Your furniture can be what makes your house into your home, so it makes sense to want it as safe as possible.
Storing your sofa, armchair, table or lamp in a storage unit can be a great way to keep your home items secure and protected.
So you may ask how to make sure your furniture leaves your home and arrives at your unit safely? Well, here at Twenty4 Secure we have taken the time to help guide you through the storage process.
Benefits of Storage
Firstly, you may be asking why is it worth using storage for my furniture? A perfectly understandable question!
This is the first step to preparing for storing your furniture. Let me explain in five simple points:
1 – Convenience
Don’t clutter up your home, or spend hours trying to squeeze it all into the spare room or garden shed. Simply rent a unit and have it easily fit with room to spare.
2- Security
With over 30 CCTV cameras on site, our facility is secured under constant surveillance by our 24/7 staff presence.
3- Accessibility
Roads leading right up to your unit allows for unloading and loading of your furniture straight to and from your vehicle. This can greatly speed up and simplify the storage process.
4- Flexibility
Sometimes things don’t go as planned, unexpected delays or moved up deadlines can be a stressful time.
However, with easily adjustable storage contracts your furniture can be moved in and out when you need it.
5- Insurance
For the unlikely circumstance where your furniture is lost or damaged, having it within a storage facility can have it covered through insurance.
Avoiding any stress of worrying if your home or personal insurance covers your items, the unit will be covered all by itself.
Short Term Storage
Another aspect of furniture storage that is important to think on is the question of if you need long or short term storage for your items.
Short term storage is best for scenarios such as moving house, where you are likely to have a brief period when you are between homes.
Redecorating or selling your home may lead to you needing to make more space in order to show off the spacious attributes of your house.
Downsizing can often also leave you with the need to temporarily store your home furniture until you can sell it, recycle it, or find just the right place to put it in your new home.
Long Term Storage
Often the same reasons that you need short term storage can be why you need long term storage.
However, unfortunate events such as serious damage to your home, or changes in your home insurance no longer covering certain items can be good call for long term storage.
A more positive reason for long term storage is if you are renting a house or flat and your tenants require more or less space, having furniture ready to go can really help keep tenants happy and costs low.
The Right One For You
Make sure you have the right sized unit for your needs. This is important as the costs, accessibility and efficiency of your storage can be affected by this.
Remember to think about what you will be storing and how much room you’ll need to access and move it around.
For more guidance look at our blog post dedicated to helping you make the right choice: https://www.twenty4storage.com/news/view/storage-unit-sizes
If you have any queries or would like to rent a unit please do not hesitate to explore our website, call up for a chat or visit our office on site at:
0113 426 9111
https://www.twenty4storage.com/contact-us
Twenty4 Secure Storage
Chelsea Close
Leeds
LS12 4HP
There’s nothing more relaxing than settling down after a long day with a hot drink and a gripping book.
In the age of Kindles and audiobooks it can be argued that buying physical copies of books is a thing of the past. In the defense of Kindles, books do take up a great deal of space. Having one device which can contain thousands of different stories is extremely convenient.
That being said, there is nothing more aesthetically pleasing in a home than a fully stocked book shelf. But why settle for a simple shelf, when you could create your own mini library? “But i don’t have any space” you exclaim! Don’t panic. This blog is full of hacks and inspiration that can help turn even the most unexpected areas of your house into a bibliophiles dream.
Easy Projects
It doesn’t have to take a lot of time or money to start your mini library. If the thought of committing to a big DIY project scares you, or you want a quick solution to your book storage needs, then these ideas are for you.
1. A Crate Idea
Crates can be a perfect way of storing large books. For instance, a crate can be placed on the kitchen side to keep all your cookbooks neat and close to hand. An idea surely worthy of a ‘Paul Hollywood’ handshake!
If you don’t have space on the kitchen side, with just a couple of screws, you could hang crates on the wall to keep your books in.
Even better than buying crates you could recycle old ones which will not only give you a stylish storage solution but also help the planet!
2. Magic Floating Books
Floating street performers are everywhere. Men cover themselves in gold and silver paint and stand outside Marks and Spencer’s across the country in the hope that someone will be so amazed by the illusion that they will feel obligated to give some money.
You could recreate this illusion in your own home with your books, making it look like they are floating in the middle of your wall. Your friends and family will be amazed, but you will know that all it took was a mini shelf that was put up in just a couple of minutes.
3. Nooks and Crannies
For whatever reason, rooms are never a square but come in all kinds of peculiar shapes and sizes. In areas where you can’t fit any other kind of furniture why not hang a series of shelves. This ensures that no space in your home is wasted and creates an extra storage solution.
Splash the Cash
If you’re lucky enough to have a few pounds to spare there are many unique storage options you may wish to invest in for all areas of your home. Best of all, you don’t have to do any work.
4. Children’s Books
Children’s book covers always feature beautiful illustrations. It seems a shame that these would be hidden. Why not make your kids books a central feature of their bedrooms by investing in a forward facing display. This may even encourage children to read more!
5. Unusual Shelves
There are many different designs of shelves that you can invest in that will add a unique focal point to your room. Instead of adding wall art why not add a shelf.
Here are some great examples:
Big Projects
If you want to prove just how much you love books then why not turn them into a key feature of your home. These may take a bit more time, and even involve getting a builder to help you, but the end result will definitely be worth it.
If you need somewhere to store your books while your project is being completed it may be worth temporarily placing them in self storage – along with any other furniture that might get in the way.
6. Picture Ledge
High ceilings can make a room feel bare even when it is filled with furniture. To break up the wall you can hang a picture ledge where a dado rail would otherwise be which can be used to place books. You can then hang wall art underneath and your room will feel complete and homely.
7. Bookcase Under the Stairs
Just like Harry Potter as a child, your books can also be kept under the stairs. This idea will completely transform your otherwise bare hallway. This will also create valuable space in other rooms which would have otherwise been taken up by a bookcase.
8. Create a secret room in your house by attacking a bookcase to a door
Pretend you’re in Mi5 by creating a hidden room in your house. You gain a great place to store your books as well as a space to plan any secret missions. Win, Win!
Bonus Tip: Take any books you no longer wish to keep to your local charity shop, someone else may love them.
As you can see there are many unique ways in which you can store your favorite books, even making them a feature of your house. No longer should you feel like a hoarder but an inspired interior designer.
It would be unthinkable to decide not to insure your house. Home insurance means that if an unexpected, and likely stressful, event such as a burglary, fire or flood was to occur then at least you wouldn’t be out of pocket.
Although every effort has been made to make our site as safe and secure as possible, from having someone on site 24 hours a day to having full CCTV coverage, there is still the possibility that unexpected events can occur potentially putting your stored items at risk.
If something is valuable enough to be kept in storage then it is definitely valuable enough to be insured. It’s important to us that your items are protected which is why we think storage insurance is crucial.
What does Storage Insurance Cover?
Storage Insurance is designed to cover both personal and business items against the risks associated with storing them. Storage Insurance covers your belongings when they are being stored away from your home or business premises and sometimes(depending on your cover) when they’re in transit.
Self storage insurance is usually very affordable. As a guide, for every £1000 worth of cover, insurestore.com charges £0.69 a week. It’s important that you get enough insurance to cover the cost of your items so if something did happen then you’d be able to replace everything.
How do I get Storage Insurance?
Self storage sites often offer their own insurance policy. This can be a more convenient option and mean that you can be insured as soon as you sign for your unit.
There is also the option to shop around and take out insurance elsewhere. For instance you can use price comparison sites. This may be cheaper but will take more time.
It’s also possible that your home insurance will cover the items that you have in storage so it’s worth checking to make sure before agreeing to another policy.
Of course self storage insurance isn’t a legal requirement but definitely still recommend it.
We don’t mind which option you choose. We just want you to have the best experience possible when keeping your belongings in self storage. Insurance can give you additional peace of mind that your belongings will be covered no matter what.
What To Watch Out For?
Make sure you choose the right insurance options as you will need to find the right plan for you. Don’t undervalue your belongings as you may end up short of the true value for your items when putting in a claim.
When choosing a self storage site try to consider a site with high levels of security as it will hopefully prevent you from needing to use your insurance and should help you when putting in a claim.
Try to consider things such as CCTV and manned security, as it well help you put in as accurate a claim as possible. This will make it much easier to get your insurance claim paid out.
So your child is making a mess and you have toys everywhere. You tidy them up each day but they just end up in the same places everyday. Here are 9 great ideas for kids storage that parents should consider to keep their floors and their home tidy, safe and clean.
Toy Storage Tips:
1. Shelving
Be creative and keep toys off the ground, using shelving. By being smart and using some deep shelving you can store a child’s toys against the wall and save a lot of floor space. Although it can be difficult for a child to reach the higher shelves, by using a small footstool they will be able to climb up and grab their favourite toys.
The key disadvantage of using shelving is that although your child will be able to use a footstool to bring toys down they will be required to do climb back on the footstool to put them back which is unlikely to be as easy for a child and may lead toys being left on the floor.
2. Personalized Toy Box
A fun way to store kids toys is with personalised toy storage boxes. Especially if you have multiple children it is always a great idea to use personalised storage methods. This encourages the child to use the box and they will likely take more excitement in storing their toys if they have personalised storage.
Keep it in the corner of a room and demonstrate to your child that they will have to put their toys in it when they are done with them. There will be a lot of ‘if you’re finished with this put it back into the toy box’ but eventually your child should learn to do it on their own accord.
3. Ottoman Storage
An excellent way of storing children’s toys is in an ottoman. This keeps the home looking great by not compromising your decor to make space for storage. Instead using an ottoman means you have a toy box which doubles up as seating.
By sliding the ottoman to the end of their bed or putting it by a wall visitors will be oblivious to the toys that are inside. The only downside to an ottoman is the space is fairly limited and may not store some of the bigger toys and may have to be used as a secondary storage solution.
4. Toy Hammock
A unique way of storing toys is using wall hammocks. These are made by crossing strings on the wall to create a criss cross hammock style of storage. A little bit like a shelf these can be used as a temporary or permanent solution for storing toys. This looks great and can be made easily and very cheap.
The main problem with this is that anything heavier than a hardback book might be hard to store as it will pull the hammock down. Maybe best used in collaboration with another type of storage, with the hammock carrying lighter and softer toys, it is certainly a unique and fun way of storing toys.
5. Play Teepee
If you have a little more space, a fun way to keep a child’s toys together is a play teepee. This also encourages the child to centralise their toys to the area by giving them an area to play with their toys and once they’re done they can put them back inside and close it up.
The key requirement here is space, you need space to put a teepee in your childs room and be able to play safely around it. Teepees are available for a small cost and are easy to install and store away when your child outgrows it.
6. Under Bed Storage
This is a discreet way of storing toys and hard to maintain but it certainly does a great job of keeping a child’s toys centralised and out of the way. Buying a bed with drawers underneath isn’t a new idea but often is overlooked due to difficulties cleaning under them.
However if you are willing to go through the effort of moving the bed to clean underneath it is a great way of storing kids toys out of sight. It is also very easy for a child to access and put their toys back into when they are done playing. Also, once your child has outgrown their toys the drawer can be used for other items.
7. Toy Sacks
A way of storing your toys without having to centralise them to one area, using basic cotton sacks. This way you can move the sack room to room and allow your kid to play with them without running back and forth. Keeping separate sacks for different types of toys.
However this presents a couple of problems, you may need to root through the sacks to find a certain toy, which can create a bit of a mess in itself.
8. Play Table
If you have ever been to a lego store you will know their way of storing the toys is in a play table. This gives kids a place to store and play with their toys making it easy for them to return them to where they were playing. The idea is simple, a table with a few buckets integrated for toy storage.
Just make sure you try to find the safety option possible depending on your child’s age. Finding a plastic table might be preferable or finding a table with curved edges to avoid accidents occurring.
9. Mesh Hangers
A really cool and unique way of storing a child’s toys is using mesh wall pockets. Available online at a low cost it is a space saving, cost effective solution to toy storage. These can be put anywhere, above a child’s bed, on the back of their bedroom door or even just on a wall.
For the low price and the space saving, this is probably my favourite way of storing kids toys and should definitely be something any parent should look into a storage solution.
So you’re considering renting a storage unit. You may be looking to store some valuable belongings and often storage units are a great option. However there are some belongings you should not store in a storage unit.
Explosive or Combustible Materials
This may sound obvious but sometimes you can be storing highly flammable and explosive items without realising quite how dangerous they are. Motor oil when storing a vehicle, paints, alcohol, paint thinner and propane tanks can all be highly dangerous and should not be stored in a storage unit.
There are more obvious belongings that are usually dangerous, such as fireworks that under no circumstances should they be stored in a storage facility, even if you believe they should be unlikely to be detonated.
Illegal Weapons
Again this might sound obvious but even if you have a licence to use a weapon it should not be stored in a storage facility, it is prohibited.
This is because it was to get into the wrong hands then it could be potentially dangerous to the public and is generally hazardous to the facility.
Drugs
Under no circumstances should drugs be stored in a storage unit. Just because they are outside of your home they are still your responsibility and you will still be charged by police for the possession of drugs.
A storage facility is obliged to forward information to the authorities if someone is storing drugs on site.
Animals
Storing animals and any living things in a container is considered abuse and absolutely should never be done. If you are going on a trip or an overnight job and are struggling to find a sitter, then it is still not acceptable to put an animal in a storage unit. This is animal cruelty.
If you are struggling to look after a pet there are a number of services who will take the animal and rehome them. However if you are looking for short term homing then find your local kennel or find a relative to temporarily house them.
Perishables
Perishable foods should not be stored in a storage facility. Overtime they will begin to shrink, spoil, stink and mould. Pershibles include fruit, milk, bread, vegetables and more.
Garbage and toxic waste are also prohibited in storage sites. They can be very harmful to the unit and the environment as well as costing the facility a lot of money to decontaminate, which the charge will usually be forwarded to the customer.
Cash
You should never store money of any kind in a storage container. Although belongings can be insured, money cannot. If you are looking for a place to store cash then the best place would be your home. If that is not possible then put it into the bank where it will be protected by CDIC insurance.
If you are reluctant to use the bank for money then consider a building society account. This is similar to a bank but your money will not be touched or invested in stocks and some consider it a safer alternative.
In 2020 small houses are the new trend. This is great news because it means the market is now leaning to smaller more affordable housing. Many celebrities, such as Robert Patterson and Jennifer Lawrence are moving into more modest properties, relative to their income.
People are starting to realise that bigger doesn’t necessarily equals better and are cutting costs dramatically by downsizing their homes. Here are some reasons you should look to downsize as soon as possible;
Upkeep
When you see these majestic celebrity properties, such as Kim Kardashian and Kanye West’s huge Los Angeles Mansion, you can’t help but wonder how much upkeep that kind of house requires. It is true that a bigger house means more cleaning, more maintenance and more repairs.
Although your house might not be comparable in size to these super sized mansions the point still stands, the more space, the more upkeep required. By downsizing the house you will save both time and money in reduced upkeep costs and will have a more limited space to maintain.
Lower Cost
Although not always the case, a smaller house can often cost less on the market. This is extremely beneficial if you have already been paying a mortgage.
This means your mortgage will be lower and any money you have paid off your current mortgage will go towards the cost of the new home. If you can pay off your mortgage at a younger age you will have a better chance of an earlier retirement.
Better Location
With smaller houses often costing less it also means the value can be made up for in other ways. One of the key advantages of having a smaller house is being able to get a house in a much better location for a similar price.
If you want to be a short distance from your town or city centre then you can do so for a reasonable price by embracing a smaller property. Or you may want to relocate to another town, you may be able to find a property in a more desirable location for a reasonable price by accepting a smaller property.
Smarter Living
Adapting to living in a smaller property can mean living smarter. By saving money on gas and electricity you can add things such as insulation and higher quality doors which will reduce the need for gas usage and installing new appliances that are more energy efficient.
This is a smarter long term strategy to being a more economical home owner and will increase your quality of living significantly.
Small Space Ideas;
Deciding to downsize is a bold decision and can be a worthwhile one. Some people are now looking at alternative solutions to living in smaller spaces, contributing to a more minimalist lifestyle. Here are some ideas for living in a smaller space;
Super Functional Apartment
https://www.idesignarch.com/tiny-apartment-with-functional-design-that-feels-open-yet-private/
Using a modular design system we are starting to see super functional small apartments become a modern trend. For a lot of young homeowners sometimes the option for bigger homes with space to work and live isn’t an option. Some young people are beginning to accept this and make the most of the situation by making their space more versatile and functional through interior design.
By using the height and the width of a small apartment they are able to almost double the space that is available to them. Of course this in itself can be a fairly expensive and difficult process but it is a worthwhile long term way of making the most of a space.
Container Home
https://www.econtainersmod.com/shipping-container-homes-what-is-it-how-does-it-work/
A huge trend in recent years has been the introduction of shipping container homes. These homes can be a cost effective solution to alternative living and offer a forward thinking homeowner a lot of flexibility. By combining shipping containers you are able to create homes of all different sizes and shapes.
Introduced by the Dutch, the container home is a huge trend right now and is surely only going to gain more popularity in the coming years.Cities such as London are using container homes as a solution to solve the homeless crisis, offering them up as council housing alternatives, housing thousands of people throughout the city.
Barge
https://www.gumtree.com/p/property-for-sale/beautiful-dutch-barge-house-boat-for-sale/1319031578
Living on the water, stripping your home back to its bare essentials. Living on a barge can be a lot of fun. Making the small space work for you can be really fulfilling and can be actually a really nice way to live.
However as well as having very little space, things such as electrics, heating and gas can be really hard to manage. Also when living by the docks you want to be wary of rats, they are attracted to canals.
Motorhome
This one isn’t exactly a new idea but living in a motorhome has become a trend that was unexpected in 2020. Specifically with young people looking to cut back on costs and become more efficient motorhomes have become very appealing. Some of the advantages of motorhomes are being able to travel with your home, so if you fancy a holiday you can simply take your home to a caravan park.
However the upkeep of a motorhome is perhaps more than a house. On top of the difficulty of cleaning clothes, showering, using the toilet and finding a good permanent location there are many more disadvantages to living in a motorhome.
If living in a motorhome interests you, you might want to check out Jenelle Eliana on YouTube where she gives insight into living inside a motorhome.
Yurt
https://www.theyurtretreat.co.uk/the-yurts/willow-yurt/
These Asian originating tent style homes are making their way west and can offer an incredibly flexible lifestyle. They are incredibly versatile and can be set up however you like and with the right interior design you will not have to cut back on your belongings.
However this does require you to buy a Yurt and buy land, which although it can be much cheaper than buying a house or an apartment, can be a risky proposition.
So you’ve decided to start using self storage, great! It is a fantastic way to store your belongings whether that be personal, vehicular or business storage. The security benefits are great with some sites offering twenty four hour security and weather proof storage units at a reasonable price.
However, many people take out storage units and make mistakes costing them money, increasing risk of damage and decreasing productivity. Here are some common mistakes that people make when using self storage.
Not Labeling
It’s a common mistake when taking out a storage unit to forget to label your belongings. However, this will leave you in a tough situation when you visit the unit. It doesn’t take a lot of time.
Being able to identify boxes and items will increase your productivity when visiting your unit and will help you keep organised. This takes very little work and will save you a lot of time later on.
Forgetting To Take Inventory
Get a list of what you have put in storage and make sure you’re thorough. This makes insuring your items easier and also gives you a certain list of what is in your unit. When taking inventory it may be worthwhile taking note of the value of the items to make it easier when insuring your items.
Keeping track of your inventory is a great way of knowing what you have, what you should have and what you may need. It also stops wasted journeys to your storage unit if you think you may have put an item in storage you can easily check whether or not it is in fact in the facility.
Not Making The Most Of Your Space
When using self storage make sure to make the most of the space you are using. If you have a smaller unit you may be able to fit your belongings in by being smart with your space and storing things well using shelves and tightly packed boxes.
Quite often people will upsize their unit to accommodate their belongings but then feel like they are in too big a space for what they have. If people were smarter with their space they might be able to pack a smaller unit with the same amount of items and save money by not needing to upgrade to a larger unit.
Choosing The Wrong Size
It is important to consider what size unit you will need. Although you may be starting off with fewer items you may eventually need more space. If you suspect there’s a possibility of needing more space then use a larger unit. On the flip side, some people overcompensate for space and take out a unit twice the size they realistically need practically wasting more money.
By working out what kind of size you need and visiting the site you are looking at the unit you are looking to rent then you can figure out what size unit you need. Some storage facilities offer calculators that help you figure out what size unit you need based on what items you are putting into them.
Not Insuring Your Belongings
Although it isn’t a legal requirement, it is important to insure your items when putting them in self storage. Most storage facilities strongly recommend insuring items before putting them into storage to protect them against accidental damage and robbery.
Although a storage facility can insure your items to an extent, it is still worth looking at getting self insurance. Some incidents are out of the facilities hands therefore you want to get your own insurance as well to have the best coverage possible.
A Bad Lock
When using self storage make sure you get a good lock. Although it may seem obvious it is an often overlooked part of self storage. When we say a good lock we mean a heavy duty steel padlock, to keep your unit extra secure and limit access to your unit. It is important to consider the safety of your items and remember that without it your items are uninsured.
As well as this you want to make sure your unit is extra secure, although your storage facility may offer security and surveillance it is still important that each person takes responsibility for their own unit.
Bonus Advice: It is also important to make sure the goods you are storing are not prohibited. If you suspect the items you are looking to store may be prohibited make sure to call the facilities office and find out.
In conclusion, by following these tips and applying them to your storage unit then you are going to be able to make your storage unit easier to work with, more secure and more affordable. By taking the preparation required before paying for a storage unit you will save yourself a lot of work, time and money in the long run.
During the Covid-19 pandemic we have been looking at how to protect our customers, staff and community from spreading this virus. We deeply encouraged customers to use contactless payment over the phone and to contact us over email. We realised that a lot of customers weren’t aware they were able to sign up to a container without ever having to be face to face with our staff.
To help reduce the spread of the virus and for those who are not local to the site we have created a digital sign up process. You are not required to sign up digitally however if it is an option we can offer to give you peace of mind when moving into your new storage unit. This step by step guide can assist you through the process of a digital sign up at Twenty4 Secure Storage.
Use The Storage Calculator
When deciding on a unit size you can use our online storage calculator, this will give you a size and price of the unit you are looking to rent and inform you of any special offers that may be available for that size of unit. All you will need to do is add the maximum amount of what items you will be storing as you will need to be certain of the correct sized unit to avoid any surprises on the day.
Reserve Your Unit Online
You can then go ahead and reserve your unit. This can be done through our website after choosing your unit size and having a look through our special offers. To reserve a unit you are required to pay a £5 holding fee, which allows us to hold onto the space for you until you are ready to move into your new unit.
When reserving please send us your contact information such as email address and phone number, this will make it easier for us to get in contact with you in order to complete your contract.
Send Identification via Email
When signing up we require two forms of identification, a photographic identification and a proof of address. The photographic identification can be a passport, driving licence or any type of citizens card that can validate your identity. For proof of address we require a letterhead which states your name and address, this could be anything from a bank statement to a council letter.
This can then be sent via email along with the name the unit is reserved under. Let us know the date you wish to take up your contract and confirm your contact information so we can contact you on the day.
Sign Online Contract
On the day we will give you a call and confirm that you are still wishing to move into your unit. We will then send you a contract via the email address you have provided. Our contracts are sent through Signable and will go straight to your inbox.
The contract you will receive is the same as the paper contract we would provide you with on site, you will see green boxes which you are required to sign with your finger. Also you will need to confirm that you wish to accept or decline an insurance policy on the contract.Once the contract has been completed you will be click complete, this will then be sent back to us and you are officially in contract for your unit.
Pay Over Phone or via Bank Transfer
We will then require you to make your first payment over the phone. You will be required to pay the first four weeks of your contract and a four weeks refundable security deposit. The £5 holding fee will be deducted from your first payment. To make your first payment all you will need is your bank card, make sure this is the card you would like your security deposit sent back to once you vacate your unit.
Alternatively you are able to pay via bank transfer, to do this we will require you to contact us in order to give you the account information and before you are able to move into your unit we will need to verify that payment has been received. We will also still need to take your card information in order to send your refundable deposit back once you decide to move out.
Once the first payment has been made we can discuss setting up a smart debit. This would allow your payment to be taken on the same day each month and will keep contact minimal. A smart debit is a much more reliable way of paying as your payment will be taken on the same day each month and payment is taken automatically meaning you will be unlikely to occur late charges.
Time To Move In
When you come down the site to move in you will need to contact us to open up your unit so you can go ahead and access your unit. You can do this however you would like, you could send us an email the night before, call us once your onsite or pop into our office and let us know you are ready to access your unit. To do this you will need to show us your identification so we can verify your identity.
Millenials are known for living their lives in a very new and unique way, care free. Although it seems like this from the outside they are also known for their very pragmatic and smart ways of living. Some millennials however are living too carefree and it is costing them a lot of money and making it very difficult for them to have any stability with money, living and belongings.
We think Millennials should be using self storage to give them that parachute of stability keeping all of their important belongings safe and secure no matter what the next step is. Here are some of the reasons we think Millennials should be considering using self storage.
Love of Traveling
We know millenials love to travel, which is one of the reasons they should look into getting into self storage. If they were able to drop their belongings off into a self storage site and take some time to visit another country then their items will be safe and secure during that time.
This would relieve a lot of stress as they would be able to pay for the period they will be away for and won’t have to continually pay rent on a flat for their belongings.
Also if you are wondering why you should consider self storage over using a parent or family members garage, the security will keep your belongings much safer with some sites offering 24 hour surveillance and manned security.
Keeping Technology Safe
If you are working in a creative field you may have several hard drives and large pieces of equipment that are currently out of use. However you aren’t able to throw these items away as they may become useful at a later date.
Things such as hard drives can take up lots of space but may not be used for months at a time, once they are full. By using self storage you are able to relieve yourself of that space and keep your belongings safe.
With the safety of self storage you will be much better off using a small unit to store technology then leaving it in your house or a garage. As well as being able to insure your items in self storage. If you are currently using a shed or other means of storage for technology you need to consider the risks that the weather can cause to your items.
Running a Business
Lots of millenials are looking at starting their own businesses. This can range from selling things online on sites such as etsy or ebay to selling car parts locally. Using self storage it gives you a place to store your inventory and sell your items from without giving out your personal information.
This is much safer for the individual as it removes the need to exchange personal information such as a home address. If you have a disgruntled customer they aren’t going to show up on your doorstep.
It will also save a lot of room at home by allowing you to keep your inventory away from home. Some people also find it useful to have a work location even when they are self employed, it gives you a separation from home and work so you can focus on getting your work done away from the distractions of home. Some of the benefits include;
- Having your own workspace to remove distractions.
- Keeping items secure and insured to reduce risk of losing inventory.
- Saving space at home by keeping them in storage.
- Giving your company more legitimacy when dealing with customers.
Easily Accessable
Millennials can often lead very busy and unpredictable lives, working unsociable hours and moving around quite often. Therefore sometimes they need a stable location to keep some essential non-day to day items. Paying a low monthly fee for a storage unit will allow you to live stress free knowing your items have a home but also that they are regularly accessible.
Some storage facilities will allow broad access to your belongings and can mean that no matter what hours you work or what your up to that day you will have time to access your belongings.
Flexible Contracts
We recommend that people look for somewhere with flexible contracts, where they can cancel the contract any week. This will allow you the comfort of knowing if you had a significant life change, as will often happen with young people, whether that be moving to the city or a change of career. You will be able to cancel your self storage with no hassle for example if you;
- Move city
- Change career
- Sustain an injury
- Take an extended holiday
By paying a weekly fee with no cancellation charges you can get on with your life without having to worry about getting out of a difficult contract. So make sure to ask about and read the terms of any contract you sign with whichever self storage facility you sign up with.
Self Storage might not be necessary for all Millennials but it can certainly be a useful thing to use to avoid the risks that life can throw at you as a young adult. If you are interested in self storage then have a look at what is local to where you live and be sure to compare the benefits of each type of self storage taking into consideration price, accessibility and security.
The fun is over, it’s time to put your boat into storage. However before you do so, there might be some things you need to know. When putting your boat into storage it is important to be thorough with your preparation as forgetting something important may cause permanent damage to your boat.
By reading this guide you will learn what preparation is required when putting your boat into storage. Here are ten things you should know about boat storage;
1. Take It For A Spin
Before putting your boat into storage if possible take it for one last spin. Just a short sail to make sure everything is in running order. If you find any issue make sure to get them resolved fast and then take the boat on another run, just to make sure it is all in running order.
2. Clean The Boat
Next you want to make sure the boat is cleaned, inside and out. You should begin by removing any items that leave bad odours such as fishing equipment and food. Clean the fridge and leave slightly ajar to allow it to air out.
Also make sure all surfaces, floors and upholstery are clean and remove any traces of salt or other build ups as they can cause damage over time. Clean the exterior with a specialised boat cleanser and use a pressure washer to apply the appropriate pressure to get rid of hard to remove dirt.
3. Dry The Boat
Once the boat is clean you then want to thoroughly dry the interior and exterior. This prevents mould, mildew and rust developing. Dry the boat with a dry mop and towels making sure not to damage anything. Make sure all water is drained from the boat by raising the bow.
Leave the boat outside in dry weather to allow any remaining water to evaporate. Once dry place some mildew control bags and place them inside the cabin and other compartments.
4. Change Oil
A key maintenance job is to make sure you change the oils to help maintain the engine. It is recommended that you heat the engine up before performing a full oil change.
This should be an easy task however if you are uncomfortable and want to reduce the risk of anything going wrong then it’s worth contacting your closest mechanic. It’s also worth noting that you may need to change the filter in the engine.
5. Make Sure It’s Fuel Up
It is essential before putting your boat into storage that you fill the tank with fuel. This will prevent the tank filling with moisture causing unnecessary damage and degrading the tank. This will also act as a counter to the oil.
Be sure to check the fuel tank for any leaks before putting it into storage as a leaking fuel tank can cause significant damage to the boat long term.
6. Wax It Up
Once the boat’s maintenance is up to scratch, give it a good wax job. It doesn’t only make the boat look a little fresher but it also prevents rust and corrosion. It is important to be thorough and make sure your boat is completely clean and dry before applying the wax to make sure it applies correctly.
By using a car polisher you will be able to quickly and effectively apply the wax. Just be careful not to damage the paintwork by applying too much pressure.
7. Remove The Battery
Make sure to take the battery from your boat when it is put into storage. You want to connect the battery to a charger for the duration it is in storage. This will maintain the batteries healthy and will keep it in good working order for when you are ready to take the boat out on the water again.
8. Check The Boat Trailer
Before lifting your boat onto the boat trailer make sure to put the trailer through the essential maintenance. Take your trailer to the services to check tire pressure and top it up if necessary. Also be sure to check for rust, you don’t want any rust it contact with your boat as it can cause damage to the exterior and the trailer may deteriorate and corrode over time.
9. Cover The Boat
Covering your boat is a must before putting it into storage. This will protect the boat from the natural elements and stop rain from dampening it. If you are storing your boat indoors it a large plastic tarp would suffice for covering your boat effectively. However, if you are storing your boat at an outdoor facility a fitted boat cover is a must, due to its exposure to the natural elements.
10. Find The Right Storage Site
Maybe the most important part of boat storage is finding the right place to store your boat. Make sure to find somewhere with 24 hour security and recorded CCTV surveillance. It is also beneficial to make sure the facility you store your boat at has tall security fencing to prevent any potential intruders.
When putting your boat into storage make sure to thoroughly prepare and find the right storage site. Make sure your boat has no unwanted moisture and take all the necessary steps to prevent rust and permanent damage. At Twenty4 Secure Storage we can give you advice and accept vehicle storage on our site with 24 hour CCTV and manned security.
When looking for a storage solution for your business or personal items it is wise to do research and compare different types of facility. The largest difference in the self-storage industry is the separation of indoor and outdoor storage.
So, logically the next question is what is the difference between the two? Well, below we have put together a brief explanation of each type of facility along with the benefits and downfalls of them both.
Hopefully our research and writing will help you not only be more informed, but to make a more appropriate decision when choosing your self-storage solution.
The typical structure of an indoor storage facility is a large building, similar to a warehouse, with rows of corridors leading to a series of garage-like or large cupboard room storage units. These types of facilities are usually found in more urban city spaces.
As, the format of the storage facility can easily be built in a vertical structure. Having several floors can greatly multiply the number of units within a single facility. This makes it a more innovative facility making the best of the least amount of initial space.
Benefits of Indoor Storage
- Enclosed Building Security: Being within a large warehouse-like building, indoor storage facilities have the benefit of being able to have large security doors and limited access areas. Thieves are more likely to be deterred by a building with large security doors and cameras.
- Pest Control: Indoor facilities have the benefit of not being exposed to nature or weather, meaning that insects, pests or any sort of infestation are less likely. The points of entry for creatures or insects are minimal with indoor facilities.
- Urban Placement: As earlier described the structure of an indoor facility allows it to be built within a city center, or have a pre-existing building be renovated into a storage site. This makes it faster and easier for access and often allows for 24/7 access within a metropolitan landscape.
- Climate Control: Internal heating, cooling and ventilation means that valuable and more importantly fragile items can be safely stored. By having temperature and humidity control the amount of risk to items in minimized.
- Elevators: Although the multi-level approach of indoor facilities could mean hauling heavy items up several stairs. The addition of elevators within most facilities reduces the amount of time and distance you have to lift your items.
- No Exposure to Weather: By being inside of a building a positive of an indoor facility means that any weather conditions have no impact on the units or your items. Be it extreme storms or mundane drizzle an indoor storage unit is safe.
Some outdoor facilities opt for the garage style units having several rows of road with the garages lining them. Others go for shipping containers as their units, modifying the container to create larger or smaller units to meet customer demand.
Outdoor storage facilities may lack the option to go vertical, however, they are typically vastly larger and can have larger individual units as they are less limited by a building’s shape or size.
The shipping containers are placed in similar rows along roads through the facility, this difference allows for vehicles to drive around the site straight to the units.
Benefits of Outdoor Storage
- Vehicle Access: The use of a larger site allows for roads to be placed for the units to be placed on. This is a benefit because it allows customers to drive their vehicle straight up to their unit for loading/unloading.
- Larger Size: The lack of a building limitation allows for an outdoor site to have larger individual units. Especially if using shipping containers as they can be modified or built to be larger if needed.
- Vehicle Storage: Not many indoor storage facilities, if any, can store vehicles due to the small corridors and indoor structure making fumes and vehicle sizes a problem. Outdoor facilities however, can use their roads and larger units to allow vehicle storage without worrying about ventilation or tight paths.
- Lower Costs: Outdoor facilities avoid the premium costs on inner city real estate and often begin as simple cheap plots of land that are adapted to support roads and storage units. This allows the facility to pass on those savings to its customers in the form of cheaper average rates, especially on larger units.
- Easily Expanded: The often rural location of outdoor storage sites means that if business is good and the demand is there, a site can expand into a nearby or neighbouring plot. Allowing for new units to be added which means that unit availability is often reliable.
- Highly Customisable: Outdoor units can be adapted to have power such as heating, lighting or to support an office, workshop or studio within them. Making them great places for independent businesses.
- Green Energy Options: Exposure to the outside allows for outdoor facilities to take advantage of the weather for possibilities for green energy. Solar panels and wind turbines can be installed on a site, especially very rural sites, to reduce the carbon footprint of the facility and its customers.
Hopefully the differences, downfalls and benefits of the variations of self-storage are now clear. Allowing you to be well informed, and confident in making the right choice for your storage needs.
Indoor storage allows for more comfortable storage at an inner-city location. Outdoor storage is an on average cheaper service with larger units and adaptability.
Each storage facility type has great benefits, however, it is down to you to know which of these benefits you value more. Indoor storage is more expensive
If you still have any questions or are interested in seeing an outdoor facility in person, please do not hesitate to get in touch via our website, office or call us.
0113 426 9111
https://www.twenty4storage.com/contact-us
Twenty4 Secure Storage
Chelsea Close
Leeds
LS12 4HP
A wedding is an amazing occasion and you want to cherish every aspect of it and remember it for the rest of your life. Some brides like to donate their dress or sell it to recoup some of the money they spent on their big day. However a lot of brides also like to keep their dress forever, to pass down to their offspring or to remind them of their big day from time to time, afterall it is their unique dress from their special day.
If the latter applies to you then you might want some tips on how to properly store your wedding dress and preserve it, making sure it is exactly in the condition you remember.
Clean The Dress
Before putting your dress into storage you want to clean it thoroughly, making sure any dirt and stains are removed. There are two ways of going about this;
- Find a qualified professional who is used to dealing with cleaning the specific types of materials and can clean it based on their experience as a dress cleaner.
- Follow the instructions thoroughly and clean the dress yourself making sure to consider that it is a slightly different and more difficult process than cleaning other types of dresses and clothing.
Budget
When storing a wedding dress you are going to want to construct a budget, that may be for a storage unit and may include smaller costs for things such as cleaning. Weddings are expensive, all in all, with the average wedding costing tens of thousands, make sure to account for the smaller costs that can build up. This includes the cleaning and storage of your dress.
Cleaning a dress can come in over a hundred pounds and storing it can come at a monthly cost from around 60 pound a month. Although these are unlikely to be the most expensive outcoming surrounding your wedding they are still important to consider and budget for.
Read Instructions
Before cleaning and storing make sure to check your dresses instructions thoroughly to make sure you don’t damage the material. The cleaning process and the drying process will vary depending on what materials are used in your dress and although getting advice from other brides can be useful it is important to remember that your dress is unique.
Find Suitable Storage
It is not recommended to store your dress in an area that is prone to fluctuations in temperature. An ideal storage solution would be a cool location in a airtight box. This would avoid the possibility of condensation leading to damage of the dress through mould and mildew.
Use White Gloves To Handle
A wedding dress is a very delicate piece of material, therefore you’re going to want to be careful. Using white gloves can prevent natural oils, fingerprints and dirt damaging the dress, it may sound like an extra careful precaution but it is always worth taking that extra step to avoid damage.
Get An Appropriate Cover
To ensure your dress’s safety avoid plastic covers if possible. They can deteriorate over time and lead to harmful chemicals affecting the dress, they are also not great for keeping out moisture and can lead to mildew. You are better off using a cotton or linen cover for the dress to prevent damage or deterioration as they are less likely to deteriorate like plastic.
Buy An Air Tight Dress Box
When storing your wedding dress you want to make sure to invest in a pH neutral wedding dress box. This will prevent any discolouration to the dress, they can often develop a yellow tinge.
Getting a robust box can last a lifetime and can prevent any damage to your dress and can come in handy when you eventually look for more permanent storage or look to sell the dress.
Package in Acid Free Tissue
Place the dress in acid free tissue making sure to layer it above and below. This will act as a layer of protection to the dress.
Most dresses will come with acid free tissue and instructions about how to use it. If you use normal tissue paper then it may become acidic over time and damage the dress and its materials.
Store Accessories Separate
Make sure to store accessories for your wedding outfit separate to the dress. This is because the conflicting materials may damage one another and cause damage to the dress over time.
If you are looking to store your shoes then use acid free tissue paper and store them in a shoe box. This should keep them safe from damage as their materials are a little more sturdy than a dress.
These tips should help you store your wedding dress and keep your dress in a healthy state for the future. No matter what the future brings, you will always remember your wedding day. If you check your dress every few months then you should be able to help maintain its health and make sure your storage is effective.