One guitar doesn’t take up much room.
Then you buy another.
The children start music lessons.
An amplifier appears.
Then a keyboard.
A microphone stand.
Speakers.
Cases.
Cables.
Sheet music.
Before long, one corner of the house has quietly become a small music shop.
For musicians, bands and families with musical children, instruments and associated equipment can occupy a surprising amount of space — particularly when some of it is only used occasionally.
You may not want to sell good equipment simply because you aren’t currently using it.
But that doesn’t necessarily mean every instrument, amplifier and flight case needs to remain in your living room throughout the year.
For suitable equipment, self storage can provide another option.
SecureStore provides flexible personal self storage across Bury, Manchester, Failsworth and Salford, helping households create more usable space while keeping suitable belongings they still want.
2-Week Flash Offer: First Month’s Storage for Just £1
If musical equipment is beginning to take over your home, SecureStore’s current limited-time promotion could make now a useful time to get organised.
For two weeks only, get your first month of storage for just £1.
Suitable instruments, stands, cases and other equipment that you don’t currently need could potentially be stored while remaining available for the future.
2-WEEK FLASH OFFER
FIRST MONTH’S STORAGE: £1
Promotional terms, eligibility and availability apply.
Call 0161 470 0288 or email info@securestoreselfstorage.co.uk to discuss your requirements.
Why Musical Equipment Accumulates So Easily
Musicians rarely own only the instrument they’re currently playing.
An experienced guitarist may have several guitars.
A drummer may have different pieces of equipment for different situations.
Someone involved in live music may also own:
- Amplifiers
- Speakers
- Microphones
- Stands
- Pedals
- Mixers
- Cases
- Cables
- Accessories
Then there is older equipment.
Perhaps you upgraded your guitar but kept the previous one.
Maybe your child stopped playing the violin but you don’t want to sell it yet.
Perhaps you’re keeping an amplifier because you might start performing again.
Individually, these decisions seem small.
Together, they can fill a room.
Start With What You Actually Use
Before considering storage, identify your active equipment.
If you play guitar every evening, your main guitar obviously needs to remain accessible.
If you rehearse every weekend, the equipment required for rehearsals probably does too.
But what about the guitar you haven’t played for two years?
Or the spare amplifier?
Or the keyboard from an old project?
Separate your equipment into categories.
Regularly Used
Keep this accessible at home.
Occasionally Used
Consider whether it needs permanent space in your home.
Sentimental
Equipment you want to retain regardless of how often it’s played.
Sell
Equipment you realistically aren’t going to use again.
This simple exercise can immediately reveal how much equipment you’re keeping without actually using.
Instruments Can Have Sentimental Value
Musical instruments aren’t always ordinary possessions.
Perhaps it was your first guitar.
Maybe the instrument belonged to a parent or grandparent.
Perhaps you played it at important gigs.
You may have owned it for decades.
Even if you now use a different instrument, selling the old one may feel wrong.
Suitable storage can allow you to retain meaningful equipment without requiring it to occupy your everyday living space.
Children’s Instruments Can Create Another Problem
Children’s musical interests change.
One year it’s keyboard.
Then guitar.
Then drums.
Parents can understandably hesitate to immediately sell equipment because their child may return to the instrument later.
At the same time, keeping every instrument indefinitely can consume significant space.
Review unused equipment periodically rather than automatically keeping everything forever.
Don’t Store an Instrument Without Preparing It Properly
Musical instruments can be sensitive items.
Different instruments require different storage conditions and preparation.
A guitar is not the same as a brass instrument.
A violin is not the same as a digital keyboard.
Before placing any instrument into storage, check the manufacturer’s guidance or seek appropriate specialist advice.
For valuable instruments, professional guidance can be particularly important.
Temperature and Humidity Matter
Some instruments, particularly those made from wood, can be sensitive to changes in temperature and humidity.
Before choosing any storage arrangement for a valuable or delicate instrument, establish what environmental conditions the manufacturer or an appropriate specialist recommends.
Do not assume that every storage environment is suitable for every instrument.
Speak to SecureStore about your particular requirements before booking.
Use the Correct Case
Where appropriate, instruments should generally be stored in a suitable protective case designed for them.
A proper case can help protect against:
- Dust
- Accidental knocks
- Scratches
- Movement during transport
For valuable instruments, ask a specialist what type of case and preparation is appropriate.
Hard Cases Can Be Worth Keeping
Instrument cases themselves take up room.
This can tempt people to dispose of them.
But if you expect to transport or store an instrument in the future, its original or suitable protective case can be extremely useful.
Before throwing a case away, consider whether you may need it again.
Clean Instruments Before Storage
Follow the appropriate manufacturer’s or specialist guidance for your particular instrument.
Depending on the instrument, preparation may involve cleaning appropriate surfaces, removing dirt or residue and checking its condition.
Avoid experimenting with household cleaning products.
A product suitable for your kitchen table isn’t automatically suitable for a musical instrument.
Photograph Equipment Before Storage
Take clear photographs of valuable equipment.
Include:
- Overall condition
- Front and back
- Serial numbers
- Model information
- Existing marks
- Accessories
These photographs can help with your inventory and insurance records.
Record Serial Numbers
Musical equipment frequently has serial numbers.
Record these before storage.
A simple spreadsheet or note on your phone could include:
Item: Fender guitar
Model: [model]
Serial number: [number]
Case: Hard case
Accessories: Strap
Do the same for amplifiers, keyboards and other valuable equipment where applicable.
Keep Receipts and Valuations
If you have purchase receipts, valuations or other important documentation, keep these organised.
Digital copies can also be useful.
For particularly valuable instruments, check whether a professional valuation is appropriate for insurance purposes.
Check Your Insurance
Don’t assume expensive instruments are automatically covered simply because they’re inside a storage unit.
SecureStore offers storage insurance options.
Tell the team what you intend to store and make sure you understand the available cover, declared values, limits and relevant terms.
If you already have specialist musical-instrument insurance, check directly with your insurer regarding storage away from home.
Guitars Can Multiply Quickly
Guitarists may recognise this particular problem.
One acoustic.
One electric.
Then another electric with different pickups.
Then a bass.
Then a guitar bought because it was too good a deal to refuse.
Soon the instruments and their cases occupy an entire wall.
If you’re genuinely playing them all, that’s one thing.
If half haven’t left their cases in years, it may be time to review the collection.
Amplifiers Are Often the Real Space Problem
A guitar itself is relatively manageable.
Large amplifiers and speaker cabinets are different.
They can be:
- Heavy
- Bulky
- Difficult to stack
- Awkward to move
If you’re no longer performing regularly, you may not need large live-performance equipment in your home every day.
Suitable equipment could potentially be stored until it is needed again.
Don’t Lift Heavy Equipment Alone
Large amplifiers, speakers and keyboards can be extremely heavy.
Don’t risk injury by trying to move equipment beyond your capabilities.
SecureStore provides Removal + Storage, so speak to our team about suitable bulky equipment that needs moving.
Keyboards Need Space Too
Digital pianos and keyboards can dominate a room.
If somebody in the household has stopped playing temporarily, you may face a difficult decision.
Selling it immediately could mean buying another later.
Leaving it untouched in the living room may waste valuable space.
Check the manufacturer’s storage guidance and consider whether suitable storage provides a sensible temporary solution.
What About Acoustic Pianos?
Traditional acoustic pianos are specialist items.
Their weight, construction and sensitivity mean they require appropriate professional handling and environmental consideration.
Do not treat an acoustic piano like ordinary household furniture.
If you need to move or store one, use appropriate piano-moving and storage specialists and follow professional advice.
Drum Kits Can Take Over a Room
Drummers face a different problem.
A full drum kit requires considerable floor space.
Then there are:
- Cymbals
- Stands
- Cases
- Sticks
- Spare drums
- Practice equipment
If a kit isn’t currently being used, dismantling and appropriately storing suitable components may release a significant amount of room.
Follow manufacturer guidance and keep all relevant components clearly organised.
Label Drum Components
If a kit is being dismantled for an extended period, organise it carefully.
Keep appropriate fittings and components together.
Label cases and boxes.
Photograph the assembled kit before dismantling if helpful.
When the time comes to rebuild it, you’ll appreciate the organisation.
Microphone Stands and Music Stands Add Up
Smaller accessories often create more clutter than the instruments themselves.
You may have:
- Microphone stands
- Music stands
- Guitar stands
- Speaker stands
- Keyboard stands
- Stool
- Pedalboards
Review what is genuinely being used.
Suitable spare equipment can potentially be grouped and stored together.
Cables Need Their Own System
Every musician seems to own a box of mysterious cables.
Don’t simply throw them into storage tangled together.
Sort them.
Test them if appropriate.
Label them.
Remove obviously damaged or unnecessary cables.
Use suitable organisation so you know what you actually have.
Don’t Pay to Store Broken Equipment Forever
A broken amplifier you genuinely plan to repair is one thing.
A broken amplifier that has been waiting for repair since 2018 is another.
Be realistic.
If equipment isn’t worth repairing, deal with it appropriately rather than paying to store it indefinitely.
Be Careful With Batteries
Some electronic musical equipment contains removable batteries or battery-powered accessories.
Follow manufacturer guidance before longer-term storage.
Damaged batteries and certain hazardous items can present safety concerns and may be restricted or prohibited.
Speak to SecureStore if you’re unsure whether something can be stored.
Sheet Music Can Become a Collection of Its Own
Musicians can accumulate enormous quantities of:
- Sheet music
- Books
- Songbooks
- Teaching materials
- Music magazines
Sort these before storage.
Keep frequently used music at home.
Archive suitable material you want to retain but rarely need.
Dispose of or recycle unwanted paper appropriately.
Create a Digital Catalogue
If you have a significant collection of instruments and equipment, a simple digital catalogue can be useful.
Record:
- Item
- Brand
- Model
- Serial number
- Approximate value
- Case
- Storage location
Photographs can be linked or kept in a dedicated album.
This can make managing a larger collection much easier.
Selling Instruments You No Longer Need
If you’re certain an instrument won’t be used again, selling may make more sense than storing it indefinitely.
Depending on the equipment, you could explore specialist music retailers, local dealers or established marketplaces.
Reverb is a marketplace focused specifically on musical instruments and equipment:
Reverb
reverb.com
eBay is another option:
eBay UK
ebay.co.uk
For particularly valuable or unusual instruments, specialist advice may be worthwhile before agreeing a price.
Donate Suitable Instruments
Good-quality instruments that are no longer needed may also have value to schools, charities, community organisations or music programmes.
Acceptance policies vary considerably, so contact an organisation directly before donating.
Music for All is a UK charity focused on helping people access musical instruments and music-making opportunities:
Music for All
musicforall.org.uk
Check current donation arrangements directly with the organisation.
Make Space for Practising
There is an irony in owning lots of musical equipment but having so much of it that there’s nowhere comfortable to play.
Removing equipment you aren’t currently using can create more space for the instrument you actually are.
A clearer music area can provide room for:
- Practice
- Recording
- Lessons
- Rehearsal
- Equipment setup
Sometimes storing less-used equipment can make your active equipment more useful.
Home Recording Equipment Can Also Accumulate
Home recording has become increasingly accessible.
A basic setup can gradually expand into:
- Audio interfaces
- Monitors
- Microphones
- Acoustic equipment
- Stands
- Controllers
- Computers
- Cables
If you’ve upgraded equipment, review whether you genuinely need to retain every previous component.
Store suitable backup equipment you expect to use.
Sell equipment that has no realistic future purpose.
Musicians Moving Between Bands Can Benefit From Temporary Storage
Musical circumstances change.
A band may finish.
You may stop gigging temporarily.
You may switch instruments.
You might take a break from performing.
That doesn’t necessarily mean you want to sell all your equipment.
Suitable temporary storage can provide somewhere for equipment while you decide what happens next.
Parents Can Reclaim Bedrooms Too
If a child or teenager has accumulated several instruments, the bedroom can become difficult to use.
You don’t necessarily need to remove their current instrument.
Instead, review older equipment.
The unused beginner keyboard, previous guitar and old amplifier may not need to remain in the room alongside everything currently being played.
Avoid Garages and Sheds Without Considering the Conditions
A garage or shed can seem like the obvious place for unused instruments.
But environmental conditions vary significantly.
Before putting valuable musical equipment somewhere for an extended period, consider:
- Temperature
- Humidity
- Damp
- Dust
- Security
- Risk of accidental damage
Follow the manufacturer’s or specialist storage guidance for the equipment concerned.
Pack the Storage Unit for Accessibility
If you’re likely to retrieve equipment for occasional performances, don’t bury it behind furniture and boxes.
Keep potentially needed items reasonably accessible.
For example:
Front: occasional gig equipment
Middle: spare instruments
Back: long-term archive equipment
Think about how you’ll actually use the unit.
Review Your Equipment Every Six Months
Musicians’ requirements change.
Something you thought you’d use again may remain untouched.
Something you stored may suddenly be needed.
Periodically review the collection.
Storage should help you manage your equipment, not make you forget you own it.
Removal + Storage for Bulky Music Equipment
Some musical equipment is difficult to move safely.
SecureStore’s Removal + Storage service can help with suitable bulky belongings such as certain amplifiers, speakers, keyboards, cases and associated equipment.
Speak to our team about exactly what you need moving so the appropriate options can be discussed.
Use SecureStore’s £1 First-Month Flash Offer
If unused musical equipment is taking over your home, our current promotion could make now a useful time to organise it.
For two weeks only:
GET YOUR FIRST MONTH OF STORAGE FOR JUST £1
Subject to suitability and storage requirements, you could potentially create space by moving:
- Guitars
- Instrument cases
- Keyboards
- Amplifiers
- Speakers
- Stands
- Music equipment
- Sheet music
- Other suitable household belongings
Always discuss valuable, delicate or specialist instruments with SecureStore before arranging storage.
2-WEEK FLASH OFFER – FIRST MONTH’S STORAGE £1
Promotional terms, eligibility and availability apply.
How to Book Your Unit With SecureStore
Getting organised is straightforward:
- Identify the instruments and equipment you regularly use.
- Separate occasional and unused equipment.
- Decide what is genuinely worth retaining.
- Check manufacturer or specialist storage guidance.
- Photograph valuable equipment and record serial numbers.
- Prepare and pack suitable equipment appropriately.
- Contact SecureStore and ask about the 2-week flash offer – first month’s storage for £1.
- Choose a suitable storage unit.
- Ask about Removal + Storage for bulky suitable equipment.
- Keep an inventory of everything stored.
2-WEEK FLASH OFFER: FIRST MONTH’S STORAGE FOR £1
Call: 0161 470 0288
Email: info@securestoreselfstorage.co.uk
Visit: 574 Manchester Road, Bury
Locations: Bury | Manchester | Failsworth | Salford
No deposit required in many cases; same-day move-in may be available.
Contact SecureStore for promotional terms, eligibility and current unit availability.
Keep Making Music Without Letting the Equipment Take Over
Musical instruments can be valuable financially, creatively and sentimentally.
That doesn’t mean every piece of equipment you’ve ever owned needs to occupy your home permanently.
Keep your everyday instruments accessible.
Organise the equipment you genuinely want for the future.
Sell or donate what you’re unlikely to use again.
And consider suitable storage for the things worth keeping but not currently needed.
SecureStore provides flexible personal self storage and Removal + Storage across Bury, Manchester, Failsworth and Salford.
And for a limited period, your first month of storage is just £1 with our 2-week flash offer.
Call 0161 470 0288 or email info@securestoreselfstorage.co.uk to discuss your storage requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can musical instruments be kept in self storage?
Some suitable musical instruments and equipment may be stored, but requirements vary considerably depending on the instrument. Check manufacturer or specialist guidance and discuss your particular items with SecureStore before booking.
Should I keep instruments in their cases?
Where appropriate, a suitable protective case can help protect an instrument during transport and storage. Follow the manufacturer’s or specialist recommendations for your particular instrument.
Can I store amplifiers and speakers?
Suitable equipment may be stored subject to SecureStore’s terms and the equipment’s own storage requirements. Speak to our team about the items you have.
Can SecureStore help move heavy musical equipment?
SecureStore provides Removal + Storage. Speak to our team about suitable bulky equipment you need moving.
Is storage insurance available for musical equipment?
SecureStore offers storage insurance options. For valuable instruments, make sure you understand declared-value requirements, limits and relevant terms, and check any specialist insurance you already hold.
What is SecureStore’s current flash offer?
For a limited two-week period, your first month of storage is £1, subject to promotional terms, eligibility and availability.
