Self Storage in Switzerland – Renting storage space made easy
Self storage means private, lockable storage units that you can rent flexibly, from short-term to long-term. Whether for moving, renovation, living abroad, replacing a cellar, or business storage for goods and archives, self storage provides extra space quickly without permanently expanding your living or commercial area.
At Zebrabox, you’ll find heated, dry, and secure storage units across Switzerland. Available in cities such as Zurich, Bern, Basel, Lausanne, Winterthur, and Geneva – see our full location overview for all sites.
What is Self Storage?
Self storage is the external storage of personal or business items in a dedicated storage unit. You rent a private storage box or room in a secure facility and use it like an additional cellar or a small business warehouse.
Rental duration and unit size are flexible; usage can be short-term (e.g., during a move) or long-term (e.g., as a cellar replacement, archive, or stock storage). Also called self-storage, this concept has become a modern form of “renting storage space” in Switzerland.
Different types of Self Storage
Modern self-storage facilities in Switzerland differ significantly from simple cellars or temporary storage. Quality providers typically offer:
- Individually lockable, privacy-protected storage units
- Temperature-controlled, dry storage units with regulated humidity
- Electronic access control, video surveillance, and alarms
- Access 7 days a week, with covered loading and unloading zones
Depending on your life situation and location, customers use self storage for:
- Furniture storage during moves, travel, or limited space at home
- Cellar replacement for seasonal items, sports, and hobby equipment
- Temporary storage during renovation or refurbishment
- Archive storage for goods, documents, or materials
Key advantages at a glance
Self storage combines flexibility, security, and convenience. Key benefits include:
- Flexible & scalable: Adjust the size and rental period of your storage unit at any time
- Convenient access: 7/7 access to the facility (times vary by location)
- Secure: Alarmed, video-monitored facilities with personal access codes protect your belongings
- Heated & dry: Ideal conditions for furniture, files, electronics, and sensitive materials
- Ease of loading: Ramps, truck lifts, and trolleys make handling easy
- Additional services: Optional packaging materials, rental vehicles, and goods receipt services
- Organised storage: Shelving systems ensure an efficient and tidy use of space
Who is Self Storage for?
Self storage is ideal for anyone in Switzerland who needs extra space without moving or renting a dedicated warehouse. Particularly in cities with limited cellar space, an external storage unit is a practical complement to your living or business space.
Self Storage for private customers
For private customers, self storage is mainly used in typical life situations such as:
During a move, a temporary solution or a longer trip, furniture, moving boxes and household goods can be temporarily stored in a personal storage box. You can rent a storage room whose size and rental period exactly match your needs, for example as temporary storage.
When renovating or remodelling, the question of where to store furniture and furnishings quickly arises. With self-storage, you can store your furniture in a dry, dust-free environment for as long as the work takes. If the project is delayed, the storage period can be flexibly adjusted. Find out more under Renovation.
Many flats today have only small or no basement or attic storage spaces. Existing storage rooms are often damp or unheated. Self storage is a suitable alternative to a basement for storing ski and sports equipment, winter and summer tyres, garden furniture, bicycles or seasonal decorations. You can find more information under Rent storage space/basement.
If you want to protect valuable furniture, collections or inherited items in the long term, you will benefit from temperature-controlled, secure storage rooms. Self storage is particularly suitable for furniture storage if your own basement is too small or you have deliberately chosen a minimalist living concept.
When downsizing, retiring, clearing out a household or when children move out, there is often inventory left over that should not be disposed of immediately. Long-term storage gives you time to decide at your leisure what you want to keep, sell or give away.
Self Storage for businesses
Businesses in Switzerland use self storage to maximise space and respond flexibly:
Files and documents that must be retained for legal reasons but are not used on a daily basis can be stored in an external archive. This frees up space in the office for additional workstations or sales areas. Archive storage offers a suitable solution.
Self storage is suitable as a compact warehouse for merchandise, spare parts or exhibition stands. Companies can rent a storage unit that they can enlarge or reduce in size as needed without having to operate their own warehouse. Find out more in the Warehouse section.
For field staff or service teams, a storage box can serve as a decentralised base. Goods and materials are available close to the customer without the need for additional space in the office. In combination with a last-mile logistics hub, this allows efficient solutions to be developed for the last mile.
How Self Storage works – 4 easy steps
Using self-storage is straightforward. You can get started in just a few steps:
- Choose a location: Select a nearby facility – see all addresses in the location overview
- Determine size: Use m2 or m3 to choose the right unit; the volume calculator helps estimate
- Book online & rent a unit: Select rental duration and start date, immediate or later
- Move in & use: Bring your items and store them easily. Enjoy 7/7 access with ramps, lifts, and trolleys
Rent self storage now and get started immediately.
What can be stored – and what cannot?
Self storage is primarily used to store dry, non-hazardous household and business items. The following examples provide guidance.
Suitable items for Self Storage
Typical items stored safely in a storage unit include:
- Furniture and moving boxes (clothes, books, household goods)
- Sports and leisure equipment (bikes, skis, snowboards, camping gear, hobby materials)
- Seasonal items (Christmas decorations, garden furniture, suitcases, children’s items)
- Files, documents, samples, merchandise, and stock
Not allowed in Self Storage
For safety and hygiene reasons, the following are prohibited:
- Living animals and plants
- Explosive, flammable, or toxic substances (petrol, gas bottles, fireworks, chemicals)
- Illegal goods, drugs, weapons, and ammunition
- Perishable foods and strongly odorous items
- Hazardous waste and special waste
Liquids and perishables are better not stored. Rules in the facility terms and conditions always apply.
Self Storage vs. cellar vs. warehouse
Self-storage is not the only option for storing items. The table shows at a glance how self-storage, a traditional basement room and your own warehouse differ.
How much does Self Storage cost?
Costs mainly depend on location, unit size, and rental duration. Typically, you pay monthly only for the volume you use and can resize your unit if needed.
Costs are generally based on:
- Rented floor space or storage volume
- Location (city centre vs. outskirts)
- Rental duration (short- or long-term)
Use the volume calculator to estimate size and check availability and prices for your preferred location.
Self Storage near you
Zebrabox offers self storage at numerous locations across Switzerland. Heated, dry units are available in Zurich, Bern, Lausanne, Winterthur, St. Gallen, Neuchâtel, Horgen, Schlieren, Pfäffikon SZ, Villeneuve, Bussigny, Ittigen, Therwil, Basel-Allschwil, and Neuenhof.
Rent a storage unit near you – for cellar replacement, furniture storage, or business storage.
Frequently Asked Questions about Self Storage
Self storage is storing your items in private, lockable units outside your home or business. You rent your own unit and manage storage yourself, short- or long-term.
For moving, renovation, living abroad, or lack of space at home. Businesses can use it for flexible goods or archive storage.
Self storage offers secure, heated units with 7/7 access and flexible size. Better climate and security than a cellar, less fixed cost than a warehouse.
Living animals, plants, hazardous materials, drugs, weapons, odorous or perishable items, and dangerous waste. See the facility T&Cs for details.
Choose a location, select size using the volume calculator, book online, and move in. You receive personal access codes and can use your unit independently.