urals have been part of the urban landscape for years, decorating buildings of all shapes and sizes. Initially, the artform was embraced for practical reasons, mainly to cover eyesores or deter graffiti (Muralist Dave Gordon has noted that murals are “rarely the target of taggers.”).
For many artists, however, murals were never just about covering something up or preventing something else. Diego Rivera, one of the most influential muralists of the 20th century, believed public art carried a greater responsibility. “The highest form of art is that which is accessible to all,” he said, and that idea feels especially relevant today.
While murals remain effective deterrents for taggers, they have increasingly become tools for branding, expression, and storytelling. That evolution is especially apparent in self-storage, where facilities usually occupy large, highly visible spaces. These properties offer the perfect canvas for large-scale artwork, and when done right, murals can reflect local identity and make a facility feel more connected to the community.
One company taking a distinctive approach is SmartStop Self Storage REIT, Inc. Rather than commissioning a single artist, SmartStop turned its mural initiative into an international art contest, inviting artists across North America to submit city- or region-inspired designs representing one of the company’s major markets. Eleven winning entries were selected and transformed into full-size door wraps on drive-up units at SmartStop’s Ladera Ranch, Calif., facility.
“At SmartStop, we are always looking for innovative ways to connect with the communities we serve,” says H. Michael Schwartz, chairman and CEO. “This contest was a fun and creative way to celebrate the unique character of markets across North America while supporting talented artists and bringing vibrant designs to our facility.”
Today, the property functions as an outdoor gallery, with each winning artist receiving a $1,000 prize. The featured markets include Southern California; Toronto; Phoenix; Asheville, N.C.; Sacramento; Miami; Edmonton; Seattle; Tampa/St. Pete; the New York metro area; and Vancouver.
“This contest was about more than just decorating a door—it was about giving artists across the U.S. and Canada a canvas to inspire,” Schwartz added.
View a video of SmartStop’s door wrap murals here:
Created in partnership with Mural Arts Philadelphia, this mural was designed with a specific audience in mind: residents of a senior center located across the street. “We wanted to provide a more engaging and pleasant view for them,” says Katie Fete, director of marketing and PR. The project took several months to complete and has earned an overwhelmingly positive response from the surrounding community–and the residents across the street!
Extra Space Storage marked its arrival in Hawaii by adding a vibrant Hawaiian-themed mural to this five-story location, designed to pay homage to local culture while giving the property warmth and a visual identity. District Manager Mike Hurst also states that demand from renters, including surfers seeking space for boards, highlights how the mural helps tie the facility to its island setting and culture.
Murals at this Key West facility turn the building itself into a piece of public art. One side is styled like a cigar box label, referencing the structure’s former life as a cigar manufacturing facility. The opposite wall features a soaring heron framed by stylized palm fronds. Together, the murals balance history and place, transforming Gator State Storage into a neighborhood landmark.
Created by artist Millo and curated by Street Art for Mankind in late 2024, this mural draws attention to the fragility of urban ecosystems and the urgency of climate change. “We believe in the power of art to inspire and unite people around critical issues,” said Sarah Little, senior vice president of marketing, underscoring the company’s long-standing commitment to public-facing art with a message.
This mural, designed by local Mexican-American muralist Ms. Yellow, is bright, bold, and beautiful, making the facility–an attractive structure in its own right–the star of the strip. More than 32,000 vehicles drive by it each day, and standing five stories tall, it can be seen from miles away. For Ms. Yellow, who often explores themes of unity, diversity, education, social justice, and mental health in her work, the scale of the Go Store It project was part of the appeal. “The size of it really attracted me,” she said. “I loved thinking about the levels and complexity of the entire thing.”
In Miami’s Wynwood Arts District—one of the most mural-dense neighborhoods in the country—Public Storage has embraced large-scale exterior artwork as a way to integrate into a community where murals are not an exception but the expectation. The vibrant, street-art-style mural allows the facility to participate in the area’s creative identity rather than stand apart from it. In a district defined by color, expression, and public art, the mural helps the property feel native to its surroundings.
Created in 2025 by artist Carlos Alberto in partnership with Street Art for Mankind, this mural focuses on education as a pathway to opportunity and inclusion. Designed to spark reflection as much as visual interest, the piece also incorporates an interactive BehindTheWall app experience, allowing viewers to explore the story and message behind the artwork.
The Oakland mural by artist Ruben Rojas delivers a clear environmental message. Featuring the planet alongside the words “Love me before I’m gone,” the piece reflects StorQuest’s emphasis on global citizenship and environmental responsibility. “StorQuest wanted to use art and a powerful message, a love letter from Earth to us,” says Rojas. “It’s our responsibility that we leave this planet better than when we found it.”
720 South Street in Honolulu, Hawaii
In Honolulu, StorQuest unveiled a second large-scale mural created by local artist Kamea Hadar. Noting StorQuest’s use of red in its branding, Hadar chose to incorporate the bright red ʻōhiʻa lehua blossom and the native ʻiʻiwi bird, both iconic to Hawaii. The finished piece celebrates the region’s natural beauty and cultural heritage and cements the facility’s place on the island.
Security Public Storage dedicated its large-scale mural, Manteca Treasures, to the residents of Manteca and the surrounding area in celebration of the region’s heritage. It stretches 330 feet and covers nearly 3,300 square feet. Designed by Jerry Ragg of Mural Decor, the project received a ton of support during its creation. Passersby frequently stopped to watch, wave, and take photos with the artist—an example of how mural projects can become shared experiences as much as finished works. “People have been really appreciative of the murals,” said Penny Haskins, who has managed the storage facility for the past 21 years. “One neighbor said they were thankful for the efforts to beautify the area and reduce the potential for graffiti.”
“In cases where the art installation is within a private property but located in an outdoor setting, a number of requirements by the municipality’s building department would likely be triggered,” says Octavio Robles AIA, Esq. “Art installation agreements typically require extensively written contracts with the property owner, commissioning entity, and municipality, but this is beneficial for avoiding conflicts, allocating liability, and determining short and long-term responsibilities such as for maintenance and repair costs.”
Long story short: Get the paperwork in place, and then get to painting, because as artist Romero Britto says, “Art is too important not to share.”