Pantry

Excess storage space is actually a great place to double up as your pantry. A good pantry consists of foodstuffs and accessories such as napkins and linens. However, these items can take up a lot of space in your kitchen and affect the sole purpose and role of the kitchen that is to cook. Instead of storing large and bulky furniture, use it as a walk in pantry.

Library

Solomon Ortiz once said this: Education is the key to success. Therefore in many families in this age, a miniature library is often one of the staples. Instead of purchasing bookshelves after bookshelves, you can consider converting your storage space into a walk in library where you can store your collection of books and encyclopedia. You can even install shelves on the walls to fully maximise the space.

Emergency food supplies

Although we are leaving in a peaceful era, you cannot deny the fact that some rouge nations will try to affect the peace and stability and wars may break out. It is therefore important to always have some emergency food supplies in your home. These range from bottled water to dry foods such as biscuits, Since they can last a long time, you do not have to worry about them going bad anytime soon.

Home based business warehouse

With the increasing popularity in blogshop shopping, truckloads of blogshops catering to the needs of females have sprung up. An apparel home based business will need cheap and even free storage spaces to keep all the stocks in order to maximise profit. To keep overheads low, your storage area in your home can act as the holding area for all the apparel.

Instead of the usual furniture storage, you can consider all the various options mentioned above. This can add spice into your life and make it less boring.

Engage a professional mover

First and foremost, you need to engage the services of a professional mover. There is no way you can move and store the tables on your own. Not only that, you do not have the professional knowledge required to handle it. Professional movers are extremely experienced and can help you out and provide the best advice to you. Make sure you find a reputable company so that you do not get ripped off.

Remove the screws

Screws that are found in the table in places such as the legs and connectors should be removed. Prolonged storage in self storage facilities can cause the screws to corrode and once that happens, you will not be able to unscrew anymore, resulting in the need to throw away your table.

Remove the legs of the table

When storing assembled tables in self storage facilities, the legs should be removed. The spaces between the legs take up way too much space and are impractical. By removing the legs, you are freeing up a lot of space for better uses. Removal of legs from the tables also ensures a smooth and protruding-free surface which reduces the chances of damages and injuries when you are shifting items into your storage unit.

Use a pallet to protect your furniture

Use a pallet to protect your table by placing it underneath. It should preferably be one that is not made of wood. This will help to prevent against direct contact with water in the event of flooding or natural pests. Using a pallet during transportation and storage also allows you to avoid any direct contact between your table and the floor, which can cause unwanted damages such as scratches and dents to your table.

Wrap using a shrink wrap

Using a shrink wrap to wrap your entire furniture will prevent pests from entering, especially termites. It also helps to prevent moisture from damaging the wood fibres and keeps it dust free. Shrink wraps also eliminates unwanted movement which causes scratches.

Moving tables and storing them is actually not that difficult if you know what to do and who to find. Always remember to engage the services of specialists instead of doing it yourself.

Wine storage

Utilising self storage facilities for the storage of wine has been gaining popularity over the past few years. This is due to the increase in the number of wine appreciators and connoisseurs here. Using a temperature controlled unit is most ideal for wine storage due to the intrinsic nature of the wine itself and the sensitivity towards moisture, sunlight and temperature. Storing wine above 18°C will accelerate aging and cause the wine to lose its flavour and balance. Storing it below 8°C however will cause it to lose its flavour and aroma. The most ideal temperature range for wine storage is between 10°C to 16°C. Also, wine storage will need to be kept away from direct sunlight and heat since the heat will cause the cork to expand, allowing air to enter and acidify the contents.

Electronics

Electronics are sensitive equipments that require extreme care when storing them. They do not work when stored below 0°C and above 37°C. Low temperatures will damage the circuit boards and connectors hidden inside and destroy data stored inside hard disks. This is similar to a car’s engine which is unable to start in the cold winter weather. High temperatures above 37°C will cause the metallic components to expand unevenly, breaking the bonds and destroying connections. This will start to damage CPU and hard disks and cause data to be lost forever.

Spices

Spices have a long shelf life due to the lack of moisture inside them. They can also retain their original flavour for a long time provided that they are stored adequately. Storing spices in high temperature and high moisture places will cause them to go bad and lose their flavours due to moisture entering them and heat breaking down the proteins. Storage above 22°C will cause spices to lose their colours at a rate of 1% every 10 days. It is most ideal to keep spices between 0°C to 8°C which will help to retain their original colour and smell.

To ensure longevity of the items you are storing, you need to store them in a cool and dry place away from sunlight. This is one thing often neglected by many people and causes them to rack up huge losses eventually.

Using the walls

Our home is surrounded by walls and walls are an excellent source of storage. However, it is often neglected by many due to the lack of sufficient knowledge to fully utilise the walls. Installing simple hooks on the walls can allow us to hang various things such as towels and utensils in the kitchen, freeing up space in the cabinets which can be used to store other things. In the bedrooms, belts and denim can also be hung on the walls and behind the doors to free up space in the wardrobe for more apparel for the wife.

Under the bed

Did you realise that your bed probably takes up close to half the floor space in your room? How nice it would be if you could store things under your bed. In fact, you can and you should! When buying beds, you should consider getting those with drawers at the bed frame. These free spaces allow for the storage of items such as blankets, comforters, bed sheets and additional pillows and bolsters which would otherwise occupy a lot of space in the wardrobe.

Foldable chairs and tables

It would be elegant and nice if you could have a fully laid out dining table in your living room or kitchen with matching chairs. However this is a huge waste of space if you are already having space constraints. Foldable chairs and tables are excellent solutions to maximise space. When you are not using them, you can simply fold them up and place them against the wall, freeing up the space for something else.

Self storage solutions

When you have tried every possible method to maximise space at home and realise that you are still severely lacking in it, consider self storage solutions. Self storage is a flexible and cost effective way of storing things that you hardly use. Since you only pay for what you use and you can access the items anytime you need to, it is hardly different from your storeroom in your home.

Temperature and climate control units

Climate and temperature controlled units are not available in all self storage facilities so you will need to enquire prior to storing. If you are intending to store items which are sensitive and require special attention, you will definitely need a climate controlled unit. Items such as electronic devices and even apparels will appreciate it as moisture can damage the electrical components in the electronic devices and can also cause mould to grow on the cotton fibres.

Automobile units

Automobile units are excellent for the rich who have more than 1 car. Due to a lack of parking space in land scarce Singapore, an alternative solution needs to kick in. Automobile units are a smaller sized garage that allows you to safely park your vehicle in, shielding it from the natural elements such as the sun and rain. Automobile units also provide some form of security systems such as CCCTV, controlled access and even remote locking systems to keep your precious vehicles safe and sound.

Portable units

Portable units are great solutions for the busy people out there. They cost slightly more but are extremely convenient. You simply have to call the storage company and they will send down a container similar to those used in logistics and shipping depending on the size you require. When you have fully filled them up, you simply call them and they will bring back to their facility and stored in a safe environment. When you decide to terminate the lease, they will send back the container to you again.

Drive-up storage

Drive-up storage has doors which are slightly larger to facilitate cars from driving up to the storage unit and unloading their contents, hence the name. This is great for budget conscious consumers who do not wish to pay extra cash to engage the services of professional movers and prefer to move items bit by bit on their own.

Discussed above are 4 types of storage methods and services available in most self storage units. With such awesome features and flexibility, it’s definitely something you do not want to miss out on.

Protection from environmental aggressions

One huge advantage of climate controlled storage units is the ability to act as a cocoon and protect the interior contents from all environmental aggressions. These aggressive things can be moisture, dust, dirt and temperature fluctuations. It maintains a constant temperature and that is especially ideal for sensitive items such as art pieces, antiques, musical instruments and furniture. Quite simply, it provides the best conditions to store your items, ensuring it remains the same as it was before going into storage.

Keeps your items safe and sound

Keeping your items safe and sound isn’t all about security and anti-theft measures. It also includes maintaining the integrity of your items. For example, if you store an art piece in a high moisture environment, chances are that the paper will turn yellowish and the paint will start to run. If you were storing collector’s wine in a wrong environment, your wine will turn sour and emit a bad odour. Your items are still not stolen, but they are as good as useless and you have to incur huge losses. A climate controlled unit will help to prevent all these unwanted scenarios from occurring.

An alternative home-based office

A climate controlled unit has air-conditioning to maintain the humidity and temperature levels. Due to its sheer comfortable surroundings, it can actually double up as a home-based office for your small business. It makes an excellent choice for entrepreneurs who cannot afford a proper office initially. It also makes a good viewing showroom for potential customers who are interested in your products.

A climate controlled self storage unit cost a lot more than a normal one but it comes with an added peace of mind for you, protecting your items in the best way possible and putting you at ease. You can be assured that mould, dust; dirt and mildew have little to no chance of damaging your items.

Break it down into smaller pieces

Break down every piece of furniture into their smallest possible form. This will save up a lot of space and allow you to pack flat. Furniture is often in odd-shapes to add to their aesthetic outlook. However, it is an inefficient usage of space. Remember to label each piece of dismantled furniture for easy reattachment in future when required. Try to store all the bolts, nuts and screws in a clear ziploc bag.

Store fabric items separately

Especially for sofas and mattresses, store the fabric items separately. Cushions can be kept inside black garbage bags. Mattresses, on the other hand, are huge and you should use a cling wrap to cover the entire surface. These protective methods prevent pests, moisture and dust from penetrating which will damage the cotton fibres.

Clean and polish wooden surfaces

Prior to storage, wooden furniture needs to be cleaned and polished to protect it from environmental damages. Use a damp cloth to remove all existing dirt and grime and follow up with a nice polish. Wood polishes are hydrophobic, they would repel water and this will prevent the wooden fibres from being damaged due to any moisture in the self storage unit.

Cover the furniture with sheets

Once everything mentioned above is done, the final step is to cover your furniture is large sheets of cloth. This is similar to movie scenes where you see large white sheets of fabric covering furniture in an abandoned house. The fabric prevents direct contact with dust, dirt and especially insect droppings. Insect droppings are usually acidic and can leave a permanent stain on your wooden surface and damaging it.

Storing large pieces of furniture is often a daunting task that is shunned by many. People are put off by their sheer size, but it would save you quite a fair bit of time and money as long as you know how to store your furniture.

By following the steps mentioned above, you would be able to maximise your storage unit space and prevent damages to your items, reducing the need for hefty repairs.

How frequent do you access the unit

Frequency of you accessing the storage unit is an important criterion in selecting a facility. If you access it on a daily basis, you need one that is either located in a convenient place or one that is close to you. If you hardly visit the unit, location does not matter that much.

Knowing the storage unit sizes available

You want the storage company to accommodate to your needs and not you having to accommodate to them. What’s the point of you trying to suit them when you are paying their salary? If you have a container of items to store and the storage unit is unable to fit them in, resulting in the need to split into 2 separate units, there’s really no point in doing so. There are other storage companies with better facilities vying for your business.

Value for money or money?

Some people look at value for money packages while some look at money on its own. No matter what, you cannot have the best of both worlds. The cheapest rent will often mean that you are losing out in one way or another be it security or facilities available. A wise customer will always make sure he gets the most value for money deal.

Presence of an on-site manager

Believe it or not, the presence of an on-site manager matters a lot in the decision to select a storage facility. You want someone representing the company who is experienced and when things goes wrong, remedial actions can be put in place almost immediately. You do not want to have items missing from your unit and no one senior is around to attend to you.

There are so many factors involved when you are selecting your self storage facility. As a paying customer, you have the right to slowly pick and choose from so many companies out there but you also must know what you are selecting as well.

Space information

The space information portion consists of information regarding the lessee such as the full name, ID number, contact details and address. This will allow the company to contact the lessee for any matters. It will also contain information about the owner such as the business address and contact information so that a 2 way communication can be put in place.

General rental terms

Next up will be the general rental terms of the company. It will clearly indicate the rental period which is usually the first day to the last day of the month, due date of the rent payment, the amount of the late fee if payment was not received and an inventory charge on top of late payment fee for cases of extreme late payment. It will also mention about the abandonment of lessee property when rental fees are long overdue.

Rental rates

Rental rates will be in a general way indicating the size of units available and the rates for that particular unit. It will also state information with regards to payment such as the notice period for any future rent increases, security deposit required upon signing the contract, notice period required to vacate the unit, damages incurred by either the lessee or delivery personnel engaged by the lessee as well as the expected condition of the unit upon vacating.

General terms and conditions

This portion will inform the lessee about the flexibility to engage external movers to help in the moving of items, the timing which the movers can go to the premise as well as the timing the lessee can visit. Usually, the lessee is able to access the unit anytime but there are some smaller self storage units which do not operate round the clock.

Rental information

The last component would be the rental information that contains details such as the exact storage unit rented, the unit size, unit number, key number, security deposit received, nett rental fee per month and a signature portion that requires both the signature of the owner and the lessee.

Getting the right size

The most serious mistake one can make in wasting money is getting a unit that is too big. Be mindful that you yourself decide on the size of the unit and that will eventually determine the rental rates you have to fork out. Therefore, you should already have made a list of things you want to store and you can always talk to the staff members who are well trained and are able to advise on the most suitable unit size you should get. However, you should look out for staff members who are trying to hard-sell bigger units to you. It might all be for their commission.

Rent for the long run

If you have the intention to store for a long period of time, you should consider getting a long term storage plan with the company. Self storage companies are often more than willing to give some form of loyalty discount for long term customers. However, you will have to make the full payment or secure it with your credit card, possibly leading to a lack in cash on hand which discourages many people from doing so.

Making prompt rental payments

Self storage companies charges for late payment received just like credit card companies does. The easiest way to make sure you do not miss a payment is by setting a recurring payment option in your internet banking account or arranging for a GIRO payment automatically every month. You do not even have to go down physically to the unit which saves you money and time!

Getting in-house insurance

Some self storage companies offer in-house insurance covering theft, fire and water damages. This form of insurance is very popular as they are not covered under standard rental terms. Getting in-house insurance as opposed to those from outside is often much cheaper although you may lose out in some of the coverage. However, the risk of getting your items damaged by water or fire is already very low.