As more businesses become paperless and more transactions are completed online, document storage is increasingly referred to as storing your digital files or documents as electronic files on a secure online document storage system.

While there are some excellent online document storage options available, there is still the problem of how and where to store your important physical documents. By law, taxation and business records need to be kept for several years, and the accumulation of paperwork and files can begin to overtake your personal space and leave little room for anything else.

An excellent alternative to storing your documents in your home or office is to store them in a self storage facility. By removing your archived files and documents from your home or office, you will reduce the amount of clutter that you have to deal with day to day. Clutter-free environments are more conducive to organised, efficient business and happy homes alike. Simply by removing files and documents that you do not need to be accessed on a regular basis, you will find that the whole look and feel of your home or office will be different and that you will be able to think more clearly and work more efficiently.

Self storage facilities are secure locations in which only authorised people can access the contents of a storage area. By storing your personal documents in a self storage facility, you can rest assured that your documents will remain safe and secure.

In addition, self storage facilities can be temperature- and humidity-controlled environments, so your documents will be safe from mold and dampness while they are in the facility. Even a trace amount of moisture can destroy your files and documents over time, something that your self storage facility knows all too well. It is difficult to have a home or office at the exact correct temperature for long-term storage, whereas self storage companies are well equipped for this task. Mold and yeast can grow in the presence of a small amount of moisture when the documents or files are not placed or stored appropriately, for example if your documents are stored in a shed or garage.

Whether your documents are personal or business related, or a little of both, special care must be taken when storing your documents. When choosing a self storage facility, it is important to ensure that the facility includes on-site management, adequate lighting, security guards, cameras and fencing. As already discussed, the facility must have a controlled temperature and humidity system. Finally, it must possess a pest control system and self storage amenities. You also need to be sure that you will have access to your stored items whenever you need it, which will be just part of the service for any good self storage facility.

By storing your archived paperwork in a secure self storage facility, you will have the double benefits of freeing up valuable space in your home or office all the while ensuring that your valuable documents and files are protected yet readily accessible in the event that they are required in the future.