First own flat in Zurich: keep storage in mind

The tenancy agreement is signed, the keys handed over: your first own flat in Zurich is a major milestone. Most of the time, however, it is also a small space – with rents in Zurich, very few people start out in a spacious 4-room flat. One to two rooms, a built-in wardrobe, perhaps a shared cellar compartment: that is the reality for many first-time tenants. And experience shows that belongings grow faster than you think – at the latest after your first winter with your own ski gear, space gets tight.

That's precisely why it's worth tackling the topic of storage space right from the start, rather than waiting until the flat is overflowing.

Declutter first, then move in

The best time to sort things out is before the move – not after. Go through your belongings before packing the first box: whatever comes from your parents' house or flatshare should earn its spot in the new flat. Everything you want to keep but don't need daily belongs on a separate list – this is your shortlist for external storage. That way, you only move in with what truly belongs in the flat and don't end up putting the rest in your way.

What doesn't earn space in a small flat

Typical space hogs in a first flat are rarely used yet bulky items:

• Seasonal items: skis and snowboards in summer, camping gear and bike accessories in winter
• Transitional items: furniture and crockery from your parents' house that you will need later on
• Mementos: school folders, boxes of books, collections – valuable, but not suitable for everyday living
• Hobby equipment: diving gear, sound system, tool kit for occasional use

None of this has to be thrown away – it just needs a better place than a 2-room flat.

The external cellar replacement: small, close, flexible

A storage unit is the cellar compartment your flat doesn't have. Even 1 m³ holds a surprisingly large amount – seasonal clothes, sports equipment and a few boxes of mementos. Storage units at Squarefoot range from 1 to 40 m³, and with eleven locations across the city of Zurich, there is almost certainly one right in your neighbourhood. Thanks to a personal PIN code, you can access your belongings from 00 to 24 at many locations – so you can still pick up your snowboard for the weekend on a Friday evening. Practical for flatshares too: you can share the storage unit with flatmates and split the cost.

How to set up a small box cleverly

To get the most out of a small compartment, organisation is key: make use of the height with a simple boltless shelving unit, stack uniform boxes instead of uneven piles of cardboard, and label everything on two sides. Seasonal clothes travel compactly in vacuum bags, while your snowboard stands upright in the corner. Items you need more often are stored at the front within easy reach. Keep a short list on your phone of what is in the box – that way you won't buy duplicates and will find everything on your first visit. With a bit of organization, just 1 m³ of storage unit replaces an entire built-in wardrobe.

Fits the budget of a first flat

Especially when setting up your first household, every franc counts. A small storage unit is therefore deliberately accessible: rent is charged monthly, excl. 8,1 % VAT, with a one-off registration fee of CHF 40. The minimum rental period is just 30 days, after which you can cancel monthly – ideal if your housing situation changes again quickly. And to get started, the first month is currently available for CHF 1, with a two-month minimum contract period. You can check what the right size costs in the self storage cost overview.

Conclusion: live small, think big

Your first own flat in Zurich can be small – your life doesn't have to be. Anyone who factors in storage space from the start keeps their flat free for what matters, knowing everything else is kept safe. Find your storage unit in Zurich right around the corner and book your box online – ideally right when moving: items that shouldn't go into the flat go straight to the box instead of the fourth floor. Start your new chapter neat and organised.