Storage Space: How to organise your family’s wardrobe needs

Posted on May 14, 2013 by extraspaceselfstorage

Whether you are a small-knitted family of four or a big one with kids of all ages, it’s not difficult to strive toward maintaining a tidy wardrobe for the adults and children alike. With good basic principles, organisation skills, and frequent upkeep, every individual in your household will be able to enjoy the benefits of a well-managed closet to start off every day with.

 

Children’s wardrobes need to be constantly evaluated

Children’s clothes are always a hassle to deal with – basically because they outgrow their clothes fast. This means that old, smaller-sized clothes that will not be worn again are usually overlooked and stashed at the back of their wardrobes. Many parents feel that throwing them away is a waste and brush the idea of compiling old clothes to give away till later.

It is therefore essential to not procrastinate and go through your children’s wardrobe and drawers frequently. Get your children in to help you so that they are able to get used to tiding their own space with time. Eliminate what has not been worn in the past six months and put them in a pile to get rid off.

Coordinate

Our wardrobes will look a lot more put-together if we put similar items together, whether by material or colour. Start with bulkier items like jeans and pants before moving onto jackets, dresses and then tops. This will make flipping through the racks easier and allows you to zero in on a particular article of clothing you want in one look.

If you share a wardrobe with your spouse, you can further organise by using adhesive-backed wall hooks to hang jewellery, belts, ties and scarves. This makes up an aesthetically pleasing display that is functional at the same time. Pullout drawers in one wardrobe can be shared between two or more people in the family so long as there are dividers to add smaller items into.

Put most of your clothes on hangers

Hanging up your clothes keeps them wrinkle-free and at eye-level. If you are worried about your clothes slipping off, invest in felt hangers that allow clothes to rest better on them. Items like loose knit sweaters can lose their shape over time on a hanger, so these will be better off stored folded on a shelf, drawer, chest and so on.

Determine what to donate, give away or put in storage

Like your children’s wardrobes, get rid of clothes that no longer fit. You might feel as though you have a sentimental hold on certain items, but if you have not worn it for years you are better off giving it away or donating it. If you happen to really love a certain item, consider shelving them all in a self-storage facility so that while it does not take up space at home, you are still able to easily access them whenever you want to.

Out of sight, out of mind

Nowadays, wardrobes are utilised not just to store clothes, but shoes and other knick-knacks as well. As these items are usually not used as much as clothes, make it a habit to store the less-used items in the space below where your clothes are, and your least-used items up higher in overhead drawers.

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Storage Space: How to organise your shoes collection?

Posted on May 14, 2013 by extraspaceselfstorage

If your shoes are currently scattered on the floor as you are reading this, then it is time to gather all of them and stow them away neatly once and for all. Yes, it is really convenient to simply take off your shoes and leave them there – especially after a hard day’s work or exercising – but they really start to clutter the space and become an unpleasant sight. Chances are some of them may even be hiding in nook and crannies, and you will have to spend more time searching for them.

Whether or not you miss the convenience of leaving your shoes lying around, it is all about cultivating the habit. Furthermore, effective storage solutions for your shoes can also help increase storage space at home.

Photo credits: http://www.houzz.com/photos/470989/Shoe-Organization–closet-other-metro

Here are 3 steps to get you underway to a spick-and-span collection:

1. Filter

Before you begin looking around for potential places for storage, filter through your lot and separate them into three piles: Keep, Uncertain and Donate/Dump.

Then sort the remaining shoes according to type (flats, heels, boots, etc.) then colour if you would like to. This gives you an idea of how much space you need to accommodate each type.

2. Getting Organised

Shoe storage goes beyond the usual shoe racks; in fact more creative ideas of storage are available to better fit our homes and lifestyles. Here are a few ways you can organise your shoes:

  • Shoe Racks

This is perhaps one of the most commonly used shoe storage solution amongst many. For those who prefer having their shoes near the front door, shoe racks can easily be placed there. They are also great for saving space as they come in tiers.

  • Door Shoe Organisers

Save wardrobe floor space by using shoe organisers that can be attached to the door.

  • Hanging Canvas Bags

If you have extra hanging space to spare in your wardrobe, canvas bags are an affordable and flexible way to go. On top of how easy it is to move them around, they also come in various compartment sizes that allow you to customise however you want it to.

  • Cubbies

This cube storage arrangement is perfect for those who have more space at home to play with. Not only does it clearly separate your shoes but also prevent them from scraping against one another.

  • Mouldings

Thinking of displaying your prized heels? Go lateral and utilise wall space by installing wooden mouldings in rows and hook them on.

  • Boxes

This is not the most convenient of ways in terms of retrieving your shoes, but keeping them in see-through boxes offers protection, and they are also easy to stack. Keep them in their original shoeboxes as they are labeled, and it makes your life simpler to put brand with brand.

3. De-clutter

Now you can think of what to do with your “Uncertain” pile. Go through pair by pair and ask yourself if you really need them. Store those you still wish to keep in their respective places. For those you cannot bear to part with but there is certainly no more room to store them, you may want to rent storage outside of your home.

Donate or recycle those that are still in favourable conditions.

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Storage Space: How to organise your wardrobe?

Posted on May 14, 2013 by extraspaceselfstorage

“I can’t remember where I’ve put it!”

“I can’t find it in this mess!”

“Is it in the laundry?”

If these are over-familiar complaints to you, then your wardrobe is screaming for a massive clean up.

Wardrobe organisation is not rocket science, and yet it probably is the most common issue faced at home. The good thing is, it is never too late to start getting things in order. But truth be told, you will save yourself plenty of time and effort if you get organised from the get-go before more stuff are being introduced to your already overcrowded space.

So if you have finally decided to get over the phase of not being able to find anything to wear, here are a few storage solutions your wardrobe will thank you for:

1. Remove Everything!

It helps a great deal to clear everything from your wardrobe as you can see what exactly you are going to have to sort out. Preferably allocate specific boxes for putting similar stuff together before you begin clearing – this makes gathering them easier later.

Eliminate dirt and dust by wiping down the entire wardrobe and its drawers.

2. Assessment

This is probably the most crucial part for most of you because you really have to obediently assess every single thing and decide if you want to keep them. Split them into five batches: Frequently used, Not so frequently used, Uncertain, Recyclable, and Donate/Dump.

A point to note: Never hesitate on donating or throwing away clothing that have worn out or have become too big/small even if they used to be flattering on you, because you will probably never put them on again. Hesitation might be the cause of the overcrowding in the first place.

3. Study the Space

Now that you are left with only the items that need storing, carefully consider how much space you require for all of them. Can your wardrobe really accommodate all this? If yes, think about how best to organise them – frequently used items should be more accessible, what should be hung or folded etc. If no, you may have to look for storage space elsewhere in your home. But make sure to store them neatly, as well.

4. Sorting the Wardrobe

Time to put everything back to their rightful place. Frequently used items should be stored at eye level while the rest can either go right on top or at the bottom. And always remember to put like with like and you’ll never need ten minutes to find that top again.

Begin by deciding what needs hanging or folding, and what should go in the drawers, then categorise them by types and colours. Use coordinated hangers for a cleaner look – but please avoid wired ones!

5. They Have to Go!

Remember the Uncertain, Recyclable and Donate/Dump piles? Now that everything has been neatly placed in your wardrobe, you need to decide on what should or should not stay in your “Uncertain” pile. Ask yourself: “Does it fit me?” / “Will I actually wear it again?” / “Do I love it?”

To those you said ‘no’ to, consider either recycling them or simply donate/dump them. Place the rest of the lot into your wardrobe.

Some of you may want to rent storage to solve space problems at home. It will be particularly handy if you cannot make up your mind on the “Uncertain” pile. Self-storage Singapore facilities are conveniently located island wide to make storing and retrieving your items easier. To find out if you really need self-storage, visit the nearest facility and speak to a customer service staff.

6. Evaluate and Maintain

Just because your wardrobe is neat now does not mean you will be happy with it forever. Always think about the long run, and make changes to improve the system. For example, you may want to add more shelves or boxes to make finding stuff even easier.

But the most important thing is to maintain the system that is now in place. Refrain from messing everything up again by making sure to put them back to where they belong.

Photo credits http://www.houzz.com/

 

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Storage Space: Maximizing Wardrobe Space

Posted on May 14, 2013 by extraspaceselfstorage

Not everyone has the luxury or storage space to install a walk-in wardrobe in their homes, and this is often a cause for a headache when it comes to designating a spot for seasonal clothing or even shoes. Yet, this does not mean that we are not able to utilize the existing room we have to its fullest capacity with smart storage solutions.

Photo credit: http://www.houzz.com/

Think horizontally/vertically:

Depending on the size of your wardrobe, think about whether you are able to install a shelf or two above your hanging clothes to store easily foldable items such as T-shirts or shorts. This will allow more space for bulkier clothes like sweaters or coats to be hung.

If your wardrobe isn’t shelf-friendly, simply buy a vertical cubbie organiser (usually comes with at least five or more compartments) that you can attach to your wardrobe’s pole. This allows you to stuff smaller things like socks or rolled-up underwear into them while being organized at the same time.

Only store what you frequently wear:

Jumpers, wooly coats and jackets, gowns and other season/occasion-appropriate clothes ought to be kept elsewhere as they will not be used frequently. Extreme heat or cold will ruin these items, so a self-storage facility is an ideal solution that provides a climate-controlled environment to ensure your clothes are stored in their optimal state.

Utilise space under clothes:

If there is enough space below your clothes, think about installing another pole to store items such as shorter skirts or tops that will not touch the wardrobe floor when hung.

If there is no space for another pole, grab a couple of good-sized baskets/bins and use them to load up more belongings instead. You could also store expensive shoes that are only used occasionally in their sturdy shoeboxes and stack them.

Shelf dividers:

If you already have shelves in your wardrobe, don’t just stop there: invest in different coloured shelf dividers to further categorise items. They come in different shapes and sizes, so depending on the type of clothes/other belongings you would like to keep in your dividers, what you buy will vary according to your personal needs. These are great in not only presenting a visually appealing wardrobe, but also keeps everything tidy.

Use the back of your wardrobe door:

The back of your wardrobe door is a really great place for you to attach adhesive-backed wall hooks for accessories, scarves, ties and other lightweight items for easy accessibility. They are easily found at home improvement stores, are affordable and most importantly, fantastic for items such as necklaces as they will not get tangled up in each other as compared to storing them in small jewellery boxes.

Keep only what you need and be neat:

Ensuring optimum storage space means that there is a need to constantly de-clutter and take out what you do not need. Been years since you last worn that skirt? Chuck it. Have clothes you will wear when you lose a couple of pounds? Discard those too. The key to ample space is to avoid hoarding.

Do regular clear outs and ensure whatever is in your wardrobe is organised immaculately. Avoid casually slinging shirts over a hanger and storing it because it will cause unnecessary bulk and make it difficult to sift through clothes.

A well-kept wardrobe not only completes the look of a clean, modern home, it also saves you the irritable feeling whenever you open your wardrobe and feel like you are not being able to find anything. If there is a need for even more storage solutions, constantly check out storage space rentals from a self-storage facility like Extra Space for reasonable rates and all-year round security.

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flavours Magazine, Need some room?, May 2013

Posted on May 13, 2013 by extraspaceselfstorage

Storage Space

It may be nice to read a cookbook or two during the weekend, but having a mountain of cookbooks stacked in your living room can be quite an eyesore. So, before you start getting cranky about having to sidestep those piles, take a breather and give yourself some space … at Extra Space Self Storage, the first such facility of its kind in Malaysia.

For more information, visit www.extraspace.com.my  or call 1300 22 0288 or +60320274755 (if you are calling from overseas).

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flavours Magazine, Safe Place for Wines, Apr 2013

Posted on April 8, 2013 by extraspaceselfstorage

self storage

Wine enthusiasts can now keep their prized bottles at Extra Space Malaysia wine storage facility, located off Jalan Chan Sow Lin, which has a round-the clock modern cellar with perfect cellaring conditions. For more information on wine storage in Malaysia, visit http://www.extraspace.com.my/wine_storage.php or call 1300 22 0288.

Read full article.

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The Star, Star Two, Space to Age, 7 April 2013

Posted on April 8, 2013 by extraspaceselfstorage

Storage Space

Looking for somewhere to store and age that expensive collection of wine? Try Extra Space.

SO, you’ve spent a small fortune collecting some of the best wines in the world, and you want to wait a couple of years for them to mature to their optimum age. The question now is: where do you store them? The refrigerator? Too cold. Under the sink? Too humid. Inside a cupboard? Too hot, especially in our tropical weather. In a wine fridge? Too little space for a sizeable collection, and besides, where would you store the wines you actually drink more regularly?

Read full article.

For more information on wine storage in Malaysia, visit http://www.extraspace.com.my/wine_storage.php or call 1300 22 0288.

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Storage Space: Maximising your Self-storage Space

Posted on April 3, 2013 by extraspaceselfstorage

While you have successfully freed up space at home by renting a storage unit at a Singapore self-storage facility, the organising does not end here. Just like at home, it is also important to maximise this additional storage space you have acquired in order to allow for easier storage and retrieval.

If you think self-storage is only about chucking it to the brim with your belongings, it looks like you have to go back to square one again.

Here are some storage solutions to keep in mind in order to make the most of your storage unit:

Assess your storage unit

Take a good look at your storage unit and decide how best to get maximum storage space for your items. This is to prevent you from occupying too much space without proper consideration about the best storage unit layout.

Choosing the right boxes

Do not overlook the importance of purchasing good boxes. Rather than using leftovers from supermarkets, good boxes guarantee durability and cleanliness. Furthermore, they also come in dimensions specially catered for certain things. This way, you will be able to stack them properly without having to worry about them toppling.

Singapore self-storage providers offer a variety of packing supplies you can choose from (i.e. Extra Space’s Box Shop).

Invest in shelves

To make retrieving your items easier, install shelves in your storage unit. This is a great way to create more storage space, and it helps make your belongings more organised.

Labeling

This definitely goes a long way. If you do not want to find yourself having to rummage through your items just to retrieve one thing, always label your boxes and shelves. You will be thankful you have done so in the first place.

Break it down

Furniture should be dismantled if possible to help you save more storage space in your unit. This also helps to make transporting them easier.

Load from heavy to light

Place large and bulky items and furniture on the floor to form a base, and then pile light objects on top.

Work it up

If you have rented a storage unit that is quite tall, it will be a pity to not make full use of its height. Instead of wasting floor space, try to stack your items on top of each other. You can also make use of the furniture you are storing to store more items. For example, empty cupboards, chests or trunks. You are saving storage space by filling these with other items.

Approach a customer service staff at your Singapore self-storage facility should you still have any enquiries regarding maximising your self-storage space.

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Storage Space: Smart Storage Tips for Homes with Children

Posted on April 3, 2013 by extraspaceselfstorage

Keeping children tidy is a challenging task, because the one thing they are best at is mess. You can take up to an hour to make their rooms squeaky clean, but in a matter of seconds, all your work can be undone.

This arduous cycle can be stopped with several useful tips when it comes to storage and children. First, start with their rooms:

Choosing the right materials for storage

Having adequate storage space in your children’s room may be number one on your list, but selecting furniture for them is also vital as well. Certain materials may be harmful for children – for example, wood can cause splinters, certain plastics and composite wood materials may contain harmful chemicals, paints may contain lead, which is not good for children who are teething, and porous surfaces are inclined to mold and bacteria. And there is also a risk of getting cuts from sharp edges.

Hence, choose child-friendly storage solutions such as felt toy cubes, toy nets, storage baskets, plastic toy buckets and boxes, and stackable toy containers.

Let’s all pack together!

The best way to demonstrate the importance of tidying up after themselves is getting your children involved in packing. Even if you have already designated areas for their belongings, they will not know what goes where. Therefore, you will still have to redo everything again.

Let them decide on how and where their stuff will be stored at with the boxes and containers you have prepared earlier. This way, they will know where everything should belong, and hence, take ownership of having everything back in place.

Make packing fun for children

Instead of the usual open-box-and-throw-everything-in-and-close-box way of packing, try adding a twist to it to incite your children to want to pack. Children love basketball hoops – place one above a storage box and they will love dunking their toys into it.

Use space under the bed

Using the space under your children’s bed is a simple storage solution to storing their toys. Even if the bed is low to the ground, there are always thin ornament storage boxes that can fit under.

Or you can simply purchase a bed with built-in drawers when you are changing the current one. It is a storage solution ideal for saving space.

Make it a routine

Getting your children involved in the tidy up process everyday will help instill this good habit in them. Help them out until you think they are more or less familiar enough with the process to do it alone.

Now that you have gotten your children’s room sorted out, it is time to tackle the rest of the house.

Into the bin they go!

If you find that you have too many things lying around the house, it is a sign that a lot of unnecessary space has been taken up by things you do not really need. Make a list of the things you really want to keep and throw away the ones you are unlikely ever to use.

Children love to run around and it is important that they have the space to.

Designate storage zones

Deciding on what goes where is important when it comes to practical storage solutions as it boils down to what you use more often.

Higher places should be used to store little-used items to free up more space for those you need more often. This includes spaces above cupboards and cabinets. However, do not store anything too heavy (i.e. a box full of books) up there for safety reasons.

Spaces under beds, cupboards or shelves can also store items that are not often used as well. Employ the help of clear plastic containers that can fit under them.

Opt for self-storage

If you are still dissatisfied at the lack of storage space at home, then you should consider renting a storage unit a Singapore self-storage facility. Not only does it help to create more space at home, but also allows you to store items you do not want to throw.

You can also use the storage unit to store your children’s toys if you think you still want more children in the future. This way, you will not be taking up the living space of your children with items they do not need anymore.

The self-storage Singaporefacilities are conveniently located island wide. Hence, you can choose to store your items at one that is closest to your home to make storing and retrieving easier.

Visit a storage facility and speak to a customer service

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Storage space: Smart storage tips at home

Posted on February 13, 2013 by extraspaceselfstorage

As a small nation, a large amount of Singapore’s housing is dedicated to HDB apartments – home to more than 75% of Singaporeans. While HDB flats are an ideal choice as they are usually strategically located close to shops and public transport, living in a HDB apartment means that storage space is limited and storing belongings of several family members could prove a daunting task.

However, it does not mean that one cannot be creative and store your items around your home without making the place look cluttered or messy. If you think you are lacking storage space or need to give your apartment an overhaul, here are some useful tips:

For areas with small space, the most useful way is to think vertically. Shelves and tall bookcases are extremely useful in storing all sorts of things like books, CDs, ornaments, collectibles and more. They are also great for displaying photo frames, which add a personal touch to any home. By storing things vertically, it not only helps a room to look neater, there are also no limitations as to what you can store and are great storage solutions. If you do not want your items to get dusty easily, getting cabinets with doors would be best.

Use storage spaces that are concealed/underneath. Some beds come with storage drawers underneath that are roomy and great for storing personal items that may otherwise clutter up your room. Coffee or end tables are also possible locations for storing magazines and newspapers. Recycle large plastic containers to store small knick-knacks like stationery – these are stackable and can be easily kept in any of the storage spacesmentioned.

Spruce up your kitchen. Kitchens in apartments are one of the smallest rooms, and without proper organising they might end up the most cramped. The best way to go is to make use of wall space instead of many shelves when there is space constraint. Hang pans from a rack attached to the wall instead of stacking them up on a shelf and use a wire-mesh basket to hold fruits and vegetables. It is recommended that dining tables are not squeezed into a small kitchen but if you would like one; try a foldable wall table that can be kept out of sight when not in use to create more space.

Make the most of the insides of your doors. The insides of cabinet or closet doors are great for door-hanging pockets, which can hold small items like bags or light-weight documents. For bathrooms, you can store fresh towels and linens instead of hanging them on a rack.

No matter how small your quarters, a lot of difference can be made so long with careful placement. For those seeking even more self-storage options, investing in a Singapore self-storage facilityis affordable, convenient and safe to use. This saves you the hassle of renovating your home, and you can use the money toward your hobbies or other recreational activities.

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