Storage units rise by 40% in Madrid due to small flats and the e-commerce boom

In Madrid, where flats are getting smaller and smaller, storage units have become a lifeline for families and individuals. The price of housing has doubled the cost of space since the pandemic, forcing many to store bicycles, seasonal clothing, Christmas decorations or sports equipment outside the home. The boom in online shopping and new consumer habits have driven up demand for self storage. Madrid leads the sector in Spain, with notable growth in recent years (the available space has increased by around 46% in just two recent years, according to industry reports), and together with Barcelona, it concentrates most of the centres. For many families, renting a storage unit is now as normal as ordering groceries online or booking a dinner. These spaces, once only associated with moving house or businesses, are now part of everyday urban life and allow people to gain extra space without leaving their neighbourhood.

The rise of storage units in Madrid adds to the city’s leisure and practicality: it offers a flexible storage solution and becomes a source of inspiration for unique gifts or souvenirs, such as stored vintage items or seasonal kits that don’t fit at home.

This change in habits is also accompanied by the consolidation of self storage as one of the alternative real estate segments with the most potential in Spain, driven by increasingly stable demand and growing interest from investors. According to the latest industry data released this month, the Spanish market now has nearly 1.95 million square metres of space and around 1,300 centres, although it remains highly fragmented, with more than 650 active operators. Madrid and Barcelona account for much of this activity and remain the main growth hubs for the sector.

Beyond the numbers, the rise of storage units reflects a profound change in the way city life is experienced: they are not just used for moving house, but also as everyday support for homes with little space, small businesses, freelancers and online sellers. The flexibility of the service, with different size options and extended access at many centres, has made these spaces an increasingly integrated solution in urban life. In a Madrid where every square metre weighs more heavily on the family budget, gaining space outside the home has become a necessity for many, rather than a luxury.