10 Ways Decluttering Can Improve Your Life

Storage Basics


We've all been there – stepping into our homes, only to be greeted by a chaotic mess that instantly triggers feelings of overwhelm and anxiety. We recognize the need to declutter, yet finding the time to tackle it can be challenging. But remember, sometimes the rewards far surpass the effort. Here are 10 compelling ways in which decluttering can transform your life. Reduced Stress and Anxiety: Clutter can be visually overwhelming and create a sense of chaos. Decluttering can help create a more organized and calming environment, reducing stress and anxiety. Increased Focus and Productivity: A clutter-free space minimizes distractions and helps you stay focused and productive. Enhanced Mood: A clean and organized environment can have a positive impact on your mood and can promote feelings of contentment and satisfaction. Improved Relationships: A clutter-free home can create a more harmonious and welcoming atmosphere for family and guests, potentially improving your relationships. Greater Sense of Control: Decluttering can give you the feeling of control over your surroundings and life as you make intentional choices about what you keep and let go of. Boosted Self-Esteem: Decluttering can boost your self-esteem and self-confidence. It's a tangible achievement that you can be proud of. Reduced Allergens and Health Benefits: A clutter-free environment is easier to clean and maintain, reducing the buildup of dust, allergens, and potential health hazards. Enhanced Creativity: A tidy space can stimulate creativity and innovation. It provides room for new ideas to flourish without the distractions of clutter. Better Sleep: A clutter-free bedroom can lead to better sleep quality. A peaceful and organized sleep environment can help you relax and unwind more effectively. Greater Energy and Vitality: A decluttered space can give you a sense of renewed energy and vitality. It can make your home a more inviting and inspiring place to be. Remember, decluttering is a personal process, and what may feel cluttered to one person might not be the same for another. The benefits of decluttering can vary from ...


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November 30th, 2023

How to Keep Your Children’s Mementos without the Clutter

Storage Basics


Children grow up so fast, and as they do, they create a treasure trove of memories along the way. Artwork. School projects. School pictures. School projects. Test papers. Recital programs. Sports rosters. The list goes on and on and on. As parents, we cherish these keepsakes because they are snapshots of milestones – things we never want to forget. However, keep it all, and you will find your home bursting at the seams with cherished children’s items. How can we strike a balance between holding onto these precious memories and avoiding clutter? We have some creative solutions just for you: 1. Digital Storage: Scan and Preserve In this digital age, there's no need to keep every physical piece of artwork or school project. Using a scanner or even the camera on your phone, you can: Scan or photograph each piece. Organize digital copies in folders by year or grade. Store them in cloud storage or an external hard drive so you don’t lose them if (or when) your computer crashes. This method saves physical space, keeps everything organized, and ensures these memories are preserved and protected from aging when exposed to the elements. 2. Create an Art Keepsake Book It’s simple to turn your child's artwork and projects into a beautifully bound book by using online services that specialize in custom photo or memory books. Select a favorite piece of artwork for each year and highlight it. Add in pictures of your child from that year. Include special friends or teachers. Create captions with special moments or milestones from the year. Not only are you minimizing clutter, but you are also creating a cherished book for your children to flip through now and later with their families. 3. Design a Rotating Gallery Wall Dedicate a wall in your home to display your child’s latest creations: Use frames that allow for easy swapping of contents. Rotate the artwork regularly, showcasing new pieces as they come in. Every few months, select one or two to save long-term and switch out the rest. It’s fun for your children to share ...


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November 6th, 2023

Tips and Tricks for Storing Holiday Decorations

Storage Basics


Holidays come and go, and so do the decorations! Walk through any home store, and you will see that seasonal décor has increased drastically in scale. Decorations that can quickly or easily be packed away in your closet or garage now compete for storage space with 48-inch light-up ornaments. So, when you pack up your 12-foot skeleton, 15-foot inflatable Santa sleigh, or life-sized nativity, don’t forget that a storage unit is a fantastic solution for those once-a-year items. We have developed several tips and tricks to help you prepare for storing these cherished keepsakes. 1. Choose the Right Storage Unit Before anything else, it's essential to pick a storage unit that suits your needs. Consider how much you need to store to find the right-sized unit. If your decorations are sensitive to temperature or humidity, consider a climate-controlled unit to protect your items from extreme temperature fluctuations. 2. Invest in Shelving Using sturdy shelves in your storage unit can make a world of difference. They help you utilize vertical space and keep your decorations organized and easily accessible. 3. Organize by Holiday If you celebrate multiple holidays throughout the year, it's a good idea to label boxes by holiday names like Christmas, Halloween, Easter, and so on. You can also purchase bins in colors for each season. Orange is Halloween and Fall. Red and green are Christmas. Red is Valentine’s Day, etc. This way, you can quickly grab the right boxes when the next holiday season rolls around. 4. Use The Right Containers Plastic containers with tight-fitting lids are perfect for storing holiday decorations as they offer protection against dust, moisture, and pests. 5. Wrap Fragile Items Bubble wrap, tissue paper, or old newspaper can wrap delicate items like glass ornaments or ceramic figurines. This added layer of protection ensures that they remain undamaged. 6. Keep Lights Tangle-Free Wrap string lights around cardboard pieces or invest in light storage reels. This simple step prevents the nightmare of untangling them the following ...


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October 9th, 2023

Finding the Right Storage Unit for Your Summer Toys

Storage Basics


Ah, summer! The season of barbecues, beach trips, and breaking out those larger-than-life toys: RVs, boats, and jet skis. But as the warm weather fades, the question is: where do I store these items? A dedicated storage unit could be an ideal solution. Let's explore what to look for when choosing the perfect storage space for your summer treasures. 1. Storage Unit Size Matters The first thing to consider is the size of the storage unit. Your summer toys are often large, and you'll need a space that accommodates them comfortably. Here are some suggestions for larger recreational vehicles, boats, or personal watercraft: For RVs, look for facilities offering RV storage spaces for large RVs. For boats, ensure the unit has enough height and width for the vehicle and the trailer you’re storing it on. For jet skis, still look for ample storage space, especially if you have more than one. 2. Security When storing expensive items like these, security should be top of mind. Find a unit that offers: 24/7 video cameras that cover all angles of the facility. Gated Access that prevents unwanted guests. Disc locks provide the highest level of security. 3. Accessibility Finding the right storage unit to store your vehicles is one thing, but accessing them should also be considered. Make sure they have: Wide Drive Aisles so you can maneuver large vehicles comfortably. Ample Access to prevent thwarting a spontaneous trip. All seven locations of Alamo Mini-Storage are open for access 7 days a week from 7 am-9 pm. Ground-Level Access for ease of loading and unloading. 4. Insurance and Liability Ensure your summer toys are covered while they're in storage. Your storage facility does not insure your items in storage so consider additional coverage if necessary. Make sure to document the condition of your vehicles before storage by taking photos as you store them so you have a record of their condition. 5. Prep Before Storing Before you place your vehicles in storage: Clean and dry water toys to prevent mold and mildew. Empty fuel and other ...


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August 18th, 2023

A Newly Engaged Couple's Guide to Merging Two Households

Storage Basics


You’re engaged. Congratulations! We are so excited for you. It’s time to plan a wedding and create a new home. With marriage comes the challenge of combining two households’ worth of belongings. With some planning, open communication, and a dash of creativity, you can create a harmonious living space that reflects each of you and nurtures your shared life. Keep reading for a few tips on how to combine your space effectively and peacefully. Assess and Sort Your Belongings Before merging your belongings, inventory what you both own. Create three categories: "Keep," "Donate/Sell," and "Discard." Be open-minded and willing to let go of items that are no longer needed or hold little sentimental value. Remember, this is an opportunity to declutter and simplify your lives together. You must also make room for wedding gifts – things you choose together. Communicate Respectfully and Honestly Open and honest communication is vital throughout this process. Discuss your expectations, preferences, and sentimental attachments to specific items. Be willing to compromise and find solutions that work for both of you. Remember, it's not about who gets their way but about creating a home you both love. Do We Really Need Two Coffee Makers? Maybe. Identify duplicate items and decide which ones to keep based on quality, sentimental value, or functionality. For items you both love, consider finding creative ways to incorporate them into your home or repurpose them for a new function. Create a Unified StyleMerge your styles by finding common elements that you both enjoy. Blend your favorite furniture and décor pieces and consider adding new items that represent your shared taste and life together. Maximize Storage SolutionsWhen merging two households, storage becomes crucial. Invest in storage solutions that optimize organization and minimize clutter in your home. Utilize shelves, bins, under-bed storage, and closet organizers to maximize your available space. Remember, an organized home promotes a peaceful and harmonious atmosphere. You may also find that you need additional storage space. Whether it’s a couple of sentimental items or ...


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June 13th, 2023

How to Move Big Furniture Without Hurting Yourself

Storage Basics


When moving to a new house, there’s lots of prep work to complete. From scheduling movers to packing boxes, to cleaning surfaces in your old home and your new home, there’s a lot to think about before moving day. So, how is it that when moving day comes, there’s no plan for how to move big pieces of furniture? Sofas, recliners, tables, even safes and armoires are often too big to simply slide out of the front door without some maneuvering, coaxing, and careful lifting. Finally, let’s address what you can do in advance to help reduce the damage that moving big furniture can do to your body, your home and your moving timeline. 1. Don’t Move Big Furniture Alone Maybe you think that it will slide, or that you’re strong enough to move a piece of furniture without lifting it. Trust us, you can’t. Even pushing big furniture across carpet or other flooring can cause injury. Find a friend or a neighbor who can help you lift large furniture, and offer them free pizza and Dr. Pepper. 2. Have the Right Gear for Moving Furniture Wear shoes that cover your toes — no flip-flops on moving day! And invest in work gloves so your hands don’t get scraped when moving around in tight spaces. A week or so ahead of moving day, buy moving straps — like Forearm Forklifts — that slide under furniture and wrap around arms in order to have good leverage and strength for picking up furniture. Plan to buy or borrow a hand truck that you can use to wheel items out to the moving truck. Having furniture sliders on hand will help you move furniture closer to doorways before lifting, tilting, and maneuvering furniture through doorways. 3. Protect doorways and corners Speaking of doorways, remove molding or doors from their hinges to ensure you have enough space on either side of the furniture to get through the doorway. If needed, remove the door’s threshold so as not to trip on your way through. ...


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May 16th, 2023

Your Guide to Packing Materials

Storage Basics


All packing materials are not created equal…or for the same purpose! Many of us grab whatever we can find when packing our belongings for storage or for a move. Newspapers, copy paper, packing peanuts, socks, bubble wrap, even underwear have been used to cushion items in hopes of avoiding damage. And more times than not, the random packing materials we use do the job. However, if there’s one time they don’t work it’ll be when they’re used to wrap something you value, something that is precious and probably irreplaceable. Don’t leave your packing effectiveness to chance, dependent on whatever random packing material is available to you. These are the packing materials you need on hand, along with an explanation of what each does. Bubble Wrap Packing Materials for Protection There’s more to bubble wrap than the satisfaction of popping each bubble between your fingers. Bubble wrap with small pockets of air are great for preventing scratches and scrapes on items, but not so great for cushioning for impact. Large pocket bubble wrap is great for cushioning and impact absorption. Though large pocket bubble wrap adds an inch or two of size to the items they protect, resulting in the loss of space within boxes. But your items will be super safe! Packing Paper for Immobilization While packing paper can be used to wrap items that need protection during a move, they don’t provide cushioning when other items shift or fall. Wrapping items in paper will help prevent scratches, dings or scrapes, however. Primarily, packing paper can be used for filling space between items in a box helping items to remain immobile during a move. Crumpled paper can be stuffed inside glasses or vases to provide additional protection. Packing Peanuts Fill Space in Moving Boxes Even better than packing paper, packing peanuts fill spaces and provide cushioning inside moving boxes. Because of their small size and unique shape, packing peanuts can fill voids better than other products like bubble wrap or crumpled paper. The best use of packing peanuts ...


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May 16th, 2023

Easy Ways to Update Your Home This Summer

Storage Basics


Our homes do important work. They protect everything we hold dear — our people, our pets, and our memories. Plus, our homes play an important role in our identity and mindset. That’s why it’s important to care for our homes by updating them and in a way that makes sense for our lifestyles. Now, not everyone can update their home with the addition of a mother-in-law suite, one of the latest popular trends. But you can update your home in a way that livens up your spaces and refreshes your outlook with little effort and little cost. Free Ways to Update Your Home There isn’t much that’s free these days, and if it is free, it could be too good to be true! In this case, these ideas for updating your home really are free — though they’ll take some effort. 1. Redecorating your home can give you a new perspective on your long-lived belongings and the use of your space. Moving furniture to different locations in the same room, or to a new room altogether could help bring new life into your home. Even reorienting the room around a fireplace, or moving the Television will shift perspectives and make a room feel new again. 2. Decluttering your home can free up your living space and your mindset. Start out with four piles: Keep, Give, Trash, Sell. Start with one room, any room, and look carefully at the items on your bookshelves, cabinets, and tables. For each item, place it in one of your four piles. Being honest with yourself is a key part of this process. For many items, you might feel a tug of nostalgia. Ask yourself why you’re keeping the item. It’s okay to let one sentimental item go in favor of keeping another item that has more meaning or embodies a loved one in a stronger way. For those items you wish to sell, holding a yard sale can be an easy solution to earning a few extra dollars. 3. ...


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May 1st, 2023

Does your business need storage space for inventory?

Storage Basics


Storage space isn’t just an extra attic for grandmas or an extra garage for dads where items are unorganized and piled high. An offsite storage unit can be a storage space for inventory that houses equipment and supplies for interior designers, event planners, professional organizers, and many more professional services. Storage Space for Interior Designers Whether they are working for residential or commercial clients, interior designers need a space dedicated to their supplies, surplus housewares, fabrics, extra furniture pieces and other items. When designing an entire home or office space, especially those spaces that are still under construction, some interior designers use a storage unit to collect the purchases they make on behalf of their clients. The storage unit is then emptied and refilled with every design project. For future design projects, designers will often collect unique pieces of furniture they find, or items they might buy in bulk or on sale. This collection isn’t something most designers can accommodate in their homes or garages. That’s why a storage space for inventory makes so much sense. And when a storage unit is organized properly, there’s no reason why specific inventory can’t be located and removed quickly with little hassle. How Event Planners Use a Storage Unit Similar to interior designers, event planners need a storage space for inventory such as tablecloths, napkins, chairs, place settings, candles, lighting, stage decor, and more. While many items used at events come from equipment rental companies, there are often special furnishings or decor that event planners like to keep on hand to customize their client’s event. Cabinets can be used to line a storage unit and filled with fasteners, ties, ribbons, sewing equipment and more so that event planners are prepared when creating a special atmosphere for their events. Specialized seating, like barstools, or podiums can be stored for use at speaking events or presentations. Professional Organizers Use Storage Space Since the heyday of Tupperware, storage containers have been a hit for homeowners. There’s something so pleasing to the eye ...


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March 28th, 2023

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 ...


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March 14th, 2023

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