Let’s be honest for a second. When was the last time you actually parked your car in the garage? If you are scratching your head trying to remember, you are definitely not alone. For most of us, the garage has slowly morphed from a safe haven for our vehicles into a graveyard for half-finished DIY projects, Christmas decorations from three years ago, and that exercise bike we swore we would use every day.
It starts innocently enough. You just put a few boxes in there while you sort out the spare room. Then the lawnmower joins them. Then the kids’ old bikes. Before you know it, opening the garage door is a risky game of Tetris where you hope nothing topples over onto your toes.
But is your garage really the best place for your belongings? We often assume it is the cheapest and easiest option because it is right there attached to the house. However, when you look at the facts, using your garage as a glorified attic might be costing you more than you think in terms of space, security, and the condition of your valuables.
The Great British Garage Crisis
It turns out that stuffing the garage to the brim is something of a national pastime in the UK. We are a nation of hoarders who are quickly running out of room.
According to a study by the RAC, a massive “53% of drivers in the UK never put their car in the garage”. That means more than half of us are leaving our vehicles out in the rain, frost, and bird droppings because the garage is already occupied by “stuff.”
The same study found that “68% of people admitted the reason they don’t park inside is that they have too many other items stored in there”. We are prioritizing old paint cans and cardboard boxes over our cars, which are often the second most expensive purchase we will ever make!
It’s not just about clutter, though. Data from Aviva highlights that “16% of garage owners believe their car is simply too big” to fit in the garage anyway. Modern cars have grown significantly wider over the last few decades, while our garages have stayed the same size. If you have ever tried to squeeze a modern SUV into a 1970s garage, you know the pain of trying to open the door without scratching the paintwork.
So, if the car won’t fit, it makes sense to use the space for storage, right? Well, not necessarily.
The Damp and Dusty Truth About Garages
While your garage is great for a lawnmower or a bag of compost, it is generally a terrible environment for household goods.
Most residential garages are single-skin brick buildings with a concrete floor and a drafty metal door. They are not designed to be airtight or temperature-controlled. In the winter, they are freezing cold and damp. In the summer, they can turn into ovens.
This fluctuation is a nightmare for things like soft furnishings, electronics, important documents, or wooden furniture. That antique armchair you are “saving for later” is likely absorbing moisture every single day it sits on that cold concrete floor. By the time you drag it back into the house, it could be musty, mouldy, or warped.
Security is another major concern. Garage doors are notoriously easy to force open, and they are often the weak point in a home’s security. If you are storing expensive tools, golf clubs, or camping gear, a standard garage lock might not be enough to deter a determined thief.
Why Self-Storage Wins the Battle
This is where the argument for external self-storage really starts to make sense. It’s not just about moving your clutter to a different location; it’s about moving it to a better location.
- Reclaim Your Home Imagine what you could do with an empty garage. It could be a home gym, a workshop, a playroom for the kids, or radical thought a place to park your car! By moving the things you don’t need access to every day (like seasonal decorations or winter clothes) into a storage unit, you instantly add usable square footage to your home.
- Superior Protection Professional storage facilities are built specifically to keep things safe and dry. Unlike a drafty garage, a quality storage unit is watertight and designed to mitigate the risks of environmental damage. You don’t have to worry about a leaky roof ruining your photo albums or mice nesting in your sofa.
- Better Security If you have items of value, a storage facility is far more secure than a residential driveway. We are talking about perimeter fencing, monitored CCTV, and industrial-grade locks. It provides peace of mind that a standard up-and-over garage door simply cannot match.
The Blue Bear Difference
If you have decided that reclaiming your garage sounds like a winning plan, we would love to help you out. At Blue Bear Self Storage, we offer a solution that is miles ahead of storing things at home.
Beat the Damp with Grafotherm We mentioned earlier that garages are prone to damp. We tackle this head-on. All our storage containers are treated with Grafotherm, a specialized coating that you won’t find in your average garage. Grafotherm is a porous, water-based coating that we spray onto the ceilings of our units. It works by absorbing moisture as it forms, preventing condensation from dripping down onto your belongings. It essentially acts like a moisture sponge, keeping your items dry and mould-free.
Fort Knox Security We take security seriously. When you store with us, you are protected by 24/7 monitored CCTV and high perimeter fencing. Every unit is fitted with a steel lockbox that encloses the padlock, making it virtually impossible for bolt cutters to get in. Plus, our sites are gated with access control, so we know exactly who is coming and going. Read more about our security here.
Affordable Long-Term Solutions We know that sometimes you need storage for the long haul. Maybe you are renovating, moving abroad, or just want that permanent extra space. We offer fantastic discounts if you commit to a longer stay. You can save significantly by paying for 28 weeks or 52 weeks (1 year) upfront. It is a great way to get premium storage for a fraction of the monthly cost.
Find Your Local Blue Bear
Ready to clear out the clutter and take back your garage? We have conveniently located facilities across the UK:
- Buckingham: Home Farm, Foscott (Buckinghamshire)
- Bury St Edmunds (Suffolk): Barton Road (East) & Dettingen Way (West)
- Cheltenham – Hatherley Way (Gloucestershire)
- Corby – Oakley Hay Industrial Estate (Northamptonshire)
- Huntingdon – Clifton Road (Cambridgeshire)
- Petersfield – South Harting (Hampshire)
- St Ives – Lakes Business Park, Fanstanton (Cambridgeshire)
Don’t let your garage become a graveyard for unwanted stuff. Move it to Blue Bear, keep it safe, and enjoy the extra space at home!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What items should you never store in a garage?
A: While a garage is great for cars and garden tools, it is actually a risky place for many household items. You should avoid storing wooden furniture, which can warp or crack due to temperature changes, and electronics that can be damaged by humidity. It is also best to keep important documents, photographs, and clothing out of the garage, as these are highly susceptible to mould and pests. If you have delicate items like these, a weather-proof self-storage unit is a much safer bet to prevent permanent damage.
Q: Does storing furniture in a garage cause mould?
A: Unfortunately, yes, it often does. Most garages in the UK are not insulated, meaning they suffer from condensation during the colder months. When warm air hits cold surfaces (like a single-skin brick wall or a metal garage door), water droplets form and settle on your belongings.
This creates the perfect environment for mould and mildew to grow on fabric sofas, mattresses, and wooden cabinets. Using a professional storage container treated with anti-condensation coating, like Grafotherm, is the best way to keep your furniture dry and mould-free.
Q: Is self-storage worth the cost compared to a free garage?
A: It is easy to think of the garage as a “free” storage room, but there are hidden costs. First, you run the risk of ruining expensive items through damp or theft, which costs money to replace. Second, you are losing valuable square footage in your home. If you calculate the cost per square foot of your house, filling a room (or garage) with clutter is actually quite expensive!
By using self-storage, specifically with long-term discounts like our 52-week offer, you are cost-effectively buying back usable living space for a home gym, office, or secure parking for your car.