New research has revealed that a whopping 82% of Britons now live in urban areas.

While it may not be all that surprising to know that most of us want to live close to where the jobs and all the conveniences are, the growing demand for homes in cities means that people are being forced to live in smaller houses, but masks. houses

Although the number of people per household has also grown, the average size of a one-bedroom apartment is now only 47 square meters (505.9 square feet).

As living spaces get smaller and property prices rise, it forces more of us to rent accommodation and first-time buyers are getting older. In 2001, 17% of the UK population rented, whereas today in 2015, this figure has risen to 25%.

In addition to people struggling to afford a decent size home, even many who once lived in a reasonably sized house or apartment are being forced to downsize.

This certainly doesn’t sound like a good deal to any of us, but one industry that is reaping the benefits of this is self-storage. In fact, an annual report by FEDESSA has revealed that across Europe, the industry is showing strong signs of growth, with more units being built, existing units being expanded and new businesses becoming commonplace.

However, what is the link between the housing crisis and self-storage? As many of us are forced to live in smaller accommodation, it is very difficult to store all our belongings. The fact that a large part of the population can only afford a flat instead of a house also means that they are losing valuable storage space because they will not have a loft, garage or garden.

If people really don’t want to downsize or just can’t because of their growing family, they choose to convert different rooms in the house into bedrooms. Studios, for example, are fast becoming a thing of the past as many people are forced to convert this extra room into more suitable living arrangements.

Sometimes, we are simply forced to throw out things we don’t really need, but other times, there are essential or sentimental items that we want to keep. As space is limited at home, people opt to store their belongings in self-storage. Fast, convenient, and incredibly secure, it’s not hard to see why it’s become such an enticing option.