Packhood is the peer-to-peer marketplace for storage & parking — book space from local hosts, or earn from the space you already have. Verified hosts, renter guarantee, cancel any month.
Your commercial in your area is earning EUR0 today. A comparable one makes EUR362/month — that's EUR4,344/year it is NOT collecting.
Join hosts unlocking idle space across your area.
Restaurant / takeaways: Before You Try a Lodger, Look at Your Commercial Space
Practical notes before you choose
Use the quoted monthly price as a starting point, then judge the space by access, dryness and host responsiveness.
For storage, the practical test is not just floor area. Ask what fits through the entrance, how often you can visit, and whether the host has used the space for storage before. One useful rule: access and proximity often matter more than headline price — a smaller space near home usually beats a larger unit across town.
Before you commit, it is worth checking how the door locks, when you can collect, whether the route in has stairs or narrow turns, and what happens if you need something back mid-month — those details decide whether the space actually works for what you are storing. Restaurant / takeaway. Energy bills and food inflation hammer the P&L, and the dry-goods store or cellar is bigger than your par stock needs. Leased space that holds nothing but air is a luxury you can't afford. That pressure is exactly why taking in a lodger keeps appearing in your feed. Run the honest comparison first — against the storage space you already have.
How taking in a lodger actually works
A lodger shares your kitchen, your bathroom and your quiet evenings — a person living in your home, with the legal and personal weight that carries. It can suit some households; it is a lifestyle decision more than an income decision.
- A stranger lives in your home full-time
- Shared kitchen, bathroom and privacy, every day
- Notice rules and obligations when it goes wrong
- References, deposits and house rules to manage
We don't quote earnings figures for taking in a lodger, because returns vary too much by person and timing for a fair number. The mechanics are the part that is true for everyone.
What your storage space pays instead
The benchmark figure is real, not aspirational: €362/month (€4344/year), rising to around €561/month for a secure, easy-access space. It is derived from the same methodology as every Packhood earnings page: the going storage rate scaled by the typical storage space benchmark. Empty, the space earns €0. Listing is account-first and takes about nine to fifteen minutes: create a free account, add photos, dimensions, access details and your monthly rate. You approve every renter before anything is confirmed, payment sits in escrow, payouts run weekly, and you keep 95% of the rate you set (5% commission; renters pay a separate 20% service fee). Verified damage by a verified renter is covered by the Host Guarantee of €300 per booking.
Side by side
| Taking in a lodger | Renting out your storage space | |
|---|---|---|
| Startup capital | None, but your privacy | None; the space already exists |
| Time per week | Constant low-level sharing of your space | Minutes once the listing is live |
| What's at risk | The wrong person in your home is hard to undo | No capital at stake; verified damage covered by the Host Guarantee (€300/booking) |
| Who's in your home | Someone lives with you | Nobody lives there; renters drop off and collect by arrangement |
| How it pays | Varies by the mechanics above | Monthly rate you set; weekly payouts; you keep 95% |
The one-line version: your space pays without a housemate. It earns on its own schedule, and nothing about your money, your evenings or your home is on the table.
The tax line, honestly
Storage income is taxable in Ireland (Case IV/V — declared on Form 12; there is no tax-free band). The plain-language summary for your situation: tax on storage space storage income. Summary, not tax advice.
Frequently asked
Should a restaurant / takeaway try taking in a lodger or rent out the storage space? They solve the same problem with opposite mechanics. Taking in a lodger: none, but your privacy; constant low-level sharing of your space; the wrong person in your home is hard to undo. The storage space: no capital, minutes of admin once listed, and a benchmark €362/month. Many people do neither perfectly — but only one of the two starts from something you already own. How much can a restaurant / takeaway's storage space earn? The Irish benchmark is €362/month (€4344/year), rising to about €561/month for a secure, accessible space. Empty, it earns €0. Is the income taxable? Storage income is taxable in Ireland (Case IV/V — declared on Form 12; there is no tax-free band). Every figure here is gross.
Start with the storage space you already have
Related pages
- The full Taking in a lodger comparison for Ireland
- Rent out your storage space in Ireland
- Instead of dropshipping
- Instead of crypto
- Instead of short-let hosting
_Comparison of category-level mechanics; alternative-side returns are deliberately not quoted. Storage figures are the Irish benchmark derivation used across Packhood._
Restaurant & Hospitality Storage
Restaurants, cafes, pubs, and hospitality businesses operate in expensive premises where every square metre should generate revenue. Storing outdoor furniture over winter, holiday decorations between seasons, bulk supplies, event equipment, or backup chairs and tables on-site means paying prime commercial rent for items that aren't earning. Off-site storage is the economically rational choice.
The seasonal swing is particularly acute. A restaurant with 30 outdoor covers adds terrace furniture in April and removes it in October. That's 6 months of furniture in dead storage, taking up space that could be a prep area, staff room, or additional indoor covers. A Packhood garage near the premises at £80-£130/month stores the furniture for less than the monthly rent on the equivalent floor space inside the restaurant.
Bulk purchasing is another driver. A pub buying wine by the pallet or a cafe sourcing disposables in bulk gets better per-unit pricing but needs somewhere to store the surplus. A Packhood space turns bulk buying from a space problem into a cost saving.
How to organise restaurant & hospitality storage
Step 1: Identify your off-season and overflow items Walk through the premises and list everything not needed year-round: terrace furniture, seasonal decor, backup equipment, bulk supplies, event-specific items.
Step 2: Estimate the volume 30 chairs and 8 tables stack down to about 6-8 m². Seasonal decorations fill 2-3 m³. A pallet of wine needs 1.5 m². Calculate your total footprint.
Step 3: Find a space near the premises Proximity matters — you'll be transporting items by van, and you may need to retrieve something at short notice. Look for Packhood garages within a 10-minute drive.
Step 4: Coordinate the seasonal swap Plan the furniture changeover with your team. A morning with 2-3 staff members and a van can handle a terrace's worth of furniture in 2-3 hours.
Step 5: Organise the space by category Outdoor furniture in one section, seasonal decor in another, bulk supplies accessible at the front. Label everything.
Step 6: Schedule regular restocking visits If using the space for bulk supply storage, set a weekly or fortnightly visit to restock the premises.
Best space types for restaurant & hospitality storage
- Garage — The clear winner for hospitality storage. Drive-up access for loading furniture. Concrete floor handles weight and cleaning. Most garages fit a full terrace setup.
- Commercial Unit — For larger operations with high volume. Multiple pallet spaces, easy van access, and often has power for lighting and tools.
- Shed Or Barn — Budget option for hardy outdoor furniture. Good for items that can handle some temperature variation.
Pro tips
- Stack chairs in sets of 5-6 with furniture blankets between them to prevent scratching. It takes 2 minutes per stack and saves repainting or replacing.
- Clean and dry outdoor furniture thoroughly before storing. Dirt left on rattan or wood over winter causes permanent staining and accelerates rot.
- Store parasols closed, dried, and in parasol bags. A damp parasol stored for 6 months will develop mould that ruins the fabric.
- Keep a manifest of bulk supplies in storage and update it on each visit. This prevents over-ordering and stock-outs.
- If storing wine, keep it on its side in a consistently cool space. A garage or basement is fine for everyday drinking wine; fine wine should go to specialist storage.
How Packhood compares to self-storage in Ireland
Across Ireland, the main commercial self-storage operators include Elephant Self Storage, National Self Storage, Store4U, U Store It. These companies operate purpose-built facilities with climate-controlled indoor units, typically located on commercial estates outside city centres. Monthly pricing ranges from €60 to €450 depending on unit size and location, with additional charges for insurance, padlocks and admin fees.
Packhood offers a fundamentally different approach. Instead of driving to a commercial facility, you book unused space from a verified neighbour — a garage, spare room, driveway, attic or basement within a few streets of your home. Packhood hosts set their own monthly price, which is typically 30-50% lower than commercial self-storage rates. There are no admin fees, no mandatory padlock purchases and no insurance upsells. The listed price is the all-in monthly cost.
Commercial self-storage facilities have genuine advantages in specific scenarios. Climate-controlled indoor units are better for temperature-sensitive items like electronics, wine or artwork. Facilities with 24/7 PIN-code access let you visit your unit at any hour without coordinating with anyone. Staffed receptions can accept deliveries and provide on-site support. For these use cases, a commercial operator may be the right choice.
For most personal and small-business storage needs, however, Packhood delivers better value. The 30-50% cost saving adds up quickly over a 3-6 month booking — that is €120-600 back in your pocket. Neighbourhood proximity means you can walk to your storage rather than loading a car. Month-to-month billing with 14 days' notice means no lock-in contracts. And every booking includes the Packhood Host Guarantee, with €300 per-booking protection, €25k items cover and €100k host liability cover.
Storage demand in June
June carries May's momentum but swaps the cast. The graduation caps go up, the academic year formally ends, and a fresh cohort of graduates walks straight into the "what next" question — many storing their belongings while they travel, start an internship, or hunt for that first professional flat. Latecomers who left storage until now find themselves scrapping over what is left, often accepting a longer drive to a space that is further out than they would like. The lesson every June teaches is the same one the early bookers already learned in March.
The Irish Leaving Certificate and UK A-levels and GCSEs begin in June, creating a secondary education-linked storage pattern. Families converting a teenager's bedroom into a study or guest room during the exam period store childhood furniture and accumulated items. In the Netherlands, the eindexamens (final exams) in early June trigger similar household reshuffles.
June is prime wedding season in all three markets. Couples, venues, and wedding planners rely on storage for everything from chair covers to centrepieces. Venue-adjacent garage and warehouse bookings spike on Thursday-to-Monday cycles as weekend weddings turn over.
The summer property market remains robust, and with schools about to break up, families with children target June for completing house moves before the holiday disruption. Removals companies report their busiest weeks of the year in mid-to-late June.
What people store and retrieve in June
- Graduate transition storage — Newly graduated students store university belongings while job-hunting, travelling, or moving between cities. Typical booking: 3-6 months, 3-5 m².
- Last-minute student move-out — Students who missed the May window pay premium rates for whatever space remains near campus. Off-peak alternatives 15-20 minutes away offer savings.
- Wedding season peak storage — Full-service wedding storage: dresses, suits, decorations, gifts, photographer equipment, and catering supplies. Short-term bookings with weekend access required.
- Summer holiday preparation — Families store bicycles, garden equipment, and non-travel items to secure their home while on extended holiday. Security-conscious renters prefer indoor, lockable spaces.
- School year-end clear-out — End-of-year school projects, art supplies, sports equipment, and textbooks come home and often go straight to storage while families decide what to keep.
- Summer camp equipment — Youth organisations and summer camp operators retrieve bulk equipment — tents, sports gear, craft supplies — from winter storage.
- Home renovation peak — With reliable weather and long days, major renovation projects (extensions, loft conversions, kitchen refits) hit their stride. Contents of entire rooms shift to temporary storage.
Storage tips for June
- Graduates: if you are taking a gap year or travelling, book your storage now for the full duration. Pre-paying 6 months upfront often earns a 15-20% discount compared to month-to-month.
- Wedding couples: confirm your storage space has ground-floor, drive-up access. Carrying 50 chair covers up three flights of stairs on a Saturday morning is not how you want to start your wedding day.
- If you are going on an extended summer holiday, remove all perishable items from your storage space. Even sealed containers can attract pests in warm weather.
- Families moving before school breaks up: pack children's rooms last and unpack them first. A familiar bedroom setup in the new house makes the transition smoother for everyone.
- Hosts: this is your highest-earning quarter. If you have unused space that you have been thinking about listing, June demand guarantees fast bookings.
Key dates driving storage demand
- June bank holiday (first Monday) — moving weekend and home project completion
- Leaving Certificate exams begin (early June) — household reorganisation around exam schedules
- University graduation ceremonies — Trinity, UCD, UCC, NUIG graduations trigger move-outs
- Bloomsday (16 June) — cultural events in Dublin require temporary event storage
End-of-Year Student Storage Solutions
The end of the academic year creates the single largest concentrated storage demand event in the calendar. Across Ireland, the UK, and the Netherlands, hundreds of thousands of students vacate accommodation within a 2-3 week window in May and June. International students who cannot ship belongings home face the starkest choice: pay for a flight and excess baggage, or store everything locally for €40-60/month and retrieve it in September. Domestic students moving between houses or heading home for summer encounter the same equation — transporting a room's worth of belongings across the country costs more than three months of Packhood storage. The practical approach is to start packing non-essential items from April, moving them to your Packhood space gradually rather than cramming everything into a single panicked day. Book your space by early April for the best rates and closest proximity to campus. Label every box clearly (photographs help) and create a simple inventory list shared with your Packhood host. When September arrives, you will know exactly what you have and where it is — a significant advantage over the students who stuffed unlabelled bin bags into their parents' attic.
Bridging the Summer Gap: Student Storage Between Leases
The gap between academic-year leases is one of the most stressful periods for students in Dublin, London, and Amsterdam. Your current lease ends in June, your new house-share does not start until September, and you have three months of belongings that need to go somewhere. Traditional self-storage companies target this desperation with minimum-term contracts and hidden fees. Packhood offers a more honest alternative. A standard student storage need — 3-5 m² for books, clothes, bedding, kitchenware, and a few pieces of furniture — costs €40-70/month in Dublin, £35-65/month in London, or €35-60/month in Amsterdam, with no admin fees, no padlock charges, and no forced insurance upsells. The ideal approach is to agree your September accommodation first, then book storage close to your new address rather than your old one. That way, move-in day involves a short trip from your Packhood space to your new front door, not a cross-city logistics exercise. Ask your host about holding deliveries — some will accept packages on your behalf over summer, so you can order that new desk or kitchen kit in August and collect everything in one go.
Frequently asked questions
Should I install lighting in my Packhood space?
Yes — renters need to find items safely. A battery-powered motion-sensor LED light (€15-25) works in spaces without power. For garages with power, a single 4,000-lumen LED batten (€20-30) illuminates the whole space. Well-lit spaces photograph better for your listing and reduce the risk of accidental damage during access.
Can postgrad students store research equipment or lab materials on Packhood?
Personal research equipment like monitors, books, and stationery is fine. However, lab chemicals, biological samples or hazardous materials are prohibited under Packhood's terms. For specialist equipment worth over €1,000, arrange contents insurance and choose a secure indoor space with a deadbolt or smart lock.
Can I store plant pots and garden containers in bulk?
Nest terracotta and plastic pots inside each other with newspaper between them to prevent chipping. Stack on shelving or pallets. Terracotta is frost-sensitive — store indoors to prevent cracking in winter. 50-100 nested pots take up just 1-2 m² of floor space. A Packhood shed or garage corner handles them at €35-55/month.
How do I become a host on Packhood?
Create a free account, upload 3+ photos and set your monthly price — your listing can be live the same day. Identity verification (through Stripe Connect) happens before you accept your first booking, not before you list. No listing fees. You keep 95% of every booking.
How often should I check on a vehicle in long-term storage?
Ideally every 4-6 weeks. Run the engine for 15 minutes to circulate fluids and charge the battery. Check tyre pressures, look for leaks, and inspect for rodent activity. If you can't visit, ask the host or a friend — many Packhood hosts are happy to do a quick visual check as a courtesy.
How do I store winter clothes and coats during summer?
Wash everything before storing — body oils and stains attract moths. Use vacuum bags for bulky coats and duvets, reducing volume by 60-75%. Pack knitwear with cedar balls (never mothballs in a shared space). Choose a dry indoor Packhood space — spare rooms are ideal. A 2-3 m² corner holds an entire household's winter wardrobe.
How do I protect furniture during a move into storage?
Disassemble bed frames and tables to save space. Wrap upholstered furniture in breathable dust sheets — avoid cling film, which traps moisture. Stand mattresses upright in a mattress bag. Use corner protectors on wooden furniture. Packhood listings with indoor spaces (spare rooms, basements) offer the best protection for delicate pieces.
Understanding storage costs
Storage prices depend on space type, size, access frequency and location. On Packhood, renters pay €35–€200/month for verified neighbour storage — typically 35–60% less than commercial self-storage.
What's included in the price: The listing price on Packhood is the all-in monthly price. Packhood's 20% service fee is already included — nothing extra at checkout. Hosts pay 5% commission. No signup fees, no admin charges, no insurance upsells.
Host Guarantee: Every booking includes up to €300 of Host Guarantee protection per booking. Hosts are ID-verified through Stripe Connect. Renters can message hosts before booking to ask questions and arrange viewings.
Ready to find affordable storage?
Renters: Browse available spaces → — verified hosts, month-to-month, save 35-60% vs self-storage.
Hosts: List your unused space → — free to list, keep 95% of every booking.
Own a garage in Ireland? Turn it into income.
A garage in Ireland earns hosts about €244/month (€2,920/yr) on Packhood — taxable as Case IV miscellaneous income — there is no storage-specific tax-free allowance, so check Revenue.ie for your situation. See what your garage could earn → · Become a host — list your garage free →
Explore More Storage Options
- Car dealership? Crypto vs Your Commercial Space
- Print & sign shop? Airbnb vs Your Commercial Space
- Farm / smallholding? Crypto vs Your Commercial Space
- Pub / bar? Crypto vs Your Commercial Space
- Hotel / guesthouse? Airbnb vs Your Commercial Space
- Bakery? Airbnb vs Your Commercial Space
- Microbrewery / taproom? Crypto vs Your Commercial Space
- Coffee shop? Airbnb vs Your Commercial Space