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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Monday, July 25th, 2011
Every parent has the same problem with young children getting sick of their toys, or simply growing out of them. The problem is that the house ends covered in toys rendered useless, and simply gathering dust. If this sounds familiar, and you cannot bear to just throw these expensive toys away then Big Yellow Self Storage are here to help.
We offer units in a range of sizes, starting from just ten square foot, so if you plan to have more children you can store these toys for them, instead of shelling out more money in the future. As well as saving you money, this can also help to reduce dust which clutter, such as toys, tends to gather.
Cleaning your home can become quite a chore when you have to do it on your own. Working with other people to clean and organise your home makes the bain of your life suddenly become a more manageable task, and with a few minutes of planning also a great family activity.
While children are on holiday for the summer, getting them to help with fun cleaning games, such as using sock puppets to make dusting fun. You could also incorporate cleaning into play by allocating time to create the sock puppets before the cleaning begins.
Racing is another engaging way to get family members on board. For this you will need to plan and prepare- set a task, establish your expectations and introduce any rewards and forfeits before the game begins so that everyone involved knows the rules and plays by them. A great example of this is to set the task of collecting 5 items from one room each and racing to be the first to put them back in their rightful place. Within 10 minutes the whole room will be clean. You could also incorporate relay style races and team races to vary the games week by week.
Musical cleaning is an excellent way to make chores entertaining and enjoyable. Create a circuit or running order of chores and establish individual starting points for each participant. Begin the music and explain that when the track changes you move on to the next chore.
A combined effort not only allows cleaning to be completed more quickly but it also means that you have combined two of what should be daily tasks into one. Keep checking back to our Big Yellow Blog for more tips and tricks on cleaning and de cluttering during the summer months. For self storage solutions that match all your needs, check out http://www.bigyellow.co.uk/personal.
Sock puppet via Pinprick on flickr
Tags: big yellow, Big Yellow Self Storage, boxes, byss, childhood memories, clean, clutter, de-clutter, declutter, family clutter, home, kids, personal storage, self storage, self storage blog, Self Storage UK, storage, storage solution, tips and tricks, UK storage
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Wednesday, June 15th, 2011
It’s now that time of the year, when you begin to realise that those January Sale purchases were unnecessary and you need to decide what needs to go. Using self storage is a useful solution for those items you don’t want to throw away but you can’t find a home for. In order to help you decide what should stay and what should go, follow this simple rule – six months and you’re out!
This golden rule can be used when managing other areas of the home, whether you’re updating your wardrobe, clearing the garage, emptying the garden shed or even moving your office. However, getting rid of some objects may be harder than you imagined and thankfully for those things that really have to stay there are other options. Consider storing items in a secure environment away from the home or multi-functional furniture that may provide not only storage compartments for those precious items but also additional seating.
The majority of our unused items tend to get stored on the unreachable shelves or in the dark corners of the house we steer clear of, knowing what mess lies there. It is these areas that should be targeted first when de-cluttering your home and organising your life. Ask yourself, when was the last time you used the item? If it has been longer than six months then the chances are you won’t be needing it any time soon.
Tackle the clutter in a systematic way, working from one room to the next and keep high traffic areas of your home clear of clutter. This ensures that you will be able to monitor your progress and if a break is needed, you can come back to the same point. It is advised that in order to successfully complete the task of de-cluttering your home, a full day is taken but with busy lives getting busier and time getting shorter, this is not always an option.
To find out how you can benefit from self storage, visit our Quote and Reserve Online page to get started.
Tags: big yellow, Big Yellow Self Storage, business storage, byss, clutter, de-clutter, declutter, home, personal storage, self storage, self storage blog, Self Storage UK, storage, storage solution
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Monday, May 23rd, 2011
If you’re moving in with your partner for the first time it may be hard to find a space to fit all of your belongings from your previous homes.
Before you move in together you should go through your belongings and decide what you really want to keep, what can be donated and what can be stored until you find free space in your home. If both of you move all your belongings it can become overwhelming as there is maybe too much.
If you found it a struggle to find space in your previous home then you will need to make a sacrifice. Now that both of you have made a compromise and have gotten rid of your clutter, you can really start organising.
Any items that you want to sell or donate but want to keep can be kept in storage until your new home is organised and you find extra space or move into a bigger property.
To find out how you can benefit from self storage when moving in with your partner, visit www.bigyellow.co.uk to get started.
Tags: big yellow, Big Yellow Self Storage, byss, clutter, de-clutter, declutter, home, Newlywed, personal storage, self storage, self storage blog, Self Storage UK, storage, storage solution
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Tuesday, May 10th, 2011
If you’re working from a home office many things can cause a distraction such as paperwork that hasn’t been filed or a large amount of items around your desk. Here are some suggestions to make your home office a more productive place to work.
Simple things like changing your desktop picture to something calming and pleasing to look at will make spending a day in front of the screen less of a chore. It’s also a great way to compensate for an office that doesn’t necessarily boast a room with a view.
Place house plants around the room in order to not only look better but aid the circulation of oxygen through the office. Let there be light and take advantage of any outdoor space you may have.
Stay hydrated and ditch the sugar to avoid the sugar crash and boost your energy. Dehydration is a common cause for fatigue and weakness.
Working in a calming space will create a productive environment and will make your work much more productive and to a higher standard. It will only make going to work easier!
If you want to find out how you can use self storage to create a home office, visit www.bigyellow.co.uk/personal to find out more.
Tags: big yellow, Big Yellow Self Storage, business storage, byss, clutter, de-clutter, declutter, home, Home Office, personal storage, self storage, self storage blog, Self Storage UK, storage, storage solution, UK storage
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Friday, March 4th, 2011
At this time of year the majority of people are happy that the cold and dark nights of Winter have passed and are looking forward to a long Summer. Not only is it a great time to feel refreshed but it’s also a time of year when you can refresh your house. The hardest part is finding the motivation to actually make it happen.
Spring cleaning can seem a major task, but it needs to be done. Starting with a fresh, clean and organised home will make everyone at home feel much better and ensures a healthy environment.
Before you make a start, choose one small area or room that you that you want to accomplish first. Choosing a high traffic area in your home to begin with will increase your motivation because you will be able to notice the result immediately.
As you make your way through areas of your home you can decide what belongings you want to keep, throw away, donate or place in storage. Make sure you only keep what you use and only store what you really want to keep.
At the end of the day you can sort these items by putting them in the correct place, throwing them away or by getting them ready for storage. You can then start fresh with the next area of the home.
By repeating this process in all the rooms in your house you will be to declutter one step at a time and really see the results as you go along. To find out how you can benefit from self storage to help you get organised around the home after the spring clean, visit our Quote and Reserve Online page to get started.
Tags: armadillo self storage, big yellow, Big Yellow Self Storage, byss, clean, clutter, de-clutter, declutter, home, self storage, self storage blog, Self Storage UK, spring, spring clean, UK storage
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Wednesday, January 26th, 2011
We’re very proud to announce that we’ve opened a brand new state of the art store in Camberley, Surrey on 24th January 2011. The new store maintains the high standards of energy-efficiency set by our other stores and is bordered by landscaping and a pedestrian cycle lane.
As well as creating several permanent new jobs in the Surrey Heath area, the new store features a number of eco-friendly elements. The additions include solar panels and energy efficient lighting, which are set to be rolled out across other stores as part of our commitment to reducing our carbon footprint in the future.
The area has been regenerated thanks to the bio-diverse landscaping and work to make sure that the local cycle lane continues around its perimeter. The store has been rated ‘A’ for Energy Performance with just 3% of the store requiring heating and cooling. Meaning that our customers are guaranteed the best in eco-friendly storage!
To book and reserve online at our Camberley store visit us at: http://www.bigyellow.co.uk/store/Camberley-self-storage/
Reception opening hours
Monday to Friday: 8am – 6pm
Saturday: 9am – 6pm
Sunday: 10am – 2pm
Tags: big yellow, Big Yellow Self Storage, byss, Camberley, clutter, de-clutter, declutter, energy efficient, furniture storage, garden storage, home, personal storage, self storage, self storage blog, storage, storage solution, student storage, UK storage
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Thursday, January 13th, 2011
The New Year brings many resolutions such as starting a diet, finding a new job, decorating the home or deciding to move. Although you don’t have to move to create a new home for yourself as rearranging furniture and decorating can give your living space a fresh feel, if you have decided to move house then it’s important to make sure you’re not under-prepared.
If you’re moving or thinking of giving the home a makeover in the New Year you can find inspiration from magazines, websites and our blog to create a fresh look. If you find something you like then you can clip out the articles from magazines or print them off and keep a file of ideas to use for future reference.
Painting and decorating a room can dramatically change its appearance, but so can doing something different with your existing furniture. Go through your home looking at items of furniture and accessories that you love. List the items you no longer like because you could free up space by selling, donating or storing them. This will allow you do more with the furniture that remains.
Moving day can be an exciting but daunting task. The key to making the move smoother is organisation. The more you do in advance of the move, the easier it will become. Before you move you will need to declutter your house thoroughly and think ahead. Some items of furniture or accessories may not be suitable for the style or fit in certain areas of your new house.
When packing make sure items from different rooms aren’t boxed together and are clearly labelled on both sides. Ensure you protect breakables by packing them in bubble wrap and labelling the box as ‘Fragile’. For smaller items you can keep them in the drawers of wardrobes and cabinets to make sure they stay in one place.
For all of your moving or storage needs, including storage boxes and bubble wrap visit us in store or order online at our online box shop.
Tags: big yellow, Big Yellow Self Storage, boxes, byss, clutter, de-clutter, declutter, furniture storage, home, moving, personal storage, self storage, self storage blog, storage solution, UK storage
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Thursday, June 17th, 2010
Following on from our Redecorating Your Home – The Best Online Resources blog post, we thought we would give you added inspiration while you’re redecorating your house. If you’ve had a clear out and decided to store some belongings while you refresh the house, or even re-do the place entirely, look to the design blogs below to tickle the right side of your brain.
decor8 – Holly Becker, a freelance journalist and design consultant launched decor8 in January 2006 long before design blogs became a trusted and popular source of information on the web. An established site known as a reliable design resource to over 35,000 daily readers, decor8 (a creative play on the word decorate) is dedicated to sharing honest opinions, fresh decorating ideas, beautiful interior spaces, independent art and design, products and services, and articles meant to inspire readers to live a more fulfilling, authentic and creative life.
Design*Sponge is a daily website dedicated to home and product design run by Brooklyn-based writer, Grace Bonney. Launched in August of 2004, Design*Sponge was declared a “Martha Stewart Living for the Millennials” by the NYTimes in 2008 and features store and product reviews, city, product, and gift guides, DIY projects, before & after furniture and home makeovers, hometours, recipes, videos and podcasts, and trend forecasting. The site is updated constantly throughout the day (with an average of 6-10 posts a day), and attracts a core group of devoted readers.
Made in England is written by Cookie – a designer, illustrator and occasional adventurer. His goal is to make things visually interesting and generally creative, and the blog is where the best of what he finds is showcased.
Tags: big yellow, Big Yellow Self Storage, byss, de-clutter, declutter, home, personal storage, Redecorating, self storage, self storage blog
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