Friday, September 3rd, 2010
Garages can fast become an area of your home where items just get thrown into simply because there’s no other place for them or they haven’t been organised properly. Sifting through these can be a real time investment purely because you may find bits and pieces that you forgot you even had! Here are some top storage solutions to keep your garage organised and stop it from becoming cluttered.
First of all you should divide your items into different sections depending on what you decide to keep, store or throw away which will help reduce the amount of items that you have to find a new home for and act as an incentive to clear out the junk.
Adding open or closed shelving to your garage will clear away many items such as small paint tins that get cluttered on the ground into a safer area. Which type of shelving you go for depends on what need to get out of the space as open shelves make it easier to find items and much easier to grab the ones you need. Closed shelving or cabinets may give your garage a cleaner look but can restrict lighting; you’ll also have to remember where you’ve stored items to make it work. Placing a label on the door listing the contents inside will make it easier for you to find what you’re looking for.
Bins are a useful garage storage solution for certain things such as sports equipment because footballs, rugby balls and cricket bats can be kept together without a great deal of effort. Small bins can group similar small items but avoid getting too many large bins for your garage as it will be easy to throw items in without organising them and will just build up with clutter.
For all those items that you don’t want to throw away but aren’t being used at the moment you can place these into self storage. To find out how you can benefit from self storage visit us in any of our stores or our Quote and Reserve online page to get started.
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Tags: armadillo self storage, big yellow, Big Yellow Self Storage, byss, clutter, de-clutter, declutter, garage, garage storage, personal storage, self storage, self storage blog, storage, storage solution
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Friday, August 20th, 2010
We tend to spend a lot of time decorating our bathrooms but more often than not toiletries begin to take over and outgrow their storage spaces with extra clutter. You can make great use of all the areas of your bathroom to help store items in the most efficient way regardless of the size. A great way to start clearing the clutter and maximising the space is by throwing away any items that have expired or products that you no longer use.
Shelves are a versatile storage solution that match any décor and can be added to a blank wall space which will give you the opportunity to find a place for items in your bathroom. Corner shelves are very useful to maximise the space in the corner of your bathroom and be purchased ready-made from household retailers.
Wicker baskets are practical, provide simple storage solutions and can aid in the décor of your bathroom. They’re portable and can be placed on open spaces around your room, although you don’t want to cover every available space with a basket. With these you’ll be able to store a variety of different large or small items as they come in many different shapes and sizes.
Adding a storage cabinet that goes above your toilet is a great way to make use of the dead space that is often left empty. It will give you lots of extra space to store items such as soap, toilet tissue and hand towels.
The back of the door is an area which many don’t realise is a great storage space. You can purchase hangers which clip on to the top of the door or even paint the door with magnetic paint. This space can be used to hang towels and store other items while maintaining the attractive look of the door.
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Tags: Bathroom, Bathroom storage, big yellow, Big Yellow Self Storage, byss, de-clutter, declutter, personal storage, self storage, self storage blog, storage, storage solution
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Tuesday, August 10th, 2010
You can be creative with tool storage and build your own cabinets but there are also many simple storage ideas that will help you keep your tools in good condition and ready when you need them.
A toolbox is a great solution for the all round handyman that only occasionally tries his hand at DIY. There’s a range of different sizes and they are portable which makes it easier to take all your tools with you as they always stay in one location.
If you have the space, a storage rack can keep your tools organised and make it very easy to find what you need effortlessly. To create one of these, all you need is a board which is fitted to a clear wall. Attach various hooks, baskets and mount bars to it to hold your tools in place. With all of the tools hanging in front of you, finding the right piece of equipment only takes seconds.
Alternatively use a cabinet to keep your tools out of sight when not in use. They can also add to your overall storage area in your garage or home as these can give you added depth without clutter being on display. Additional space can be made by installing hooks or bars on the inside of the cabinet doors.
If you have a lot of tools that seem to be taking over, you might want to consider a storage shed. A dedicated home for all of your tools with built in storage racks and cabinets can help ease tensions at home.
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Tags: big yellow, Big Yellow Self Storage, byss, personal storage, self storage, self storage blog, storage solution, tool storage, tools
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Friday, July 30th, 2010
Deciding how to store items in your home is a very important part of de-cluttering and getting organised. The following tips will help you make quick and valuable decisions which will help you organise all areas of your home.
Hallway – Sort through your collection of scarves, hats, coats and other items of clothing that take up space. You can keep the items that are used daily or weekly as any of the excess items can be moved into a nearby cupboard, donated to charity or put in a self storage room.
Living Room – Old books, DVDs and CDs are the usual culprits so lose the bits and pieces and only display your most prized possessions.
Kitchen – The main source of frustration in a kitchen is overstuffed cabinets and drawers filled with duplicate kitchenware, dishes that are used only on special occasions, mismatched containers and appliances that you no longer use. If you can’t bear to part with an item consider relocating it or putting the items in storage.
Closets – It’s time to be strong and clear out those items that haven’t been worn in the last year, no longer fit or are out of style.
Bathrooms – Throw away any items that have expired or those that are no longer in use. Items such as toothbrushes can be kept in holders to save space and keep them clean.
Office – Any paperwork that can be found on a website or email should be recycled. Filing systems can help you minimise the inflow of paperwork and help reduce your existing paperwork piles.
Kids Room – Teaching children the concept of ‘one in, one out’ can stop toys from becoming jumbled and cluttered on the floor.
Garage –When you clear space in your house, boxes of old clothing, sports equipment and extra furnishings usually end up in the garage and will never return inside your home. To create a vast amount of free space you can donate the items or keep them in self storage.
To find out how you can benefit from self storage, visit our Quote and reserve online page to get started.
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Tags: big yellow, Big Yellow Self Storage, boxes, business storage, clutter, collectibles, de-clutter, declutter, fine wine storage, furniture storage, music storage, personal storage, self storage, self storage blog, storage, storage solution, student storage, UK storage, wine storage
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Monday, July 26th, 2010
There are many different factors to take into consideration when storing your bike, such as how often you ride your bicycle, how much space you have at home and what the weather is like where you live. Here are some top tips to help you plan the way you store your bicycle and keep it in good condition.
You should always avoid suspending your bike from a single wheel rim from your garage ceiling as some wheels have ‘quick release’ which could send it crashing to the floor. The wheels aren’t strong enough to take the weight without bending and getting damaged.
Before you put your bicycle into storage it’s recommended that you keep the tyres inflated and check the pressure regularly. This can help extend tyre life by avoiding problems such as flattened rubber and cracks on the side of the tyres.
It’s best to store your bicycle indoors when you’re not using it as the sun’s rays can dry and crack the side of the tyres, especially during the winter when the weather is poor. When metal-frames are left outside the metal can get so cold that rust may form when condensation builds up inside the tubing.
To find out how you can benefit from storing your bike in our self storage units at any of our stores, visit our Quote and Reserve online page to get started.
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Tags: armadillo self storage, bicycle storage, big yellow, Big Yellow Self Storage, byss, personal storage, self storage, self storage blog, storage solution
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Friday, July 2nd, 2010
Storing your garden tools properly can add years to the life of your equipment, especially after the summer when there is a risk of rust and wear. Better yet when you are able to use your tools again they will be ready to go straight away. Here are some top tips to help you plan the way you store your garden tools in advance.
Before storing your garden tools make sure you scrub off any dirt or mud by using a stick to knock off the large pieces and a wire brush to remove the dirt that is really stuck on. If it is really covered and you’re finding it hard to get it back to its shiny old self, you may need to soak the tool in a bucket of hot water before attempting again. Make sure you wipe off any excess water with an old rag and let it dry thoroughly to prevent any rusting.
When storing you can treat the wooden areas of your tools by sanding any rough or splintery portions with sandpaper and rubbing in wax which is specially made to extend the usage of your equipment. The metal areas of your tools can be treated with lubricating oil which will protect it from rust and ware.
When putting your tools into a storage unit all shovels, rakes and hoses can be placed together in an empty compost bucket to stop them from falling over and leaning on other products.
For all of your packing needs, including storage boxes visit us in store or online at our online box shop www.bigyellow.co.uk/boxshop.
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Tags: big yellow, Big Yellow Self Storage, byss, de-clutter, declutter, garden storage, garden tools, personal storage, self storage, self storage blog, storage solution
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Tuesday, June 15th, 2010
There aren’t many things you can’t keep in a self storage room, but food is one of them. It’s unlikely that most home-cooked meals will last for long, but when you’re planning to make something in advance – what’s the best way to keep it fresh?
Take cake for instance – you’ve spent a long time baking the perfect chocolate or carrot mix – and the house is filled with the lovely aroma of your hard work. Don’t let it go to waste by neglectful storage.
Fruit cakes keep the best, particularly when soaked in an alcohol like brandy, which acts as a preservative. You can keep a Christmas or wedding cake (wrapped in a double layer of greaseproof paper and foil, and kept in a tin) for about three months, ‘feeding’ it with alcohol from time to time – in fact, it will probably taste all the better for it.
Any cake made with perishables will be best off kept in the fridge and eaten within a few days. Cakes filled with jam will keep happily at room temperature for up to about 5 days (any longer and the sugars might start to form mould).
Metal tins are the best, as modern plastic boxes often takes on the scent of food that been left inside it. A cake tin will keep out air and unwelcome smells, resulting in a taste exactly the same as when it was first baked without unwanted flavouring.
For added security, wrap your cake in greaseproof paper before placing it inside the tin. If you’ve baked a cream-filled sponge or a cheesecake, you could also use a glass cake dome – which is both a good way to store and serve. Keep this inside the fridge and if you’re worried about scent penetration, line the cake with paper before putting it in.
When it comes to considering where to keep the cake, keep it away from sunlight, heat sources, and areas of high humidity – all of these can affect how long it will last.
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Tags: big yellow, Big Yellow Self Storage, cake storage, personal storage, self storage, self storage blog
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Monday, June 7th, 2010
When your handbag costs as much as a holiday to a tropical island, you need to make sure you store it correctly. If you are the kind of person who throws everything in the bottom of your closet, including your precious Prada purse, then think again. Storing them carefully will prolong the lives of these accessories when using self storage; keeping them in pristine condition and making them last longer.
One of the best ways to store handbags is to put them in plastic boxes which allow air to circulate. Just make sure the boxes are big enough so that you are not folding over the bag handles.
The handbags you use regularly need to be easily accessible, so store them on the top or side shelf in your closet, standing upright in a line. You can organise them however you like – by size, type or colour – just make sure they aren’t crumpled on the floor.
Purses you don’t use so often can be wrapped in cotton pillowcases or cloth storage bags before putting them into self storage. Do not put them in enclosed plastic dry cleaning bags, or boxes without airflow as this will damage the leather.
If storing bags together make sure you cover any brass or mental chains, rings, studs and so on to stop them marking other bags. You can do this with a piece of tissue or cloth. Tuck chain handles inside the bag to prevent the chain from scratching or marking the outside leather. Undo metal fastenings and buckles on straps so that they do not leave an impression.
To help their keep, stuff the bags with tissue paper or any alternative acid-free filling, but do not use old newspapers. Bubble wrap is better than tissue paper for padding out or wrapping bags, as it doesn’t attract moths in the same way as tissue paper.
For all of your packing needs, including bubble wrap, storage boxes, tissue paper or loose fill visit us in store or online at our online box shop www.bigyellow.co.uk/boxshop.
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Tags: big yellow, Big Yellow Self Storage, byss, de-clutter, declutter, Hand Bags, Handbags, personal storage, self storage, self storage blog, storage, storage solution
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Thursday, June 3rd, 2010
Whether it’s a plasma television, a computer or a stereo – are delicate, cost a lot of money and central to most people’s lives. If you’re placing any of these items in self storage, you need to make sure that they stay clean and protected until you need to use them again.
The best way to prepare is to make sure they’re clean in the first place. Wipe them down to remove dust or grime, as this can cause premature scratching and degradation of the plastic. Next – detach all wires, as this reduces strain and wear on the sockets – but make sure that they’re grouped according to appliance and labeled. The last thing you want to do when unpacking is to have to search for a stray cable!
Wrap your electronics with dust sheets, but not plastics, as this will create moisture pockets. If you’re using the original boxes, fill in any empty space with Big Yellow loosefill to prevent the items from shifting during transport and causing damage to each other.
Remove batteries, tapes or DVDs from each appliance, and label all boxes to make identifying your belongings easier.
Finally, be sure to stack boxes containing electronics according to weight, keeping heavier items on the bottom and lighter or more fragile items on top. This will prevent boxes from collapsing and damage to your electronics.
For all of your packing needs, including boxes or loosefill visit us in store or online at our online box shop www.bigyellow.co.uk/boxshop.
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Tags: big yellow, Big Yellow Self Storage, byss, Electrical Storage, personal storage, self storage, self storage blog, storage, storage solution
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Thursday, May 27th, 2010
It’s often the most-used and basic of household goods that are difficult to store. Bathroom towels take up a considerable amount of shelf space, especially extra-large body towels and thick fluffy cotton varieties. Even when neatly folded or rolled they require a significant amount of space.
Not every home comes with a linen closet that offers deep shelves for bathroom towels. Why not instead invest in an extra-large wicker basket? Display towels that colour-coordinate with the bathroom, and store them in the open basket. The towels will be within easy reach when a clean one is required, and they will add to the colour scheme of the space. A smaller matching basket can be used as decorative open storage for neatly rolled hand towels and flannels.
The other option is to invest in a freestanding ready-made cabinet – a self supporting one with shelves and drawers. When the bathroom is too small for storage, place the cabinet at the end of a hallway or around the corner near the bathroom. Use it as storage for bathroom towels and other supplies. It will look like a built-in cabinet when in fact it can be moved as desired.
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