Whether you are looking to move out or reclaim some space at home, it can be very stressful. It is important to be as prepared as you can to minimise the problems that you might encounter. To help make the process easier, ensure that you are prepared with the proper materials. Here are the top five must-have packing supplies that you will need.

Moving Boxes

When it comes to packing supplies, the most important one of them all is… the box. Boxes are vital for decluttering regardless of the size of your belongings. As such, obtaining moving boxes should be your priority. One crucial detail that you should remember when purchasing the moving boxes is to ensure that it is sturdy enough to carry all your belongings. You will likely require boxes in an assortment of sizes. It is also wise to get more boxes than you think you will need to prevent that extra trip down to the DIY shop to get more. While packing your belongings, keep items that are similar in the same box. Categorising will allow you to be more organised in the future when you decide to unpack. At Extra Space Asia, we provide a selection of boxes for your needs. Check out our Box Shop to find out more.

Bubble Wrap

The next important packing material that you need is Bubble Wrap. While sturdy moving boxes protect your fragile belongings, it is not enough to prevent breakages during loading and unloading. This is where bubble wrap comes into play. The most common mistake that you can make is thinking that bubble wrap is for professional use only. Bubble wrap should be used by everyone who wants to safeguard their prized belongings. Protect any fragile belongings such as glasses, vases, and oversized picture frames by wrapping them up in layers of bubble wrap. It can even serve as dividers inside moving boxes, serving as an extra layer of padding. Most DIY shops sell bubble wrap. However, if you really can’t find any, try our Box Shop for an affordable option.

Marker Pens

While not typically known as a packing material. You must have at least one marker pen when you are packing. The purpose of the pen is to label all the boxes and list the items in each of them. While almost everyone will have one at home, it is never too late to double-check before starting your packing journey.

Heavy-duty Clear Packing Tapes

Once you have packed all of your belongings into the boxes, you will need to secure them with heavy-duty clear packing tape. Tapes are essential for packing as it keeps your boxes secured and reinforced. On top of this, you may also need to use some tape to secure the bubble wrap in places around fragile items to ensure that they do not fall out during the move. Ensure that you have purchased the heavy-duty clear packing tape as they are specifically designed for packing. For these, we recommend you do not skimp on the cost as the cheapest packing tape is not going to last. When sealing boxes, ensure that you tape the middle where the flaps meet and along the sides for extra support. If the boxes are heavy, consider crisscrossing the tapes on the box.

Tape Gun

If you are looking to save time and effort while sealing your boxes using heavy-duty clear packing tape, you might want to consider purchasing a tape gun. You might think that the amount of time saved by purchasing a tape gun might not be much. However, owners of tape guns will tell you otherwise.

And the One to Avoid

Avoid packing peanuts. While it seems helpful in protecting your belongings, they are messy and take up tons of space. Instead, your bubble wrap is enough to protect your belongings. If you require additional protection, try using Air-Paq, an inflatable airbag created just for this purpose.Before you purchase any packing materials, we recommend that you search for them at home. Chances are, you already have almost everything at home. However, if you need any essential packing supplies, why not drop us a call to get some from our Box Shop?      

An ExtraSpaceCares initiative

National Day. A special day indeed, representing a momentous occasion in history which we should cherish and treasure for all time. It is a day of celebration, and celebrate we must. This year is all the much more special as there has not been a parade for the past 2 years, due to the pandemic of COVID-19. As such, Extra Space Asia recognises the importance and significance of celebrating this day, and has once again partnered with Singapore-based social enterprise ACE Seniors in a national movement of bringing National Day celebrations to nursing homes and community hospitals. This partnership marks the 3rd year running where Extra Space Asia has collaborated with ACE Seniors. The basis of the partnership has not changed, where Extra Space Asia pledged and sponsored 652 care packs for their elderly friends at Peacehaven Nursing Home and Lion’s Home for the Elders. This volunteering effort has evolved into a tradition for the team at Extra Space Asia, where the volunteers sacrificed their time and manpower, to sort, pack and deliver the care packs to the elderlies. Each care pack consists of a variety of food (such as instant noodles and biscuits), as well as hygiene products (such as shampoo and soap), which are packed into an eco-friendly and reusable tote bag bearing Extra Space Asia’s brand! In line with this year’s NDP theme of “Stronger Together, Majulah”, the company recognises that success and progress can only be achieved together, as we put on a united front and soldier on. All citizens from all walks of life must not be neglected, thus the reason Extra Space Asia has always prioritized the senior citizens. Giving back to society has always been Extra Space Asia’s motto, thus this partnership has been truly rewarding and meaningful for the team. May this gesture bring smile and joy to our elderly folk, who have been the backbone of Singapore in the years before us. Peacehaven Nursing Home is a home that offers a comprehensive gamut of services to care for the sick, frail and elderly who have physical or mental disabilities with minimal or no appropriate caregiver support at home.  Lion’s Home for the Elders is a Voluntary Welfare Organisation (VWO) that actively promotes and employs best practices in providing services and programmes for the ageing community. Stay safe and stay healthy. With love, The team at Extra Space Asia.

Image: The NDP care packs are specially curated according to the needs of our beneficiaries at the two homes.

Image: Our Extra Space Asia staff sorting the NDP care packs items.

 

Image: Our Extra Space Asia staff working together to pack all of the NDP care packs for the two homes.

Image: With the help of our Extra Space staff, a total of 652 care bags are packed.

Image: Our Extra Space Asia team sending the care packs to our friends at Lion’s Home.

Image: Our friends at Lions Home for The Elders receiving the specially baked NDP cake.

Image: ACE Singapore presenting a token of appreciation to Extra Space Asia’s CEO, Mr Kenneth.

As a parent, it can be a real chore to keep your home clean with your kids around. It can be so frustrating that it leads to increased stress and anxiety. One solution to consider is looking into asking your little ones for help! Decluttering with your kids means that you are teaching them how to stay organised, which is a skill that will benefit them in the future. Furthermore, it is not easy to educate them on this; getting rid of our own belongings is always much easier than trying to clean our children’s bedrooms. Here are some tips that you can pick up to start your decluttering journey together with the little ones!

Start decluttering with the kids

It will be very difficult to ask your kids to declutter with you right off the bat. Instead, the best thing you can do is to get started first. The best time to start is when they are asleep or not home. The goal is to clean up and pack their bedrooms and belongings as much as possible for a start. Fret not! Once their bedrooms are almost fully decluttered, they will naturally get more involved in the process.

Know your kids

Different children have different attention spans and attachment levels. So, it is important to know who will have a more challenging time letting go of things and who will be less emotional about it. Make sure to set aside time to talk to your children about the process and why it is important. For children with shorter attention spans, you might want to cater a routine or reward them when they complete the task to encourage them to partake in the activity. Sometimes, your youngest child will need supervision and guidance. It will be good to go through the belongings together as a form of encouragement. It is very important to recognise the emotions that they will go through during the decluttering process. Let them know you understand that it is not easy to say goodbye to the things that we once loved, but also remind them that by getting rid of the old, they can make room for the new!

Implement a system

When it comes to teaching kids your children how to declutter, it is vital to have a simple system for them to follow. One toy in, one toy out You can always make use of the one toy in one toy out system. Cultivate the habit with your children of always putting one toy away before they can take out the next. Not only does this keep the space organised, it will also help them learn some responsibility and life skills for the future! Label toy storage boxes Labelling the toy storage boxes makes it easy for your child to clear away items after using them. The most common thing that discourages your child from decluttering is that they do not know where the storage boxes are. For younger kids, you can also consider using pictures or photographs to show them where exactly the item belongs. You can even take a picture of what an area will look like when it is perfectly organised for your child to refer to when they are cleaning up. Reward your child for decluttering The one strategy that works most often is to reward your child when they accomplish a task! This works exceptionally well for kids who have a hard time letting go of their belongings. Does your child have something that they desperately want to get? You can make a deal with them to declutter the home for it! Once you have struck a deal with them, you’ll be surprised at how fast they can clean and pack the house. You can also choose to create a point system to reward them with points each time they clean and pack their room. Once they achieve a certain amount of points, they can exchange them for a toy that they want badly.

Lead by example

All kids are natural at imitating what they see and hear. By keeping your house tidy and clearing clutter regularly, your child will naturally follow in your footsteps over time. As such, it is important to lead by example and always keep the house tidy and clean. If there are items that you no longer need, donate or recycle them.

Make use of self-storage

If there are any items that your child wants to keep, but it is cluttering up the house, why not make use of self-storage? At Extra Space Asia, we offer a wide range of affordable storage spaces to cater to your every need.

Just received the confirmation for your relocation to another country? If yes, you will need to pack everything and choose what you need to relocate, discard or donate. It can be a stressful period to pack and prepare for the relocation. This is why we have come up with 3 smart tips on how to pack and relocate everything efficiently if you only have a limited amount of time to prepare.

Pack your important document and necessary items

Packing can be a nightmare when you do not know where to begin. For starters, you should get a sturdy waterproof box that you can use for all of your important documents, such as your family passports, visa documents, and folders containing all the necessary documents. This is so when you start packing everything, you do not have to worry about losing these essential items, and you will also be assured that they are packed safely in the beginning.

Once you have packed all of these key items, you can start to prepare and pack the other items around your home either by room or by category of items.

Pack, declutter and donate your items

Before you start to pack up everything, it is vital to get enough packing materials like packing tapes, bubble wraps for your fragile items and boxes for all of your items weeks before your move. You can purchase these packing materials from online retailers, self-storage providers like Extra Space Asia, or packing supply shops.

As we all know, the more you ship, the more you would incur for the entire relocation process. As such, you should try to declutter as much as you can and pack according to what you really need so that when you reach your new destination, you will not have another headache trying to reorganise and unpack so many items. If the items are in good condition, you can also consider selling them to your friends or donating them to people who might need them.

Look for a reliable relocation service provider or self-storage provider

If you have a lot of boxes and items to relocate, it would be good to look into various relocation service providers to assist you. Relocation services can effectively help you move all your items to your new home in another country. After confirming the items you plan to move, it would be good to contact a few relocation service providers to request a moving quote before deciding on one. It is always good to read up on reviews to know that your items are in safe hands for this entire relocation journey.

Did you know that at Extra Space Asia, we offer both storage services and moving services too? With our newly launched e-Move service, we are now able to assist you through your moving process. WhatsApp 83 452 452 today to receive a quick mover’s quote or to find out more.

If you are working overseas for a year or so, you can also consider using a self-storage unit where you can store all of your items. By storing at a self-storage facility such as Extra Space Asia, you will be able to access and retrieve your items any time when you are back. Your storage rental is also based on your storage duration and storage size. If you are storing for an extended period, there is also a great storage deal now where you can enjoy 2 months free when you store at selected Extra Space Asia Self Storage facilities.

Call us at 6771 3100 today to learn more about our various storage offerings. Alternatively, you can also visit any of our Extra Space Asia storage facilities today during our operation hours from 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday and 9am to 1pm on Saturday. Our friendly customer service officers will be glad to assist you!

 
By: Michelle Lee

Choosing a self-storage facility can be easy, but choosing the right self-storage facility would need more thinking. There are many factors to consider before you narrow down your self-storage options. If you are new to the idea of self-storage, here are three important things to note when choosing a self-storage facility.

1.Your storage needs

Before getting a quick self-storage quote from the self-storage website or via a call, you should think about what you are planning to store and how long you will store your items. These factors will affect your storage quotation and personal requirements in a self-storage space. Therefore, it is important to make a list including these points:

2.The self-storage facility’s location

Are you planning to visit your storage unit every day or only in the rare and unlikely cases that you need your items? If you are a business owner who needs to visit your business inventory every day, a convenient self-storage location will be important so that you can access your business inventory any time, any day you need to easily.

For homeowners looking for a self-storage unit to store all of their furniture and family items for home renovation or relocation purposes, you might also need to weigh the cost of moving your things in and from the storage facility on top of your storage rental cost. Usually, a self-storage facility located in the central area or heart of the city might cost more than a location that can be a little far from the train station or busy town area. Thus, it is essential to consider the rough frequency of your visits to the storage unit.

If you are in need of both movers and self-storage, it would be good to choose a company like Extra Space Asia Self-Storage that provides both services so that it can save you time in coordinating too. With the newly launched e-Move service, we can assist you through your moving process. Feel free to WhatsApp 83 452 452 today to receive a quick mover’s quote or find out more about our e-Move service. You can also fill up the enquiry form here if you want us to email you the details. You can also book and secure a moving slot simply by WhatsApp.

 3. The self-storage promotional deals

It is always wise to get a storage quotation from more than one storage provider. Comparing prices will provide you with a better understanding of the average cost of renting a particular storage size at the storage facility near or far from you. Do let the storage facility advise you on the best storage promotion deal available so that you will only pay for what you need. If your preferred storage facility is not offering a good deal, you can always explore alternative self-storage options.

Lastly, once you are good with the storage quotation price, do remember to visit the storage provider to have a personalised tour and to look at the available storage units that fits your storage needs before you sign the final storage contract and make the full payment.

If you have more storage questions, feel free to also give us a call at 6771 3100 or Whatsapp us if you prefer messaging. Otherwise, simply visit any of our Extra Space Asia Self-Storage facilities located around Singapore during our operating hours from Mondays to Fridays, 9am to 6pm and Saturdays, 9am to 1pm,  to find out more!
By: Michelle Lee

Image Credits: GundamInfo

After seven long years, we’re finally getting another main Gundam series! Titled ‘Gundam: The Witch from Mercury‘, it debuts in October 2022 with a female lead, a first in its formula since the ‘Mobile Suit Gundam’ first aired in 1979. The unnamed female character was revealed standing in front of her Gundam, Gundam Aerial. However, nothing was revealed yet, not even which timeline or universe it is in!

New Gunpla

According to the launch press conference, high-grade 1/144 scale models for the three revealed mobile suits are already in production: Gundam Aerial, Gundam Lfrith, and Beguir-Beu.

Image Credit: ガンダムチャンネル

Gundam Aerial

The main Gundam of this series is distinct in terms of colour scheme, spotting the classic white and blue primary tones, with a hint of yellow and red. Looking at the armaments, there seem to be two beam sabers attached to the back. On the hand, it seems to be holding onto what looks like a compact beam rifle on the right hand with a shield on the left. For design, it looks fairly inspired by the Iron-Blooded Orphans series with a backpack port. However, it has fairly noticeable differences from the Gundam used there. Could this be the future of the Iron-Blooded Orphans series!?

Image Credit: ガンダムチャンネル

Gundam Lfrith

Gundam Lfrith looks to be the second Gundam in the series (similar to Gundam Gusion Rebake). And as with the Gundam Aerial, it seems to have two beam sabers on the back, a compact beam rifle, and a shield. However, what stands out is how the head is designed. The head seems to be inspired by the Patlabor series (another series that is worth watching).

Image Credit: ガンダムチャンネル

Beguir-Beu

Could this be the arch-nemesis of the Gundam Aerial? It appears to have two thruster/funnels located at the back. It does not look to be carrying any weapons. However, if history has taught us anything, the weapons might be hidden in the backpack, OR the backpack itself is the weapon! With so many speculations, we can’t help but get excited. Furthermore, we’re pretty sure everyone will want to add these model kits into their collection once it has been released into the market. Just remember, if you lack space to store your backlogs, simply contact us at 6771 3100, and we’ll be sure to assist you in finding a suitable storage space at an affordable rate for them. Till then, see you again!  

Relocating to another city or country? Whether you’re relocating due to a new job opportunity or for family/ personal reasons, it can be stressful as you are uprooting yourself from one place to another. In these cases, renting a self-storage unit could be more beneficial when you relocate. Here are three benefits of self-storage that you can consider in your relocation plans.

  1. Affordable self-storage rental vs expensive property rental

Some expats own permanent homes in the country. Once they have decided to relocate and move to another country, they will either sell the home or rent it out to earn some extra rental income. Alternatively, those currently renting their homes might be searching for storage solutions to store those items that they do not intend to bring along.

Sound like what you’re planning to do? Consider renting a self-storage unit to store big bulky furniture or family items. Renting a self-storage unit might be more affordable and even lower than continuing your home or room rental. It could also be easier to rent out the whole house to earn more rental income than renting out one less room just to store their items.

  1. Flexible storage period and terms 

Compared to being locked down by a permanent long-term contract to rent a home for a year or so, self-storage providers such as Extra Space Asia Self-Storage offer both short-term and long-term rental. Customers can choose to store from as short as 14 days to as long as needed. There is also a wide range of storage sizes, from lockers to walk-in units within the storage facility. At Extra Space Asia, customers can also store home items, documents, and even business inventory.

If you’re relocating to another country for an extended period, like a year or beyond, you’ll enjoy a better storage deal that will allow you to save more long term. Currently, new customers at Extra Space Asia Self-Storage can enjoy up to 35% discounts if they decide to store for more than one year. Customers can always contact them at 6771 3100 to request a free storage quotation. For customers who prefer to message instead of calling, you can also simply visit Extra Space Asia’s website and click on either the LIVE CHAT button or the WHATSAPP button to chat to any of our friendly Customer Service Executives.

  1. Safe and secure storage space for your items

Unlike some self-storage providers in Singapore, which is unstaffed, there are always Customer Service Executives present at Extra Space Asia Self-Storage facilities during operational hours from Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm or Saturday 9am to 1pm. Customers can be assured that their stored items are in good hands, and should they need any assistance at the facilities, a staff will be present to assist immediately.

What’s more, Extra Space Asia facilities are also equipped with 24-hour CCTV monitoring, and all customers will be provided with a unique PIN code to access the storage area. In terms of storage units, they can only be accessed by the customers as only they have the keys to their storage units. The storage facilities are also climate-controlled with a 24/7 air conditioner and dehumidifier. With all these features in place, all customers can have peace of mind knowing that their items, even temperature-sensitive items, are kept in a safe and secure environment.

If you’re searching for a self-storage unit to store all of your home items or would like to learn more about the various storage services, feel free to visit any of Extra Space Asia storage facilities located around Singapore today! But if you are looking for an alternative storage solution, you can also try Extra Space Asia’s e-Valet Box Storage, an on-demand box storage solution at just $5/box per month. Click here to find out more. Simply sign up for our e-Valet services online and receive boxes at your doorstep. When you are done packing, we will return to collect your boxes and store them in our secure storage facility.

Did you know that at Extra Space Asia, we offer both storage services and moving services too? With our newly launched e-Move service, we are now able to assist you through your moving process. WhatsApp 83 452 452 today to receive a quick mover’s quote or to find out more.
By: Michelle Lee

With Hari Raya just less than a month away, it is time to start preparing your home for the festive season. We know that it can be tricky trying to keep up with all the house cleaning chores and working/studying at the same time, especially during the fasting month. So, if you are tight on time, here are three useful tips to get your home ready for Hari Raya this year!

Start decluttering your home

During the Hari Raya period, most of us will invite our family members and close friends to our home to celebrate and feast together. This is why it is key to have your home look clean and presentable so that when your guests visit your home, they will have a pleasant experience.

If you have limited time, you should gather your family members and start tackling common areas such as the living room and kitchen first. Start throwing away items and food products that have expired or are not in good condition. If you have a corner where you tend to pile up various things and clothes, you should also declutter them. If you have items that are still in good condition but you find no use for them or are unable to fit into them, consider donating them to various charities as a way to declutter and help someone in need at the same time!

Seek professional help

Really busy (or too lazy) to do the cleaning yourself? Don’t fret. You can always seek professional help. There are many part-time cleaners that you can engage in Malaysia who can help you with your home spring cleaning at a time that fits your schedule. Just check out companies such as Helpling, Home Fresh, Urban Company etc., who will provide professionally trained housekeepers at an affordable cost, starting from $18/ hour. If you are new to these cleaning services, it might be a good time to try them during the festive seasons.

Explore self-storage to enjoy extra space at home

Living in a small space or finding ways to maximise your home space? Why not try renting a self-storage unit? This way, you can store your family and personal items and enjoy extra space at home! By renting a self-storage unit at self-storage facilities such as Extra Space Asia Self-Storage, you will also enjoy 24 hours access to your items where you can store and retrieve your items any time, any day. These storage units will also come in handy after the festive season as you can use them to store your personal collection or even festive-related items and big bulky belongings that are hardly used.

The best part about renting a self-storage unit at Extra Space Asia is that you are only paying for the storage space you rent, and the storage duration is also flexible as you can rent from as short as 14 days to as long as you need! At Extra Space Asia, we offer both lockers and walk-in units, which you can choose to rent according to your storage needs.

If you are unsure about what storage size you might need, you can simply contact us at 6771 3100 or visit any of our 11 storage facilities located around Singapore, and we will be glad to assist you.

 
By: Michelle Lee

In Singapore, we’re always looking to get the most out of what we spend, no matter the investment. For some, it’s an instinct. For others, it’s all about the need to spend time researching for the best deals. Self-storage is usually quite affordable. Most people tend to get more out of the space they have rented. However, to get the most bang for your buck, you’ll need a proper game plan to maximise your budget. Here are four storage tips to help you save more during your storage rental period.  

Research, Research, Research

There are many self-storage companies out there (cough-ExtraSpaceAsia-cough), and prices vary across the different companies. Storage pricing is dependent on the storage location, size, duration, and ongoing promotions. For example, with Extra Space Asia, our monthly rental can start from as low as $50 per month. On top of this, some facilities offer two months of free storage with a minimum of 6 months of prepayment.

Taking Measurements

One major factor affecting storage rental costing is the size of the storage space and its square footage. Take measurements of everything that you are putting in your storage space. Knowing the exact dimensions will help you explain what you need to the customer service executive to recommend you the perfect size/price combination.  

Sharing Your Storage Unit

Sometimes, sharing your storage unit with your friends or family members will be more economical. While there are many storage sizes available for you, sometimes, the self-storage facility that you’re looking at can just run out of space or a size that is just too large for you. Renting units that outsize your needs doesn’t make financial sense. You can work around this by finding someone in a similar situation, someone who requires just a small enough space to split the bill together.  

Go Vertical

Once you have your storage unit, ensure that you have fully utilised all the space available. The most wasted, underused space in a storage unit is usually the vertical space. Stack and hang things as upright as possible to maximise the use of space. But remember not to stack your belongings too high, and always, always stack the heaviest, most durable items on the bottom.

Join Loyalty Programmes

Customer loyalty programmes are incentives that companies use to get people to purchase their products. Often, you get more than what you pay for when you join. At Extra Space Asia, we have a customer loyalty programme that allows customers to earn points for every dollar they spend. Customers can use the points to exchange rewards from over 50 partnering merchants. Maximising your storage budget is doable but will require some creativity and planning. If you’re thinking about renting a self-storage unit, keep the above tips in mind.  

Try out our e-Valet solution

Valet Storage is an alternative affordable storage solution that provides a hassle-free, end-to-end storage solution. Starting from $5 per box per month, you can now store and retrieve your items from the comfort of your home or office while enjoying all the extra space! Valet storage is a good storage option for those who do not need a large amount of storage space but would like to store seasonal and not frequently used items.