Okay, real talk. My partner and I started our small business from our apartment. It was a disaster.

Our “warehouse” was the spare bedroom. Our “shipping department” was the kitchen table. Our “office” was the couch, surrounded by cardboard boxes and a very confused (and judgmental) cat.

We were constantly tripping over inventory. We could never find the packing tape. And trying to focus on emails while the TV was on in the same room? Forget about it. We love each other, but we were about to lose our minds.

We knew we needed space. But renting a commercial unit? The cheapest thing we could find was way, way out of our budget. We felt totally stuck.

Then, one day, my partner was at our local storage place, 3D Self Storage, dropping off some holiday decorations. He called me, excited. “You won’t believe how clean and bright the units are on the new side of the building. And they have power outlets nearby… I have a crazy idea.”

That crazy idea was the best business decision we’ve made.

We got a 10×10 climate-controlled unit. Let me walk you through how we made it in our office, because it might just be the solution you’re looking for too.

First, The Big Rule: Ask Permission!

This is the most important step. You can’t just rent any unit and set up shop. You gotta call the manager and be honest. Say, “Hey, I’m thinking of using a unit as a workspace. Is that cool?” Some places will say no. Some will have rules.

We were lucky. The team at 3d Self Storage was awesome about it. They showed us which units had the best access to outlets and were in a quieter corner. Their main thing was just that we couldn’t use anything with an open flame (like a propane heater) and that we had to be safe with our extension cords. Easy.

Making it Feel Like an Office (Not a Concrete Box)

The first week, it was… sparse. Concrete floor, white walls, one light bulb. We had to get creative.

• Lighting: That one bulb is sad. We went to the hardware store and got two simple, plug-in LED shop lights. We hung them from the ceiling wires. Instant, bright, daylight-like lighting. Total game changer. We also have a cheap desk lamp from Target for a softer light.
• Power: This is the big one. Our unit didn’t have an outlet inside. So we use one beefy, outdoor-rated extension cord. We run it carefully from an outlet in the hallway, under the door, and to a power strip inside. It powers our laptops, the lights, and a small fan. We’ve never had an issue.
• Comfort: A CLIMATE-CONTROLLED UNIT IS NON-NEGOTIABLE. Seriously. Do not even try this without one. Ours stays a perfect 72 degrees year-round. We brought in a small rug to make it feel homier and absorb the echo. Our “desk” is actually two old folding tables pushed together. And we splurged on one really good office chair. Worth every penny.

How We Handle the Tricky Stuff

• Internet: The facility doesn’t have Wi-Fi. We use our phone’s hotspot. It works perfectly for emails, our listing software, and even video calls. If we both need heavy bandwidth, one of us just hops on the other’s hotspot. It’s never been a problem.
• No Mail: You can’t get business mail delivered here. We use a P.O. Box for that. This space is purely for working and storage.
• Security: Honestly, it feels safer than our apartment. The place is gated, you need a code to get in, and every unit has its own alarm. We feel great leaving our stuff here.

The best part? The mental separation. When we drive to the unit, we’re “going to work.” We’re focused. When we lock that door at the end of the day, work is over. We leave it all there. We don’t have boxes staring at us during dinner anymore.

The Bottom Line

Our home is our home again. And our business has its own dedicated, affordable home.

It’s not a fancy solution, but it’s a real one that works. If you’re drowning in product or just need a door to close, it’s worth having the conversation. Swing by a place like 3D Self Storage and just ask. The worst they can say is no. But they might just hand you the key to your sanity.