In this episode of Modern Storage® Unpacked, Modern Storage® sit down with Garry, the interior designer responsible for the look and feel of Modern Storage® facilities. Garry brings a perspective that is rarely heard in the self storage industry, where design is often treated as an afterthought. He walks through the intentional choices made when designing a modern storage facility, from lighting and flooring to unit layout and common area flow, explaining how each decision serves both the operator and the customer.
The self storage industry has historically prioritized square footage and security over user experience, but that is changing. Garry speaks to why design matters now more than ever, especially as self storage becomes a resource not just for individuals in transition, but for small business owners, e-commerce sellers, contractors, and creatives who spend real time in their units. A well-designed facility signals professionalism and care, which builds trust with customers before they ever sign a lease.
Modern Storage® dig into the specific design challenges that come with storage spaces, including how to make utilitarian environments feel clean, safe, and welcoming without sacrificing practicality. Garry shares the hacks and principles he uses to maximize every square foot, touching on vertical storage strategies, smart shelving configurations, and how the right design choices can make even a small unit feel significantly more functional. These are insights that apply whether you are designing a facility or simply trying to get more out of the unit you are already renting.
A significant portion of the conversation focuses on small businesses using self storage as an extension of their operations. Garry outlines how business owners can think about their storage units the way a designer would think about a workspace, with zones for different inventory types, clear pathways for access, and systems that make retrieval fast and consistent. For small business owners paying monthly rent on a storage unit, these principles directly affect productivity and profitability.
Garry also touches on the broader trend of storage facilities investing in their physical environments as a competitive differentiator. As the self storage market grows more crowded, facilities that feel modern, organized, and intentional stand out. Garry explains what separates a facility that simply stores things from one that genuinely supports the people using it, and why Modern Storage® made design a core part of its identity from the beginning.
Listeners will leave this episode with a sharper eye for what good storage design looks like, whether they are evaluating a facility to rent from, managing one, or simply trying to bring more order to their own space. Garry's expertise makes complex design thinking accessible, and Modern Storage®'s questions keep the conversation grounded in the real-world needs of self storage customers.
