There comes a time in everyone’s life when moving in with your partner seems like the ‘next step’. However, when it comes to it, the realities can be quite a shock! Have a read through Big Yellow’s top tips to make sure your joint move goes as smoothly as possible!

Knowing your Boundaries
When two people move in together, there will always be the issue over whose belongings are whose and how far someone can be pushed. Take the time to have a conversation before you move in with each other to discuss your boundaries. Do you like being left alone for an hour after a busy day at work? Or maybe your laptop is just for you and this is the one part of your life you would prefer not to share? Talking to the person you are moving in with to set these boundaries is vital and will stop an argument before it has started. Research suggests that couples argue 312 times per year over menial things such as leaving the toilet seat up. Ladies if this one on the things that can ‘grind your gears’; get it out in the open! Communication is essential.

Hi-fi Equipment
Two TV’s. Two iPod docks. Two DVD players. When moving in with your partner, you will probably realise you have two of everything! Why not sell one of each and with the money, buy yourselves something special for your new home! Think about putting the money towards something you would share; a king sized bed maybe?

Clothes
One partner in the relationship will most likely have more clothes, shoes and coats then their partner. This may be a tricky situation if your new home doesn’t have much storage space. However it may be a good time to go through your belongings and see what you use and what you don’t. If getting rid of clothes sounds like a painful task that you refuse to complete, then why not put some things into storage? Big Yellow Self Storage offers a variety of sized spaces available to rent. A perfect solution for keeping your clothes and keeping your partner happy!

Deciding on Furniture
It’s all about the lazy boy chair! (Says he) Is it? Is it really? (Says she) Deciding on the right furniture is a tricky task, especially if you’ve already build up bits and pieces. Consider the decor of your home, will the pieces you already have fit with the style you wanted to go for? If your partner has a piece you really do not want, be diplomatic in the way you tell them…and remember to compromise!

Kitchen Utensils
Similar to hi-fi equipment, you will most probably find yourselves with two sets of everything! Two sets of pots and pans, a lot of cutlery and mugs galore. This could be a perfect opportunity to be charitable and donate a few bits and pieces to your local charity shop. Not only will you be helping others, but this will give you the opportunity to de-clutter your kitchen space, allowing your new home to look fresh and tidy.

The joining together of two people’s belongings can create a cluttered home before you’ve even started. If you’re starting to realise your new home may not actually be big enough for all of your possessions, never mind your partner’s, why not consider temporarily putting some of your things into storage? Big Yellow Self Storage offers this for £7 a day to rent, which for a couple of weeks could give you the time to unpack bit by bit, enabling you to sort out what you will need together and what you don’t!

Brrr! Winter sure is on its way! And with the rise of gas bills throughout, we’re all wondering how often we should turn our central heating on… So if you’re starting to feel the chill then check out Big Yellow’s winter warmers for some heated inspiration!

Warm up the feel of your home
Hardwood floors are a beautiful feature in anyone’s home, but they can make your feet feel a bit chilly. Why not consider a rug for your living room? It’s a cheap and easy option and will warm up the feel of your home – as well as keeping your feet warm! Adding fabric to any part of your home is a great option to give yourself that winter feeling. If a rug is too much then pillows or a throw are simple options to start off with

For those with a little more money why not consider changing the wall colour in your home. If you were thinking your living room could do with a little sprucing up anyway, why not change to autumn colours. This’ll warm up the feel of your home straight away.

Get rid of draughts
Research has found that draughts are the reason for 11% of a home’s heat loss through doors and windows. A simple and inexpensive way to stop this is a draught stopper. Placing a rolled up towel or a draught snake along the bottom of your front door can help stop the draught coming in, making your house warmer! There are a wide variety of very fashionable draught dodgers out there! Click here to check some of them out!

Insulation in the loft
One of the most effective ways to warm up your house this winter is to insulate your loft. Energy experts suggest a quarter of heat is lost through the roof in an uninsulated home. Insulation may initially seem like a costly job, but loft insulation is effective for at least 40 years, and is a great way to reduce your heating bills. If you’re thinking your loft is full of Christmas decorations, suitcases, or old clothes and there’s no way you’d be able to insulate your loft, why not consider clearing your loft and putting your things into storage? Big Yellow Self Storage offers this service for only £7 a week!

Upgrade your duvet
Duvets are not very expensive these days, if you’ve had your duvet for a number of years and can feel the winter chill during the night, have a look at a 15 tog (the highest rating available according to British Standards). If you really feel the cold, consider putting two of these together to really keep yourself warm or check out companies such as The Duvet Store who can fill your duvets even more, going above and beyond 15 tog!

Install a programmable thermostat
A programmable thermostat is a clock and thermostat in one designed to keep your home at a specific temperature for your chosen times of the day. As the Thermostat controls the boiler, it will switch off when the desired temperature has been reached, thus saving energy. This is a great way to not only keep your home warm this winter but also to reduce your bills as your heating won’t be constantly on! There are plenty of thermostat’s out there, click here to compare systems, ensuring you get the best deal for your home.

Open Your Curtains
Keep your curtains open during the day to allow the sunlight to enter and warm up your home. Close them at night to retain the heat. If you have blinds in your home instead of curtains, you may realise your home gets a little on the cold side in the evening. This is because blinds don’t really help with insulation. If this sounds like you, it may be an idea to put curtains on your Christmas list!

Have A Cupper!
The easiest way to warm up your home during these winter months is to keep yourself wrapped up and treat yourself to a hot drink or two. Keeping your body warm during the next few months is essential, especially if it snows like it did last year. Research suggests wearing multiple layers of clothing is more effective than wearing one thick layer, so throw a couple of t-shirts on underneath your jumper.

All of these winter warmer suggestions are simple yet effective ways of warming up your home this winter! If you additional this winter then have a look at Big Yellow Self Storage who offer this service from as little as £7 a week.

Are you a budding Apprentice? Then you’re probably off to the Business Startup Show at Earls Court in London on the 17th/18th of November.

Of course your mind will be firmly on your big product idea and making as many contacts as possible to help get your business off the ground.

In these uncertain times though, spare a minute to think about where you’re going to store your products for your new enterprise,. Are you about to take a long lease out on a property to run your storage from? Well if you are, why not consider a flexible approach and allow your storage needs to grow with your business. Start small and you can add additional secure storage space if and when your business needs it, helping you manage your cashflow. In addition there are no additional running costs such as electricity or water bills.

We do some great deals on flexible storage spaces from as small as 10 sq foot, allowing you to expand when you’re ready with no financial penalties, PLUS you’ll be happy in the knowledge that your new products are securely stored.

To find out more, come and have a chat with us on stand 450. We hope to see you there!

Congratulations! You are about to become a new parent! This is a very exciting time when emotions are running wild and you’ll want to prepare your home for the arrival of your baby. This process is something that every parent goes through, so don’t panic!

For expecting mothers it can present itself as an uncontrollable feeling known as ‘nesting’. An instinct which has seen pregnant women repeatedly iron bedding, continually refold baby clothes and clean every corner of the house. If you‘re unsure where to start, check out Big Yellow’s top tips for help preparing your baby’s room…

1. Decide where your baby will sleep. It is quite likely that for the first few weeks, your newborn will sleep in a cot by the side of your bed so you should ensure your bedroom is organised and clean. This is a great opportunity for you to spring (autumn!)clean your bedroom. Organise the clothes in your wardrobe and sort out any clutter lying around. By doing this before the birth of your baby, it will enable you to feel more in control and stress free knowing that your baby’s living environment is clean and tidy.

2. The Baby Room. If you have a spare room in your home which you are now turning into a nursery, you may need to move around current furniture to make room for new baby furniture. If this sounds like you, why not rent a storage room at Big Yellow Self Storage for your current belongings? It’s a perfect way to de-clutter and may come in handy as your child grows!

3. Decorating your baby’s room. In the final few weeks of pregnancy, you’ll probably be thinking of decorating your child’s room. Watch out for oil based paints, according to Parenting Weelky, these can contain mercury, a dangerous substance for pregnant women to be around. Also check out babycentre’s expert advice to see which paint is safe to be around for pregnant women.

4. Baby furniture. Once you have decorated the nursery, it’s time to assemble that baby furniture! Remember, newborns don’t need a lot of stuff; a cot, a baby changing area and a wardrobe should be enough. Think about yourself when you’re buying furniture for your baby’s room. It is inevitable that parents will spend a lot of time in here, whether it is to comfort the little one or to read them a bedtime story. A rocking chair or single seated couch would be a good idea to make sure you’re comforted to!

5. Baby accessories. There are so many accessories for babies’ nowadays; it’s hard to choose which ones are right! According to Fisher Price, babies learning starts with their senses, so pick key accessories for your baby’s room to help them develop their senses such as projection mobiles. This will help develop their brain right from the start.

Have you got a little one on the way? Then why not think about making space for your new arrival. If you want to temporarily get rid of some furniture, time why not try putting it in a Storage Room from Big Yellow Self Storage? From only £7 a day to rent, you could be giving yourself a lot of extra space for the newborn in your life!

With the clocks recently going back, the evenings getting darker and winter creeping in there’s no better time to lighten up you house. You might be leaving work after the sun has set, but there’s no need to go home to a darkened cave!

Have no fear as we are here with our top tips to banish the darkness and help brighten up your home life…

1. Natural light isn’t the only option.
The first idea that comes to mind is more windows; however this is time consuming, expensive and will require a lot of work. So why not invest in some florescent lighting and lamps? The kind they have in your local doctor’s surgery, except they don’t have to look clinical. Head over to Lighting at Home to get some ideas. Because fluorescent lighting is bright it will provide extra artificial light that will not block out natural sun light in the day.

2. Hall of mirrors.
Mirrors are not only great for getting ready but they help to make your home look bigger and lighter by attracting and reflecting light. We are not suggesting you make your house look like a fun house, but a few carefully placed mirrors can work to bring the light back into your life. With so many varieties available you won’t find yourself having to decide between a shaving or full length mirror.

3. Dark vs. Light.
Avoid those British racing greens and Falun reds. As the dark creeps in reconsider the colours of your rooms. Pastel shades and lighter hues are perfect. This is especially important for rooms which you spend a lot of time in, such as the living room. Consider your curtains as well. Use lace or solid blocked colour curtains instead of your everyday whites. This means when you close the curtains to keep the cold out, you don’t keep the light out too. Maybe try matching your curtains to your furniture of centre pieces to really open up your room.

4. Second skin.
Dark furniture may look your house look more sophisticated, but it will also darken your space. We are not suggesting you go and buy a new 3 piece suite, but why not cover your dark furniture with a light or colourful throw or even some old bed linen. That vintage feel is very chic at the moment.

5. De-Clutter.
Another option is to open up your space and bring in light to all those nooks and crannies. Do you really need those tall dark shelves or cupboards? Do you really use that second sofa in the Lounge? If you don’t; feel like chucking them out, you could always re-house them temporarily by storing some of your unused furniture with us. You can store by the week, month or year at very reasonable prices. (Visit our website to find out how you can get 50% off for the first eight weeks)

Did you know that Big Yellow Self Storage in Fulham has a temperature controlled wine storage facility? We thought we’d go behind the scenes and talk to Matt, the manager of the Wine Cellars, to ask him about how he came to be involved with wine, what wines are good as an investment and any tips on what’s good in the supermarkets right now!

BYSS BLOG: Matt, where did your passion for wine start?

MATT:
I got into wine while at University, I had a part time job at a beautiful little wine shop that had been selling bottles for over a hundred years and through in-store tastings I was able to try some great wines. The wine that really got me hooked was a bottle of Margaux, I forget the chateau but remember it being like nothing else I’d ever smelt with a silky smooth mouth feel and intense fruit it was an awakening and I’ve worked in the wine trade ever since!

BYSS BLOG: Why should we get into collecting wine?

MATT:
Wine is infinitely rewarding, and once bitten by the bug you will learn about geography, geology, meteorology, viticulture and history. It is also a very human product that needs care and affection in its youth to grow into something spectacular, gaining complexity and nuance as it ages before hitting its peak declining into old age.

BYSS BLOG: What’s Big Yellow got to do with wine?

MATT:
The wine cellars at Big Yellow Self Storage Fulham are a one of a kind facility that offers everyone the opportunity of having their own secure, accessible wine cellar. Two stories below ground and fully climate controlled to the perfect temperature and humidity, you can rest assured that as soon as wine reaches us it will have the opportunity to age to its full potential. The Wine Cellars is also the home of The West London Wine School who offer a range of courses from one off specialist tastings to the advanced WSET qualification. Find out more here; www.westlondonwineschool.com

BYSS BLOG: What tips have you got for us if we want to start collecting?

MATT:
The majority of wine that is made on the planet is for early consumption and is best drunk within a year or two of being produced; this includes the majority of white & rose wine and many red wines. Wines that have the potential to age and will get better with age tend to be fuller more robust red & sweet wines, as with everything though there are always exceptions to the rule! The three main things a wine needs to be able to age are acidity, tannin and plenty of fruit character. Acidity is needed to keep the wine fresh in the mouth and is usually more important to the ageing potential of white wines. Tannin is a natural preservative that is found in the skin & stalks of the grapes and can also be imparted through ageing or fermenting the wine in barrel.

BYSS BLOG: Isn’t it just for very wealthy people?

MATT:
Not at all! The good news is that wine doesn’t have to cost the earth to be worthy of cellaring and a great wine collection is well within the reach of most people. Wine making techniques have improved massively over the last 20-30 years and through experimentation and better understanding of both the vineyard and winemaking techniques the wines that we find on our tables are the best they have ever been. It is now a relatively hard job to buy a bad bottle of wine, and nearly all the major supermarkets now have excellent wine buyers that are usually headed up by an MW (Master of Wine) and will be able to offer you some great wines no matter what your price point.

BYSS: OK we’re sold, how do we get started?

MATT:
If you are looking to buy a wine that will age well my top tips would be to buy wine from a good vintage, a good producer and enough bottles to be able to see how the wine evolves over the years (at least 12 bottles). There is amazing value to be had from new world wine producing countries such as Argentina & Chile, the quality of a £20 red from this part of the world can sometimes be twice that of its European equivalent. Closer to home the country that I would look at in most depth is Spain. There is a plethora of fantastic wine producing areas in Spain and if you keep away from the well known trophy wines there is also great value – Priorat is a current favourite of mine.

BYSS: That’s fine, but can I get something from my local Tesco’s or Sainsbury’s?

MATT:
I recently celebrated my 30th birthday and was lucky enough to find a couple of bottles from my birth vintage 1981. One of the only places that had a particularly good vintage in ’81 was Rioja and the two wines that I tried are both quite readily available in a number of supermarkets or wine merchants. They both tasted exceptional and I can’t tell you how much they enhanced my special day (although I did have to share them with some good friends!)

2 wines I’d check out now are

Faustino 1 is available from £18.99 from numerous outlets

Prado Enea Muga 2004 is £30 from Majestic

BYSS: Thanks Matt! Wine Storage Starts from £6.50 per week. If you need a quote just visit www.bigyellow.co.uk/wine-storage. Big Yellow’s Wine Cellars have their own Facebook page too. Why not become a fan and get regular updates from Matt.

On the weekend, Saturday 29th October Big Yellow Self Storage opened their doors to support READ International first National Donation Day. It was organised in a hope to motivate hundreds of UK schools and individuals to donate their old books, helping READ International in their mission: to improve access to education and empower school children in East Africa to fulfil their own potential.

READ International student volunteers are now sorting all the books generously donated to ensure only the best quality and most relevant ones are sent out to East Africa. Those that don’t fit the bill will be sold to raise funds for shipping the good books and as a last resort what is left will be recycled – nothing goes to landfill.

Since 2006 READ International has sent over 1 million books to Tanzania and Uganda – vital educational resources which have been distributed directly to the thousands of schools that need them most.

Mama Sitta, Former Tanzanian Minister of Education said:
“These resources are extremely valuable to our schools; providing this kind of educational support is one of the best ways to alleviate poverty in Africa”

It costs READ International just 75 pence to move a disused textbook from a UK school into the hands of a school student in East Africa. If you’d like to support READ International or find out more about their work please visit www.readinternational.org.uk.

The ancient art of Feng Shui is said to bring about good fortune, health, and happiness as well as reducing negative and harmful energy. All this can be achieved by re-arranging your living space! The Chinese have been taking heed of Feng Shui for over 3,000 years and slowly but surely its spread to Western cultures.
Have you embraced the art of Feng Shui yet? Well, we at Big Yellow Self Storage have put together a guide for you to make you a Feng Shui master in no time!

1. Get rid of the clutter. Ever feel like you’ve got so many thoughts cluttering your mind you just can’t seem to think straight? It’s the same in your home. An essential step of Feng Shui to clear the clutter from your home and banish the low and confusing energy that clutter creates. For instance, in your bedroom, there are certain items that create visual clutter, such as: stacks of books, electronic devices and CDs which all provoke negative energy and as your bedroom’s the most personal space to you, these shouldn’t be found there. Be ruthless, go through your closets and get rid of the things you don’t wear anymore but are keeping ‘just in case’ and any other bits and bobs that you no longer need but are still holding on to. And this doesn’t just apply to women…

2. Make sure your house is airy and light. Introduce purer air into your house by opening windows frequently to let natural air circulate. For the winter days and nights when that’s not so easy without the risk of catching a chill, why not invest in an air purifying plant which helps to remove toxins from the air? You can find a list of the top ten on the House of Plant website so it’s just a matter of picking which one is best suited to your home. As light is the strongest manifestation of energy it is important to try to have as much natural light or good quality artificial light as possible in your home to ensure the energy is positive.

3. Define the Bagua or energy map of your house. In Feng Shui, every aspect of your life is connected to an area of your home. Below is a list of the areas in your home and which part of your life they are connected to:
North Bagua Area: career
North-East Bagua Area: spirituality and personal growth
East Bagua Area: health and family
South-East Bagua Area: wealth and abundance
South Bagua Area: fame and reputation
South-West Bagua Area: love and marriage
West Bagua Area: creativity and children
North-West Bagua Area: helpful people and blessings

Thinking about settling down and having kids? Why not make your bedroom your South-West Bagua area?

4. 5 Feng Shui elements. The five elements of Feng Shui are represented by colours:
Wood = green and brown
Fire = red, yellow, orange, purple and pink
Earth = light yellow and light brown
Metal = white and grey
Water = blue and black
Incorporating these colours into your decor will bring these elements into your house. Turn up the heat by painting your halls pink or get back to basics with a light brown living room. Colour is important.

Want to start Feng Shui’ing your home? Follow our tips and you’ll be off to a great start! And if you’re not quite ready to chuck your old stuff out completely then Big Yellow is at hand.
Please share your Feng Shui experiences with Big Yellow if you decided to give it a go. Did you enjoy the new layout and clutter free environment of your home? Are you on the path to enlightenment? Do you feel “lighter than air?”