London’s shift toward smaller, flat-led housing is tightening living space across the capital and driving a surge in demand for self-storage.

Under the Greater London Authority’s London Plan, new homes must meet minimum internal space standards, including at least 50 m² for a one-bedroom, two-person flat and 61 m² for a two-bedroom, three-person flat. With most new housing now delivered as flats in high-density developments, many homes are being built close to these minimum thresholds, leaving limited space for built-in storage.

By comparison, the average home in England measures around 95 m², according to the government’s English Housing Survey, nearly double the minimum size of a one-bedroom London flat. Official housing data also shows London has more than four times the national average proportion of high-rise homes, reflecting a long-term market shift toward compact urban living.

Greater London Authority figures show annual housing completions in London have risen around 14 per cent in a decade, from 27,656 homes in 2014/15 to 31,629 in 2023/24, with much of this growth coming from higher-density developments where features in older homes, like lofts, garages, and large cupboards, are less common.

Over the same period, the UK self-storage industry has expanded dramatically, growing from around 975 facilities in 2014 to nearly 2,900 today. The industry also states that personal storage has also steadily increased and accounts for around 82% of customers, up from roughly 73% ten years ago. With many personal users living in developments built within the past 10–15 years, this suggests a direct link between compact layouts and off-site storage use.

Will McCullagh, Managing Director of Vanguard Self Storage, said, “London’s housing market has clearly shifted toward apartment living and space-efficient design. While modern flats are well planned, they often don’t include the storage capacity people receive and expect from older homes.

“We’re seeing more customers use self-storage as a practical extension of their living space, somewhere to keep seasonal items, business equipment, and household goods so their homes remain comfortable and uncluttered. The growth of smaller flats directly correlates with the rise in personal storage demand, and we are expanding our facilities to meet this need.”

To meet increased demand, Vanguard has added more than 40,000 sq ft of additional storage across its London locations in the past year alone.