Planning for an upcoming home renovation project? Downsizing? Moving abroad due to work or personal reasons? Besides personal and family belongings, some of us might even have some furniture sets that we’d like to store as a keepsake or for future use. Unlike personal belongings like clothes or books, which can be stored in boxes, furniture is usually bulky and odd-sized, making it difficult to store while requiring more storage space. This is where self-storage solutions come in handy. Here are 3 reasons why self-storage can help.

1. Wide range of storage sizes

From bed frames to sofa sets, cupboards, coffee tables and dining tables, there will always be a storage unit size that will be able to fit your needs. At Extra Space Asia Self-Storage, we offer a wide range of storage sizes ranging from 6 sqft to a spacious 500 sqft. You can also choose to store your items in a Locker or a Walk-in storage unit. If you’re unsure how much storage space you require to store all of your furniture, you can always call our friendly Customer Service Officer and let them know what furniture you’d like to store together with the measurements, and they’ll be able to assist you!

Here’s a storage tip: You should always disassemble big furniture items like bed frames and wrap them with stretch film or bubble wraps for fragile items. This way, it’d be much easier to store them, and they will also take up lesser space in the storage unit. If you need any packing materials, you can always purchase them at our Box Shop located in all Extra Space Asia facilities.

2. Safe and secure storage space

When we only have a few items, we might just store them in our family’s or friends’ home. However, furniture usually takes up more space. By storing your furniture in a self-storage, you can be assured that it will be in safe hands. Most storage providers like Extra Space Asia have 24-hour CCTV monitoring system. In addition, at Extra Space Asia Self-Storage, you’ll also be provided with a complimentary unique PIN-code to access the storage premise. For added security, your storage unit can also be locked with a personal lock. This will provide you peace of mind knowing that only you’ve access to your storage units and items.

3. Short-term and long-term storage options available

Unsure about how long you need to store your furniture? Don’t fret. At Extra Space Asia, you’ll have the flexibility to store for as short as 14 days to as long as you need. This means that you can freely choose between short-term or long-term storage options. And depending on your storage purpose, you can choose to downsize or upsize your storage unit anytime.

For customers who are going through a home renovation, short-term storage will be a great option to ensure that your furniture is clean and not damaged during the home renovation process. For customers who need to relocate or downsize their home, our long-term storage option is normally recommended so that you can store your furniture and belongings for as long as you need.

Here’s an extra perk to take note of! Most storage providers will usually provide a better deal for long-term storage customers.

Call us today at 6771 3100 to reserve your storage space or to find out more about our various storage solutions!
By: Michelle Lee

When you have children at home, expect toys, books and knick-knacks scattered all over the floor. We know this mess can be frustrating to look at. But it does not have to be that way. Here are 3 smart ways for all parents to try today!

1. Make use of storage boxes

One affordable way to organise all of our kid’s toys, books and miscellaneous items is to use storage boxes. Parents can instantly make a room look more orderly and clean by storing all of these items in different storage boxes and labelling them.

Parents can also explore the option of using transparent storage boxes, so that they can see the contents inside easily without opening each and every box to find something. It will also be good to have different sizes of boxes so that every item in the room has a dedicated storage space. For even more space, you can also think about adding furniture with clever built-in storage compartments.

2. Involve your kids

Good habits start young. It is never too early to introduce and instil good healthy habits in our children. So, encourage them to clean up their toys after playtime. We can start by organising the items in their room properly so that they get accustomed to seeing things in an orderly and organised manner. Once they are older, they can be a part of your small cleaning and home projects. By building all of these good habits regularly, our children will soon learn and make an effort to keep their items and room organised.

3. Explore the KonMari Method

Parents can try the KonMari method, Marie Kondo’s minimalist-inspired approach to tackle your items by category instead of by room. This method begins with tidying our clothes, then moving on to books, papers, miscellaneous items and finally sentimental items. We should only keep items that speak to the heart and discard those that no longer spark joy in our life. We can thank these items for being in our lives and then let them go.

By utilising the KonMari method, it will also help to organise every aspect of the kid’s room. This will also allow our kids to let go of stuff that they don’t require. If the items are still in good condition, we can choose to donate and pass it on to people who would find them useful. Through this process, we can also educate our children about the benefits of decluttering, where we are giving their items a new home and not just getting rid of it. We understand that the process of decluttering and organising a room takes loads of time and effort. However, if the end result is a clean and organised room for children to play, study and sleep in, it will definitely be rewarding.

With these 3 smart tips, you can say goodbye to the stress and frustration when organising your kid’s bedroom. If you are planning to make even more space at home to live in comfortably, you can always consider storing those hardly used items or seasonal items in a self-storage facility like Extra Space Asia. Call us at 6771 3100 today to find out more about the various storage plans.

 
By: Michelle Lee

By: Michelle Lee

New Year, new me. That’s what many of us say on the first day of a brand new year. But instead of just a ‘new me’, why not include changing up your home situation for the better too? With many of us still working from home, our homes have become a place where we live for more than 12 hours a day. So it’s definitely important that we find simple ways to keep our home clean and organised. We’ve come up with these 3 simple ways which can be applied any day and any time.

1. Tackle one room at a time

Most of our homes will include more than one room on top of the living room space. This means that you’d definitely need more time and effort to clean up every inch and corner of your home if you were to tackle it all at once. The easier (and forgiving) way would be to clean up room by room. You can always start with the messiest room or the room where you spend most of your time in. Start from the floor space, followed by your closet or your table. By combing these space section by section, you can start finding pockets of space.

You should also find time on a daily or weekly basis to do some personal hygiene tasks such as vacuuming and mopping your floor, changing your bedsheets and curtains, cleaning the surfaces that you often use like your desktop or vanity top to ensure that they are clean with minimal dust accumulation.

2. Remove messy corners

We all have that one messy corner in our home where we would just happily leave our items there, and watch it slowly start to pile up like a mountain. Instead of that, consider clearing and wiping up the mess way before it starts to clutter. You can start by clearing up the current messy corner and make use of storage boxes to hold your small knick-knacks.

Try buying the same type of storage boxes so that if you need to stack them up in your room, it’ll be more consistent and organised looking too. You can also purchase transparent storage boxes instead of those opaque ones so that you’ll be able to find your items much easier over time without the hassle of opening each container. You should also place small labels on each storage boxes so that you can categorise them easier. Also, consider stacking the items from top to bottom according to how often you use the items. This will save you time and effort in future should you need to use the items.

3. Declutter your room

In need of extra space to grow your personal collection, work comfortably and for your kids to play? Start your decluttering your home by first removing items which are hardly used. Once you’ve cleared these items either by throwing or donating them, you’ll be able to enjoy more space at home. With these newfound space, you’ll also be able to move furniture around to create a new vibe for your home. However, if after clearing up those unwanted items, you’re still in need of extra space for business or personal reasons, you can explore the idea of storing the bigger bulky items, seasonal items and even business items in a self-storage facility.

By storing in a self-storage facility such as Extra Space Asia Self- Storage, you’ll still be able to retrieve these items any time, any day as your storage unit is accessible 24/7. You can also contact the self-storage provider today at 6771 3100 to find out more about their various storage solutions for personal and business use or even wine storage.

 
By: Michelle Lee

You’ve signed up for a storage space and are waiting eagerly to move in your clutter. But on your first day at your storage unit, you realised a big problem – your storage unit is too small. This is just one of many mistakes that new storage owners make when they sign up. Finding out that you require a place to declutter is important, but so is avoiding these newbie mistakes so that you maximise every dollar that you spend.

Choosing the wrong storage size

One of the biggest mistake people make is selecting a storage unit that is just too small for all their belongings. While it’s understandable that you want to save money by selecting a smaller unit, it’s not advisable to cram all your belongings into a smaller storage unit as you’ll risk damaging them. Instead, you can share with the storage facility managers on the dimension or photos of your belongings, and let them advise you on the storage size required accordingly!

Refusing storage insurance

Insurance exists for a reason, and that is to protect your belongings in the event of a fire, as well as theft by forcible entry and other extraneous perils. While the chances of these happening are low, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. At Extra Space Asia, storage insurances are mandatory. At only $3.21 per month, it’s affordable and provides you with a minimum coverage of at least $1,000. Higher coverages are also doable and affordable as it is always advisable to get an insurance coverage that is comparable to the value of your storage items. If you are unsure of how much coverage you should be getting, simply check with our facility managers on the available coverage and the respective monthly rates of the different insurance policies.

Failing to check storage security features

Singapore is ranked no.1 in order and security, according to the World Justice Project. As such, many people often overlook this important aspect when selecting their storage space. It’s easy to think that no one will steal your belongings in Singapore, as long as they are locked within the compound of the storage facility. However, never take security for granted as being low crime doesn’t mean no crime. Always check that the storage facility has critical security elements such as 24/7 CCTV, controlled access gate, trained security guards and individual storage unit alarms. To find out how safe Extra Space Asia is, click here!

Storing prohibited items

While renting a storage space helps with decluttering your home, there are some things that you just can’t store in a self-storage unit! Here’re some of the items that you should never store in a self-storage units:

• Food – Never store food in your storage unit as they will bring pests into the facility. The last thing you want to find is a cockroach in your storage unit, right?
• Plants – Plants can’t survive in the dark without sunlight and water. Dying plants can rot and damage other belongings in your storage unit as well as invite pests.
• Pets – Locking your pets up in a storage unit with lack of access to food and water is a criminal offence. Your pets deserve your love and attention and should spend their time with you at home.
• Flammable Goods – Never leave hazardous material in your storage unit. Flammable goods such as propane or gasoline do not belong in a self-storage facility and should be stored somewhere that is specialised for them.

If you’ve any questions on what you can or can’t store in your storage space, reach out to our facility manager for their clarification!

Using newspaper to wrap your belongings

Try to avoid using newspaper to wrap your belongings when possible. The inks on the newspaper might smudge onto the wrapped belongings, causing stains and even damage. If possible, purchase proper storage packing materials such as stretch films or bubble wraps from our Box Shop.

Forgetting to label your boxes

Labelling your boxes might seem like an easy task, but it’s one task that many fail to do. Just remember that it’s really frustrating to spend hours and hours looking for something. By labelling your boxes, you’re saving yourself from this frustration.
By: Gary Phua

An ExtraSpaceCares initiative

Based on a study done in Singapore and reported on The Straits Times, about one in ten Singaporeans struggled to get sufficient, safe and nutritious food at least once in the last 12 months. Of this 10.4 per cent, two out of five households struggled to get such food once a month. The study also found that these families were more likely to be living in one-or two-room Housing Board flats. 2020 has been a difficult year that has tested us beyond measure. There were many new terms such as “lockdowns”, “social distancing”, “Tracetogether”, “SafeEntry” and “masks mandates” that became a part of our daily lives during this COVID-19 pandemic. As the year draws to a close, we understand that the pandemic will continue to impact all aspects of our lives even as we approach 2021. With this in mind, Extra Space Asia wanted to make a difference by doing its part to help those in need. For this year’s Season of Giving, Extra Space Asia partnered with Realm of Tranquility in our first Christmas Food Distribution Drive where we prepared over 650 care packs for the beneficiaries across six different locations around Singapore. Each care pack consists of a variety of food and household necessity items. Together with the volunteers from Realm of Tranquility, we delivered these care packs to over 312 households’ in Marsiling, Woodlands, Champions Way, Commonwealth and Ho Ching area. Through this CSR initiative, we hope we were able to provide some warmth to our needy friends and to also share the joy of giving as they celebrate Christmas. Realm of Tranquility is a non- profit organisation with a sole objective of “Encouragement of Good Deeds.” Its vision is to promote social responsibility and to help the poor, needy, elderly and less privileged. They provide free Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), food rations to the poor and needy island wide. From the Extra Space Asia Team, we would like to wish all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Image: To our pleasant surprise, we were joined by Minister for Trade and Industry, Mr Chan Chun Sing who was doing his rounds visiting the residents in his constituency.

Image: Extra Space Asia’s care packs consisting of a variety of food and household necessity items.

Image: Extra Space Asia’s staff assisting in the distribution of the care packs to the various households.

As we approach the holiday season, many of us would be busy preparing our home for the festivities. Despite the ongoing safe distancing measures, we can still find ways to bask in the joy of the holidays. If you’re planning to host your family and friends at home, here are 3 steps to guide you through your prep.

1. Declutter and clean up your home

Your first step is to clean up and declutter your living space. By going through the decluttering process, you might also be able to create extra space for your gathering sessions to sit and chill. You can start this process with your living room, dining area and kitchen as these will be the main gathering areas. Take this opportunity to go through your closets and cupboards and throw or donate items that you no longer need.

If you’re in need of more space at home, you can also explore the option of storing your personal collection, family items or even home furnishing and festive items that you hardly use in a storage unit. Storage providers such as Extra Space Asia Self-Storage provides flexible storage terms where you can store as short as 14 days to as long as you need. They also have a wide range of storage sizes to choose from, so you’ll only be paying for the storage space you need.

2. Clear before stocking up your fridge

Before you stock up your fridge with party essentials, clear all the expired and soon-to-expire items to make more space. For the leftover items, place them in different clear containers so that they will look more organised in your fridge. You’ll also have a clearer idea of what you have at a glance. Use baking soda and water to clean and remove any stains in your fridge. Simply sprinkle some baking soda onto a damp sponge to wipe your entire fridge. To further improve your fridge efficiency, you can also try to organise and reduce the amount of items on the top shelf and try to cool the hot food items before placing them in your fridge.

Once these are done, your fridge will start to look more presentable for your guests. You’ll also have more space to stock up on seasonal goodies.

3. Spruce up the main guest area with decorations

The festive season is the time for you to flaunt all your decorations at home. Once you’re done with the decluttering process, you’ll be able to find pockets of space for your festive decorations and Christmas tree. Remember to prepare supplies such as table cloths, food wares, dining sets and wine glasses to set the mood for your Christmas feast.

Here’s a bonus home tip: before your guests arrive, light up some scented candles and put out small plants to purify the air. Home plants will also help to add some colours to your home.

We understand that festive celebration this year might be different due to all the safe distancing measures. However, festive and holiday seasons are also made for heartwarming get-togethers with our family and loved ones. Therefore, it’s always nice to find ways to celebrate Christmas and the festive season with them.
By: Michelle Lee

A home office is typically an area at home dedicated for official business purposes. This space can be anywhere within your home depending on your personal preferences. With the increasing trend of working from home, many could be scrambling to find ways to set up a home office. If you’re still on a quest to set up a conducive environment for Work From Home (WFH), here are 3 ideas for you to consider today!

1. Use a spare room for your home office

When creating a home office space, you should try your best to separate living and working spaces for a work-life balance and to promote productivity at work. If you’re living in a spacious home, consider emptying your spare room to create that home office space where you’ll have enough space to input some new office furniture and storage for your documents and business inventory. This spare room will come in handy especially for start-ups as you’ll be able to save on the hefty office rental space. With that rental savings, you can now concentrate on how to expand and market your business in the comfort of your home where you’ll have access all the time to your business inventories too. Having a spare room can also be converted into a photoshoot studio or even a space to do a Facebook Live sale.

2. Create a conducive work setup with a table that you already own

You don’t really need a room per se. Your home office can be a place where you feel motivated and productive. If the only available space is your dining room table or even your computer table, let’s make do with it and create a conducive work setup. You can start by introducing some upgrades that not only improve your work efficiency but also bring overall benefits at home. These upgrades include furniture like an ergonomic office chair and laptop stands, tech upgrades such as wireless mouse and keyboard or even home interior upgrades to create a refreshing new look. Click here for more ideas!

3. Reorganise your home to create extra space

We understand that not everyone has the luxury of space especially if you’re living with your family of kids and elderly at home. One other way to create some extra space is to reorganise your home. Declutter your living space by throwing or donating items that you no longer need. While this whole reorganising process might take up some time, use this opportunity to make it a family activity where everyone handles an aspect or room. When completed, you should be able to find some pockets of space to work comfortably.

If there are huge bulky items, seasonal items, sports equipment or personal collection which you would like to clear but keep, you can also explore storing them in a self-storage facility like Extra Space Asia. By storing in a storage unit, it’s like an extension of your living space where you can still store and retrieve your items any time, any day as you’ll have 24-hour access to the storage space.

If you’d like to learn more about the various self storage services, call us at 6771 3100 to speak to our friendly Customer Service Executives or come visit any of our 10 storage facilities today to have a personal tour.
By: Michelle Lee