Weird Things People Store: Self-Storage’s Strangest Secrets

Typically, we think of self-storage as a place for the things we can't keep in our homes or offices—boxes, furniture, and decorations that are not in season. But once these items cross the threshold into self-storage, they become the strange, extraordinary, and often deeply personal contents of a unit. From the weird collectibles to the unexpected treasures, let’s look at some of the oddest things ever found in a self-storage unit.

1: Cars and Vehicles - Units for storing classic cars and exotic vehicles are a real boon for car aficionados. While some might use them just to get through their routine of daily driving, for many, the storage unit is the next best thing to a garage, especially when it comes to preserving the kinds of cars that were never meant to live outside.

2: Taxidermy Collections - Yes, taxidermy makes the list. From heads of deer to completely preserved animals, some enthusiasts use storage units to house their unique collections. It's both practical and odd!

3: Whole Enterprises - Some entrepreneurs elevate "storage" to the next level, using the units as office spaces and hubs for inventory. They've stowed vending machines in them, along with tools for just-in-time construction, and even used them as makeshift stages for surprise pop-up art shows.

Storage units abandoned by their former owners conceal the hugest enigmas. Once sold at auction to unsuspecting new proprietors, these units have revealed some of the wildest and weirdest contents: treasure maps that lead to pirate booty, hard-to-find comic books, and even a safe that was forgotten by its prior owner and left full of cash.

Self-storage can reflect the very peculiarities and interests of its users, making what could be seen as boring spaces into ones that are almost always fascinating and sometimes surprising.