Look, I get it. The idea of working out of a storage unit sounds like something between a prison sentence and a last resort. But hear me out—because six months ago, I was exactly where you are right now.

My “home office” was a joke. My desk was the couch. My filing system was a pile of unopened mail on the coffee table. And don’t even get me started on trying to take client calls with my neighbor’s dog barking nonstop.

Then I got desperate.

I was driving past County Line Storage when it hit me—what if I just… rented a unit and made it my office?

Turns out, it was the best work decision I’ve ever made. Here’s how I did it (and why you might want to too).

The Breaking Point

Let me paint you a picture of my old “work environment”:

• My “desk chair” was actually a dining chair with one wobbly leg.
• I had exactly 1.5 feet of clear space between my laptop and yesterday’s dirty dishes.
• Every Zoom call started with “Sorry about the background… yes, that is my laundry pile”.

When I found myself taking meetings in my car just to get some quiet, I knew something had to change.

Why a Storage Unit? (And No, I’m Not Crazy)

I considered coworking spaces, but at $300+/month for a shared desk? Hard pass. Then there was renting an actual office—way too expensive for my solo freelance business.

That’s when I did the math:

• 5×10 storage unit at County Line Storage: $89/month.
• My sanity: Priceless.

The more I thought about it, the more it made sense:

• Total privacy (no more “weird background” Zoom anxiety).
• Zero distractions (goodbye, refrigerator that keeps calling my name).
• Actual separation between work and home (physically leaving “the office” does wonders for mental health).

Setting Up Shop: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

Week 1: The Reality Check

Turns out, empty storage units are… well, empty. And echo-y. My first attempt at a Zoom call sounded like I was broadcasting from a cave.

The Fix:

• Foam mattress topper on the floor (killed the echo, bonus seating area).
• Cheap area rug from Facebook Marketplace ($20 well spent).
• Folding table + camping chair (temporary setup while I figured things out).

Week 2: The Power Struggle

My unit didn’t have outlets. Rookie mistake.

The Workaround:

• Jackery portable power station (keeps my laptop and phone charged).
• LED battery-operated puck lights (Amazon, $15 for a 6-pack).
• Mobile hotspot (turns out 5G is faster than my home WiFi anyway).

Month 1: Making It Actually Livable

• $25 floor lamp from Target.
• Small bookshelf for supplies.
• Mini fridge (because a woman needs her LaCroix).
• Bluetooth speaker for music (essential for drowning out occasional facility noises).

What Nobody Tells You? (The Real Deal)

The Good:

• I’m 3x more productive than I ever was at home.
• My work-life balance actually exists now.
• Surprisingly great natural light in my particular unit.
• Facility has clean bathrooms (key detail!).

The Annoying:

• Have to pack up my laptop every night (security reasons).
• No microwave (meal prep became my new best friend).
• The occasional curious facility employee (“You’re… working in here?”).

Who This Works For (And Who It Doesn’t)

Perfect if you’re:

• A freelancer who can’t focus at home.
• An artist needing studio space.
• A small biz owner storing inventory anyway.
• Anyone who just needs a quiet place to think.

Not ideal if:

• You need clients visiting regularly.
• You require lots of electrical equipment.
• You’re claustrophobic (though my 10×10 feels spacious).

How to Try It Without Committing?

1. Rent the smallest affordable unit (you can always size up).
2. Start with minimal gear (test before investing).
3. Try it for a month (most places like County Line Storage do month-to-month).

The Verdict After 6 Months

Would I do it again? Absolutely. In fact, I just upgraded to a larger unit because I’ve started using part of it as a photo studio for my side hustle.

Is it glamorous? No.
Does it work better than my dining table ever did? 100%.

Thinking about giving it a shot? Check out County Line Storage—tell them the lady in Unit B-12 sent you.

Pro Tip: Spring for the climate-controlled unit. Trust me on this one.

Your Turn:

Could you see yourself working from a storage unit? Or am I officially off my rocker? Hit reply—I’ll answer any questions about my weird-but-wonderful setup.

(P.S. If you do try this, send me pics of your setup. I’m always looking for new storage-office hacks!)