Wednesday, August 3rd, 2011
Just like cleaning the bathroom – isn’t there always something else that’s more important to do rather than de-cluttering? As you squeeze another t-shirt into your already stuffed drawers, why not take the plunge and seriously deal with your personal storage?
Keep yourself entertained – Turn on your favourite tracks, switch on the radio and get busy with clearing up. Tackle the floor and surfaces first, then open up some cupboards and do a proper review. Starting with clothes in the bedroom should be easy… Just remember the six-month rule! You can keep special items with real, sentimental value in self storage units, see www.bigyellow.co.uk/personal.
Grab a regular cuppa – After the initial blitz, make yourself a cup of tea. Looking around with fresh eyes can often make all the difference. Personal storage at Big Yellow is ideal for all those things that you simply can’t bring yourself to throw away. Like your Mum’s old china? If you’re not using it for tea and cake, donate it to Charity or put it in storage for your own children.
Get your friends involved – to help and to donate to. Everyone knows that ‘Many hands make light work’. You’ll find that the things stored and cluttering up your rooms may be real treasures to someone else, and you can have a good catch up at the same time.
Change rooms regularly – by switching from room to room you can keep busy and cover the whole house. The home office can be the most difficult job. Visit www.bigyellow.co.uk as we can help with personal and business storage needs.
De-cluttering isn’t easy, but if you can keep your precious items safe in Big Yellow storage, there is real satisfaction and positivity created in having clean lines and empty surfaces in the home.
Image via shino 誌野 on Flickr
Tags: armadillo self storage, at home, big yellow, Big Yellow Self Storage, book storage, boxes, byss, clean, clutter, de-clutter, declutter, home, personal storage, self storage, self storage blog, Self Storage UK, tips and tricks, UK storage
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Thursday, July 28th, 2011
The garage is the go-to place for clutter in the average modern household. So much so that many people can hardly squeeze out of their cars due to the mountains of unwanted garden furniture and outgrown toys rest in the garage safe from the cold.
The garage can be a great place to store items but it has become a regular dumping ground to the average household and it is essential that space is made to enable vehicles to be stored in their rightful spaces instead.
With the help of Big Yellow Self Storage, you can sort through items in your garage and keep those that may not be needed at present, but will be used at some point, away from a space you are likely to access on a daily basis. Once you have cleared your garage of those items that are no longer needed, you can begin to arrange and organise the space so that you and your motor can fit in as well!
Use plastic crates and bins for large items which should be grouped according to type. This kind of storage is ideal for sports equipment as it provides protection as well as giving you easy access to what is inside.
If you don’t already have some, install shelving units in your garage. Either purpose build or DIY shelving works if you consider the following things: the size and the weight of what it is you’re storing. Remember smaller items can be placed within baskets and then onto shelves to reduce the space they take up. Also consider the amount of floor space you will need to access the car once it is in place.
Install cabinets and peg boards to house dangerous objects securely or use ceiling storage (pre-made or large S hooks) to keep heavy items out of the way. Again, carefully consider the weight of what you’re storing to ensure that it is safe, secure and unlikely to fall onto the vehicle you’re planning to protect in your garage.
Please keep checking this blog for more facts, tips and tricks on storage, and the website at http://www.bigyellow.co.uk/personal to get a free, personalised quote.
Tags: at home, big yellow, Big Yellow Self Storage, clean, clutter, declutter, garage, garage space, garage storage, home, self storage, self storage blog, tips and tricks
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Tuesday, July 26th, 2011
Sports equipment is traditionally one of the most difficult things to store, as it tends to be rigid, and usually takes up a lot of space. For those with smaller sports equipment, just dumping balls, rackets, or a boxing kit into a bin or bucket is unsightly and not good for the equipment either.
In order to make full use of the space and equipment you have available to you, create an area in your garage or basement that can be used as a sports centre. You may even think about investing in a well-built storage system which you can use to store your sports equipment, as well as other clutter.
If you do not wish to splash out on a full storage system, there are alternative ways of storing different types of sports equipment. For example, ball claws are a clever, modern invention that you can attach to your walls, to hold onto footballs and basketballs, or for cricket bats, you could use a bat storage systems that usually rest over fence tops, making use of handy areas you would not usually consider for storage.
The list is endless including racket racks, and weight, rope and matt storage extensions or cages. Using these can help de-clutter your home or garage space as well as protect your expensive sports equipment from unnecessary damage in the long term.
If you need to store large sporting items such as children’s bicycles they have grown out of, goal posts, or even tennis nets you could benefit from investing in a Big Yellow Self Storage room of your own. Other cumbersome equipment such as skis, snowboards, surfboards and even yachting equipment could also benefit from a dedicated storage space.
We offer special deals at the moment for new customers of 50% off the first eight weeks. Do not let sporting clutter take over your life; please visit our website at www.bigyellow.co.uk/personal for further details.
Tags: at home, big yellow, Big Yellow Self Storage, clutter, de-clutter, garage space, self storage, self storage blog, sports equipment, tips and tricks
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Wednesday, July 20th, 2011
We are already half way through summer, and the party season is in full swing, with garden furniture coming out at every opportunity. However, what with the disappointing weather it’s nearly that time again for the age old question of where to store the garden furniture.
The problem with the traditional methods of storage such as the garden shed, or just left covered in the corner of the garden is that when you come back to it next summer, it is likely that you will find it covered in rust or mould, and that it has to be thrown out.
Big Yellow Self Storage could prove to be an economical way to store your garden furniture, rather than replacing it each year. Our Self Storage units will guarantee prevention of rust or mould developing as each room is dry, clean and safe from undesirable weather conditions.
If you are worried about the costs of the length of storage for a year, just check our website for the latest deals as you can get discounts for renting the unit in certain blocks of time, and there is no maximum time limit either.
If it is just your garden furniture you want to store we can accommodate for this as our rooms come in a range of sizes starting from 10 sq foot going all the way up to 500 sq foot. You also have the option to increase the unit space if you find you have more items to add in the future.
Please visit www.bigyellow.co.uk/quote-and-reserve/ to get a free and quick online quote, and let us help you save your garden furniture, and some pennies!
Tags: at home, big yellow, Big Yellow Self Storage, clean, clutter, de-clutter, declutter, Did you know?, garden furniture, mould, rust, Self Storage UK, Self Stroage
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Friday, July 8th, 2011
It only seems like yesterday that your children left for their first term of the year for university, but it’s already that time again when they are bringing back all the clutter they initially took with them.
For those who have finished their degrees completely, most parents will be dreading the returning clutter, which may have doubled in size over the past three years with added University books, notes, sports equipment, DVDs and household items. When your family home is already short of space, this can be a frightening thought for most parents. If you are one of these parents, fret not, as Big Yellow Self Storage is here to help.
Big Yellow’s rooms are available in a range of sizes, access to which is available seven days a week. If you are unsure how long you will need self storage for, you can rent a room for as little as seven days, or as long as you may need.
It is even possible to down or upgrade your room size whenever required, so you could even rent a room whilst you sort out what to do with the clutter, and whether or not your children are set to go back to University in September, we have terms which are adept to anyone’s Self Storage needs.
If your children are worried about you having access to their belongings, you can reassure them with the fact that the space is locked with their own padlocks, so, if desired, only they have access to their prized possessions.
Big Yellow Self Storage realize that moving and packing can be one of the most stressful things to deal with, especially with young adults eager to hold on to memories of their University life. However, we are here to make the process as manageable as possible. We even deliver boxes to your home, ready for packing.
If you can identify with any of the above please visit www.bigyellow.co.uk to get a personalized quote and find out more about how you can use Self Storage units to eliminate your childs’ hoarding tendencies.
Tags: at home, big yellow, Big Yellow Self Storage, book storage, boxes, childhood memories, clutter, personal storage, self storage blog, student, student storage, tips and tricks
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Monday, July 4th, 2011
The rise of the eBay auction site has been incredible. Set up in the 1980s, today eBay has over 100 million users, both buying and selling, and the opportunities to make money keep on growing. To become a successful eBay entrepreneur however takes coordination, planning and a lot of storage space. Platinum sellers can make sales of up to £15,000 per month – that’s a lot of material to turn around and store in your living room!
Maintain stock control – as a first time eBay seller, don’t feel overwhelmed if your product range gets out of control. Anyone can end up simply surrounded by ‘stuff’. After de-cluttering your own home and selling unwanted goods online, friends and family may start to offload their items to you as well. Personal storage can help if you are suddenly faced with wardrobes full of clothing, piles of books and CDs, together with the odd lamp or two. Decide which items you want to sell, and stick to them.
Develop a niche – used designer items, especially shoes and bags, are guaranteed sales on eBay. Selling quirky items such as decorative teaspoons, Victorian walking sticks, or even giant French chandeliers, can set you up as a specialist seller with a niche market. Visit car boot sales and charity shops to help source your products. Once you have developed your online ‘shop’, you can store bulky items in a self-storage room at Big Yellow, leaving your house or business free from clutter. Self-storage rooms are accessible seven days a week, so there will be no delay in sending items out to winning bidders.
Use trade sellers to maximize profits –the best source for your merchandise after exhausting your own unwanted items and charity shops will come from the wholesale market place. Here you can buy in bulk at a lower cost, sell for a bigger profit margin, and thus really boost your income. When dealing with large quantities however, storage will become a priority. Avoid overcrowding your home and visit bigyellow.co.uk/business for ways to help with this.
Divide and sort stock – once you have a range of items to sell, you will need to organise your stock so it can be stored safely and found easily when needed. Using different coloured or odd sized boxes could help distinguish where different items are kept. Visit bigyellow.co.uk/boxshop to see our full range of storage boxes. When you need to clear out your inventory and re assess your possessions, put sale items into dust and water-proof boxes or temporary storage for a few months before starting again.
Use good quality recycled boxes to store clothing – children’s clothes and vintage items are some of the best sellers on eBay. However, clothing can become very dusty and tends to absorb smells easily. Big Yellow self-storage rooms are guaranteed to be free from cigarette smoke, damp, and pet smells.
Storing stock at Big Yellow gives you the flexibility to store as little or as much as you need from as little as £6 per week. With staff that are happy to accept deliveries for you and no complicated long term contracts, Big Yellow Self Storage may be the ideal place to store your eBay items.
For more information about how Big Yellow can help your eBay business visit www.bigyellow.co.uk/business for a personal quotation.
Tags: at home, big yellow, Big Yellow Self Storage, business storage, Charity, Did you know?, ebay, eBay top seller, profit, self storage blog, stock
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Monday, June 13th, 2011
De-cluttering your home should not just be a one off occurance. Being able to welcome visitors into a tidy home fulfills a home-owners sense of pride and allows visitors, both planned and spontaneous to enter into a calm and social sanctuary.
Regularly completing simple tasks such as sorting through mail, wiping services and making your bed as well as hoovering and dusting on a weekly basis enables you to keep on top of the clutter eliminating the need for a one day a year hardcore clear out.
The most important area to tackle when preparing your home for spontaneous visitors is the bathroom. The next is the lounge, vacuuming will make a dramatic improvement on the appearance of your home.
Wipe your kitchen surfaces, discarding any crumbs you may have picked up into the sink and rinse. Don’t spoil your hard work by wiping them onto the floor. Finally, pile up any papers or magazines in one pile. Although they may not be in their rightful home, piling them up will make it look as though they’ve been there for years.
These simple ideas can be completed within half an hour’s notice but making time to do these few things before you leave the house in the morning will allow you to return home to a stress-free environment with whatever company you may chose.
Tags: at home, big yellow, Big Yellow Self Storage, business storage, byss, clean, personal storage, self storage, self storage blog, Self Storage UK, tips and tricks
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Thursday, November 4th, 2010
You don’t have to be David Dickenson to spot a valuable item in your home. Having a good search around your home may uncover some precious heirlooms you’ve previously overlooked. Most garages, lofts and sheds are crammed full of belongings, clearing out these spaces could have you laughing all the way to the bank.
There are countless success stories of people finding antique items in their homes worth hundreds or even thousands of pounds. Ian and Lynda Spires from Milton Keynes uncovered some old railway signs in their loft, worth an amazing £20,000. The signs were being used as make shift flooring.
Even if you don’t find a rare antique or priceless collector’s item in your house, it is a good opportunity to de-clutter areas which are getting a bit untidy. You will benefit from having more space in your home and it will be much easier to find your belongings when you need them.
Making a start can be difficult, as de-cluttering can be a daunting task. Tackle one room at a time and divide each room into sections to break up the workload. Set aside enough time to tackle each section and make sure you have everything you need to assist you before you start – like boxes, rubbish bags and cleaning products.
Have a good look through all of your drawers, shelves and cupboards. Keep an eye out for any unusual or old items – and if you find anything of interest, put it to one side to be valued later. Make you sure you organise everything neatly when you put it back.
Utilise certain areas for storage of items used less often, such as under the bed, the top of your wardrobe or under the stairs. Use storage boxes and vacuum packs to store these items tidily. At Big Yellow, we sell a range of boxes and vacuum bags in store and online, go to our Boxes Etc page to find out more.
Anything which is no longer useful should be donated to charity, or as a last resort taken down the local tip. For anything that you don’t want in your home but still want to keep, consider using self storage.
At Big Yellow Self Storage we have a range of self storage rooms available from 9 sq ft to 400 sq ft and you can easily access your things seven days a week. To find out more visit our Quote and Reserve Online page.
Tags: armadillo self storage, at home, big yellow, Big Yellow Self Storage, book storage, boxes, childhood memories, clutter, collectibles, de-clutter, personal storage, self storage, self storage blog, storage solution, UK storage
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Friday, October 22nd, 2010
National Declutter Week kicks off this Saturday 23 October until Sunday 31 October and is a great chance for the entire nation to get rid of some rubbish.
With the kids off school for half term and Christmas just around the corner, there has never been a better time to make a start on decluttering. Set aside a day to clear out your home and realise the benefit of a clutter free home.
Big Yellow Self Storage has taken inspiration from National Declutter Week and compiled five top tips for de-cluttering your home from our self storage blog archive:
1. Tackle the task section by section, otherwise it can seem too overwhelming. Ensure you finish each part before you move on to the next
2. Throw out all the bottles, toothbrushes and soaps etc which are old or empty and only keep the essential toiletries on display in your bathroom
3. Keep a basket by the front door for shoes which are worn everyday and put any shoes which are worn less often away in the wardrobe or under the bed
4. Be ruthless when clearing out your wardrobe – if you have not worn an item for over a year, sell it or donate it to charity
5. Install good habits into your children; make them throw out an old toy every time they get something new
As National Declutter Week coincides with half term, it would be a good idea to get the children to help out. Give them each a small task and reward them once they have completed their job, with a treat or a trip out to the park or cinema. Remind your children that they will be getting lots of new toys for Christmas and encourage them to donate toys which they no longer use to charities. You could turn decluttering into a game if you have more than one child, challenging them to see who can find the most toys to give away.
Whilst the children are busy clearing their clutter, use the time to tidy one of the rooms in the house. Label four boxes with a marker: ‘keep’, ‘sell’, ‘donate’ and ‘throw out’. For all the items that you cannot bear to part with, consider using self storage.
Big Yellow Self Storage can help with all your storage needs, whether you would like to rent one of our self storage rooms or just need some extra storage boxes or vacuum storage bags to store your stuff in. Visit us in store or order online at our online box shop.
Tags: armadillo self storage, at home, big yellow, Big Yellow Self Storage, boxes, clutter, containers, de-clutter, declutter, furniture storage, personal storage, self storage, self storage blog, storage solution
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Tuesday, October 5th, 2010
Welcome to the sixth and final installment of at home’s ‘Get Some Space in Your Life’ series with some great advice from leading personal storage experts Big Yellow Self Storage. This week, we show you how to declutter and ease tensions in the home.
We’ve already looked at space saving tips for your home in the living room, space saving solutions to plan the perfect space in the kitchen and the at home team will be bringing you solutions to clear the clutter in relationships by relieving tension in your family dynamic through self storage.
A third of Britons claim that clutter is the main source of tension around the home with arguments occurring at least once per week and 2.4 million of us are arguing about it more than once a day. Clutter around the home could be depriving you of valuable relaxation time with your partner.
Three space saving tips to clear the clutter and relieve tension in your family dynamic
Deciding how to store items in your home is a very important part of de-cluttering and getting organised. Sorting through your collection of shoes, coats and other items of clothing in the hallway that take up space is great way of clearing an entrance to your home. Shoe clutter is a very common household problem and the more people there are in your house, the bigger the problem can become. Shoes and coats that are used on a daily basis can be kept close by but any items that are rarely used should be placed in a cupboard, donated to charity or put in a self storage room.
We tend to spend a lot of time in 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. Wicker baskets are practical and 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.
As the kids are back at school again, it’s a great opportunity for you the reclaim the areas of the home that may have been taken over with toys and sports items throughout the summer holidays. Locating designated toy zones around the home will ensure that they don’t get cluttered around your living space and when you go to tidy their things up it will mean you don’t have to clean up every room in the house for clutter. As an added bonus you won’t have to go searching around your house to find missing toy parts. Boxes are one of the simplest storage solutions for your child’s belongings as they can be kept together in one place. They’re versatile as you can stack them and rearrange them to suit you and your children’s needs.
Tags: at home, at home magazine, big yellow, Big Yellow Self Storage, byss, clutter, de-clutter, declutter, personal storage, self storage, self storage blog, storage, storage solution, UK storage
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