Category: Self Storage

If you are looking to sell your home, or simply want a room where you can escape to, then it may be time to consider creating a games room in your home.

A study conducted by Sony showed that in the UK, nearly a third of adults and 41 per cent of men would consider paying more for a property that had a games room.

Not only could a games room add an extra 3.2% onto the value of your home, it also a great addition to your property.

Whether you would like a room to entertain the kids, your guests or even for yourself; follow these tips to create the perfect games room.

Location

Pick a room that is far away from busy areas of your home such as the kitchen and lounge. We recommend transforming your basement or attic, as you are able to be as loud as you wish without disturbing anybody trying to sleep in their bedroom!

Transforming

Once you have your location set, now is the time to convert your new space into a games room. First things first, remove everything and make the space clean, clear and inviting. Items you wish to keep should be kept safe in storage instead of piling up in the corner of your room or cluttering a different room in your home.

Act

After cleaning, painting and placing items in storage, it is now time to make your entertainment dreams come true! Decide how you wish to structure the room and which games you want in your room. A pool table, large TV, a comfy sofa, pinball machines, a bar and a jukebox are a few key entertainment features you may act upon. Lighting is also an important aspect to consider. Dim lighting gives a relaxing feel to your new room, whereas neon lighting will add a fun atmosphere to the games room.

Your unused room is now ready for you and all your entertainment needs! If you are struggling to find a place for items that you had to remove, get in touch with Spaces and Places to ensure all your belongings safe and secure.

When moving house, we don’t often plan it to fall during the winter months, but sometimes it really can’t wait. Bad weather conditions and the shorter day’s mean that the whole process can become a lot more stressful compared to moving in the summer months. Don’t be put off though, follow our tips for moving in the winter for a seamless transition to your new house!

Plan early

It’s important to plan early for any move, but in winter it becomes even more so. Take into consideration any bank holidays which may fall at an inconvenient time for your move. As part of your home moving plan, consider removal companies, what items you are taking to your new home, if any items could be put into storage and finally, if there is anything that could be recycled or taken to a charity shop.

Plan your moving day

Shorter days and a greater chance of bad weather conditions makes planning your day crucial. Keep an eye on the weather forecast for the day of the move and stay in communication with your removals company to make sure they are still willing to move if the weather does take a turn for the worse. Shorter daylight hours will make it more challenging to move things to and from vans or storage containers.  

Cover carpets/ floors

Moving house in wet or snowy weather can mean your new property may get very dirty, very quickly. People will constantly be moving from outside to in, resulting in mud trailed through your new home. Avoid taking the shine off this exciting day by preparing covers like cardboard or large rags for carpets and floors so that your second day in your new house isn’t spent cleaning!

Prepare for delays

Even the best laid plans can sometimes fall foul of the weather. Give yourself extra time between your new house and old so that if the weather does turn for the worse and you are unable to move on the date planned, you aren’t under pressure to be out of your old house. Moving can be stressful enough without having to be rushed.

  1. Food and drinks for helpers

Make sure a kettle, tea bags and some mugs are easily accessible during your move. Throughout a cold and busy day of moving, nothing will help you and your helpers feel better than taking a few minutes break for a well earned cup of tea!

If you are looking to store your belongings in a storage unit, get in touch with Spaces and Places to ensure your items are kept in a reliable, secure and safe place.

If you felt last year went by within the blink of an eye and have decided that this year you will pursue your ambition of becoming an entrepreneur; then there is no time quite like the present.

Once you have an idea of what type of business you wish to run, it becomes time to turn your dream into reality.

The first obstacle which prevents many from following their passion is money. Start-up costs, business rates and long-term leases are just a few of the financial situations many find themselves in, which is why entrepreneurs turn to self-storage.

Self-storage facilities are not only used for storing items, they have become a financial blessing for businesses.

Here’s why…

Your own space

Instead of transforming a room in your home into an office or renting work space for a significant amount of money, you can turn to self-storage. You are not tied to long leases, renting is considerably cheaper and the best part, you still can enjoy the peace and quiet of having an office.

Flexibility

If business is booming, you have the option to rent more units and if business is slow, you can cut down on the number of units. All you have to do is give one week’s notice with Spaces and Places. This flexibility will ensure you are gaining the most profit out of your business as possible. Also, at Spaces and Places you have access to your unit 24/7 which means you can arrive and leave at any time.

Security

CCTV cameras, secure fencing and lockboxes are just a few of the security features that ensure your unit is extremely secure. This means you can fully relax and know that all your items are safe.

Money

When starting a business, profits are hard to see in the early stages. However, storage units allow you to avoid high rent prices, council tax and business rates. You are also able to reclaim back any VAT, if you are VAT registered.

Get in touch with Spaces and Places and begin your business journey today.

Believe it or not, the purpose of a garage is to protect your vehicle from the British weather. However, the majority of Brits that own a garage use it to hide belongings such as unwanted furniture, clothes, toys, bicycles and much more.

Even though most garages do not offer top of the range security, people are still drawn to placing items they do not want to throw away in there. Yes, your items are finally out of the way, but you are cluttering a space that can no longer be used for its main purpose; to protect your car.

Follow these five simple steps and thanks to storage units, you will soon have your garage back!

  • 1. Do not overwhelm yourself. Set yourself an hour each day to complete a job. If you try and clean your garage in one day, you may be tempted to give up!
  • 2. Boxes, boxes and more boxes. Place clothes, books, CD’s etc. in each box. When the box is full, place it straight into your car and drive to the storage facility.
  • 3. You will not be mowing your lawn and completing gardening work often during winter. Place all gardening equipment in your vehicle to take to storage. If there are a few sunny days and you want to complete some gardening, Spaces and Places offer 24/7 access to all units for your convenience.
  • 4. Once your garage is empty, now is the time to clean! Throw out any rubbish, power wash the floor and even paint the walls. Make your garage look attractive in order to prevent you repeatedly cluttering the space.
  • 5. If you do have items that need to stay in your garage, create an entire storage wall system. As long as the floor is free and your car can fit comfortably in the garage, you have succeeded!

Now your garage is free, you are able to protect your car through these months. You no longer need to leave for work 10 minutes early so you have time to defrost your car and you can also have peace of mind that hailstone will not damage your vehicle.

Help liberate your garage by getting in touch with Spaces and Places. Our safe, secure and convenient storage units will protect your possessions and your car will finally get its home back!

December has crept upon everyone once again and believe it or not, there are only a few days left until Christmas is here.

Over the last few years, Black Friday and Cyber Monday have taken the UK by storm. Millions of people took to the shops and internet late November to find the best deals, and with Christmas just around the corner, the shopping frenzy will continue.

Is your business ready to meet the demands of consumers?

Last year, research stated that 46% of people left their Christmas shopping until the last minute. The same trend will most likely occur this year, which means your business will be in high demand over the next few days.

In order for you to not miss out on maximum profit this Christmas, ensure you have enough stock available to sell and be prepared for last minute shoppers. It is vital that you offer next day delivery otherwise customers will begin looking elsewhere. Even though this may make your job more stressful, all your hard work and long hours will be worth it once January comes.

Many companies turn to self-storage in order to meet the demands they are faced with through the festive season. If you have stock that can not fit in your shop, or you are trying to avoid your house becoming a work zone, a storage unit is the simple and convenient answer.

The flexibility of storage units is one of many major incentives for businesses, as you have the option to add or reduce the amount of units you are using, all depending on demand. All you have to do, is give one week’s notice.

One crucial aspect when storing your items, is to place all stock in a safe and secure area. You will have more stock than usual, which means you have more to lose if any items are stolen. Ensure you do not overload your store, warehouse and even your home with items, and always keep them out of sight.

Spaces and Places understand how important security is, which is why all facilities are secured with a coded gate and 24-hour CCTV. Your mind can be rest assured all your items are safe.

If you are worried you do not have enough storage space to meet the demands of customers this month, contact Spaces and Places for further info on how we can help your business thrive through this hectic month.

 

Christmas is only a few weeks away, which means during the next few days your time will be spent decorating your home. In order to make sure your home looks festive yet tidy, have a read through our tips.

Clean

This may sound obvious, but by cleaning each room and removing items from shelves, you have more room to put up decorations. Once you have taken items down, place them all in boxes and store in a storage unit to prevent moving the clutter into another room.

Start small

Focus on decorating and cleaning one room at a time. Start with the family room where you spend most of your time, then move on to another room. A great first step is to throw away old coupons, newspapers and other items that you no longer need.

Presents

Presents take over the house during Christmas. If you have children, your job is to hide their presents in a place they can’t reach or find! If these presents are small, then the top of the wardrobe will suffice. However, if you have bought larger items such as a bicycle, dolls house etc. then a storage unit will keep the gifts well hidden, safe and secure!

Digital

Instead of purchasing lots of Christmas cards and spending countless hours writing each one individually, go digital. This will not only save you time, but you may inspire others to do the same! If you receive lots of Christmas cards, why not digitalise the collection? You can then display all your cards in a more compact and less untidy way.

Storage unit

A storage unit is a lifesaver through the party months. If you are hosting a party, you will want as much free space as possible, which means you have to move items from your home to a safe place. Storage units are not only secure, but you are able to access the unit 24/7, which allows you to pick up items at your convenience.

If you are looking for a place to hide Christmas presents or a place to keep your belongings safe and secure, get in touch with Spaces and Places.

 

 

December is nearly here which means the hectic month is upon us. In order to stop your home becoming full of Christmas clutter, then you need to turn to self-storage.

Here’s why…

Entertaining

If you are expecting a house full this Christmas, then you will need to make space to fit all visitors comfortably in your home. Get everything that you will not be needing out of the way, so you are able to make room for extra chairs, tables, decorations and other necessities. By removing unessential items, you suddenly have extra space to play Christmas games and maybe even create a dance floor!

Presents

One of the best parts for everyone on Christmas Day is opening up all the presents! However, it can be quite hard to keep presents well hidden, especially if you live with children! Rather than becoming annoyed and constantly worried they will find their presents, or worse, you forget where your secret hiding place is; give yourself some peace of mind and hide them in self storage. All of our storage units have top of the range security, insurance for as little as 55p a week and no fixed contracts – all we ask for is a week’s notice.

Decorations

Decorations play a key part in making Christmas special and memorable. The majority of homes concentrate on making the inside of their home decorative, but a few expand the decorations to the outside. Whether you have Father Christmas and flashing lights outside, or tinsel and Christmas trees inside, you will have spent a lot of time, money and energy in creating a perfect setting; which is why you don’t want your hard work to go to waste.

Self-storage allows you to re-use your decorations yearly, which means you can avoid the dreaded shopping trips in the future.

Make Christmas a time of celebration and take control this year. If you have any questions or seek advice on the best storage options for you, get in touch with Spaces and Places.

Even though e-books have become popular over the years, nothing compares to holding a book in your hand.

Over the years you will have gained a large book collection ranging from cookbooks to dictionaries, which will most likely take up valuable space in your home.

Instead of throwing books away, a great idea is to store them creatively in your home. This not only adds character, but allows you to have easy access.

Home Library – If you have a large book collection, then a home library allows you to become creative with storage. Depending on your main aim and the space you have in your home, you can make the library large or small. If you are creating a library as a place to relax, then a large room would be more beneficial, whereas if you’re creating a library as a place to store all your books, then the size of the room depends on the volume of books you have.

Shelves – Due to the popularity of bookshelves, there are many designs that will suit the character of your home. Vertical bookshelves create the illusion that your ceiling appears higher, which is an option to consider if you are placing a bookshelf in a small room.

Limited Space – If you live in a small home or apartment, then you will have to become more creative when storing as you do not want your home to look overcrowded. Many items have hidden storage compartments which work great for additional space. A wicker basket adds character to your home and leaves space inside to store your books. Also, chairs that have removable lids allow you to sit comfortably but also act as a hiding place for your items.

Self Storage – If you are unable to create a home library to store all your books, then self storage is a great option to prevent excess books making your home appear untidy. When storing books, make sure they are flat and store similar sized books together. Remember to label the genre of books on the box so you are able to find the book you are looking for when you return!

Spaces and Places offer 24/7 access to all units, this convenient option allows you to enter the unit at all times. Get in touch to learn more tips about storing all types of books.

It is normal to have a disagreement with your significant other now and again, however, it may come as a shock to learn how many couples argue over having an untidy house.

Clutter has a large impact on whether a relationship will progress to the next stage and since 41% of people stated that they would refuse to move in with their partner due to their clutter crimes; clutter may break your relationship.

The UK have the smallest homes in Europe and with new housing in the UK being built smaller, space continues to be an issue.

If you can relate to the 2.4 million couples in the UK who argue up to 154 times a year over clutter, it may be time to change your ways before clutter creates a barrier and ruins your relationship.

But how?

Rather than moving into a larger home, ending your relationship or continue arguing, storage is the answer. 

Storage – Different storage options help keep items organised and not visible to the naked eye. If you live in a small home, investing in a bed that has draws attached to the structure allows you to maximise the space you have. Depending on your budget, you may choose to purchase a larger wardrobe, extra cabinets or even a coffee table that comes with draws installed. There are many attractive storage items that can add character to your house, while solving your clutter problems!

Self Storage – The beauty of self storage, is that you do not need to throw any memories or cherished items away. Within a few hours, you can move items into a storage unit and your home will feel more spacious and most importantly; clutter free! When you wish to retrieve the items you placed in storage, you are able to access the unit at any time convenient. At Spaces and Places all units are accessible 24hours a day, 7 days a week.

Clutter is known to increase stress, make it harder to relax and affect the ability to think clearly. Get in touch with Spaces and Places and say goodbye to the endless arguments revolving around the dreaded word; clutter.

The colder months are here and even though the warm weather seems a distant memory, it is now the perfect time to prepare and protect all your outdoor equipment before the frost, ice and snow hit!

If you are unsure which items you should be storing through the winter months, have a look through our tips and suggestions below.

Outdoor Equipment

During the summer months your garage will be filled with many items ranging from lawnmowers to sun loungers which will not be needed through winter. By storing all items in self storage, you will be able to make room for necessities such as snow shovels, grit and sledges!

In the UK, we also experience heavy downpours of rain which can become disastrous to households. Last winter, many parts of the country experienced flooding and to this day, people are still recovering and replacing damaged items. This is another important reason to store your valuable items in storage to prevent damages occurring.

Tip – When storing a lawnmower in storage, ensure the gas tank is empty and if you are storing garden equipment, to prevent rust, make sure all items are dirt-free!

Patio Furniture

If you prefer to keep your patio furniture outside through winter, you will have to invest in water tight coverings. We also recommend placing any cushions inside to prevent water stains, discolouration and damage to the fabric.  It is unlikely that you will be using the furniture for many months, and in order to keep your outdoor items looking new and keep for longer, self storage is the answer.

Tip – After cleaning and drying all items thoroughly, you are able to stack patio chairs on top of one another. This will allow more space to store other items.

By being prepared through the colder months, you will be able to use all items with no surprises once spring arrives. Also, if you suddenly need an item, all our units are accessible 24/7 for your convenience. Get in touch with Spaces and Places to learn more about our storage solutions.

Once a year, on October 31st, the majority of people around the world celebrate the unique and superstitious holiday; Halloween.

Halloween is a holiday where you can dress up, carve pumpkins, let children trick-or-treat and throw elaborate parties for friends and family! As exciting as Halloween is, it is also a time where you can spend hours decorating your home and creating your own costume which can become expensive and time consuming.

In order to not put your hard work to waste, read our top tips on how to protect all your Halloween items.

Investment

If you are throwing a Halloween party for the first time, you may be shocked at how expensive decorations and supplies are. If you want to throw a party that everybody will remember, you may buy fog machines, scary monsters that can pop out and terrify your guests, or turn your garden into a cemetery with coffins and gravestones for the ultimate effect.

All these items can put a dint in your wallet, which is why you should look to preserve and protect all your hard work by storing your decorations in a self storage facility. Halloween is one night a year, which means for the remaining days your decorations will by laying around your house until October 31st arrives again. In order to protect your investment and not have to buy items again, you have to make sure you are storing them in a safe and secure facility, which is why security is important.

Security

You may be tempted to store your items at home, however this will take up valuable space and your decorations may become damaged and lost within all the clutter. All Spaces and Places facilities offer round the clock CCTV surveillance and each unit is fit with a ‘lock box’ in order to prevent tampering with your padlock. Learn more about the security features we offer here.

Spaces and Places not only offer safe and secure storage units throughout the North West of England, we also pride ourselves on offering great customer service. If you have questions about storing valuable holiday decorations, please get in touch.

A new baby is on the way, and with the excitement and happiness comes feelings of stress and doubt that you will not be prepared for when him or her enter the world.

A baby changes the way you live and you very quickly need to learn to compromise on space in your home. Even though babies themselves are small and take up little room, all their belongings and supplies seem to take over the house! In order to make the arrival of your new baby as stress-free as possible, read our tips on how to start making room for a nursery.

  1. Think small

If you are expecting your first baby, you will be tempted to purchase everything and anything, however all you need in the baby’s room is necessities such as a cot, changing table, dresser and a rocking chair. In order to save money in the long run, invest in furniture that the baby can grow into. You can purchase cots that transform into a bed or a multi use dresser that can expand or retract depending on how much space you need. By only placing a few items in the nursery, you suddenly have a clutter-free and relaxing bedroom.

  1. Space

The question you will be asking yourself is; where should I put the nursery? If you do not have a spare room, you will have to convert one of the rooms in your home into a room for your baby. Remember, your nursery does not have to be the biggest room in your home, you just simply have to make the most out of the space you have.

  1. Organisation

When a baby arrives, your world gets turned upside down. Your sleeping routine, your social life and your work life become affected, which is why it is important to stay organised. When your baby wakes up crying in the night, instead of running around trying to find everything, you will be able to feed and change the baby in one spot if you are organised. Also, during the day when your baby is napping, you will be able to relax as well instead of spending these precious quiet moments cleaning.

Instead of throwing away items and avoid cluttering your home, self storage becomes a necessity for growing families. Spaces and Places are located around the North West and you are able to access the units 24/7, which becomes extremely important with a new born and your new sleeping patterns!