Find Storage Near You Search by city or postal code

Storage Lockers

Got only a few small items to store? In this situation, renting an entire storage unit may not be the most ideal decision in terms of cost or space optimization. As an alternative, with the help of a storage locker you can keep smaller, portable items secure while taking advantage of all the amenities that a self-storage facility provides at an affordable price.

To find out whether or not a storage locker is the right fit , let’s start unpacking how these small storage spaces can be used to maximum advantage.

Storage Locker Overview

In general, storage lockers are not as tall or as wide as a standard storage unit. Lockers may also be stacked on top of one another. These factors determine how much you can safely fit and which types of items are suitable for locker storage.

At Public Storage, lockers are available in the following dimensions (in feet), depending on location:

2×2
2×3
6×3
2×4
2×5
3×3
4×4

Despite being smaller than typical storage units, lockers are a good storage solution for tons of various portable or light-weight items that are taking up space in your closets, cupboards, or garage, for school-related belongings, and for recreational gear. The availability of lockers at Public Storage is exclusive to five locations:

Vancouver (Kitsilano, BC)
Greater Toronto & Hamilton Area (Waterdown, ON)
Region of Waterloo (Kitchener, ON)
Southwestern Ontario (Guelph, ON & Woodstock, ON)

While storage lockers present a great option for storing smaller items, it’s best suited for situations where you’re looking to store for a month or more. Otherwise, luggage storage can be a worthy alternative when you prefer to store your portable belongings on a daily or even hourly basis.

What Items Can Fit In a Storage Locker?

Storage lockers provide a versatile, cost-efficient solution for securing and organizing a wide variety of belongings that can get underfoot. This is especially the case when you’re seeking to maximize the living space in a small area, whether it’s a hotel room, dorm room, or a simple closet in your home that’s ready to burst. When you’re looking to declutter, stash away seasonal extras, or if you simply need temporary storage during your travels, a storage locker can be your best bet.

Belongings That Can Be Stored	Examples
Household Items	Seasonal clothing & footwear Small appliances & housewares Holiday decor Children's toys & clothing Digital media (CDs / DVDs) Tools & hardware
Sports and Hobby-Related Items	Camping accessories Fishing gear Seasonal sports equipment Golf clubs Board games & puzzles Photography equipment
Student Items	Textbooks & course materials Sports gear Small appliances Electronics Extra clothing Linens / dishware

Locker Storage Key Features

Choosing a locker as a storage solution has some important benefits, which are comparable to those of traditional storage units, but typically at a much lower cost. Let’s take a look:

Key Features	Description
Affordability	Depending on its size, a storage locker can be rented for less than half the cost of the smallest standard storage unit. Because of its compact amount of square footage, a locker can be the most cost-effective storage option when you’re only storing a few things.
Security	Being situated indoors, storage lockers provide complete protection against the elements. Lockers also benefit from sharing the same security measures as other units, such as video surveillance, PIN code access, alarm systems, and more.
Accessibility	With a storage locker, you can enjoy the convenience of after-hours access all year round, including holidays. All you need is your key!

How to Select the Right Storage Locker

Getting the right storage locker is important for ensuring that your belongings fit comfortably without overpaying. Here’s what to keep in mind when picking a storage locker:

Consider the locker dimensions: Locker dimensions and size availability will determine what you can store. Some lockers are square, some are tall, and some may have narrow doors, so be sure that the locker you choose is appropriate for the size and number of your belongings.
Assess your items: Take into account the size and shape of the belongings you want to store and how many. Awkwardly shaped or items that don’t stack well may require additional space in order to be safely stored. Additionally, if any of your items are hard to lift, you may have difficulty storing it in a locker that is not accessible at floor-level.
Think about future needs: If you think you’ll need more storage space in the future, it might make sense to rent a slightly larger unit at the get-go to avoid the additional fees and inconvenience of transferring your items later.

Having the right size of locker makes it that much easier to organize and retrieve your items. If your choice of locker allows for a bit of extra room, it provides space for growth when your storage needs change, and without having to rent a larger, more expensive unit. For alternative storage sizes, check out our size guide to explore the various options available to you.

Public Storage Locations that Offer Storage Lockers

These Public Storage locations have the following locker storage sizes available for your selection:

City/Town	Available Storage Locker Sizes (ft)
Vancouver	2.6x3, 3x3
Guelph	2x2, 4x4
Kitchener	2x3, 2x4, 2x5
Waterdown	2x5
Woodstock	2x2, 2x5

When to Consider Luggage Storage

In short, luggage storage is a more ideal solution for the extremely short-term. Luggage storage would allow you to experience most of the benefits that locker storage would give you, but for a shorter amount of time. Here are a few typical, very short-term situations where leaving your belongings in luggage storage makes sense:

Common Needs for Luggage Storage	Explanation
Travel-Related	During extended layovers or connections during your flight, store your luggage instead of carrying it around the airport or train station. For very short stopovers, look for luggage storage with hourly rates.
Temporary Storage Needs	If you need to remove some smaller items from your home for just a few days in order to accommodate guests, stash away Christmas gifts, or remove personal effects to paint a room, then luggage storage with daily rates can be a good fit.
Business Travel	On short business trips, you may have traveled with items that are required for work purposes, but not needed otherwise in your hotel room. Avoid the inconvenience of having these items in the way when not in use by storing them securely with luggage storage.

The Cost of Luggage Storage

When it comes to storage costs, the best option for you depends primarily on the duration of your storage term. Here are the two key factors to consider whether paying for luggage storage makes sense:

Cost of Luggage Storage	Cost of Locker Storage
Pay for what you use. With daily and hourly rates, you only pay for the storage time you actually use, making it cost-effective for short-term needs.	Pay for a fixed term. With a minimum term of one month, locker storage breaks down to a lower daily cost compared to short-term luggage storage, as you pay a fixed price on a monthly basis.

Questions to Ask Yourself When Choosing Luggage Storage or Locker Storage

Here’s a few important questions to ask in figuring out whether luggage storage or locker storage is a better fit for your needs:

Question	Luggage Storage	Locker Storage
How long do I need to store my belongings?	Hours/days	One month or more
Do I need my items to be near an airport/train station?	Yes	No
What are the dimensions of the storage I need?	Carry-on/suitcase luggage size only	A bigger size between 2x2 and 4x4 (ft)

Important Basic Storage Locker Information

Before renting a storage locker, it’s important to gather all the important details to make the most informed decision. Here are some essentials you’ll need to be aware of:

Hours of Operation: To ensure that your storage solution has convenient accessibility check the facility’s hours of operation. What are the business hours for renting? Will you be able to access your storage locker after hours?

Security: Prioritize the safety of your belongings by inquiring about the facility’s security measures and monitoring systems.
Insurance Policy: Understanding the options available for insurance coverage is crucial for safeguarding your stored items. Do you have an existing policy that accounts for stored items? Does the facility make supplemental storage insurance available?
Customer Support: To ensure a smooth storage experience, familiarize yourself with the available customer support options. Is there a call center available after hours? What about online customer service?
Cancellation Policy: Before committing to a storage locker rental, understand the cancellation policy to avoid unexpected costs or complications. To vacate your locker, how much advance notice do you have to give? If you don’t use the full term you rent for, can the rental cost be prorated to save you money?

By gathering this information, you can make an informed decision about the storage facility and ensure your belongings are stored securely and conveniently.

Frequently Asked Questions

How secure are your storage lockers?

At Public Storage, your stored items are in good hands! Our facilities are equipped with 24-hour electronic monitoring & personal PIN code gate access. Additionally, alarm systems are installed throughout the property, along with security lighting for your safety.

Are my belongings insured while in storage?

Insurance coverage for stored goods will depend on your existing insurance policy. Storage facilities often have supplemental insurance available through a 3rd-party, such as Orange Door Insurance.

How long can I store my belongings?

It depends on the terms of your locker rental. At Public Storage, all rentals are month to month, including lockers, giving you maximum flexibility with no limits to your length of stay.

Can I store valuable items?

While our storage facilities offer essential security, it is not recommended to store high-value or irreplaceable items. For these items, renting a safety deposit box or specialized storage services may provide a more suitable alternative.

What happens if I need to access my storage unit outside business hours?

Access hours can vary depending on the facility. At Public Storage, our access hours are 5am – 10pm daily, including holidays.

Should I book in advance or on the spot?

This entirely depends on unit availability. At short notice, your preferred locker choice may be limited or not have any vacancies. To avoid this inconvenience, we recommend booking up to 30 days in advance if possible. For faster booking, you can rent or reserve a locker online.

What are the accepted payment methods?

Public Storage accepts cash, debit, and all three major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express).

How do I change or cancel my booking?

Making changes to your booking is easy! Just give us a call toll-free at 1-877-777-8672 and one of our agents will be happy to make any booking changes for you at no cost, including cancellation.

What is the maximum size and weight of luggage you can store?

This is dependent on the type of locker you will be using. We suggest contacting your facility of choice directly to discuss your needs further, so the property staff can make the appropriate locker storage recommendation.