Working as an independent artist can be difficult sometimes. If you are one, you know how problematic it can be to find a place to work and store your artwork. Our homes are usually too small for this, and it’s hard to even find a home that has a studio as an option. Nowadays, property development goes toward a live-work environment, cooperatives, or simply blank studio spaces. So, the question of where can you work and make art in peace is asked. If you haven’t thought about it, your friendly neighborhood self-storage facility may have the answer. In this article, we’ll try to explain to you why self storage is great for artists exactly, and how you can maximize the potential of one. So, here’s what we came up with.

Storage units are cheap to rent

Many artists who worked from home find themselves in a dead-end after they move to a smaller home. Suddenly you don’t have a place to work. And if you want to have a private workspace that will be clean and quiet, all the chances are that you’ll need to spend a lot of money on it. However, if you’re limited by your wallet self-storage may be your best bet and option out there. These units are big enough so you can work comfortably inside of them.

Of course, they came in a variety of sizes, but we recommend at least 10×10 ones. It needs to be big enough to fit your supplies, finished works, works in progress, and yourself. Renting a unit like this can be hundreds of dollars cheaper opposed to renting an art studio or even a loft. Meet with a few managers of the locations near you and ask about amenities and payment options. You’ll definitely be able to find something that suits your needs.

They’re secure and easily accessible

Pretty much every artist requires a flexible time schedule and a peace of mind to complete the works. You simply don’t choose when the inspiration will come and for how long it will stay. So, choosing a storage company that offers 24-hour access means that you’ll never have problems with those late-night sessions and bursts of inspiration. Just make sure that your storage is nearby. We’ve talked to a few solo artists from the Keystone State, and they tell us that Pennsylvania offers variety of storage options and every single one of them found exactly what he wanted.

Additionally, safety is a big aspect of working in peace. Luckily for you, modern security measures are standard in every storage facility so you can be confident in your safety, and in the safety of your belongings. Which is important. Especially if you’re planning on holding on some of your pieces until their price goes up a little bit. Just make sure to store them in the right manner so they stay intact until that day. At the end of the day, all of this makes one more reason why self storage is great for artists.

You’ll have your privacy

If you’re like most artists and you like to work alone and in peace and quiet of a solitary workspace, storage space is the perfect option for you. A great majority of tenants that use storage lockers don’t spend a lot of time around them. What this means for you is that these places are among the quietest and most calming spaces all year round. You’ll have all the time of the world to think about your art, or about arranging your plants after the move. Whatever helps you to get going.

On the other hand, if you’re the type of person that loves to work in a noisy environment you’ll love it here also. You’ll be able to blast through your work playlist as loud as you want without any fear that you’ll annoy your neighbors. It’s a win-win situation, but only if there aren’t any peace-loving artists around.

A storage unit can be tax-deductable

Yes, you’ve read that correctly. Still wondering why self storage is great for artists?  If you live off your art, there are ways for you to qualify for a tax break when it comes to your storage expenses. Research the internet, or talk to your friends and learn about the loopholes of 1040 for work-related expenditures. Our friends from movinmurdy.com tell us that since you’re working from this place, renting a self-storage unit can be counted towards one of those loopholes. This will, of course, vary from state to state, but it is definitely worth investigating.

Storage facilities can be a great source of inspiration

Pretty much every storage unit has at least one amazing story that goes with it. You simply can’t run away from these. Your first storage neighbor may be a hoarder that will talk to you about how artwork is one of the most difficult household items to move. Or it may be an illegal border. So, you can get their opinion and life experiences for free. Maybe there’s a musician down the hall so some form of cooperation can be born. Maybe there are some stories about the demon lady that flies through the hallways of the storage facility during the night.

You’ll be amazed by what you can hear while spending time in your new workspace. We can promise you that there will be more than enough stories to feed your artistic output, and you’ll never be bored there.

Amenities in storage units

Before we conclude why self storage is great for artists, we need to draw your attention to one problem that you may encounter. Some of us need electricity for our work, and there is a chance that the facilities in your area won’t be able to accommodate for this. Ask around, and if you don’t find anything suitable consider getting a battery-powered lamp and a fan-heater. Battery technology is better today than ever so you’ll be able to get a lot of light for not much money.