How Small Businesses Are Using Self Storage as Workspace
Case Study: Revamped by Laura
Business type: Kitchen cabinet respraying and furniture refinishing
Unit type: Trade unit with direct external access
Location: Here Self Storage Northampton
The Business
Laura runs Revamped by Laura, a specialist service that transforms kitchens through professional cabinet respraying — offering homeowners a high-quality, sustainable finish at a fraction of the cost of a full replacement. She also offers a professional furniture refinishing service, giving tired pieces a new lease of life.
It’s skilled, hands-on work. And it takes space.
The Challenge
As Laura’s client list grew, her home setup started to get in the way.
She needed somewhere to store furniture while jobs were in progress, but the bigger issue was the work itself. Respraying and refinishing isn’t quiet — sanding can go on for hours at a time — and doing it from home was becoming increasingly difficult, both practically and for the sake of her neighbours.
“I’ve always been very conscious that essential aspects of my work can be noisy. Sanding especially, which sometimes I do for hours a day. I wanted a workshop I could use without the worry of potentially annoying my neighbours.”
On top of that, working from home was blurring the line between her job and the rest of her life. She wanted a proper separation — somewhere that was work, and somewhere that wasn’t.
The Solution
Laura hadn’t used self storage before. She spotted the Here building and decided to pop in, and was struck from the start by how easy the experience was.
She began with an internal storage unit, which she used for around three months. As her requirements changed, a conversation with the Here team opened up an option she hadn’t realised was available: a trade unit with direct external access that could work as both a storage space and a fully functioning workshop.
“I was unaware I could get both at Here. After a quick conversation with Mark, he showed me the perfect space to cater for all of my needs.”
Before committing, Laura did her research — getting quotes from other providers to compare. Here came out ahead on both price and the overall experience of dealing with the team.
“Although Here Self Storage was always going to be my first choice based on location, I did initially obtain quotes from other companies for comparison but didn’t find a unit that was a better cost option. I just found the experience of dealing with the staff at Here the best.”
The Result
Six months into her trade unit, Laura has a workspace that fits her business properly.
- The proximity to home means no extra travel time or cost, which adds up quickly for a sole trader.
- She can sand and spray for as long as a job requires, without any of the noise concerns she had before.
- 24-hour access means she can work around her schedule, whether that’s an early start or a late finish.
- Security has never been a worry, even when she’s working alone in the evening. “I have always felt safe and secure, even when working in the evening and I’m reassured by CCTV around the building.”
The team has also made the experience straightforward from day one. When a light in her unit stopped working just before she was about to start a new project, it was fixed within ten minutes of her mentioning it.
“All experiences have been great — the fact I haven’t had any issues is testament to how well things are managed and maintained.”
“Nothing short of excellent. Both Mark and Julie have been great — highly professional and just lovely, helpful people. From my first visit, having never used self storage previously, they were extremely helpful and welcoming.”
In her own words
“I’d say go for it. Give them a call, or even better pop in as I did and discuss your needs with the team.”
— Laura, Revamped by Laura
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