In a province like Nova Scotia, where weather can shift from one season to the next resulting in snow, rain, humidity and coastal storms, wet basements and messy garages, a bit of extra space becomes a lot more than just a convenience. But when most people hear the word storage containers, it conjures up dreadful images of dingy, rusted out shipping containers sitting on a rough lot. And frankly, it’s the polar opposite of how it is today. Mobile storage containers are clean, secure, weatherproof and come in various sizes, especially for different personal and corporate uses. Whether you live in Halifax, the Annapolis Valley, Cape Breton or a small coastal community, storage solutions have never been more available and flexible. From families who need to declutter, to small businesses that store off-season merchandise, to students that find themselves in the gap between semesters, Nova Scotians are being creative about reclaiming space. Before we get to all the things that you can legally and safely store, it is important to know the things that can not be stored in a storage unit. These restrictions are in place for safety, legality and to ensure that everyone has a clean and safe environment where they are storing their things.

What Can You Store in the Units?

In our most secure, sealed steel containers, you can store following things hassle free:

What you can store

• Power equipment and tools
• Sports and outdoor equipment
• Gardening equipment
• Business stock or inventory
• Motorcycles and bikes
• Non-perishable emergency supplies
• Furniture and household overflow

If you are decluttering, downsizing or simply need some extra room, storage units can be very useful. Here is how different individuals are using them across Nova Scotia, for pretty smart and innovative ways.

The Modern Backyard Shed — Designed for the East Coast

Wooden sheds don’t hold up very well to the long Nova Scotia winters and salt-laden ocean air with all the freezing and thawing. Storage sheds made from steel/metal close that gap. Durable, perfect solutions to reclaim garage and yard space.

Great for

• Mowers and garden tools in Chester
• Snow blowers and salt in Cape Breton
• Kayaks, SUPs and tackle on the Eastern Shore
• Firewood and storm prep in the country

With ventilation or insulation options, these sheds will be throughout the year. 

Small-Scale Bike & Motorcycle Garages

If you ride the Cabot Trail or commute every day to downtown Halifax, you know bikes (and scooters!) are part of the Nova Scotia way of life, but should you leave them rusting in the rain or chained to a wobbling woodpost? 

Small lockable units are the ideal fit for:

• Mountain bikes and fat-tire e-bikes in Wolfville
• Road bikes in downtown HRM
• Motorcycles and mopeds in Dartmouth
• Electric scooters and helmets in Antigonish

The right fit for condo balconies, tight driveways or commercial space for customer bike parking. 

A True Blue Workshop — Just Steps From Home

Every DIYer, mechanic and craftsperson in Nova Scotia appreciates having a space to work. Whether it’s fixing fishing gear in Digby, building furniture in New Glasgow or refurbishing classic cars in Truro, a portable workshop is the answer. 

You can outfit your unit with:

• Shelving and pegboard storage
• Built-in workbench 
• Storage for power tools and materials
• Heat options for winter work 

Some units offer a rugged build option and tailored accessories that make it easy to set-up a proper workspace, without occupying your basement or garage.

Remote Work, Nova Scotia Style

The move to remote work is here to stay, as many have been experiencing the freedom of having a detached home office. Regardless if your residence is located in Lunenburg or Lower Sackville, by putting a storage unit down on your property, you can have a quiet office that has a professional feel and is distraction-free. 

Concepts:

• Remote office with Starlink for country work-from-homers.
• Art or music studio with added soundproofing. 
• Telehealth therapy or consulting room. 
• Writing cabin tucked away in the backwoods of your property. 

You can include heat pumps, lighting and insulation in your choices, meaning you can use your unit in all seasons from Nor’Easters to baking August afternoons.

Garden Hubs and Mini Barns for the Backyard Homesteader

With Nova Scotia’s extensive farming, gardening and DIY community, a storage unit is also a perfect mini barn or gardening shed. Especially helpful in locations with seasonal gardening, such as the Annapolis Valley or Pictou County.

Great for:

• Soil, seeds and pots storage
• Sheltering tools and wheelbarrows
• Drying herbs or garlic during harvest
• Animal feed or poultry equipment storage

Most importantly, metal buildings don’t allow for rodents or moisture, an added benefit when storing products.

Secure Business Storage for Trades and Contractors

From electricians in Yarmouth to landscapers in Sydney, trades people across Nova Scotia are finding new access with storage sheds on site. Instead of hauling materials on-site and off daily, these storage sheds can provide a secure location to house tools and materials at a job site or at their home base.

Some examples of application areas:

• Construction equipment tool storage
• Equipment lockers for service depots
• Seasonal landscaping equipment and seasonal equipment
• Automotive tools and diagnostic equipment

Portable buildings are sturdy, weatherproof and easy to transport from job site to job site even in snow!

Mobile Retail and Event Solutions

Nova Scotia features several craft fairs, festivals and seasonal events, this ranges from the Halifax Jazz Festival to their farmers’ markets in Mahone Bay. Mobile retail and event modules offer modern, secure storage and display all in one. It could be adaptable for:

• Listing craft and art
• Farmers’ market booths
• Part-time seasonal pop-up shops
• Information or first-aid kiosks

You could brand the outside with logos, roll up doors, countertops, it’s easy to set up and pack away.

Storm Prep & Emergency Supply Stations

As you know how difficult to predict the weather in Nova Scotia is — wind storms bringing power outages, to winter white-outs. Home owners are now increasingly using storage units as storm supply lockers. 

Smart storage

• Generators (not run indoors), flash lights or batteries 
• Every canned good and bottled water you can think of 
• Blankets, first aid kits, candles 
• Anything else you might need like shovels, salt or emergency radios 

Just don’t store fuel or groceries but the rest of the stuff can all be stored with ease and good peace of mind when the lights go out.

A Place for Your Passion Projects

Finally, storage units in Nova Scotia are not only a practical solution; they also provide opportunity for comfort and whimsy. You can make it into:

• A private library
• A meditation or yoga room
• A display area for vintage tools or collectibles
• A private personal getaway by the lake

A storage unit from Pop Up Lockers can easily become unique to you. 

Conclusion

In Nova Scotia, where the culture and climate is ever-changing, storage space provides more than convenience, it provides opportunity. Whether it is battling through a messy garage in HRM or supplying mobile storage to assist with a fishing business in Shelburne, contemporary portable storage containers in Nova Scotia offered from providers such as Pop Up Lockers are more than adequate. They are made for our climate. For our lifestyle. For our future.