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6 Reasons You Need Self Storage

Self Storage Tips


Self Storage Tips Look around you. See any clutter? If you do, you’re in good company, because more than 50% of Americans admit they have a clutter problem. It’s time for a change. Below, we share some of the top reasons self storage is a necessity to clear your cluttered lifestyle. 1. Seasons Have Reasons Dasher, Dancer, Prancer and Vixen have overstayed their welcome. When the calendar flips, so does your home and business. Seasonal decorations need a new home when their month is up, and self storage is just the place. Keep onsite storage for practical items you use monthly versus annually. Save that spot on your shelf for the popcorn maker you use for movie nights instead of Christmas ornaments that make a one-time appearance. You will be amazed at how much more space you have when your shelves are cleared from overflowing seasonal boxes. 2. Toys Takeover The average 10-year-old owns 238 toys. To make matters worse, they only play with about 12 toys daily. Get your playroom under control by using a self-storage unit to hold toys that haven’t been in the top 12 recently. Putting toys in storage helps prevent meltdowns associated with throwing “favorite” toys away and keeps outgrown toys nearby if there are any new additions to the family. 3. Family Changes Whether you’re grieving the loss of a loved one, going through a divorce or becoming an empty nester, self storage can help with the transition. Certain items, such as awards, photos and personal treasures don’t belong in the trash, but no longer have a space in your home. Self storage is beneficial during short-term transition processes. 4. Furniture Fills Space Furniture is one of the most common items kept in self-storage units, and for good reason. Furniture is big, bulky and often seasonal. If you entertain a few times a year, keeping extra seating and tables in a self-storage unit can make your home feel more spacious day-to-day.   Outdoor furniture is best protected during the winter months if kept in ...


Norm Kotoch
June 25th, 20219

4 Ways Your Business Can Benefit from a Self-Storage Unit

Self Storage Tips


Self Storage Tips A majority of office workers believe that being organized improves performance. However, almost half admit to being unorganized, mainly because many don’t know where to start.  Businesses and employees who don’t know where to start when decluttering their workspace can begin by utilizing a self-storage unit. This can help store extra inventory and supplies, free up office space, and archive important documents.  Below we provide four self-storage solutions that can help businesses declutter and improve productivity. 1. Document Storage Businesses are often required to keep sensitive documents on file. However, this can be a security concern if they aren’t stored appropriately and securely. A self-storage unit can provide a secure and cost-effective way for businesses to archive confidential documents, such as employment and tax records. To reduce clutter onsite and ensure files are stored safely, businesses should consider facilities that offer premium security and climate-controlled units. These features create peace of mind for business owners storing important documents and safeguard files from theft and discoloration: 24/7 video surveillance. Appropriate temperature and humidity settings. Pass-code entry gates. Individual locks and alarms. 2. Restaurant Storage Restaurant owners can better organize and manage their business by storing seasonal equipment, furniture and inventory in self-storage units. Oftentimes, there is not enough space on-site to safely and effectively store their seasonal and current items.   To create a spacious and more comfortable environment for employees and patrons, restaurants should store these items when they are not in use: Dishware. Excess inventory. Janitorial supplies. Kitchen supplies. Non-perishable food items. Patio furniture. Seasonal decorations. Additionally, restaurants can utilize a self-storage unit to preserve their wine collection in a premium wine cellar, which provides safety features, including: 24/7 surveillance. A backup generator in the case of a power outage. Individual alarms. Optimal temperature and humidity levels (56 degrees and between 60% to 70% relative humidity). 3. Short-Term Storage Businesses looking to renovate or relocate can utilize a self-storage unit to temporarily store items during the process. These businesses should also select a storage facility that offers professional moving truck valet services to alleviate stress and improve organization.  Specific needs may vary from business to business, so it’s best to select a facility that offers a variety of unit sizes to ...


Norm Kotoch
March 24th, 2025

How Much is Personal Storage? A Cost Breakdown

Self Storage Tips


Self Storage Tips Whether you’re downsizing, decluttering or transitioning your belongings into a self-storage unit, knowing the costs can help you make an informed decision.   Self-storage units offer a variety of amenities and benefits, including size and special features, but it's essential to determine if these features are worth the cost to better plan your budget.  Continue reading to find out how these factors can influence pricing and tips to budget effectively.   >>> Related Resource: Five Factors to Consider Before Renting a Self-Storage Unit Factors that Impact the Cost of a Storage Unit Although there are several diverse factors that can play a role in the cost of renting a storage unit, some of the most common include size, location, and special features.  Some of these special features can be beneficial to your storage needs, and you may want to consider them before finalizing your decision. Here’s a breakdown: Size: One of the most significant factors for a personal storage unit is size. Depending on how large or small your items are, the cost can fluctuate. Common sizing can range from 5 x 5 to 15 x 22 in some instances, making units suitable for a couple of boxes to large vehicles. Location: Depending on where your self-storage facility is located, it may be more expensive to utilize. Look for a company that offers convenient locations without high prices. Security: Premium security is a must when selecting a ...


Norm Kotoch
June 19th, 2024

Winter Car Storage Tips

Self Storage Tips


Self Storage Tips Northeast Ohio is synonymous with snow and cold temperatures from December through March each year, and sometimes even into the spring months.  When you own a seasonal or classic car, the harsh winter conditions can be detrimental to your car, thus requiring car owners to consider storage options when the car is not in use. Prior to storing your car for the winter, there are specific steps owners should take to ensure their cars are safe while not in use for extended periods of time. To help get you started, we have a compiled the following long-term and winter car storage tips from resources across the web: 1. Wash and Wax Remnants of dirt, salt, tree sap and more can cause damage to the paint if left on the car’s exterior while in storage. To ensure the exterior of the car stays looking fresh, be sure to thoroughly wash the car, and apply a coat of wax for added protection. This includes any chrome areas of the car. It is also important to vacuum and clean out the interior of the car to prevent odors from developing. 2. Keep It Covered Car covers are not just for outdoor storage. Use a breathable, clean cloth cover to prevent dust from collecting on the outside of the car during storage. 3. Change the Oil and Filter Used oil can contain contaminants that can break down the engine if left to sit for extended periods of time. Keep your engine in top condition by taking the time to change the oil and filter prior to storage. 4. Use a Fuel Stabilizer While there are differing opinions on whether to fill up the fuel tank before storing a car, be sure to use a fuel stabilizer if you elect to keep any amount of fuel in the ...


Norm Kotoch
November 30th, 2021

6 Ways to Get Organized in the New Year

Self Storage Tips


Self Storage Tips Too often, we make resolutions at the start of a new year that we don’t keep by year’s end. According to research conducted by the University of Scranton, only 8% of people who set a resolution on January 1 stick to it through December 31. In fact, the same study reports that only 64% make it to February. Below, we share a few tips to help you sustain a common New Years resolution—getting organized. 1. Don’t Over-Commit In the excitement and anticipation of a new year, we can sometimes get a bit overzealous in our resolution selection. We think BIG, which can then create a mountain-sized task for us to tackle. Don’t set yourself up for quick discouragement. Instead of resolving to keep your entire house meticulously organized, focus first on your garage or select rooms. Consider creating a calendar for yourself in which you outline which areas of your home you will tackle, and when. Having a plan that is broken down into manageable tasks over a period of time can help set you up for success, and help demonstrate your progress. 2. Make It Thoughtful Make your resolution purposeful. Resolutions that have a reason behind them provide the motivation needed to remain focused. In the example of a garage, are you reorganizing your garage to sell a shed? To buy a new car? Figure out why you’re setting your resolution, and use that as a driver for success. 3. Get Rid of Unwanted Items As you go through each room or target area on your list, look for opportunities to throw away, donate, recycle or store items that aren’t needed or used. Common culprits include: Clothes or shoes that no longer fit, are out of fashion or out of season. Expired food, medicines, batteries or personal hygiene products. Paperwork and mail. (Could important paperwork be digitized to save room?) Items that are broken or missing pieces. 4. Give All Belongings a Space To aid with organization, group your belongings into categories, and then assign that category a designated space ...


Norm Kotoch
January 8th, 2021

5 Ways to Better Store Holiday Decorations

Self Storage Tips


Self Storage Tips It’ll be Christmas before we know it. Lights, garland and trimmed trees of all sizes are popping up everywhere as snow falls around us. Christmas In Cleveland is a magical time, with many reasons to gather, decorate and celebrate. As you pull out decorations or buy new staples to give your home a seasonal twist, you may be filled with wonder on where to store it all after the News Years’ ball drops. Below, we share a few storage considerations. 1. Store in Original Boxes and Bins Keep the original boxes and materials your items came in. These storage materials are well thought out to uniquely pair with your decorative item and can help you keep it intact for years to come. 2. Develop a Storage System Here’s your time to be creative! We’re sure you have boxes storing various household items—from garden tools to electronics and artwork. Unless an identification system is in place, it can be difficult to know which boxes you need to pull out around the holidays. To combat, mark boxes in a way that clearly identifies them as your holiday season decorations. As a decorative touch, consider also adding graphical representations, such as a holiday light bulb for your lights, an ornament for tree supplies, or a snowflake for fake snow. 3. Pack Similar Items Together To keep your items organized and systems clear, only store one type of item per box. Keep ornaments with ornaments and lights with lights to avoid confusion later on and the inevitable question of “Now where did I put that?” 4. Dedicate a Specific Space Another way to know exactly where the items you need reside is to always keep them in the same place. If you’re a fan of the popular Netflix show, The Home Edit, Clea Shearer and Joanna Teplin refer to these as “zones.” Find a place that you associate with holiday decoration storage. Whether it’s under a staircase, in a specific area of your garage, or in a dedicated room, you will always know ...


Norm Kotoch
December 8th, 2020

5 Ways to Stage a Bedroom to Sell Your Home for More Money

Self Storage Tips


Moving Tips, Self Storage Tips Staging your bedroom is an easy way to elevate your home’s value. To potentially earn more on your investment, consider these tips to entice buyers with a well-staged bedroom. 1. Downsize Your Bed Make your room easy to walk through by putting a smaller bed in it. If you typically have a king size bed, downsizing to a queen will add extra space to make the room appear larger to buyers. Don’t have a smaller bed handy? Put your current bed in storage. Then, elevate a smaller air mattress on stilts with a bed skirt to disguise your makeshift bed. 2. Organize Your Closet Closet space is perhaps one of the most important aspects of a bedroom. If it looks like all of your clothes aren’t fitting comfortably in your closet, buyers will never be able to envision their wardrobe fitting inside. Try to put half of your clothing in a self-storage unit. A good rule of thumb—you should be able to put a finger between every hanger. Spreading out your clothes makes the closet feel spacious and helps buyers feel like there is ample room for their own clothing and belongings. 3. Keep it Neutral There is a possibility the future homeowner will have a different sense of style from yours. Paint neutral colors in the space that will be easy to change for buyers. Bold colors deter buyers because they can be more difficult to paint over in the future. Additionally, their current furniture or décor may clash with a bold wall color, preventing them from making a purchase. The same goes for guest bedrooms. Children can be huge influencers for buyers, so if their future room looks like “a girl room” or “a boy room,” and they want the opposite, your home may be passed over. Keeping things neutral is a selling best practice. 4. Stay Simple Simple furniture and décor in a bedroom is the best bet for selling a home. When staging a bedroom, ...


Norm Kotoch
October 19th, 2020

3 Ways Self Storage Can Help Realtors Sell Homes

Self Storage Tips


Self Storage Tips Let’s face it – no one likes clutter, especially realtors. Having clutter in the home you’re trying to sell can distract potential buyers from all the house has to offer. With self storage, this no longer has to be a setback. Learn how self storage can help realtors sell homes below. 1. Keep Homes Clutter Free Eliminate clutter by storing your client’s excess belongings in self storage. This may includes items, such as: ATVs, bikes, boats and cars. Clothes. Craft supplies. Exercise equipment. Family portraits and photo albums. Personal possessions and valuables. Pet products. Toys. Remember to give clients access to your storage unit so that they can retrieve their extra belongings, as needed. 2. Stage Homes with Ease Good staging can positively affect a buyer’s decision when purchasing a home. With a self-storage facility, retailers gain more staging flexibility. With your client’s permission, store items that don’t meet the look and feel you are seeking. For example, put décor that doesn’t match the color scheme you are targeting in your storage unit. This ensures items are safe, yet out of the way, while you set up the home for selling. If you have your own preferred furniture, such as extra chairs, tables, couches, etc., that you like to utilize during home staging, self storage can also be of assistance. Store these pieces when they are not in use between open houses. 3. Store Business Essentials As a realtor, you have a lot of items you need to manage, such as “for sale” signs, files and brochures. Although an important part of your business, they may not always be in use. Prevent them from getting lost, or in the way at your office, home or vehicle with self storage. Store Open House Items With Us Are you looking to store items for an open house when not in use? Our facility offers a variety of flexible storage options with no long-term contracts. Contact us for more information. Self Storage Tips, Moving Tips ...


Norm Kotoch
August 17th, 2020

How to Categorize and Take Inventory of Stored Items

Self Storage Tips


Self Storage Tips Self-storage units are an excellent solution for individuals who don’t have enough space at home to keep all their possessions.  However, clutter in your house can easily become clutter in your storage unit without proper organization and inventory records.  Below, we provide a few organization tips to ensure you get the most out of your storage space and have convenient access to your belongings when you need them. Organize Your Storage Unit Organizing your self-storage unit will make it easier to locate and retrieve items more efficiently. Here are some tips to make the most of your storage space: Categorize your belongings by room, activity or item size. For example, group all sporting equipment together or keep living room furniture close in storage. Label boxes, bins and containers. Mark the contents of each storage container with words, such as “kitchenware” or “seasonal items” to avoid digging through boxes every time you need something. Place most frequently used items in the front.Determine which items you’ll need and then position them near the door for easy access. Sketch a diagram. Create a visual of your unit’s layout to help locate items faster. Store similar items together. Store items in the same category (seasonal, clothing or collectibles) together in designated areas. Utilize vertical space. Consider storing items on shelves to free up floor space. Additionally, make sure you select an appropriate unit size to accommodate your belongings. This will ensure you have enough storage space to manage your items effectively. If you are unsure about which option is best for your needs, contact a storage provider for assistance. Take Storage Unit Inventory Once your items have been categorized, it’s important to take inventory of what is being stored. Keep track of your belongings on paper or with a digital spreadsheet, and be sure to record the following information upon storing: A description of the item. Item category. Item seasonality. The date of storage. The location of the item in storage. Keeping tabs on this information will help you identify and retrieve items faster. This will save you time and provide convenience when it’s time to find something you need. A self-storage unit can help individuals declutter their ...


Norm Kotoch
February 22nd, 2019

The Top 5 Amenities to Look for in Self-Storage Facilities

Self Storage Tips


Homeowners and businesses utilize self-storage units for a variety of different reasons, such as: Moving from one home to the next. Storing excess inventory. Decluttering a home or apartment. Remodeling or adding onto a business. Since each storage facility offers unique amenities (e.g. premium security, different unit sizes, climate-control), you must understand your needs prior to selecting the right storage provider. Below, we outline the top five amenities to look for in a self-storage facility and why they are important. 1. Premium Security Your item’s security should be top-of-mind for both you and your storage provider. Whether you are storing home valuables or sensitive business documents, select a facility that safeguards your assets with the following: 24-hour video surveillance. Cameras provide storage providers with enhanced visibility into who is coming and going at their facilities. Surveillance cameras also allow them to identify suspicious activity and notify necessary authorities. Ample indoor and outdoor lighting. Ensure walkways and surrounding areas are well lit to ward off intruders, and protect employees and tenants in the dark. Individual door alarms and locks. Security systems can dispatch emergency personnel in the case of an attempted break-in. Passcode protected entry gates and fenced perimeter. These measures limit facility access to employees and tenants, reducing theft and unwanted visitors. Related read: Storage Protection: Understanding Elements of Layered Security 2. Climate-Controlled Units Many items are susceptible to damage when exposed to exceptionally hot or cold temperatures and humidity. To maintain belonging integrity, look for a self-storage facility that offers climate-controlled storage units. These units are kept at a moderate temperature and humidity level to: Keep wood furniture from warping. Prevent metal appliances from rusting. Protect sensitive documents, books and other paper goods from deteriorating. Safeguard memorabilia and home goods from damp basement conditions. Related read: What is a Climate-Controlled Unit? What Does it Look Like? 3. Conferencing Solutions Conference rooms can help businesses and individuals increase productivity by offering an on-site location for meeting space and technology equipment. Some storage providers offer benefits, such as: Computer access. Fax machines. Phones. Printers. Wi-Fi connection. They also offer an ideal location to have packages delivered during business hours. Related read: 3 Reasons Your Business Should Budget for Self-Storage 4. Vehicle Storage Cars, boats, RVs and trucks can take up a sizable amount of storage ...


Norm Kotoch
April 12th, 2018

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