With its college town vibe and its proximity to the big city of Phoenix, Tempe, Arizona, is an agreeable (and affordable) place to live for various categories of residents, from college students to young families to seniors. The various categories of residents have, obviously, different preferences when it comes to lifestyle and housing options; however, one constant remains – the need for storage.
Enough storage space at home is an issue for most people, and this is where self storage intervenes to pick up the slack. The street rate for a 10’x10’ self storage unit in Tempe stands around $127 per month. Whether you’re a college student, a family with young children, or a retiree relocating to Tempe, here’s why you might need to use self storage:
1. To enjoy a neat, decluttered home
There are many items you don’t use right now, but still want to preserve for the future. Maybe you’re holding on to some great furniture your bought (or inherited) until you move to your dream home. Or maybe you want to keep your baby clothing, furniture, and items, for when you’re ready to expand your family. Keeping such items at home takes away from your living space and limits the storage space at your disposal for the stuff you need to use on a daily basis.
A 5’x5’ storage unit is the right size if you are planning to store some boxes with stuff and a couple of pieces of small furniture. Get a larger, 10’x10’ unit, if you have larger items to store (appliances, several pieces of furniture, multiple boxes).

2. To protect your most valuable belongings
Self storage not only helps you enjoy more space in your home, but, if you get a climate-controlled unit, it also protects your belongings better than you would be able to at home. With the climate in Tempe, Arizona, being extremely hot for a good portion of the year, storing stuff in attics or garages is not really an option. A climate-controlled unit, on the other hand, ensures constant temperatures regardless of the weather outside, which goes a long way in preserving your belongings. Renting a climate-controlled storage unit in Tempe, Arizona, is a must if:
- You are storing items long term.
- You are storing valuable and delicate items, such as antiques, collectibles, artwork, or electronics.
3. For your camping and sports gear
There’s a vast array of outdoor activities and sports to practice in and around Tempe, including biking, camping, hiking, and golfing – there are actually over 90 golf courses within 20 miles of Tempe. However, finding space to store all that camping and sports gear can be a challenge, particularly if you’re living in an apartment. A self storage unit located close to your home allows you to enjoy your outdoorsy lifestyle without sacrificing your comfort at home.

4. To store your belongings over summer – for college students
Home to the Arizona State University, Tempe hosts around 70,000 college students during the school year – of course, most of them go back home during the summer. With dorm rooms generally not allowing items to be kept over summer, self storage becomes the simplest, most convenient solution. If you’re a college student in Tempe, contact storage facilities located close to the Arizona State University campus, such as University Drive Self Storage or Arizona Storage Inns, to store your dorm room belongings over the summer.
5. To help you grow your business
Small businesses can benefit a lot from using self storage – storage space can be a big issue if you’re a small accounting firm with many files to keep or an independent contractor with plenty of tools. Self storage can help your business reduce the expenses associated with renting extra office space or commercial warehouse space. You can rent self storage units located close to your place of business – the leases are on a month-to-month basis, and you can rent as many, or as few, units as you need.
What other reasons do you have for using self storage? Let us know in the comments!
Small Apartment Storage Ideas: How to Maximize Space and Make It Feel Like Home
Living in a small apartment doesn’t mean settling for cramped or chaotic. With the right systems in place, even limited square footage can feel organized, functional and surprisingly comfortable.
10 Small Bathroom Storage Ideas to Maximize Your Space
Your bathroom is one of the most frequently used areas in your home, which makes it especially prone to clutter. Toiletries build up quickly, towels multiply, and laundry bins can easily overwhelm the room, particularly in a compact layout. If you’re working with limited square footage, the right small bathroom ideas can help you stay organized without sacrificing style.
StorageCafe Now Has a Dedicated Car Storage Directory – Here’s Why That Matters
If you’ve ever searched for car storage and ended up wading through listings for 5×5 climate-controlled units, you know the problem. Most storage search tools are built for boxes, not vehicles – and filtering your way to relevant results takes more effort than it should.
How To Find the Right Storage Unit Fast: A Look at StorageCafe’s Search Experience
Whether you’re in the middle of a move, clearing out a garage, or just starting to shop around, finding the right storage unit doesn’t have to take long. StorageCafe’s search is built to take you from “I need storage near me” to a real decision – with filters, pricing, and direct contact options all in one place. Here’s how it works.
The 10 Largest Home Décor Brands in the U.S.
Home décor is more than a shopping category in America — it’s part of how people shape their everyday lives. From small seasonal updates to full living room makeovers, Americans continue to invest in their homes, and the country’s biggest home décor brands have grown alongside that demand.
2026 Self Storage Supply Report: Florida Leads A Strong National Expansion
Self storage development is stepping down from its boom-era highs and settling into a more deliberate rhythm. Roughly 55.4 million square feet of new space is expected to come online in 2026, closely mirroring 2025 and signaling a market that is no longer sprinting, but still far from standing still.
Interstate Moves Hit 10-Year Low As Affordability Bites: Which States Are Still Gaining Residents?
America’s pandemic-era relocation boom is officially cooling. Interstate migration fell to its lowest level in a decade in 2024, with just 7.15 million Americans moving across state lines — more than 1 million fewer than at the 2022 peak. That’s roughly a 13% drop in just two years.
Second Acts With Roll-Up Doors: The Most Unexpected Self Storage Conversions In The U.S.
You probably don’t expect to stash your holiday decorations in a former armory. Or tuck away old photo albums where moviegoers once lined up for popcorn. But across the country, some of the most unexpected buildings are getting a second act — as self storage facilities.
Garden Tool Storage: 11 Simple Ideas To Get Organized
Garden tools feel effortless to manage when everything has a clear place and a simple routine. These garden tool storage ideas focus on layouts and habits you can use in a shed, garage, or outdoor cabinet — and, when you need extra room, in a storage unit as a seasonal “overflow closet” — so you always know exactly where you can find each tool.