A resource for those seeking information on organizing and transforming spaces.
How to Effectively Organize Your Self Storage Unit
Are you looking for ways to organize your self storage unit? Here is the ultimate to-do list to help you along the way!
We partnered with a storage company for this post. The opinions in the post are honest. All reviews and opinions expressed in this post are based on our personal views. We are excited because we know you will love it.
Storage units can be very helpful when you want to organize your home and put some belongings away. Getting a self-storage unit is an excellent solution for small apartments or households with many family members. However, if you want to be able to find your items when you need them, you will have to do some organizing. We've gathered some ideas on how to organize your self-storage unit effectively to help you along the way.
Storage unit hacks
When you need to put your things in storage, you may be worried about finding them again or leaving them where it's not easy to re-access them. After all, what good does your storage unit do if you can't find anything? To help you avoid this scenario, we've created a list of storage unit hacks.
clear storage tubs
custom shelving
labeling and creating custom lists
identify items you need access to
plan your storage layout
store large items at the back
plan your walkways
don't be afraid of making mistakes
The day has come, and you've decided to reorganize your self-storage unit perfectly. First, you need to think of weather conditions since you don't want to be packing and unpacking during freezing temperatures. Once you choose the perfect timing, ideally summer or springtime, it's time to start shopping for the things you will need.
Consider using clear storage tubs
Don't get us wrong; cardboard boxes will certainly do the work and are a cheaper option. But, since packing is hard enough, having your belongings stored in clear bins will help your future storage access. Investing a couple of extra bucks in plastic containers will make it easier and faster for you to locate what you need.
Another thing worth remembering is to stick to one size of boxes or bins, or two the most. Same size boxes allow successful stacking and accessibility.
Install custom shelves
Shelving isn't difficult to build, and it's pretty inexpensive too. Having custom shelves along the walls of your storage unit will help you organize your stuff better.
It would be a good idea to install one long, large shelf to put all your see-through bins on. This way, you can go right to what you need, instead of searching forever.
Remember to label, label, and label
You can type or write the labels, laminate them or use plastic plates hospitals use outside their doors. You can also color-code all of your labels for even further simplification. The options are endless.
A thing worth remembering is that you should make content lists for each box you own and be detailed in your writing. Information you should include should be the room things come from and the contents of the box.
Plan your storage unit layout
This step can be adjusted to any type of storage you have, from your garage space, pantry, to your self-storage unit. Ideally, you should put the furniture against the wall opposite your boxes to leave a path in the middle. By doing so, you can access boxes and furniture items without any difficulties. If you need to use the space in the middle, placing your most moveable items there is a good idea so that you can remove them with ease. Chemicals and hazardous spray must be kept away from children and must have proper storage like Storemasta.
Classify items you will need frequent access to
When looking for tips to organize your self-storage unit, one that always comes across is putting things you know you'll need first helps a lot. For example, holiday and seasonal items you will want in the foreseeable future should be near the front.
Heavy furniture you might not want in your new home but don't want to get rid of just yet should be placed in the back.
Store large and heavy items on the bottom towards the back
As you begin packing your self-storage unit, start with heavy and large items and boxes. Your more oversized furniture, like tables and sofas, should be on the bottom. This will also keep your delicate items from being damaged while storing them because of the stable base.
If, on the other hand, you need to store a dining table that doesn't come apart, use it as an extra shelf for your bins and boxes.
What about the walkways?
Putting your shelving on the walls will make a lot of room for walking. Depending on the size of your unit and the number of things you have to store, leaving a walkway is a must. If you have space to walk in between your possessions, you will be able to access them with ease.
Making room for walkways involves careful planning. Remember to put the heavy stuff at the back and smaller things you will occasionally use in the front, and by doing so, create a path or two to go around your storage unit.
Don't be afraid of making mistakes
Even if you have come across our article halfway through loading your storage unit and realized you had packed unlabeled boxes, it's not too late to start unpacking. Whatever you are storing, you want to store it conveniently and with easy access in the future, so investing some time in repacking might be a good idea. You might want to start repacking similar things into separate boxes. For example, kitchen utensils go in one box, while seasonal clothes go in the other.
How to organize your self-storage unit like a pro?
While these eight steps might take some time at first, they are all worth your effort. First of all, they will save a lot of your time and energy in the future. The main focus when it comes to how to organize your self-storage unit the best way should be on accessibility. Following these steps makes your overall organization better. If you can access all of your belongings while knowing which one is which, consider your efforts a success.
Ideas on What To Use Your Spare Room For
Spare rooms are meant for so much more than just storage. Here are some creative ideas on what you can use that empty space for in the future.
A lot of people waste their extra rooms by blocking them off with a bunch of clothes, boxes, old gym equipment, and general junk. The sad thing is, there’s other space for that. Try the garage or the shed for that sort of stuff and reward yourself for your efforts with a whole other room to make use of. Without further ado, here are some of the best ideas on what to use your spare room for.
Baby or Toddler Play Area
One of the better options available is to make the empty area a baby play area. Children’s toys have a way of creeping throughout the house with ease, making cleanup a real time-consuming chore. One of the best ways to combat this is to keep most of the toys in one room. That way, your child can play with his or her toys and stay organized at the same time.
Small Office or Reading Room
If you don’t need a children’s playroom, consider making the room a small office or reading room. All you really need is a desk, a bookshelf, a nice rug, and a comfy chair to make this space feel like home. Plus, you’ll have more storage areas for all your projects and a place to complete them.
Music or Recording Studio
Maybe you already have a reading room and you’ve been wanting to start a podcast on all the books you’ve read. Why not make the empty space into a recording studio? Simply set up some foam dampening tiles on the wall, get your desk and microphone set up, and get to work!
Dressing Room or Organized Closet
One of the other things for which you could easily utilize the space is a closet of any sort. The difference between this and regular storage space is that you can keep a closet neat. Consider having a bench in front of a mirror, a few racks, and some lights to decorate the room to make it the perfect dressing room!
You can go in many different directions with ideas on what to use your spare room for. The choice is simply up to you. As long as the space accurately reflects your needs and expectations, there’s no reason not to redesign it!
Ways To Make Your Hardwood Floors Look More Expensive
Hardwood naturally has an elegant appearance to it. If your floors appear somewhat worn, check out our ideas to make them look more lavish and expensive.
Perhaps you’ve moved into an older house or lived in yours for quite some time. If your home has hardwood floors, you’ve likely recognized the signs of wear and tear that they’ve acquired with age. Scuffed and scratched floors can diminish the overall value of your home and clash with your ideas of a satisfactory home interior look. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to make your hardwood floors look more expensive that don’t involve an entire floor renovation. Read on to explore our top ideas for refining your hardwood floors.
Buff Your Floors
Buffing and waxing your floors are simple ways to freshen up their look and take off years of wear and tear. The buffing will remove just the top finish of your hardwood floors, leaving the rest of its surface unharmed. Then add was for some extra shine.
Pro Tip: Many home improvement and tool rental stores will lend out their hardwood-floor buffer for a small fee. That way, you don’t have to invest in a whole floor buffer to get the job done.
Upgrade Them With a Fresh Stain
Hardwood floor stains allow homeowners to personalize their flooring and establish a more refined aesthetic in their homes. Golden oak and espresso are some of the most popular hardwood floors stains, each renowned for their ability to make the natural grain of hardwood planks pop and provide a polished appearance.
Lavish Rugs
OK, so this option may seem like a bit of a cheat, but it’s true! Adding an intricate area rug to cover up especially worn sections of your hardwood flooring is an easy way to lift a room’s overall appearance. Not only will your home appear more luxurious, but it’ll also feel a lot cozier.
Pro Tip: Utilize rug grippers to keep your rug in its ideal position. Without a non-slip rug pad or grippers, you may stumble over your area rug or shift it enough to reveal the unsightly hardwood underneath.
Creating a more lavish home doesn’t have to break the bank. By following these various ways to make your hardwood floors look more expensive, you can have a luxury home interior in no time.
What You Need to Keep Track of When Selling Your Home Quickly
With the plethora of houses around your community on sale, you want to sell your property within the shortest amount of time possible. Here are several things to consider so you can keep track of the process and close the deal immediately.
With the plethora of houses around your community on sale, you want to sell your property within the shortest amount of time possible. Here are several things to consider so you can keep track of the process and close the deal immediately.
Market the Home
Today, it is easier to market your home on various social media platforms, follow up, and quickly get a buyer. Most buyers look for homes for sale on social media, and you can never go wrong when using the platforms. Give every detail of the house that can help the buyer make informed decisions. Keep updating the social media posts until you sell the house.
Stage the Home
A staged home looks attractive to prospective buyers. Most sellers often overlook this, and that is why some homes stay on the market for a long time without getting a buyer.
Competition is fierce in the real estate sector, and every seller is looking for ways to stand out from the crowd. So, consider staging your home if you want it out of the market quickly. You can work with a professional home stager to make your home staging appear professional and stand out from the crowd.
Consider a Cash Offer
Some buyers do not need to apply for loans and go through various processes to buy a home. They will go ahead and purchase it on a cash offer once you agree. Consider such deals if you want to sell your home faster. With such buyers, you won't have to worry about spending time and money on renovations since the buyer will purchase the home as-is.
Take Professional Photos and Videos
Quality photos and videos play a crucial role in determining the kind of buyer you get. While you may want to take photos of your home using your phone to save money, you can't compare the quality to that of a professional photographer.
Consider hiring an expert who will take quality photos that can quickly draw the attention of buyers to your property. Remember, many houses are on sale, and a seller will stand out from the crowd if they post quality photos.
Work with an Experienced Real Estate Agent
Selling a home can be a daunting task. Working with an experienced real estate agent is the best way to get a good deal within the shortest amount of time. Remember, you should do due diligence when hiring an agent and go for one with adverse expertise in the field. Reading online reviews can help you decided whether an agent is reputable or not.
Using the tips above can help you get the best deal and sell your home faster. It also helps you attract buyers quickly. This prevents time-wastage and creates a seamless process for the buyer and seller.