When you’re planning a move, a renovation, or just trying to reclaim some space at home, choosing the right storage option can save you time, money, and a lot of stress. In the Bay Area, two solutions usually stand out: portable storage and self storage.
Both are great options, they just solve different problems. Below, we’ll walk through what each one is, how they work in real life, and some fresh industry stats so you can make a confident decision for your next move.
Portable storage is a flexible solution where a storage container is delivered directly to your home or business. You load it at your own pace, and then the company picks it up to store it in a secure facility or deliver it to your new address.
At Lunardi Moving Services, this means we bring the storage unit to you anywhere in the Bay Area, from San Jose to San Francisco, so you don’t need to drive back and forth to a facility.
Portable and mobile storage have grown fast in the last few years. A recent global report estimates the
mobile storage container rental market at around $5.2 billion in 2024, with projections to reach
roughly $9.64 billion by 2033, showing strong long-term demand for flexible, container-based
storage solutions.
Source:
Market Size and Trends – Global Mobile Storage Container Rental Market
For people moving or remodeling, this growth reflects a simple reality: more households want the convenience of having storage brought to them instead of driving to it.
Self storage is the traditional option most people know: you rent a unit in a facility, drive your belongings there, and access the unit whenever you need (often with extended or 24/7 access).
It’s a strong choice when you:
Self storage is a massive and mature industry in the U.S. Recent data shows:
In short: self storage is everywhere, and it works well when you want ongoing, flexible access to your items.
Here’s a quick overview to help you see the differences at a glance:
| Feature | Portable Storage | Self Storage |
|---|---|---|
| How it works | Container is delivered to your home; you load at your pace; the company stores it or delivers it to your new address. | You drive your items to a storage facility and load the unit yourself. |
| Best for | Moves, renovations, temporary projects, and flexible timelines. | Long-term storage, frequent access, business inventory, and lower-cost monthly storage. |
| Convenience | Very high, storage comes to you, no need to drive back and forth. | Moderate, you handle transportation to and from the facility. |
| Access to items | Limited or scheduled access (through redelivery or arranged access at the storage yard). | Frequent access, often extended hours or 24/7 depending on the facility. |
| Handling & labor | Load once and unload once, fewer touches and lower risk of damage. | Load at home, unload at the facility, then repeat when you move out, more handling overall. |
| Typical cost structure | Higher upfront (delivery + pickup), but can reduce the need for truck rentals and extra labor. | Lower monthly rent, though you may still need a truck or movers if required. |
| Ideal Bay Area use case | Busy families or professionals who want simplicity and fewer trips in traffic. | People or businesses who need a long-term “extra room” they can visit regularly at a lower ongoing cost. |
Based in San Jose and serving the entire Bay Area, Lunardi Moving Services can help you with both portable storage and traditional storage options.
If you’re not sure which option to choose, we’re happy to talk through your situation and recommend the best setup for your move or project.
Request your free storage or moving quote and we’ll help you plan a solution that fits your timeline, budget, and space.
Portable storage often has higher upfront costs because it includes delivery, pickup, and transportation. However, it can save you money on truck rentals and reduce the labor needed for loading and unloading. For many Bay Area families, the time and stress saved are worth the difference.
Yes, but it’s different from self storage. With portable storage, access is usually scheduled in advance (for example, by having the container redelivered or arranging a visit at the storage facility). With self storage, you typically drive to your unit whenever you want during access hours.
For most short-term moves, portable storage is the easiest option because you load once and let the provider handle transportation and storage. If you need a long-term unit or frequent access, self storage may still be the better choice.
Yes. Lunardi Moving Services provides full moving services plus portable and conventional storage options. We can help you pack, move, load your storage unit, and coordinate timelines so that everything stays organized from start to finish.
You can quickly share your details through our free quote form. Tell us about your home size, dates, locations, and whether you need storage. We’ll send a clear, no-surprise estimate so you know exactly what to expect before you book.
Whether you go with portable storage, self storage, or a mix of both, the goal is the same: a smoother, less stressful move. If you’re in the Bay Area and want help planning the best option for your timeline and budget, Lunardi is here for you.
Request your free quote today and take the next step toward a more organized move.
