Home Improvement Archives | Spaces & Places

Now that summer has finally arrived, there is no better time to bring out the BBQ and outdoor furniture. However, all too often after a long winter stored in the shed or garage, they need TLC before you can use them again.

Follow these simple steps to make sure your items have been taken care of properly:

Preparing Your BBQ

Start by giving the BBQ a thorough clean to get rid of all the residue grease and fat. You may also need to remove any rust or grime that accumulated over the cold months.

With the BBQ clean, you will then want to give it a good coat with a high quality protective oil. This will stop any rusting and prevent future messes caused by sauces dripping onto stoves etc.

Revitalise Wooden Garden Furniture

Wash down furnish with warm soapy water. If it is wooden furniture you may need to sand it down to get rid of the dirt that is harder to get off. Rub down any areas that appear to have gone rusty, if it is metal furniture. After washing the furniture then treat it by either: varnishing, painting or using metal polish on the furniture to restore it to its former glory.

Soft Furnishings Summer Preparation

The soft furnishings used outside are far more prone to wear and tear by the weather. To keep it looking fresh and clean regularly wash cushion covers and throws with clean water and a mild detergent.

Simply pop them in the washing machine on a cold cycle with like colours only. Then hang or air dry before replacing back onto your furniture.

If you’re looking to keep it bright then give cushions, covers and throws an annual clean by making up a solution of one tablespoon bicarbonate of soda and one teaspoon white vinegar in a cup of water.

Mix this up then soak the cover or cushion in it for 15 minutes and then rinse well with clean water before hanging to dry.

If your cushions are removable, pop them out and wash their covers separately by hand using warm soapy water then rinsing thoroughly after washing.

If they become too faded or worn replace cushions and throws to give your garden a fresh new summer look.

Wrapping Up

When the summer is over, there are so many things to store and pack away. You could spend hours trying to squeeze all of your bulky furniture into a tiny shed or garage, but why not just take advantage of self-storage? It’s perfect for storing anything large and unwieldy that needs some extra protection during winter – those gazebo frames can be tough on storage space!

Here at Spaces and Places, we have 4 storage facility sites in Middlewich, Nuneaton, Winsford and Manchester, all offering excellent high quality units with 24 hour security and 24/7 access.

Get in touch with our expert team today for that perfect garden furniture storage.

There is a reason why “a place for everything and everything in its place” is such a common saying. Clutter can affect your life in many ways, from negatively impacting your health to keeping you from finding items you need.

In this blog post, we will discuss 10 specific reasons how clutter affects our lives – and what you can do about it!

Clutter can damage your health and lead to:-

Stress

Clutter is thought to cause feelings of stress and uncertainty. When you are surrounded by clutter, it can be difficult to know where to start since there is so much stuff everywhere. It’s hard for your brain to process what needs attention first when everything seems like a priority!

In addition, the more cluttered an environment becomes the higher levels of cortisol we produce. Cortisol is the hormone that our body releases when we are stressed and anxious, which can lead to feelings of depression or anxiety.

If you notice that your clutter levels have been steadily increasing over time, it might be worth taking some steps to declutter and reduce stress in your life!

Overeating

It has been known that people overeat to compensate for the feeling of being overwhelmed by clutter. If this becomes a constant habit, it can lead to obesity and other health risks.

If you are constantly overloaded with clutter or spend a lot of time organising your home, consider taking up some hobbies which include exercises such as yoga or long walks.

Respiratory problems

A cluttered home can also lead to respiratory problems. The dust and allergens that are created in the process of being surrounded by clutter cannot escape if you do not clean your house often, which in turn increases the number of pollutants inhaled. This leads to a worsening of many different allergies or asthma symptoms.

Clutter Can Harm Your Personal Life

Clutter prevents people from seeing the changes that are needed to build and strengthen their relationships with others. If you aren’t living together, it is difficult to notice when things are getting out of hand.

Studies have also shown that people with cluttered homes tend to be more stressed and depression can arise because they cannot find a way out of the mess. It becomes overwhelming and causes many issues in one’s life.

Children who live in a cluttered home are less happy and less likely to have friends over to play.

Adults also isolate themselves more due to the embarrassment of their surroundings.

Hire a Professional to Help Deal with the Clutter

As we mentioned before, clutter has a negative impact on your life. It affects both how you feel and what you do in your day-to-day routine.

The best way to get rid of this clutter is by hiring professional storage providers like our self storage units in Nuneaton!

We have the perfect solutions for anyone looking for secure self storage or commercial property space. Give our team a call today or contact them online if you’re ready to find out more about getting started with us as soon as possible!

Moving house is an incredibly stressful thing to do and, if you don’t have a place to store everything while you’re doing it, your stress levels can go through the roof. Luckily, we have years of experience in helping people to find a new home and we’ve picked up our fair share of moving house packing tips along the way. Read on, and we’ll share some of the secrets that could help to make your moving process just that little bit easier.

1. Get new stuff delivered to storage

There’s no point in cluttering up your existing home with stuff that’s intended for your new place. You’ll just have to pack it all up again anyway. Instead, get any new furniture delivered to a storage location and move it into your new property once you’ve arrived. Adding new objects you won’t be using will only make the process of packing up your old house even more stressful.

2. Take photos of your plugs

This may sound boring but if you’re likely to forget just how everything connects to your TV or how you managed to plug your laptop, phone and iPad into one powerstrip, then take a photo before you move. This is one of our top moving house tips. Trust us, it could save you several unhappy hours messing around with plugs once you’ve arrived in your new place.

3. Don’t lose small stuff

Odds are, you’ll have a few small but valuable things that you definitely don’t want to lose during your move. Instead of shoving them at the bottom of a big box, use egg cartons to keep them safe. They’re perfect for rings, watches, small gadgets and other things that could otherwise fall out and be forgotten.

4. Have one box that you open first

Unpacking all of your boxes after you move can take weeks or even months. If you don’t know where everything is, you may find yourself spending the first few days in your new house rooting through endless boxes in search of that one vital thing you need right now. That’s why one of our top moving house tips is to create an ‘open me first’ box that contains all of the stuff that you’ll need right away after moving. We’re talking cutlery, plates, dishwasher tablets and all of the little things that will make life in your new place that bit easier.

5. Don’t cook on day one

You’ve arrived in your new place, exhausted from the stresses of moving. The odds are that the last thing you want to do is spend all evening cooking. Get the number of a good local takeaway before moving day and be ready to call as soon as moving is over. Trust us, it’ll make your first evening in your new home so much more relaxed.

We hope our moving house packing tips make your next move go smoothly. A little bit of pre-planning can save you from many of the stresses that are commonly associated with moving into a new home. Contact us at Spaces & Places for more tips and advice.

When moving in with a friend or partner, you will be faced with a few responsibilities and realities that you are not used to, especially if you have lived with your parents the majority of your life.

For the most part – you will be filled with excitement and looking forward to this next chapter in your life, but to make your big move work, follow these tips and prepare yourself for what’s to come!

Add your own touch

When moving in to a new place, you have a blank canvas waiting for you to add a personal touch. With your new roommate, you can make decorating decisions together and decide how to create your dream home.

What’s your role?

When you move in together, one of the first things which should be on your to-do-list is figuring out who is responsible for which roles. Taking out the bins and household chores can cause arguments if you feel you are doing more than your roommate. Avoid an argument by deciding who does what and when the chores have to be completed.

Finances

There will be a few bills which have to be paid monthly and on time. Understanding how much each of you owe will avoid awkward/ touchy conversations further down the line.

Personality traits

When you live with somebody, you will learn a lot about them that you did not know before you moved in together. Whether they have a habit that irritates you, or you feel they are not pulling their weight, make sure to air these concerns. By talking and communicating you will prevent an argument brewing.

Space

You may end up with two of the same items, whether it be sofas, cutlery or chairs, having too many items can make your new place look cluttered and untidy.

Instead of using up your spare room or garage with these items, keep them safe and secure in a storage unit and use your new-found space to create something you both agree on – a spare bedroom, games room or a library are just a few inspirational ideas.

With 24/7 access to secure units throughout the North West, Spaces and Places make self-storage easy and affordable. Get in touch today.

Over the years, you will have gathered a lot of items, some of these may be memorable or have a sentimental meaning attached to them, and others you have stored because you do not want to throw away/ have not had time to throw away.

If you, or somebody you know has a clutter problem, here’s why…

Busy

When you lead an active life, you cherish the few moments you are allowed to relax. Very rarely you will spend your free time sorting out your wardrobe or cleaning your room and it will instead continue to be put on a ‘to-do list’ that never gets done.

Comfortable

If you are used to always having a cluttered area, it will feel familiar, safe and normal to you as it is something you have lived with for a long time. In a sense, you feel at home with this clutter and you become in no rush to change your ways.

Impulse Purchases

Something may pop up that you have an interest in at that moment in time. Whether it is buying a DVD, gathering recipes or purchasing a board game, you feel the need to buy these items, yet you are in no rush to use them. Similarly, you may watch the movie or play a board game once and then place it back in a pile to never watch/play again.

Health

You may have suffered an illness or a bereavement which means you have put your life on hold. It can be hard to come to terms with these changes, however life does not stop. The post continues to come, dust continues to gather and plants keep growing.

Depression or illness

When caring for someone or helping somebody tackle ill-health, your energy levels can decrease, meaning your surroundings are not a priority on your list. Understandably, you will put off your cleaning to-do list until you feel ready.

For many of the reasons listed above, self-storage becomes a necessity for many homes. You avoid making tough decisions on whether to throw items away, while allowing your home to become clutter free. A win-win situation.

Avoid putting off decluttering your home and get in touch today.

Over the years, has your spare room turned into a place to store all of your clutter? If your answer is yes, then you are one of the many that are neglecting the many uses your spare room has to offer.

It can become easy to use it as a place to store items you won’t be needing for a while, whether it be suitcases or Christmas decorations, you are stopping this space from reaching its full potential.

Instead of continuing to use it as a dumping ground, make the most out of your spare room by following these useful suggestions…

Private bar

If you love the idea of hosting parties and having a house full, this is the perfect scenario. You can create an in-home bar to avoid running back and forth to the kitchen and depending on the space, you can even add a jukebox and pool table to turn it into the perfect games room!

Library

If a private bar/games room isn’t for you, but you consider yourself to be a bit of a bookworm, then turn your spare room into a haven you love. Fill up some bookshelves, add some comfy seating and ensure there’s overhead lighting to create your very own library.

Walk-in wardrobe

A lot of the time, your spare room can be used to store clothing you no longer wear, so why not create your own walk-in wardrobe instead of placing all of your clothes on the floor! This not only looks more visually appealing, but will make your life easier when searching for an outfit!

Gym

If you are serious about increasing your fitness levels but prefer to work out in the comfort of your home rather than funding a gym membership, then create a gym tailored to you and your needs.

Home Office

Instead of commuting every day, you may prefer to work from home. When turning your spare room into an office, keep distractions to a minimum so you can be at your most productive.

When you tidy your spare room, instead of throwing all items away; place them in a Spaces and Places self-storage unit. This way, you can turn your spare room into something much more useful/enjoyable, while avoiding throwing away items you wish to keep.

Once you have made the decision to move and put your house on the market you need to ensure your home is ready for viewing.

To attract the best buyers you need to make sure that you give the best impression possible to the people who view your property.

If you have lived in the same house for a while you will have accumulated a lot of stuff and whilst it may be important to you, when a prospective buyer comes to view your home they want to able to see themselves living there in the future.

When a prospective buyer asks to view a property they will probably have already decided they like the area, the price and the general external appearance of the house. They now want to experience the ‘feel’ of the house and imagine how they will use the different rooms within the house. For this reason you need to declutter and de-personalise your home to make it more neutral yet still welcoming.

To prepare your home for viewing:-

Declutter – take the opportunity to start sorting through all your possessions. Some things can be thrown away or given to charity shops straight away. Other things you will want to keep but could be packed away and put into storage ready for your move. This will help to clear space in rooms and cupboards to give buyers a better impression of your home and the space it has to offer.
De-personalize – removing and packing away treasured possessions like paintings the children have done, holiday souvenirs, family photos, or equipment used for hobbies helps to make your home more neutral, so buyers can imagine how their could make this their home.
Neutral but welcoming – you don’t want to pack everything away but tidying up rooms and cupboards make your home look clean and organised. Uncluttered rooms will also give a feeling of space.

All the things you pack up can be stored in self-storage units until you are ready to move. This will help to make the move easier and mentally prepare you for moving out of your home.

Spaces and Places storage units offer a cost-effective and practical solution to clearing your home and get it ready for a viewing.

If you’re moving house this summer get in touch with Spaces and Places.

If you are feeling overwhelmed by all the ‘stuff’ in your home it is probably time to have a good sort out and declutter. Process of decluttering is not only beneficial for your wellbeing but it can also be financially beneficial too.

As the May bank holiday approaches that extra day off could be the perfect time to start decluttering and making some extra cash.

The best way to declutter is to take one room at a time and sort things into four piles: to keep, to sell, to donate, and to bin.

If there are items you are not sure about getting rid of, just consider whether you have used it in the last 12 months , if you haven’t you probably won’t use in the future, so get rid of it.

Once you have your piles you then need to work out the best ways to make money from your ‘sell’ pile.

Go to a car boot sale or nearly new sale with your items. There is usually a fixed price charged for hiring the pitch but if you have a lot of items to sell it is could be a cost effective option and it can be fun too
Use a second hand shop to sell your items for you. They will take a commission charge but if don’t’ like the idea of selling items yourself or are short on time it could a good solution to get some cash for your unwanted items
Selling online. Ebay is the most commonly used site but they will take 10% and you need to factor in things like postage. The royal mail can work out expensive so consider couriers like Hermes as an alternative or include the postage in the cost in the purchase price. Gumtree is an alternative on line site which is free and operates on a more local basis. Selling via Facebook is also becoming more popular
Recycling clothes for cash with stores like H&M
Selling unwanted items to online sites – Fatbrain will give you cash for your unwanted books, MusicMagpie will buy unwanted CD’s, DVD’s and games and Envirofone will give you cash for your old mobile phones.

If you are left with clutter that you don’t want to sell or throw away, why not keep it in self-storage to free up space in your home.

At Spaces and Places we have storage units of varying sizes and we offer safe, clean and highly affordable flexible storage options, with 24/7 access. For more information, get in touch with one of our team.

Call: 0800 124 4363 or Email: hello@spaces-and-places.co.uk

Why not use the long weekend to declutter and have a clear out?

Perhaps not the most exciting prospect for the Bank Holiday weekend but if your life is feeling stressful, because you have too much stuff in your home, it could be very rewarding.

The advantage of using the Easter Bank Holiday to have a good clear out is the 2 extra days available compared to a normal weekend ,so you can use 1 or 2 days for the declutter and still have 2 days to relax and enjoy yourself.

One of the main problems with having a good clear out is where to start and what to do with items you don’t want to store in the house but need to keep.

Here are some tips to help you clear out your home effectively.

1. Decide where to start. Pick one area in your home -it could be the kitchen or the garage that is really causing problems. Work on that one area before going into another area.
2. Set some goals. Work out what you can physically do in a day to avoid causing unnecessary disruption.
3. Enlist some help from the family – it is always more fun working with others and you will achieve more.
4. Making a pile of things you no longer want or need is often the easy part. They can be divided into two lots of boxes – ones for the tip, the others for the charity shop. Allow time during the Bank Holiday to visit the tip and charity shops so these bags and boxes are not left cluttering the house.
5. The things you are not sure about are more difficult to deal with, they should be either-items you really would like to keep but do not have a purpose for everyday e.g. keepsakes, seasonal items like clothes or Christmas decorations.

Or -items you feel you must keep e.g. documents and records.

If you don’t have space to store these items self-storage units are a great way to keep those items safely tucked away, without creating clutter within your home.

At Spaces and Places our self- storage units are available in various sizes, for short and long term hire with 24/7 access.

If you are interested in self- storage get in touch with Spaces and Places, a secure, convenient and trustworthy storage company.

April is known as home improvement month, because it is a time of year when many people start jobs to spruce up their home. Research indicates that in Britain one in three households spend £2,000 a year on home improvements. However, 43% of jobs are left unfinished because people lose interest or give up because the job was too large or difficult, but a DIY job does not have to be a big project to make a difference.

Here are some suggestions of smaller projects for those who are less confident about their DIY skills that can really enhance your home:-

Create an illusion of space in a narrow hallway by painting the end wall a darker shade than the side walls.
Update the kitchen or bathroom by changing the taps.
Paint the front door to make a great first impression.
Update old furniture by painting it or put on new handles.
Spring clean the lamp shades and windows, inside and outside, to improve the quality of the light in your home.
Create a new look by adding new soft furnishing e.g. new cushion covers, throws and table runners.
Add new plants for extra colour and interest.
Make a herb garden for the kitchen.
Get creative using cheap materials like crates and pallets to make bookshelves or a coffee table.
Give the tops of tables and dressers a quick makeover by adding a decorative liner.

We all tend of have more stuff than space, so a useful project for April could be to sort out the garage, loft and the cupboard under the stairs to get rid of all those items we no longer want, need or use.

If, after the sort out, there are somethings you simply cannot bring yourself to throw out but haven’t the space to keep them in your home why not consider hiring a self-storage unit.

Spaces and Places is the perfect place to store items you do not want to throw away and furniture you wish to sell at a future date.

Get in touch with Spaces and Places, a secure, convenient and trustworthy storage company.

Category: Home Improvement