Moving somewhere smaller is often a lovely fresh start, but it can also turn into a stressful moment where you feel you have to get rid of things in a hurry. Suddenly you are meant to choose between the family home your children grew up in, the heirlooms from your mother, your hobby gear and the furniture you cherish – all at once. You really do not have to. With your own self-storage unit at Selvbetjeningslageret, you can keep what matters most, set it safely aside and sort through it at your own pace. We have branches in both Bergen and Haugesund, and you rent month to month with no fixed term.
That way you avoid making rushed decisions during an already busy moving period. Anything you are unsure about can stay safely tucked away while you settle into your new home and work out what you actually want to carry forward.
When does storage suit a downsizing move?
Most people moving somewhere smaller recognise at least one of these situations:
- You are selling the family house and moving to a flat, with more than the new home can hold.
- You are retiring and want to simplify daily life without letting go of the memories.
- You inherit a whole home and need time to divide, sell or keep things calmly.
- The children have moved out, but you want to keep furniture and belongings for when they settle down.
- You are renovating the new home and need somewhere to store furniture while the work is under way.
How long should you rent for?
The nice thing about downsizing is that you are rarely in a rush once your things are safely stored. With us you rent month to month, with no fixed term and no notice period. If you only need a couple of months while you tidy up, that is perfectly fine. If you want your belongings kept for several years until the grandchildren are old enough to inherit them, that works just as well.
You can also switch to a smaller or larger unit at any time, completely free of charge, as you gradually sort things down. Many people end up reducing the size in several stages. It is worth setting aside a little extra in your budget for the first six months, so you have room to keep slightly more while you make up your mind in your own time.
What size do you need?
Our units range from roughly 2–50 m² of floor space, so you will always find something that fits. Here is a rough guide based on how much you keep:
- A few boxes, seasonal items and ornaments: around 2–4 m² is plenty.
- The contents of a couple of rooms – furniture, heirlooms and hobby gear: about 6–10 m².
- Most of a flat you cannot fit in: roughly 10–15 m².
- The contents of a whole house being sold or divided: 20–50 m² depending on the volume.
Tips: If in doubt, choose something a little roomier to begin with. You can always switch to a smaller unit free of charge once you have finished sorting – it costs nothing to change your mind.
Keep what you love – without having to choose against it
Downsizing is not about clearing out a whole life in a few weeks. It is about carrying the most important things forward. Your grandmother's hymn book, the bicycle the grandchildren use when they visit, the sofa your son wants when he buys his own place – these are things you should be allowed to keep without feeling guilty. Your own storage unit gives you the breathing space to make those decisions when you are ready, not when the removal van is waiting. What you keep stays safe behind a lock and your own access code, shielded from view, while you find your feet in the new home.
Practical advice for sorting and storing
- Split things into three piles: keep, pass on and discard – and let the "keep" items sit in storage while you think.
- Label boxes clearly with contents and room, so you can find things quickly when a grandchild is due to inherit something.
- Dismantle large furniture and pack textiles dry, so you fit more into a smaller floor area.
- Put frequently used items at the front and leave a narrow walkway into the unit.
- Borrow a trailer free of charge from us – a closed Tysse box trailer plus trolleys and sack trucks are ready when you need to transport and move things in.
How to get started
- Check available prices and sizes and find a unit that suits the amount you want to keep.
- Choose a branch in Bergen or Haugesund and reserve your unit online.
- Borrow our closed Tysse box trailer and trolleys free of charge when you transport your things.
- You receive your own electronic access code and can come and go every day between 07:00 and 23:00.
Still wondering about something before you decide? Feel free to call us on 55 25 95 90, and we will help you find the right size for your particular downsizing move.