Did you watch the last season of Shameless?

I am, of course, talking about the American version and I’m referring to the episode where Frank follows Monica’s key’s lead to a local storage unit. As the shutter door rolls up, we see a clothes rack, mattress and a whole lot of unmentionables.

Monica’s storage unit was the epitome of unconventional use of self-storage unit services: she was using it to live in.

To many people self-storage is a place you use when you dump extra stuff that you don’t need, or keep your things when you move. But, of course, these kinds of spaces have been used for more than that.

While Monica’s chosen use is totally illegal, there are other “unconventional uses”, from art exhibitions to music academies, as well as men’s lairs and gyms. We asked local dudes Stor-Age about their favourite stories of people who have used self-storage spaces for something ‘out the box’, and they gave us the low down:

Outdoor Goods Storage

A group of customers at one of our facilities in Cape Town make use of a small unit as a place to keep their surfboards. Every morning before their surf they meet and collect their boards from the facility before making their way to catch some waves. This is a great example of how a storage unit can be an extension of the home as a garage or sports locker where outdoor goods can be kept for when they are needed.

Seasonal Fashion Usage

Other clients use our facilities as an extension of their wardrobe by storing their out of season fashion items. Nothing takes up space in a summer wardrobe like a huge winter coat and the easiest way to free up space is to not have it in the cupboard at all. Keep your outfits fresh and your look “on fleek” with all your seasonal wear in one place. Never worry about having to search for that hot summer top that is simply “to die for” amongst piles of sweaters, jerseys and other winter items ever again!

Workshop and Workbench

The garage used to be an absolute man cave with a work bench and tool cupboards where man would go to fix things or at least to pretend whilst hiding from their wives. The modern day garage is a place to park your car and hang your washing so it’s no surprise that some clients use our units as a work space where they can store their tools and collect what they need for the task at hand.

Band Practice Venue

Everyone dreamed of being in a garage band at some stage in their youth, but with the limited space in today’s houses it is not a reality for many. However our facilities can be the ideal place to cut loose and rock out while you relive the dreams of your younger years. With no neighbours to complain and space for as many adoring fans as you can cram into your unit, it’s the perfect spot to reignite your rock career.

If that’s sparking up a few ideas of your own – sans actually living there – Stor-Age will give you 50% off your first month of storage if you click HERE.

[source:stor-age]