of-season clothes or sports gear if you have limited space in your house.  Storage can be used in thoughtful ways.  Perhaps thinking about the cost of what you’re storing versus the cost of the unit may persuade you to ditch the junk and just re-purchase it when you need it.  We agree with this quote from our organizing colleague in San Diego:

"Many professional organizers, in fact, advise their clients against renting storage space. "I think the easy access does enable them,” said Dana Korey, a professional organizer in Del Mar, Calif., who estimates that nearly half of her clients rent storage units. "We ask people: ‘Do you really need another aromatherapy candle? You could light 10 a night and still have enough for two years.’""

But we got that we’re all easily persuaded to join-in on the fun.  Self-storage companies have a policy of "easy-in."  They give you your first month’s rent for a dollar, and also give you the use of a truck for load-in.  Many "fifth-generation" storage super centers are offering the use of conference rooms, carpeted lobbies, coffee, kitchens and dsl hook-ups.  Gosh, you’ll never have to leave.

Your thoughts?  Come on now, let’s get this party started!

• Source:  The Little House In the City Blog
• Read: Suzanne Gannon’s article Hooked on Storage in the NY Times (for a limited time, we’re sure.)

Picture above courtesy of NYT and photographer Michelle Litvin