Last week while sitting at our booth at the Inside Self-Storage World Expo in Las Vegas, I was treated to a video displaying stunning self-storage facilities. The looping content showcased a variety of construction projects for national and regional brands. In addition, there were several glossy images offering a more detailed look. Thie vendor wasn’t the only one highlighting amazing projects. All around the exhibit hall you could spot these pretty pictures.
Coincidentally, ISS was in production on our annual development and design issue. It includes several articles that delve into facility design, trends, materials that are being incorporated and more. Plus, it contains a dozen or so pictures of fabulous facility exteriors.
Quite simply, these aren’t the properties of yesteryear. Over the last decade, self-storage has moved out of industrial zones and found its place among retail, restaurants and residential corridors. Naturally, these facilities need to look the part, so building design has evolved.
Related:Designing a Better Self-Storage Facility: Guidance for Deciding Project Type, Site Layout and Unit Mix
Another factor affecting self-storage design is city, county and town officials. Municipalities are demanding more from new projects. They want self-storage to blend in, incorporate outstanding curb appeal and even reach certain sustainability milestones. In many regions, there’s still a strong “not in my backyard” mentality. In the past year, dozens of cities have either banned or restricted storage development. The backlash from community members and city officials is repetitive, highlighting safety and traffic issues, along with a decrease of home values in the neighborhood. Another often-uttered comment is self-storage is ugly. In their minds-eye, they see chain-link fences surrounding a drab, blocky building. While these types of facilities do exist in the world, they don’t represent the next generation of self-storage.
To help celebrate the new look of storage, ISS assembles a visual tour every spring of beautiful properties in an online image gallery. We showcase all types—single- to multi-story, ground-up projects and even conversions. Some are truly grand, while others are simply cute and comfortable. All illustrate the dynamic and creative elements that make them proud businesses in their communities. Above all, they elevate the expectation of what storage could look like by incorporating new materials, eco-friendly elements and architectural elements once reserved for other commercial businesses. They demonstrate a new self-storage ideal that continues to evolve.
Related:Aesthetic Transformation: The Trends Impacting Self-Storage Design in 2026
Right now, ISS is looking for facilities that impress for our 2025 campaign, which publishes on our website later this month. We’re seeking high-resolution photos of remarkable properties, the kind that make you say, “Wow. That’s storage?” Care to share? Just shoot me an email with your property pictures as well as the city, state and a caption that includes details about the site such as square footage and units, and unique architectural features. Let’s show the world how amazing these properties can be.
Amy Campbell
Senior Editor, Inside Self-Storage
Amy Campbell is senior editor of Inside Self-Storage. To reach her, email [email protected].
Tenant-Protection Plans for Self-Storage: What They Are, Features and Benefits, and the Keys to Program Success
Control the Narrative: DIY Marketing to Help You Tell Your Self-Storage Facility Story and Connect With Customers
ISS BLOG – Self-Storage Pricing Practices Under Scrutiny: Are the ECRI Chickens Coming Home to Roost?
NationWide Self Storage of Canada Raises More Than $11K for Covenant House Vancouver