02 Dec 2025
The following article is reprinted with permission from Inside Self-Storage, the premier magazine of self-storage professionals. For information, visit www.insideselfstorage.com.
Every year on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, my family and I haul our Christmas decorations out of the attic. Once we have it all stacked throughout the house, filling the front entry, hallway, kitchen and any other bit of floor space, I dig through the piles of boxes to find the outdoor items, particularly the strings of lights.
When my kids were young, my outdoor holiday displays were energy-intensive spectacles that rivaled Clark Griswold’s eye-catching extravaganza on “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.” I still decorate, but now the look is more polished—and less expensive—thanks to LEDs and smart lighting technology. I can even control the presentation from a remote or my phone, programming different colors and patterns with timers that make the whole process more efficient and safer.
With this annual tradition nearly upon me, I’ve been thinking about the way self-storage facilities make use of lighting, especially this time of year. It’s always an important part of curb appeal and security, but it can be so much more than that. It can completely transform your space and the customer experience—not just during the holidays when it communicates a festive spirit but all year round. The same technology that’s transformed my approach to holiday decorating can also revolutionize the way self-storage operators engage with customers and their communities.
We recently published a news story about Pink Storage and the 60,000 LED lights it installed at its facility in Birmingham, England. This isn’t just holiday cheer, it’s an innovative use of lighting technology that would make Clark proud.
What grabbed my attention wasn’t just the sheer number of lights used but how the company is leveraging the technology to enhance its operation. The LEDs at the property entrance have been designed to serve as a color-coded interface that illuminates automatically depending on the situation. Green arrows signal when a gate is opening. A red X is displayed when an unauthorized vehicle attempts entry, indicating that access is denied. A red and blue flashing sequence is triggered if the security system detects intruders. The system is sure to impress customers with its simplicity and ingenuity!
Pink Storage in Birmingham, England
While the self-storage industry has embraced a whole host of technological advances including software, kiosks, smart devices and artificial intelligence, it hasn’t seen the same level of innovation in the area of lighting. Yes, LEDs have been championed for their brightness, longevity and energy efficiency; but operators have yet to explore their full potential.
Pink Storage’s approach demonstrates how creative thinking about this technology can transform a utility expense into a business asset that’s about more than looks. Just as my light display has often created a memorable experience for my neighbors, Pink’s distinctive LED application will generate buzz and differentiate the brand in a competitive market. The system’s dual functionality of serving practical operations and visual appeal maximizes the company’s return on investment.
For operators considering a lighting upgrade, the key isn’t necessarily to install 60,000 LEDs. Instead, it’s thinking strategically about how this technology can enhance multiple aspects of your operation at once. Could color-coded systems improve security? Can your lighting choices contribute to your facility’s brand identity? The investment may seem significant upfront, but the long-term benefits in operational efficiency and customer satisfaction can justify the costs.
As I hang my own strings of lights this holiday season, I’ll be reminded that innovation often comes from seeing familiar things in new ways. Pink Storage took basic LED technology and reimagined its potential, creating a system that serves customers, enhances security and increases brand awareness.
The self-storage industry’s continued growth depends on operators who are willing to embrace new technologies and try new possibilities. Sometimes the best ideas come from simply asking, “What else could this do?” After all, whether you’re hanging holiday lights or running a self-storage facility, the goal is the same: creating an experience that brightens people’s lives.
View the original article here
Ron Matejko is associate editor at Inside Self-Storage. To reach him, email ron.matejko@informa.com.
