Many of us eventually find ourselves completely submerged in the well-known catastrophe of disorganized mess, tripping over old baseball trophies and wondering why we ever carried home Aunt Edna’s ancient recliner. Now enter the reliable sidekicks of the storage scene: self-storage and mini-storage. But beneath these similar fronts, what is actually happening? Let’s open the box to find out their motivation. Sounds like the younger brother of self-storage, storage lockers—or迷你倉—is what my buddy from Hong Kong would call.

Little, lovely, most likely wants to borrow your toys. Like a little brother, it is also a smaller, more portable kind of normal storage. Consider it as the espresso shot of storage options—strong, focused, and exactly what you need when you want only a portion of the pot. Perfect for people who have to hide a few seasonal doodads or boxes, small storage fits where it counts.

Conversely, self-storage is the great daddy of them all. Imagine a vast complex of locked flats, akin to a hotel for all the stuff you have gathered over years. Have you assembled a kayak set? An array of Christmas decorations? It can be handled by self-storage. From closet-sized cubbies to complete basement-sized havens for all your valuables, you find a buffet of sizes here.

But let’s not only consider size here. A major element is accessibility as well. Often nestled into urban nooks, mini storage lockers provide a type of covert convenience for city people. It’s like to having a secret hideout right in your neighborhood. Self-storage facilities typically line themselves within a short drive from suburban areas—ample parking, simple vehicle access, like visiting an aunt who lives out of town but always has cookies.

Prices draw different crowds as well. If you will, little storage is your affordable alternative; the dollar store of storage. Perfect for those in transition or students. Self-storage requires a heavier dedication given its large space and sturdy design. Hey, the spend is well worth it if your garage resembles a scene from “Hoarders.”