Self storage is the land of mystery. Behind every roll-up door is a treasure trove of memories, keepsakes and, in some cases, downright bizarre items. While most people use their units to store furniture, appliances or sentimental belongings, some Americans have taken self storage to another level, transforming their rented spaces into miniature museums of the weird and wonderful.
Take, for instance, the person who decided a scarecrow deserved year-round storage, ensuring that their festive fall decoration stays in peak condition. Then there’s the storage user who somehow ended up with multiple burial urns.
Collectors make up a significant share of self storage users, but not all collections are created equal. While vintage vinyl records and inherited glass collections are understandable, other collectors have taken a more eclectic approach. One respondent proudly stashed a top hat and snow boots — perhaps preparing for a Victorian-themed winter adventure? Another person inherited a blanket collection from their grandmother, proving that warm and cozy legacies never die.
But some storage users have embraced the truly unexpected. A respondent admitted to keeping animatronic decorations in their unit, raising the question: Are these Halloween props, or is someone preparing for a robotic uprising? A separate user confessed to storing their daughter’s dolls in such an eerie manner that when they returned, they were greeted by rows of plastic eyes staring at them — complete with a “scary unicorn” for extra nightmare fuel.
Others have used storage for practical reasons, such as keeping medicine because they’re a sales rep who can’t store it at home. Meanwhile, someone else found the best way to safeguard their old love letters.