Techniques are provided for storing data in a distributed storage system. A server stores an object according to a first storage policy in the distributed storage system that includes a plurality of storage nodes. Storing the object according to the first storage policy results in a first storage overhead for the object. The server receives a triggering event associated with the object, and the triggering event changes an attribute of the object. In response to the triggering event, the server identifies a second storage policy for the object. Storing the object according to the second storage policy results in a second storage overhead for the object different from the first storage overhead.