Starting out with Storage and Removal

If you are a self-storage newbie then choosing your first storage unit can be difficult and complicated. You need to start off by figuring out just how many items you intend to put into storage and whether you will be adding to the contents at a later date. Make sure you are not just storing items that you could throw away or sell as otherwise you are literally throwing money down the drain.

Be ruthless with yourself. If you are unsure whether to keep something then it’s probably time to part with that particular item. Remember, storage is only really good for non-perishable items, as well as medium to large pieces of furniture, office equipment and shop fittings. If you do want to store very large items or perishable goods then you will have to find a specialised storage company.

Before you store any items, ensure you make a comprehensive list of everything as this can be essential for your own peace of mind, but also helpful if you have items stored that you will want to use again at a later date as you can refer to it to remind yourself what’s in the self storage unit.

There are plenty of tips and sound advice on the internet about storage facilities and how they work so it’s worth taking a look before you enter into a contract with a storage service. Some companies also explain it in very easy terms via short videos, or search YouTube as they upload videos there too. These cover a range of storage aspects, from finding a unit near to your location and how to pack efficiently, to choosing the right size unit for your needs and loading a unit to get maximum space.

Most towns and cities have storage facilities so there will never be one too far away from your neighbourhood, if you can then it’s advisable to pay the facility a visit as you want to check it’s clean and tidy and secured. Websites are also a good place to start as they will give all the information you require, any promotions or discounts will be displayed there, and there’ll be all the contact information available here if you require further information or want to book a unit.  

Storage is designed for personal and business use and used by people from all walks of life, including large corporations and small 1-man businesses to home-owners, students, retail outlets and travellers. Everyone needs extra space at some point and a storage unit is ideal for keeping your personal belongings or excess stock in a secure and safe place. Whilst there are those that have the use of a unit all year around and use it when it suits them, there are others that simply want to clear the spare room whilst relatives stay during the summer for instance. Everyone has different reasons, but are after the same thing – security, space, affordability and convenience.

Declutter Your Home And You’ll Also Be Decluttering Your Life

Living in the same house for years can lead to a lot of clutter, and the odds are that a lot of it you never use, never look at and will never need again. Perhaps it’s time for a good clear out, set aside some time to organise yourself and your home and at the end of the decluttering project you’ll be amazed at the difference it can make to the house and your mood.

Is your home full of belongings and furniture collected and acquired over the years? If the house is starting to feel too small for the family and all their stuff, but you don’t have the money or the inclination to move into a larger property, then there is another solution. It’s time to declutter your home!

Most people have far too many bits and pieces and the key to a calm life and a calm home is to minimise how much of that stuff stays around. Now there’s no reason to start hyperventilating at the thought that you have to throw out treasured objects, sort through photos and other memorabilia and discard items that might seem old and worn to others but are precious to you. 

There is another option that can free up a lot of space in your home but still means you can hold on to everything you want to.

Self-storage units give you a place to store all those items not required on a daily basis, and they come in different sizes from smaller options that are suitable for documents or pieces of furniture to larger ones that can fit the contents of a 4 bedroom house in very easily. These are really great for those that have far too many belongings at home but don’t have the heart to throw, sell, or give it away. Accessible every day of the year they can be the solution to your storage problems and charges are very reasonable.

It can help to make a plan as this gives you a schedule to keep to and a system so you don’t get fazed when faced with a whole room that needs a lot of organization. Some people like to start from the top of the house and make their way down, whilst others will want to get cracking on the rooms they live in the most, generally the kitchen or living room, and worry about the rest later.

In your plan choose the room order you intend to sort out first and try to put some kind of time frame to it, it can be a fast process with a room completed every 3 days, or taken at a slower pace with a week allocated to each room. Then make a task list for each room and what needs to go where. Lists can help you stay focused and keep on track.

Consider what items you really don’t have a need for any longer, this could include toys that have been outgrown, clothes from the 70’s that are well out of fashion, mis-matched furniture that’s far too bulky for the room it’s in, and more, more, more! Once you have selected those things get rid of them straight away – give them to the needy or a local charity, give them away to family or friends, or have a car boot sale, whatever it is just get rid of them.

Now you already have some space and you’ve only accomplished the first step. Aren’t you feeling better already? The next part is to have an idea of what you want to achieve in terms of how your home will look. Are you after a minimalist look or something a bit cosier? Get some packing boxes sorted out and start going through all your possessions, this includes opening up drawers and wardrobes, cleaning out closets and tidying bookcases.

You have to be really motivated to go through with this process, there’s no point starting it with good intentions getting it half done and then abandoning the project from lack of motivation. We never said this was going to be easy but the end result will definitely be worth all the hard work involved.

Cameron Robertson writes about self storage solutions for Dee Why