Running out of space doesn't always mean your business needs a larger office, retail location, or warehouse. A self storage unit can provide flexible extra space for inventory, documents, equipment, supplies, furniture, and even company vehicles while keeping your everyday workspace organized.
If you're considering business storage in Edmonton or St. Albert, asking a few questions before you rent can help you choose the right storage unit for your business.
Start by deciding whether your storage needs are temporary or long-term.
You may need short-term storage during an office renovation, relocation, busy season, or inventory change. Other businesses use self storage year-round for documents, equipment, supplies, excess inventory, or vehicle storage.
For a growing business, renting a storage unit can provide additional space without immediately committing to a larger commercial property.
Knowing exactly what you plan to store will help determine the type of storage you need.
Businesses commonly use self storage for:
Archived documents and files
Seasonal and excess inventory
E-commerce inventory
Office furniture
Tools and equipment
Shipping and packaging supplies
Promotional materials
Trade show displays
Seasonal decorations
Company vehicles
If you're storing boxes, label both the tops and sides. This makes it easier to identify the contents when boxes are stacked.
Keeping an inventory of what's in your unit can also save time, particularly when several employees need access.
The right storage unit should provide enough room for your belongings without leaving you paying for significantly more space than you need.
Before renting, make a list of larger items and estimate how many boxes, shelves, inventory containers, or pieces of equipment you'll be storing.
Our guide can help you estimate the storage unit size you need.
Remember to account for accessibility. If you'll regularly retrieve inventory, files, or equipment, leave enough room for a walking aisle instead of packing your unit from wall to wall.
The type of belongings you're storing can be just as important as the amount of space you need.
Climate-controlled storage units may be a good choice for business documents, electronics, wood furniture, artwork, and other temperature-sensitive belongings. A more consistent storage environment can provide additional protection from Alberta's extreme seasonal temperature changes.
If you're unsure, learn more about when to choose climate-controlled storage.
For less temperature-sensitive business belongings, an unheated storage unit may be a practical alternative.
Think about how frequently you or your employees will need to visit.
If your unit primarily stores archived documents or seasonal items, frequent access may not be necessary. If you're storing active inventory, tools, equipment, or supplies, convenient access can make a significant difference.
Location matters too. Choosing a storage facility close to your business can reduce the time employees spend picking up or dropping off items.
For businesses regularly moving equipment, inventory, furniture, or large boxes, drive-up access can make storage much more convenient.
With a drive-up storage unit, you can bring your vehicle directly to or close to your unit, reducing the distance you need to carry heavy or bulky items.
Drive-up access can be especially useful for contractors, retailers, service companies, sales teams, and other businesses that frequently move supplies or equipment in and out of storage.
Some businesses need space for more than boxes and inventory.
Vehicle storage can provide additional space for company cars, work vehicles, trailers, or other eligible business vehicles that don't need to remain at your office every day.
If parking is limited at your workplace or you have seasonal business vehicles, off-site vehicle storage may help free up valuable space.
Business inventory, equipment, documents, and vehicles can be valuable, so security should be part of your decision.
When comparing storage facilities, consider features such as controlled access, surveillance, lighting, secure buildings, and customer entry.
You should also determine which employees need access to the storage unit and establish a simple process to track stored items.
Choosing the right unit is only the first step. Organizing it properly can make your business storage space much more efficient.
Create a basic map showing where different categories of items are located. Keep similar products, files, equipment, and supplies together and maintain an up-to-date inventory list.
Leave a central aisle so employees don't have to move several boxes every time they need something from the back.
Place heavy boxes on the bottom and lighter or fragile items above them. Frequently used inventory and supplies should stay near the front, while archived files and seasonal items can be placed farther back.
Don't forget about the height of your storage unit.
Shelving can help businesses take advantage of vertical space while keeping boxes, supplies, documents, and inventory organized and accessible.
Rather than creating unstable stacks, shelving also makes it easier to see what you have and retrieve individual items.
Commercial self-storage can provide a growing business with additional space without immediately expanding its office, retail, or warehouse space.
Businesses can use storage for archived documents, surplus furniture, seasonal inventory, e-commerce products, tools, equipment, marketing materials, and other items that don't need to be kept at the workplace every day.
Depending on what you're storing, you can also consider climate-controlled storage units, drive-up access, or vehicle storage.
Moving these items off-site can help reduce clutter, improve organization, and make better use of the commercial space you're already paying for.
Businesses can use self storage for many types of belongings, including inventory, archived documents, office furniture, equipment, supplies, marketing materials, trade show displays, and seasonal items.
Always check with the storage facility if you're unsure whether a particular item is permitted.
It depends on what you're storing.
A business storing a small number of documents or supplies may only need a small unit or locker, while a company storing furniture, equipment, or significant inventory may need a larger unit.
Consider what you need to store today as well as whether your storage requirements are likely to increase.
Yes. Self storage can be a convenient option for excess, seasonal, and e-commerce inventory, particularly when products are beginning to take over your office, retail space, or work areas.
Organize inventory by category, clearly label containers, and keep frequently accessed products close to the front of the unit.
It depends on what you're storing. Climate-controlled storage units may be a good choice for documents, electronics, wood furniture, artwork, and other temperature-sensitive business belongings.
More durable equipment and supplies may be suitable for an unheated unit.
Yes. Drive-up access can be particularly useful for businesses that regularly load and unload equipment, inventory, supplies, furniture, or large quantities of boxes.
Being able to bring a vehicle close to the storage unit can make pickups and drop-offs faster and more convenient.
Yes. Elite Self Storage offers vehicle storage options for customers who need additional space for eligible vehicles. Vehicle storage can be useful for businesses with limited on-site parking or vehicles that aren't used year-round.
Contact your preferred Elite Self Storage location to confirm current availability and vehicle requirements.
Yes. Elite Self Storage offers office rentals, providing another flexible option for businesses that need professional workspace in addition to storage.
Office rentals can be useful for small businesses, entrepreneurs, remote workers, and growing companies looking for workspace without committing to a larger traditional commercial office.
Contact Elite Self Storage for current office rental options and availability.
Yes. Elite Self Storage provides business storage in South Edmonton and St. Albert, with different storage options available depending on your location and needs.
Whether you need space for inventory and equipment, climate-controlled storage units, drive-up access, vehicle storage, or additional business space, our team can help you find an appropriate solution.
Whether you're clearing out an overcrowded office, organizing inventory, storing equipment, or making room for your business to grow, Elite Self Storage can help.
Looking for extra space for your South Edmonton business? Explore our South Edmonton self storage location for business storage, climate-controlled storage units, drive-up access, vehicle storage, and other available storage options.
Explore South Edmonton Self Storage
Need business storage in St. Albert? Explore our St. Albert self storage location for convenient storage options for inventory, documents, equipment, supplies, vehicles, and more.
Explore St. Albert Self Storage
Make more room for your business. Choose your nearest Elite Self Storage location and find the storage solution that works for you.
