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Do you use your car as an extension of your home, with items left on the seats and in the boot, footwells and glove box? It’s not just untidy – it also encourages thieves and could invalidate your insurance policy.

A recent survey by comparethemarket.com found that 3 in 5 drivers leave valuables (e.g. mobile phones, sat navs and keys) in full view – which could invalidate your car insurance since most policies require you to keep valuables out of sight.

Some of the top items that drivers admitted to leaving in their cars included shopping bags (35%), clothes and shoes (32%), sat navs (21%), sports kit (10%) and toys (10%), and nearly 1 in 5 drivers have been a victim of theft.

Simon McCulloch, director of comparethemarket.com said: “Many motorists are on the road so much that it’s no surprise that our cars can become a home away from home. However, with this comes a greater risk of attracting unwanted attention from car thieves.”

“The majority of policies will only cover items providing they are locked away and out of sight. The amount covered by most policies will be fairly low, so keep that in mind when leaving high-value items in the car.”

What about the garage?

A report commissioned by Co-operative Insurance found that 42% of people with access to a garage never parked their car in it, and 61% of people used it as storage space for an average £1,473 of items like tools (67%), gardening equipment (53%), bikes (38%) and old household furniture (30%).

Garages are one of the top entry points for burglars because they’re usually less well-secured than houses and burglars know they often contain valuable items such as tools (which burglars can then use to get into your home). According to the Co-operative Insurance survey, nearly 1 in 6 people felt that their garage wasn’t as a secure as it could be.
Although garages are usually covered by your home insurance, there’s usually a limit to the amount you can claim – so if you’re storing expensive items that you don’t use very often, self-storage may be a better option. It would also free up space to park your car, which could lower your car insurance premium compared to parking it on the driveway or road.

If you’ve got things like garden equipment that you only need in the summer, a large luggage set which only goes on one holiday a year or old furniture you haven’t got around to refurbishing yet, why not move these and other similar items into storage until you need them?

How self-storage could help

Self-storage is an affordable and convenient way to store things you don’t use very often and keep them safe, clean and dry. It’s easy to hire a self-storage unit and free up space in your home, garage and car for you to live a less cluttered life.

Please contact us for friendly, personal advice about self-storage options to suit you.

Now we are into October and Autumn has arrived, the kids are getting excited about Halloween, Bonfire Night and dare we say it, Christmas.

Halloween has become more and more popular in this country as it usually falls in the half term holiday making it a perfect time to have a get together with family and friends. So why not go all out this year and really celebrate Halloween in style and throw a party for all you family and friends of all ages in your own creepy haunted house.

To create a prefect Halloween creepy haunted house you will need to think about lighting, sound effects, creepy decorations, costumes and suitable party food and drink

Dressing up – ask all the invited guests to dress up and ask a few of the adults to help you lay on a few scary surprises during the party. Depending on the age group it could be jumping out from behind the hedge as they arrive or spraying them with a water pistol. Other spooky things could happen during the party like ghostly figures appearing at windows etc.

Eerie sound tracks – have a few eerie sound effects that can be played as guests enter the house.

Lighting – swap normal light bulbs for red ones, use spotlights in the garden to create an eerie glow and if you can get hold of dry ice, a little fog will enhance the atmosphere. In the back garden have hidden floodlights with a small figure in front to cast a big shadow.

Decorations – the sky is the limit here, tombstones made from polystyrene, corpses made from sacking to look like a human, lots of cobwebs and spiders, plastic mice and rats, pumpkin lanterns using LED tea lights, and ghostly shapes hidden around the house.

Food and drink – keep the theme going by having red drinks, pumpkin soup, cobweb decorations on cakes, slimy jelly with worms, dead man finger sandwiches, dead finger sausage rolls.

To create as much available space as possible for your Halloween event and to keep all your precious items safe, rent a safe and secure storage unit from Spaces and Places. We offer safe, flexible and affordable self-storage units which are simple to rent and just as easy to give notice. There are no long term contracts, and there are plenty of ways to pay.

Spaces and Places are based throughout the North West, get in touch today.

Around one-third of the British Population are drawn to collecting items, according to Christian Jarrett, which begs the question “when did our desire to collect items start?”

Everybody has a weakness when it comes to collecting, whether it be vinyl records, books, clothes or even coins; our desire to collect starts from a young age.

Through childhood you gain emotional attachment items – blankets, teddy bears, or a certain book are a few favourites. These items offer comfort and security, which means throwing them away would cause upset and heartbreak.

As we grow older, we become more attached to memories or collectibles that we can see future value in and as we age further, these items turn into something much more – an item to leave behind for children as part of a legacy.

Life Changing Collectables

Apart from having emotional attachment to collecting items, collectors believe in saving certain collectables in order to gain a life changing sum of money in the future.

From Lego sets (12% increase year-on-year since the Millennium) to Luke Skywalker (pocket change in 1978 to a four-figure sum today) these items have to be kept in pristine condition in order to gather the maximum profit.

Collector or Hoarder?

When you get the bug for collecting items, it can be hard to stop. Before you know it, your spare room becomes a no go zone due to the number of items placed inside.

If you believe now is the time to change and declutter your home and give yourself that extra space back, turn to self-storage.

Not only will your items be kept safe and secure, you also avoid the risk of knocking over or even destroying your collectables.

Spaces and Places have four sites across the North West and with access to your units 24/7, you can drop off and pick up as you please.

Get in touch with your local self-storage site today and ensure that in the future you maximise your profit.

This time of year is very popular for moving house, but why do people want to move when it such a costly and stressful experience?

Here are the top ten reasons why people chose to go through all the upheaval that moving house involves:

  • 1. Relocation with work or a new job: if the travelling time to get to work is too long or difficult then moving home is the best option.
  • 2. Require more space: the house bought by first time buyers is great for a couple, but once they start a family they need more space.
  • 3. Downsize: once the family have all grown up and left home the family house can be too big or too costly to run and a move to a smaller property is desirable.
  • 4. Upgrade: wanting a bigger and better house.
  • 5. Change in relationship circumstances: either 2 people moving in together or a couple breaking up can result in a person moving house.
  • 6. To be closer to family: grandparents wanting to live nearer to their children and grandchildren is often a key reason for moving.
  • 7. School catchment area: if parents are keen for their children to attend a particular school they will consider moving into the catchment area to secure a place at that school.
  • 8. Running costs of property: if the running costs of the home are too costly because of a change to income or the need to save money moving house can be the best option.
  • 9. Change in lifestyle: the bright lights of the city can be very attractive to the young but over time many choose to move to more suburban or rural areas.
  • 10. Change in surroundings: if the area where you currently live changes or deteriorates for economic, social or physical reasons then it may be time to move to somewhere where you feel more comfortable.

However challenging and stressful moving can be, if in the long run it is beneficial to you and your family it is worth going through the process.

So whatever reason you may have for moving, putting your items into storage makes moving house much more organised and less stressful.

Storage with Spaces and Places is affordable and flexible ensuring a quick and easy move.

Get in touch with one of our teams today.

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

It’s that time of year again! Once the harshest weather of the winter is over, the days are getting longer and the sun is brightening the sky, many of us start to feel the urge to give our homes a ‘spring clean.’ Traditionally spring cleaning was a way of getting rid of all the soot and dirt that had built up over the winter from open fires but today it tends to refer to sorting out the house, getting rid of unwanted items  and giving our home a deep clean.

Listed below are some great tips to help you spring clean your home:-

  1. 1. Declutter: start by getting rid of unwanted items. There is absolutely no point cleaning things you no longer want or need. Either take them to the tip, to the charity shop or store them to sell at a later date.
  2. 2. Tidy up: find a home for everything (there should be more room in the cupboards now you have decluttered). It is much easier to clean if you don’t have to keep moving things.
  3. 3. Pace yourself: Take one room or area at a time to avoid running out of time and energy, leaving you with unfinished jobs. You have greater satisfaction and will feel more motivated to continue if you complete cleaning one room rather than if you have several rooms partially cleaned.
  4. 4. Start at the top: when cleaning it is always best to start at the top of a room and work down, and similarly clean inside a cupboard before the outside. This will help to avoid things you have just cleaned getting dirty again. Also work round a room in one direction to avoid missing areas out.
  5. 5. Be prepared: have all your cleaning products together in a caddy to carry around with you as you clean.
  6. 6. Hand protection: invest in a good pair of rubber gloves to protect your skin and nails from harsh chemicals.
  7. 7. Freshen up: get the windows open and let fresh air circulate in the room.
  8. 8. Multitask: when spring cleaning a room, first take down curtains, remove cushion covers and other soft furnishings and get them into the washing machine so they can be washing while you are cleaning.
  9. 9. Repairs: carry out any repairs that need to be done as you come across them.
  10. 10. Look after yourself: wear comfy clothes and shoes when cleaning and give yourself a reward for all your hard work!

When you have finished your spring cleaning if you have items of furniture, household goods or clothes you do not want to throw away but need to store, why not think about using a self-storage unit. Get in touch with Spaces and Places for a secure and convenient way of storing these items.

The 1st National Clear Your Clutter Day was on Saturday 19th March 2016.

It was set up by Jasmine Birtles, the consumer champion and founder of MoneyMagpie.com.

The day was designed to encourage and help people all over the UK to declutter their homes and lives.

This year National Clear Your Clutter Day takes place on Saturday 11th March 2017.

So now is the time to declutter your homes and dig out all those unused items to sell, swap, upcycle, recycle or donate.

It is the perfect opportunity to raise some extra cash or to feel good about clearing out your home and giving items you no longer want to someone else.

Jasmine’s top tips for decluttering include:

  • 1. Consider decluttering in a positive way – think of it as gaining space and freedom rather than getting rid of things
  • 2. Take a room at a time – clear one room before you start with the next and go for the easiest room first. This will help to spur you on to declutter in other rooms
  • 3. Enlist help – it is always more fun sorting things out with a friend or a member of the family. It will also encourage you to be more ruthless and avoid hanging onto things.
  • 4. Use the 4 box rule – have 4 boxes marked ‘throw away’, ‘charity shop’, ‘sell’, ‘recycle’. Everything you decide not to keep should go into one of those boxes.

The ‘throw away’ one is easy just put it in your bin or take to the tip.

The ‘charity shop’ one take to your favourite charity shop, remembering to give them your name and postcode so that they can gift aid it.

The stuff to recycle could be decorated or re-packaging to use as Christmas or birthday presents. Or if it is clothing re vamped, to make it wearable again.

The items to sell, should be photographed and the details uploaded on to an internet sales site such as eBay, Preloved or a local community Facebook group

  • 5. One item at a time- if the thought of decluttering overwhelms you, just get into the habit of sorting one item a day. Put the item in the bin, drop it in at the charity shop or put it on line to sell. It’s amazing how much you will clear month by month and this habit will give you freedom from clutter and financial rewards over time.

If, despite all your best efforts to declutter there are some things you really can’t let go, why not consider using a 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.

You may be shocked to learn, a clean home not only reduces stress levels, it also makes you less prone to becoming unwell.

Asthma, allergies and irritated eyes are a few symptoms that occur when your home is untidy and if you have been suffering with a cold lately, the first thing to do is to create a healthy home.

Step One – Tidy Up

First things first, decide which items you want to keep in your home and which items can be thrown away, kept safe in storage or donated to charity.

Items such as extra chairs, seasonal clothing, keepsake items etc. are best kept in a safe and secure area such as self storage.

Clothes which you have not worn for numerous years, have little sentiment attached to them and are in good condition can be donated to charity.

Once you have decided which items you are keeping and which items you are throwing away, it is time to clean!

Step Two – Clean

Now your home is organised, start thoroughly cleaning each room. If you notice mould or water damage, this needs to be checked asap, especially if you or a person living in your home suffers from asthma or has allergies.

If redecorating your home has crossed your mind, then there is no time like the present! Your hard work has allowed you to have a clean and tidy home and a fresh coat of paint can work wonders in brightening up your home.

Step Three – Do not slack

Even though your home at this moment is clean, tidy and organised, remember to keep on top of your cleaning tasks.

While it is easy to go back to old ways, don’t let your hard work become undone as a safe and healthy home will help prevent illnesses occurring!

Self storage helps you maintain a tidy and healthy home and your prized possessions are only a car journey away. Spaces and Places have secure units through the North West, get in touch to learn more!

Over Christmas, there’s no doubt you’ll have received an abundance of new items for your home that are currently sat waiting to be put away.

Many of us use January as a good excuse to have a relook at our lives, make important changes and try to better ourselves; both in terms of our health or our life objectives. Sometimes these life changes can seem a little daunting to say the least.

Our top tips to organising your home, room by room provides realistic changes that will have an immediate impact on your home life; saving you time and unnecessary stress.

Kitchen

The kitchen is the heart and soul of the house; a space for cooking, eating, entertaining and socialising. Keeping this area organised is essential for maximising the space.

  • 1. Go through the cupboards and throw out anything that’s out of date
  • 2. Buy storage containers to help organise your cupboards/ pantry
  • 3. Have a look through your utensils and throw out anything that has been in the cupboards for years. If you haven’t used it in the last year, the chances are you won’t. If throwing things out doesn’t feel right, take it to a local charity shop.

 

Office

Has your office become a dumping ground for piles of paperwork? Is there an old printer sat in the corner gathering dust?  A decluttered, and organised office can actually give you that motivational push you need to get on with any new projects, starting the year as you mean to go on. So why not:

  • 1. Throw out any old unused office equipment
  • 2. Go through any piles of paperwork, throwing and shredding any that you don’t need.
  • 3. File all other documents in a filing cabinet ensuring any that you need access to are easy to find.

 

Garage

It’s common knowledge that very few garages are used for the storage of the car. Most people either renovate it to provide more living space, or use it as an area for storage or workshop. As a multipurpose space it’s essential that it’s well thought out and organised.

  • 1. Use a slat wall to hang and organise smaller accessories.
  • 2. Install a set of old school lockers and assign one to each member of your family.
  • 3. Create extra space and store bikes vertically.

By following these simple changes, your stress levels will be reduced and you’ll find that you have more time to enjoy the things you love to do.

If you find that once your home is reorganised you’re still struggling for space, why not think about self a self-storage unit. Get in touch with Spaces and Places and start 2017 on a positive note!

It’s hard to believe that Christmas Day is over until next year. You can finally relax and not have to worry about buying Christmas presents, decorating your home and contributing to or cooking a Christmas meal!

Even though the big day is over, New Years Eve is only a few days away which means more parties! However, after the holidays have finished, you will need to take down decorations, dissemble your Christmas tree and find space for your new belongings.

Now is the perfect time to consider reorganising your home.

    • 1. When storing ornaments and delicate items, place them in their original box. If you have lost the original, you can purchase specially made boxes or wrap each ornament in bubble wrap. Keep them safe and protected to avoid breakage.
    • 2. Every year, lights can be a stressful task and it becomes a challenge to untangle each strand. This year, use an old coffee can or a rod that you can wrap the lights around. Place the lights in a plastic bag or box to offer protection until next year.
    • 3. Larger ornaments can be covered with bin bags or large plastic bags and then placed in a box. Make sure the box is sturdy and positioned so it will not fall over.
    • 4. If you have an artificial Christmas tree, to ensure the branches do not break or become disfigured, place the tree back into its original box. If taking down a Christmas tree is a stressful task, you can keep the tree upright and intact in the storage unit. Place bin bags over the tree to prevent dust gathering.
    • 5. Most importantly, label all boxes that contain holiday decorations and if using a storage unit, store at the back of your unit to make room for items that you will be using more often.

Instead of throwing items in the basement, attic or garage, consider placing all items in storage. Not only will your belongings and decorations be kept safe, out of the way and in great condition until next year; you are also freeing up space in your home. Get in touch with Spaces and Places to find out how we can assist you with your festive storage needs!

Brandon and Lori Bernier (Brandori) took to fame in 2011 when they appeared on the hit TV programme ‘Storage Hunters.’ Their knowledge and ability to take chances on purchasing storage units have many viewers hooked on the TV programme.

Many people do not take risks purchasing storage units as they are unsure whether they will lose money or find the hidden treasure, which is why Brandori have offered their advice to help you sell goods that you currently own.

Where to sell

Where to sell your items is determined by the items you are selling. If it is DVDs, books, clothes etc. eBay or car boot sales will be the most suitable option. However, if you are looking to sell niche items such as coins, rare books or instruments then an auction house or finding a specialist buyer will be your best option. Brandori explains that you shouldn’t be quick to dismiss selling through the local paper and via social media which have no selling fees.

If you are looking to make a living by selling items, make sure to build relationships with buyers as in the long run, you will be able to sell niche items faster.

In order to maximise your profits, make sure you sell items in the correct season. The demand for camping equipment and designer sandals will peak during the summer, but during the winter, demand will be low.

Watch your pricing and costs

The best way to go about pricing an item is to do your research and find what price similar items sold for. If you overprice the item, nobody will buy it and if you price the item too low, you will undercut yourself and have a loss.

You have to consider shipping costs when you are selling items that cost considerable money to post. You are selling items to create a profit, so ensure your costs do not outweigh your profit.

If you have any tips you would like to share, tweet us at @StorageNuneaton

Finding time to sell your items may be an issue, which is why placing your items in a storage unit until the right offer comes along will keep your stock safe and secure. Call Spaces and Places today and find a storage unit close to you.

Ever since the first U.K storage units opened in the mid-1990s, self-storage has become extremely popular. Why? Self-storage is perfect for accommodating both short term and long term needs. If you are unsure why you should choose to rent a storage unit, then read on to sway your decision.

Cheap

Self-storage units are extremely reasonably priced, especially if you are looking to use it as a business workplace. By using a storage unit, you save money by not having to pay council tax and business rates. Even better, if you are VAT registered, you are able to reclaim your VAT. You will notice large savings monthly, resulting in more profit for your company.

If you are moving house or looking for a place to store your belongings, self-storage is not only a cheap option, it is also convenient as you are able to drop off and collect at a time that suits you.

Security

You may be going on a long vacation, or looking for a safe place to store your items and self-storage is the answer. With top of the range CCTV cameras, secure fencing and additional security features, your belongings will be in safe hands, which means you can fully relax on your vacation.

Money Making

If you are starting a business, or keeping items safe until they grow in value, you will be making money both in the short and long term. The best part is Spaces and Places does not hold you to a long term lease, therefore if your business is taking a turn for the worse, you just have to give a one week notice period. If you rent a building, you would not have this flexibility.

Space

In order to run a successful and legally correct business, you will have a lot of paperwork that you need storing. If you store this paperwork in your house, you are running the risk of theft as well as cluttering your home. By keeping all documents in one area, you are able to stay organised.

If you are looking to keep your belongings safe, start a business or keep documents in a reliable, trustworthy and safe place, contact Spaces and Places today.

Moving house has proven to be one of the most stressful events that can happen in your lifetime. Studies have not only proven that moving house is demanding but moving actually ranks more stressful than starting a new job and getting a divorce. In fact, the new findings show that 61 per cent of people state moving house is placed at the top of their stress list. Further studies show that the stress of moving house will last with a person for more than three months. Spaces and Places understand we can not stop this stress, but we can help minimize your stress levels by following these tips.

Organise Boxes

This may sound simple, but it is easily forgotten. Start packing once you know your moving date. This way, you will not become overwhelmed a few days before you move. When packing, make sure you use labels that tell you what is in the box, and where it needs to go.

Furniture

Protect your furniture from scratches and dints by wrapping cling film or bubble wrap around the areas sticking out.

Clothing

Do not take all items of clothing off hangers, instead place them in bin-bags. This way, your clothes will be easier to carry, and once you arrive at your new home, you can place them straight into the wardrobe!

Electrics

Take photos of all electrical wires in order to remember where each wire goes. Also, place each set of wires in plastic bags with labels on them to avoid stress once you start setting up in your new home

Bits and Bobs

Save money by wrapping valuables, crockery and other items in tea towels. This will not only protect your belongings; it will also save you time packing your tea towels separately.

Storage Unit

Once you have packed and organized the majority of boxes, place them into a storage unit near your new house. When moving day finally arrives, you will only have a couple of boxes, furniture and necessities to transfer to your new home. At Spaces and Places, all our units are available to access 24/7 which will reduce your stress levels significantly. All-day you have had set time limits; picking up and transferring your belongings can now be on your own time.

If you have any questions, specific demands or need advice, feel free to call Spaces and Places today.