Partners' Capital - Reconciliation of Change in Total Partners' Capital (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Partners Capital [Line Items]
Earned portion of non-vested stock	$ 1,495
Stock option expense	4
Adjustment to redemption value on limited partners’ redeemable capital interests	1,470
Net income attributable to common unitholders	33,889	$ 20,429
Amortization of terminated hedge included in AOCL	229
Change in fair value of derivatives	48
Life Storage LP [Member]
Partners Capital [Line Items]
Beginning balance of total controlling partners’ capital	2,028,323
Earned portion of non-vested stock	1,495
Stock option expense	4
Adjustment to redemption value on limited partners’ redeemable capital interests	1,470
Net income attributable to common unitholders	33,889	$ 20,429
Amortization of terminated hedge included in AOCL	229
Change in fair value of derivatives	48
Distributions	(46,121)
Ending balance of total controlling partners’ capital	$ 2,019,337