• Seasonal storage. Many people rent a small storage space simply to have a spot to keep seasonal items. In the winter, a storage unit can hold patio furniture, a lawnmower and other yard equipment, and gardening tools. In the summer, store Christmas decorations and other items unused during that season. A few shelves wide enough to hold Rubbermaid tubs full of decorations, wrapping paper and ornaments will suffice.
  
• Vehicles. Larger storage units can be pressed into service for storing classic or sporting cars, ATVs and the like. An overhead shelf at the beck of the unit allows you to keep car cleaning supplies, an air compressor and other essentials handy.
  
• Tool / equipment storage. Small businesses with bulky equipment or tools can save money by using a storage unit to secure their valuable items instead of building a warehouse and worrying about security.
  
• Small businesses. Home based businesses have a way of taking over the home. Packing supplies, files and even boxed inventory can be safely and securely stored, letting you keep your house as a home.

If you plan to store items for an extended period of time, consider putting down plastic as a vapor barrier and adding shelving or setting boxes on pallets to keep them off of the floor. Make sure any gasoline powered equipment is properly winterized, and never store anything explosive in a storage unit.