Why More Americans Are Storing Instead of Downsizing
Let’s be honest: if you’ve ever looked around your place and thought “Where did all this stuff come from?”—you’re not alone.
Across the U.S., more people are choosing to store their belongings instead of parting ways with them. Because while downsizing sounds noble in theory, it’s hard to Marie Kondo your life when everything “sparks joy,” especially your grandma’s china set, your backup air fryer, and that Halloween skeleton that lives in the guest room year-round.
Why the Storage Boom?
Let’s be honest, life isn’t slowing down. Between growing families, changing work situations, side businesses, and weekend hobbies that come with way too much gear, space at home fills up quickly. For many Americans, the solution isn’t to get rid of everything, it’s to find a smarter way to hold onto what matters.
Here’s what the data shows:
- Many people are still living in houses built 20, 50, or 100 years ago or more, when no one thought so much storage space would ever be needed. (Source: clearspaceliving.com)
- 1 out of every 10 Americans rent offsite storage—the fastest growing segment of the commercial real estate industry over the past four decades. (Source: becomingminimalist.com)
- And while downsizing might seem like the most obvious reason to rent a unit, it turns out only about 7% of users are actually doing it for that reason. The rest are storing because life happens—and homes can’t always keep up. (Source: ErieHomeFinder)
Whether it’s boxes of business inventory, seasonal décor, or the furniture you’ll use again someday, storage is becoming the modern way to maintain balance without letting go of everything you own.
Downsizing? More Like “Later-sizing.”
Sure, minimalism sounds great. Fewer things, more freedom, that’s the promise. But for most of us, letting go of everything isn’t so simple.
We keep things for good reasons. Maybe it’s a couch that still has a few good years left. Maybe it’s baby gear that’ll come in handy again. Or maybe it’s that kayak you haven’t touched in a while, but plan to—eventually.
The truth is, most people aren’t downsizing. They’re just delaying the decision. And that’s okay.
Storage gives you breathing room. It gives you time. It lets you keep what matters now, without having to make permanent choices today. It’s not about clutter, it’s about keeping your options open. Sometimes it’s not downsizing. It’s later-sizing and that makes sense.
Storage That’s Built Around Real Life
At Personal Mini Storage, we’re a family-owned, Florida-based business that knows convenience matters. When you’re in the middle of a move, managing a renovation, or just trying to create a little more space at home, storage should make things easier, not harder.
That’s why we’ve designed our facilities with people like you in mind:
● Drive-up units so you can load and unload without the hassle
● Ground floor access—no elevators, no stairs, no waiting
● AC and non-AC units to fit whatever you’re storing, from antiques to lawn tools
● First-floor access on all units to save time and energy, especially for your movers
● U-Haul Rentals available on-site, plus moving supplies for one-stop convenience
● Experienced, best-in-class managers who are ready to help
● A customer-first approach that puts service and simplicity at the center of everything we do
We only operate in mid-Florida, and we’re proud to offer local service with a personal touch. When you store with us, you’re not just renting space, you’re working with a team that understands what it means to serve their neighbors. Click HERE to find a location near you!