As the capital continues to prioritise high-density, flat-led developments, modern apartments may be smart and well designed, but they don’t always offer the storage space older properties once did. No loft. No garage. Fewer cupboards. And definitely less “just in case” space.
It’s no surprise, then, that more people are turning to London self storage as a practical extension of their living space.
How Small Is Small?
The London Plan 2021, Greater London’s development strategy, requires new homes to meet minimum internal space standards. These include:
- 50 m² for a one-bedroom, two-person flat
- 61 m² for a two-bedroom, three-person flat
While these standards ensure consistency, many new-build flats are constructed close to these minimum limits. That means the generous storage features common in older homes, like lofts, garages, and built-in cupboards, are often missing in today’s high-rise developments.
To put that into perspective, the average home in England measures around 95 m², according to the English Housing Survey. That’s nearly double the minimum size of a one-bedroom London flat.
London also has more than four times the national average share of high-rise homes, reflecting a long-term shift toward compact urban living.
Delivering More Homes But Not Space
Housing completions across the capital have increased by around 14% over the past decade, rising from 27,656 homes in 2014/15 to 31,629 in 2023/24. Much of this growth has come from higher-density schemes.
While these developments are vital for meeting housing demand, they typically prioritise efficient layouts over generous storage. For many residents, that means making difficult decisions about what stays — and what has to go.
Increasingly, people are heading online and searching for “self storage near me in London” as a simple alternative to upsizing or relocating.
The Rise of Self Storage in London
The growth in demand isn’t just anecdotal. The UK self-storage industry has expanded dramatically over the past decade, from around 975 facilities in 2014 to nearly 2,900 today.
Personal storage customers now account for approximately 82% of users, up from roughly 73% ten years ago. The rise closely mirrors the increase in compact, apartment-style living.
But self storage in London isn’t just about creating extra wardrobe space. Customers are using storage units for:
- Seasonal items like winter clothing, decorations and sports equipment
- Surplus business stock and equipment
- Furniture that doesn’t quite fit a smaller layout
- Decluttering to create space for a home office
- Temporary storage during renovations or life transitions
In short, self-storage has become part of how Londoners manage modern city living.
To meet the rising demand that residents rely on, Vanguard has added more than 40,000 sq ft of additional storage space across its London branches in the past year alone.
Need a Bit More Breathing Room?
If your home is starting to feel cramped, self-storage could be a practical short- or long-term solution — without the cost and disruption of moving.
Explore our secure, flexible London self storage facilities and see how easy it is to create more space at home.