Renting Storage Space During Home Renovations

Storage Basics


If you’ve got home renovations in your spring or summer plans, then renting storage space would surely help keep you sane and organized. If you’ve never done a home renovation, here’s a clue: Renovations feel a lot like moving to another house. There are plans to create, contractors to hire, schedules to keep, items to pack, and a complete web of logistics for how the process will flow. Renting storage space could alleviate a lot of the home renovation headache. Home Renovations are Chaotic Home renovations can be quite stressful and chaotic as workers come in and out the house, and supplies and building materials get piled here and there in the workspace. While many contractors try to keep a tidy workspace, inevitably, tools and materials will start creeping into other areas of the house. It can be quite difficult to work around a table saw when it sits squarely in the middle of your kitchen. Due to the messy and disruptive nature of home renovations, it’s a good idea to find a short-term storage solution for housing your furniture, appliances, lamps, decorative items, etc, for anything that will be displaced during the work. Why Rent Storage Space During Your Next Home Reno Have you seen a construction site lately? There are supplies, tools, and materials stacked around the job site for easy access. Depending on the type of your home renovation, there could be framing going on, or sheetrock going up, or even floor joists stabilized. All of this work creates dust — dust that not many of us are interested in cleaning out of the crevices of furniture or collectibles. Plus, moving equipment and materials through a room that has remained furnished, or that has items pushed to the side could result in accidental knocks and scrapes that damage your belongings. More importantly, there must be room for contractors to move around, swing hammers, saw lumber, and lay out wiring or lighting plans. Working in a cramped space often slows down the schedule because ...



March 14th, 2023


What Items Need Climate-Controlled Storage?

Storage Basics


If you’re new to renting a storage unit, you may not be familiar with climate-controlled options. Climate-controlled storage spaces monitor the temperature and humidity of the unit. The benefits are many; they safeguard your belongings from experiencing extreme temperature swings, provide better air ventilation and filtration, decrease the odds for mold and mildew, and, overall, protect your items from getting too hot, cold or wet. Climate-controlled spaces are not always necessary, but they are the best option for items that are expensive, fragile and/or valuable to you. One simple way to decide whether or not something should go into a climate-controlled unit is by answering this question: Would you store it in your garage or shed long-term? If not, then you probably want to invest in renting a climate-controlled unit. If you’re still uncertain, below is a list of items we’ve compiled that usually require climate-control for their overall longevity: Photographs, Memorabilia and Paper Documents This may seem obvious, but paper can become fragile over time. Photo paper can decay as well, as the layers can separate over time. The best option for any personal keepsake made out of paper is to place it inside of an archival box within a climate-controlled space. Musical Instruments Instruments like guitars and pianos need to be tuned regularly, even when they are sitting inside of your home. Put them in a storage unit without climate-control, and you might see some serious damage done. This rule applies for most instruments, though. If you aren’t sure whether or not your instrument needs climate control, call a music store that specializes in the one you own. Media (Vinyl Records, Cassettes, DVDs and CDs) What goes around comes around—and it’s so true when it comes to media. Vinyls are back and better than ever! If you want to be able to play your favorite tunes after storing them, you’ll want to protect them in a climate-controlled environment. Otherwise, they can become warped and damaged. Paintings and Artwork When it comes to art, high temperatures ...



February 8th, 2023


How to Organize Your Closet

Storage Basics


When January hits the calendar, people everywhere catch the decluttering bug. There’s something about a new year that brings a desire for order. We want to start off on the right foot, right? With that in mind, we created this simple guide on how to organize your closet. Your closet is an important area. You use it every day, and it should function well for you. Instead, it’s often a source of frustration. Imagine waking up every day, knowing exactly what you want to put on and where it’s located—and being able to grab it quickly and easily. What a welcome change from opening your closet door to a cluttered space that leaves you feeling overwhelmed. So, if your closet needs an overhaul, we’ve got you covered! Follow our simple steps below to create a more functional space for your daily life. Step 1: Gather Your Supplies Every project requires a few materials in order to run smoothly. Set yourself up for success and remove potential roadblocks by having a few things on hand. This way, once you’re in the mindset and things are flowing, you won’t have to stop and find a box for donations or a tape measure. Just grab it all now and get in the zone! Here are a few items you may need: Plastic trash bag Bin or box for donations Bin or box for items you’re keeping Bin or box for items to store Cleaning supplies (vacuum cleaner, dust pan and broom, multi-purpose cleaner and paper towels) Tape measure Notebook and pen to jot down measurements Full-length mirror Catch-all bin or laundry basket Step 2: Remove Everything From Your Closet Yes, everything. This is an important step that you don’t want to do halfway. Make your bed so you have a big, clean space to lay everything out for viewing. You’ll likely find some trash along the way (wrappers, shopping bags, etc.), and just throw those right into the trash bag as you find them. Or, you can use the shopping bags to transport donations! Step 3: ...



January 11th, 2023


Creating a Comfortable Home Office

Storage Basics


Whether you work full-time from home, hybrid work, have a side gig, or just need space to keep your personal matters organized, a home office is a necessity for you. Sure, you can try to work from the kitchen table, but your back will quickly tell you this isn’t really the best option for you. If you know it’s time to create or upgrade your home office and you need a little help, read on for some key things to think about and a little insight to help you create the best home office to meet your work needs. Step 1: Choose The Right Space This step will look a little different for everyone because our homes are so different. You may have the luxury of having a dedicated room for an office or you may need to set up a space in the corner of a room that is used for another purpose. No matter how much space you have, here are some things to think about as you choose your space. Minimal Distractions – Make sure you have a way to remove yourself in some way from distractions in your home. Find a quiet space or create one with a sound machine, a curtain, or a folding screen. Visual Field – Now that video conference calls are commonplace, putting your home office in your bedroom can make for awkward moments as your co-workers stare at your bed or master bath while you discuss business strategy. Surprisingly, your storage room or “Silence of the Lambs” basement may not translate well on camera. Save your clients and coworkers from less-than-ideal visuals by choosing a well-lit, cheery, neutral space that may be personal, but feels more like a work area. If you really have no other space than your bedroom or the crazy basement, check out the background blur option on popular video conference platforms. Lighting – Natural lighting is always the best option. If that isn’t an option, invest in good lighting. Sunlight, ...



November 1st, 2022


Moving Mistakes to Avoid

Storage Basics


Do you have a big move coming up? Are you feeling a little overwhelmed and unsure where to begin with the packing process? You’re not alone. Moving is not for the faint of heart, but there are some ways to create a smoother, more simple experience. We’re here to help! Below you’ll find our moving checklist for packing and moving mistakes to avoid. Procrastinating Sometimes, the dread of doing something can cause people to avoid it at all costs. This only compounds your stress. Start small early on, and remind yourself that you’re only starting today. You don’t have to finish today, but by taking a few actions steps about a month or so out, you’ll save yourself a lot of headache. Winging It You also need to create a plan. If you have no idea where to start, keep reading and we’ll give you some ideas on what to plan for and how to do it. You may also want to read over our moving out checklist! Not Creating an Inventory List An inventory list will be one of those things that feels over the top to create, but hear us out… If you start with this step, it will be the gift that keeps on giving throughout the process. This is an easy way to jump into the mindset of moving because it doesn’t require a lot of decision making. Just go room by room through your home and write down everything that needs to be packed. This is your inventory list. It will also help you figure out how much packing supplies you may need. Or, if you want to be really efficient, start a note on your smart phone that you share with your moving partners. That way everyone is in the loop and each person can add to it as they go. Not only does this inventory list hack remove the mystery of “where do I begin?” but it also helps in a few other ways. It will ...



October 4th, 2022


Simplify Your Toy Room Storage

Storage Basics


Many child development experts say playing is essential for a child’s healthy development. And, when children are enjoying their toys and playing independently, it gives parents the freedom and opportunity to accomplish their work around the house. A win-win! However, just as adults become distracted by clutter and experience difficulty focusing when surrounded by too many things, so do children. Moral of the story: When it comes to toys, more is not better. We understand that minimizing a toy room can feel overwhelming. But, if it’s overwhelming for you to think about organizing the room, it’s probably overwhelming for your child to play in—let alone tidy up. Don’t worry; we’re here to help! Choose a Designated Toy Area While this blog post is about minimizing a toy room, we understand that many families do not have one. Whether you have a toy room or not, oftentimes the toys end up in every room and overtake the living space in the home. So, whether you have a toy room or not, the very first step in this process is to choose one area—just one—to store the toys. Our goal is to limit the toys to one space, so that you can use the rest for living. Basements are a common and understandable area to set up a toy room. However, this is not an option for most people in areas like Texas and Florida where basements don’t exist. For these families, storage can be a serious problem. If this is the case for you, renting a storage unit to declutter your home might be the best option for you. That way, you can use an extra closet or area in the home to create a space for toy storage—not your holiday decor or paper records. Also, it is absolutely possible to store your child’s toys within your child’s bedroom. You’ll just need to declutter, get organized and maintain a system. Don’t give up just yet; we’re going to help you every step of ...



September 12th, 2022


Organizing Your Dorm Room for a Great Year Ahead

Storage Basics


We know that sending your college student off to school can come with a mixture of emotions. Even though they are an “adult” by the world’s standards, they’re still your child. So, being the good parent that you are, you probably want to help your kid start off on the right foot. One way to do so is by helping them feel at home and settled in their new living space. Which may lead you to wonder: How do I go about organizing a dorm room? Look no further; we’ve got you covered! We did some research and compiled a list of the top tips, tricks and items that will help you in organizing a dorm room. Measure and Make a Game Plan For the best possible outcome, measure everything ahead of time—starting with the room. That’s right, we are suggesting you get the measurements of the space before you do anything else. Look online at the school or apartment’s website, make a phone call to the office, do a Google search, or inquire on a Facebook page or group. Do what you can to find this valuable piece of information and it will be worthwhile! From there, you can plan what furniture or other items to bring. Speaking of those items, make sure you’re looking at their dimensions as well! There’s nothing worse than hauling a piece of furniture up to a dorm room only to discover it doesn’t fit. No one needs an extra stressor on the big move-in day. So remember: measure, measure, measure! Utilize Under Bed Storage Most dorm rooms will provide a bed, desk, and dresser or closet. If you can, lift your bed up as high as possible to create a loft. You can ask the maintenance staff for help with this adjustment. Or, if the bed is not made to lift, you can buy or rent a loft kit. An even more affordable option is to purchase bed risers like these. ...



August 5th, 2022


Yard Sale Tips to Help You Earn Cash

Storage Basics


Sweet summertime is here, and maybe you’re feeling the itch to have a yard sale. A yard sale is a great summer project for so many reasons. It can help you declutter your home, get rid of things you no longer need or want, and pad your pocket with a little extra cash! Plus, if you have a family, it’s a great way to get everyone involved in something together. You just might even lure your teenager out of their room for a while, because who doesn’t want some summertime spending money? So, we’ve compiled a list of yard sale tips to get you started for your big event! Set a Goal for Your Yard Sale Like any project, it’s good to set a goal for what you hope to accomplish. This will keep you focused and excited along the way. So, think about it: Are you saving for a home project? Do you want a new gadget? Perhaps you’re going on vacation and the garage sale profit will help offset the cost. Or, maybe you’re planning a summer road trip and are wincing as you watch gas prices continue to skyrocket. Speaking of gas prices, with that and inflation at an all-time high, maybe having a yard sale is just a simple solution to ease the burden of your monthly costs. Whatever the motivating factor for your sale might be, keep it at the forefront of your mind as you purge, price and plan. Declutter Your Home Alright, let’s talk about that closet in your home that you like to avoid. You know, the one that’s no longer functional because it’s filled to the brim with who-knows-what? Well, perhaps the idea of purging it for cash might be enough to get you in there, plugging away. Or, maybe your garage is becoming a bit of a hoarding situation. Now is the perfect time to purge and organize your garage! When it comes to decluttering, dreading doing it is usually much worse than actually ...



July 7th, 2022


Here's Your Moving Out Checklist

Storage Basics


Are you getting ready to move? We know the moving process can feel like a big problem that you don’t know how to solve. What you need is a good plan. Once you have that in place, all you have to do is follow the steps. That way, you’ll stay on track and transition into your new space without too much headache. To help you out, we’ve come up with a moving out checklist. Moving Out Checklist For Renters If you are renting, read over the details of your lease agreement. Make sure you follow protocol for giving formal notice, understand who is responsible for what, stick to any guidelines your landlord has laid out, and do what you need to do in order to receive your deposit back. Be sure to ask for a copy of the agreement; that way you can review it with anyone who may be joining you in the move and also use it as a checklist. If you are no longer renting, be sure to cancel your renters insurance. If you are going to continue to rent, you will want to transfer your renters insurance over to your new location. Contact your insurance company to solidify dates, but what you want to do is have your current renters insurance stop the day you move out and start again at the new rental the day you move in. Book a Moving Company, Reserve a Moving Truck and Ask for Help or Time Off Certain times of the year can be busier to move than others, like the end of the school year or summertime in general. To avoid any hiccups on your actual moving day, be sure to book the help you need weeks in advance. Some of the tasks you can do ahead of time are: Book a moving company Reserve a moving truck Ask your friends or family now if they’re available on your moving day Rent a storage unit if there is lag time between homes Consider requesting time off work If ...



June 3rd, 2022


Here’s Your Packing Checklist for Your Summer Road Trip

Storage Basics


School is almost out and summer is right around the corner. Have you made summer vacation plans? If not, you may want to consider taking a road trip to visit one of Texas’ beautiful, fun state parks! There are so many positives about a road-trip getaway. You can choose whatever dates work best for you, and, since you’re not booking flights, you can always stay an extra day or leave early depending on how you and your travel companions are feeling! Obviously, you won’t have to spend money on renting a car. Also, if you’re trying to save a little money on gas, you don’t have to travel too far from home—just far enough away for you to feel like you’re actually getting away. In addition to providing you with some packing tips for your road trip, we decided to pick a few great destinations to visit within driving-distance from our Alamo Mini-Storage locations in San Antonio, Hutto and Victoria, Texas. That way, if you need to grab some of your things from your storage unit on the way out of town, like camping supplies or outdoor activity items, you won’t waste a minute! Guadalupe River State Park A true Hill Country gem, this river-centered state park is a great choice for anyone located near San Antonio or Hutto, Texas. Toss in a tube and float down the river, take a swim, camp, canoe fish, or hike—with scenic views and lots of history, endless summer fun is calling your name! Check out Texas Water and Wildlife’s website to see everything available at this gorgeous Texas destination and start planning your visit now! Padre Island National Seashore Just a couple hours from Victoria and a few from San Antonio, Padre Island National Seashore is a must-see stop on your road-trip adventure. Boasting 70 miles of magnificent, uninterrupted beaches, PINS is the longest remaining undeveloped stretch of barrier island in the world. Plus, you can take your car with you! Visitors rave about the scenic drive on ...



May 5th, 2022


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