Home Improvement Archives | Kangaroo Self Storage

As an estate agent or property manager, your job is to help your clients buy, sell, rent or manage properties. However, the process of buying or selling a property can be overwhelming for clients, and they may need additional services to make the process smoother. This is where our self-storage comes in!

Our self-storage for businesses will provide a range of benefits to estate agents and property managers, such as extra space for storing furniture or decluttering a property before a viewing. So, as part of our series looking into how different businesses benefit from self-storage, we’re exploring the advantages of our services for estate agents and property managers.

Increased Space In Homes Up for Sale

Clearing clutter from a home is essential in preparing it for sale. Too much clutter will make a home appear smaller and less appealing to potential buyers, so by using self-storage to declutter, estate agents can remove excess items from the home, creating a more open and spacious feel.

Clearing clutter also helps to depersonalise the home. For example, personal items such as family photos or collections make it difficult for potential buyers to imagine themselves living in the home. So by storing these items, estate agents will create a blank canvas allowing potential buyers to visualise their own belongings in the space.

Whether you need to store items from a studio apartment or a five-bedroom home, we have plenty of unit sizes and are sure to have the right storage space for you.

Safe and Secure Storage for Clients’ Personal Belongings

As well as depersonalising and decluttering a home, self-storage is excellent for estate agents and property managers who want to store clients’ belongings for house viewings. During a viewing, some potential buyers may be more prying than others, and the seller may not feel comfortable leaving personal or valuable items in the home if they’re not present for viewings.

If the sellers have nowhere to move the belongings, self-storage is the next best option. All self-storage facilities here at Kangaroo have 24-hour CCTV, which record and monitor all activity in the building, as well as individual padlocks on each unit. As a result, estate agents can put sellers’ minds at ease, and they will relax knowing their belongings are safe and secure.

The Perfect Storage Space for Staging Props and Furniture

Sometimes, estate agents and property managers will be responsible for staging a home to sell. This is common in new build estates or property developments to provide potential buyers with a showhome that exhibits the home’s potential.

Self-storage provides the perfect solution for storing staging furniture. You can store everything in your unit, allowing you to switch around the furniture seasonally. Then, you have the option to decorate the showhomes for Christmas or set out the garden for a summer barbeque! Whatever the weather, you’ll be able to showcase everything the home offers to potential buyers.

Secure and Organised Space for Maintenance Equipment and Tools

As we discussed in our blog about how those in the construction industry can benefit from self-storage, our storage units are excellent for keeping maintenance equipment and tools organised. When a property manager flips a home, several contractors may work on the property simultaneously, so a self-storage unit can act as a tool’s central hub.

Our equipment storage makes your tools accessible to the whole team; they just need to ensure they bring a key to the unit’s padlock!

Excellent Flexibility for Changing Deadlines

Self-storage facilities have extensive benefits for those involved in selling a home. If you’ve been through the process before, you’ll understand that deadlines may change and being flexible is key. Luckily for you, our self-storage is an excellent, flexible storage option!

We invoice storers on a four weekly (twenty eight day) basis payable in advance. However, we only ask for fourteen days’ notice when you vacate your room, and we refund any unused storage charge. This is particularly useful for people involved in selling a home with changing deadlines, as they may need to store their belongings for a longer or shorter period than anticipated.

In addition, we give you the option to up or downsize if and when you need to (space depending), so if you’re not using all the space you’re renting, or business gets busier, and you need more room, you can!

Here at Kangaroo Self Storage, we offer self-storage for businesses across Scotland and North West England; take a look at our locations to find your nearest Kangaroo:

As always, don’t forget you can get in touch with us for more information or to book your storage unit.

If all that clutter that seems to have piled up over the winter months has pushed you to breaking point, it’s probably time for a good clear out, and what better excuse for a spring clean than, well, spring?

We’ve all heard the saying, ‘a tidy home is a tidy mind,’ but you might be surprised just how psychologically beneficial a good clear out can be; here’s just a handful of the benefits of having a tidy home:

It’ll make you feel happier – who doesn’t feel better when everything’s in its place?
You’ll be more productive – getting rid of all that clutter means it won’t be a distraction, allowing you to focus on what’s most important.
It helps to reduce stress and anxiety – whether it’s that spare room you keep putting off tidying or the garage you couldn’t squeeze a matchbox car into, sooner or later, clutter will probably start to cause stress.

So, whether you’re planning a top-to-bottom spring clean of your home or just want to clear out that spare room and turn it into a home office, here are our five spring cleaning hacks from our self-storage experts.

1. Tackling Your Home Room by Room

First things first, you’ll need to decide where you’re going to start. Even if you plan on cleaning your whole home, we recommend taking it one room at a time; otherwise, it’ll overwhelm you very quickly.

On the other hand, if you’re tackling the whole house in one go, you’ll probably need to think about decluttering and putting some of your items into storage so they’re out of the way.

2. How to be Ruthless When It Comes to Getting Rid of Items

If you want to do it properly, a spring clean will involve getting rid of some of your belongings that have been lying around and not getting used for longer than they should have. Of course, to do this, you must be ruthless, so here are a few tips for doing just that:

Set a clear goal. Before you start, have a goal in mind. This could be a specific number of items you want to get rid of or a certain amount of space you want to clear out. Having a goal in mind will help keep you focused and motivated.
Sort items into categories. Start by sorting your items into categories such as clothes, books, papers, and so on. This will make it easier to see what you have and decide what to keep or what to get rid of.
Be decisive. Don’t second-guess yourself once you’ve made a decision to get rid of an item. Instead, immediately remove it from your home and don’t look back.

Remember, being ruthless doesn’t mean being wasteful. Consider recycling, repurposing, or composting items that can’t be donated or sold. Additionally, if you really don’t want to say goodbye to your belongings but need the space in your home, you can take advantage of our household storage at Kangaroo.

3. Get the Whole Family Involved

With half-term coming up and the summer holidays looming around the corner, you may be trying to build a list of things to entertain the kids. Spring cleaning and decluttering is the perfect task to get the whole family involved and will help speed the process up and leave you with a tidy home in no time.

Children love rummaging through old bits and bobs, so even if they might not be the most effective little helpers, it could keep them occupied while you get on with the real work.

4. Think About Putting Rarely Used Items into Storage

We’ve all got those items that only come out at certain times of the year, whether it’s your Christmas decorations that seem to double in number each year or the exercise bike that only gets used in winter. Rather than clutter up the spare room with these items, consider putting them in storage. Suddenly, you have a spare room as a home cinema, your zen office space, or a junk-free gaming room; a little bit of extra storage space could go a long way.

5. Consider Redecorating at the Same Time

Redecorating while decluttering can be beneficial for a number of reasons; for example, it can help you envision a new space. When decluttering, it’s easy to get stuck in the mindset of just removing items from your home. However, redecorating can help you envision your space with a new layout, furniture, or décor, which can motivate and give you a clearer goal to work towards.

In addition, redecorating your space also helps you think about how to organise your belongings better. For example, you might rearrange your furniture to create more storage space or add new shelves or organisers to keep things tidy. This can help you maintain your decluttered space in the long run.

Of course, redecorating doesn’t have to mean a complete overhaul of your space. Even small changes like painting a room or adding a new piece of furniture can make a big difference. The goal is to create a space that feels fresh, organised, and welcoming and supports the changes you’re trying to make in your life.

So, stop putting it off and get that clutter-free living space back. Remember, a tidy home is a tidy mind. Get in touch with us today to learn more about how we can help, or check out our household storage locations below to find your nearest Kangaroo:

Kangaroo are thrilled to announce the opening of yet another storage store! This time, Roo and the gang have hopped over to Carlisle, and over the past few weeks, we’ve settled in quite nicely. The city is thriving and proven as a popular place to reside, study, and start a business, which is why we believe we’ll fit in very well.

We’re so excited to widen our reach and be able to help even more people with our storage services. So today, we’re taking a deep dive into our new home and providing you with a guide on living, studying, and owning a business in Carlisle. In addition, we hope to provide some insight into the city and why it’s the ideal place for so many different types of people.

Carlisle’s Rich History

One of the main reasons Carlisle is so popular is its incredible history, which is still visible throughout the city. Many of Carlisle’s famous landmarks have a rich history and, upon visiting, provide you with insightful knowledge of the city’s past. Here are a few of the most famous historic spots in Carlisle:

Carlisle Castle. First built in 1093 and then rebuilt in stone in 1122, the castle is over 900 years old and is the perfect site for learning about the city’s past.
Carlisle Cathedral. Located in the centre of Carlisle, the famous cathedral is home to England’s largest flowing decorated Gothic-style window.
Wetheral Priory Gatehouse. Founded in the early 12^th century, this picturesque stone fortification is a stunning piece of Carlisle’s history.

It’s clear that great history is found around every corner in Carlisle, making it a fascinating place to live, work, or study. We couldn’t be prouder to make Kangaroo history by bringing our storage stores to the beautiful city.

Things to Do in Carlisle

For those residing in Carlisle, you can be sure you’ll never get bored of the many things to do and see in the city centre and slightly further afield. Here are some of the top things to do:

Walk along Hadrian’s Wall. Providing stunning views and the best picnic spots, this walk can be as short or as long as you wish, and you can start at multiple different viewing points in Carlisle.
Shop at the Lanes Shopping Centre. Whether you need to grab a last-minute birthday present, have some time to kill on your lunch break, or are looking to treat yourself, the Lanes Shopping Centre has everything you need.
Take a stroll in Rickerby Park. Rickerby Park offers a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of Carlisle city centre.
Visit the Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery. With both evergreen and seasonal exhibitions, you’re sure to find something that catches your eye in the city’s most famous museum.
Store with Kangaroo Self Storage! Of course, Kangaroo Self Storage has recently made Carlisle our new home, so you’re more than welcome to visit us. If you’re local to the area, our household storage in Carlisle is exactly what you need to provide breathing space while you reorganise, redecorate, or renovate your home.

Studying in Carlisle

Carlisle is a fantastic, bustling place for students to enjoy their university years. As discussed above, there are plenty of things to do and see, meaning you’ll never be bored during your downtime away from your studies.

The city boasts several high-quality educational facilities, such as the University of Cumbria, which offers an incredibly diverse range of courses.

In addition, Carlisle has been noted for its fantastic career prospects. Studying in the Cumbrian city opens up a variety of career opportunities, particularly in the tourism industry. This is because the university is surrounded by the stunning Lake District, which welcomes over 15.5 million visitors annually.

We offer student storage in Carlisle, so if you are studying in the city, please don’t hesitate to enquire about storing with us. We offer plenty of deals, offers, and discounts for students so you can save while you store!

Starting a Business in Carlisle

Running a business in Carlisle provides a long list of benefits, including:

Growing economy. Carlisle’s economy provides ample opportunities for new businesses to thrive.
Strategic location. As well as being a thriving city, Carlisle is brilliantly located close to major cities such as Glasgow, Manchester, and Newcastle.
Supportive workforce. The local government and business community support entrepreneurship and provide resources and assistance to help new businesses succeed.
Growing tourism industry. Carlisle’s growing tourism industry presents business opportunities in the hospitality, food and beverage, and retail sectors.

If you’re looking for business storage in Carlisle, we’re here for you. We now have first-hand experience running a business in Carlisle and can vouch for all of the above, so if you’re considering starting a company in the Cumbrian city, this is your sign.

Don’t forget, we also have locations across the rest of North West England Scotland, including:

Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our friendly team or visit one of our stores in person to discover how we can help you, whether you’re a local resident, student, or business owner.

Now that we’re into 2023 and the lull of January has hit, you might still be thinking about how to tackle the year and achieve your goals. For some people, setting goals for the new year means losing weight, reading more, or giving up smoking. But goals don’t have to be about stopping or starting habits, particularly as most of these well-meaning ideas are abandoned by February. Trying to make 2023 the best year it can be is about more than self-improvement; it can be about finally making steps to get to where you want to be in life.

Whether you’ve always wanted to own a business, take the plunge into a brand-new career sector, or move to a new area, make 2023 the year you stop hoping and start doing.

Think About Where You Want to Be

The first step to making 2023 your year is establishing where you are now and where you want to be. How do you want your year to look? Are you hoping to found your start-up business, go to university to finally get the degree you need to switch up your career or move out of your hometown to a brand-new area? Whatever it is, deciding your goals is the first step in ensuring your dreams become a reality.

Once you have a clear idea of your destination, you can begin planning your journey and deciding the best route to make sure you get to where you want to be by the end of the year.

Take SMART Steps

You may have heard of the SMART technique before. If not, it’s an acronym that sets out a way to create, well, smart goals:

Specific – The goal needs to be clear and precise. What is it you want to accomplish? Why do you want to achieve it? What or who is involved, and what resources do you need? Set out your goal as clearly and with as much detail as possible.
Measurable – How will you know when you’ve achieved your goal? Set your own benchmarks to accomplish as you go along, as well as the overall completed goal at the end. Track your progress to help you stay motivated and meet your deadlines.
Achievable – Goals need to be attainable, so you must be honest about what is realistically possible, especially within the period you’ve set yourself. Think about how you will achieve your goal and whether it’s realistic based on constraints, such as financial factors.
Relevant – Is your goal relevant to you? Does it seem worthwhile and match your other needs? This step ensures your goal matters to you and fits into your broader wants and needs.
Time-Based – Every goal should have a target date; a deadline to focus on to help you move forward. When do you want to complete your goal? What can you do in the next six months to work towards this? What can you do right now? Remembering this step helps to prevent every day, mundane tasks from getting in the way of your long-term goals.

Using the SMART method makes goals more manageable and easier to set out. As you follow each letter of SMART, you are forced to think carefully about the dream, allowing you to make sure that goal is realistic and attainable. For example, if you’re planning on moving to a new house, write that goal down and apply the SMART method so you can start to see your action plan come to life.

S: Where do you want to move to? What’s your budget?

M: When should you have your deposit by? How long until you can start viewings?

A: Realistically, can you afford to move home this year?

R: Will the stress of moving house be worthwhile?

T: What should you do in the next week, month, or six months to stay on track?

We recommend pinning your SMART list to your fridge or sticking a note to your laptop so you can always see it and be aware of the next step.

Take Initiative

Take the initiative with your goals. For example, if you want to begin studying for your degree, spend some time researching which course is right for you, the best universities for your course, and where you want to study. Once the initial research is done, you can start conversations to find out how to apply, when to apply, and what you need to do to prepare and make the transition to a student as stress-free as possible.

Additionally, if you want to start your own business, start your research. There is so much information available online, so even if you have no clue how to set up a business, set aside time to find out. Message small business owners through sites like LinkedIn and see if any would be willing to have a chat with you about the process. Don’t just collapse on the couch when you get home from work, do the right thing and begin your journey.

One of the main factors to consider is where your business will be based. Choosing home-based work is an excellent idea if you’re looking to keep costs low. At the same time, it can be challenging to separate work from home, so ensuring you don’t overwhelm yourself with business belongings taking over your home is key. Our business self-storage is the best choice, as it provides you with the space you need to store business items, so you don’t lose or damage documents or fall over stock in your spare room. We have storage sites across Scotland and North West England, including:

Maintain a Positive Outlook

Setbacks and failures happen to everyone; what sets apart the people who succeed and those who don’t is how they handle that failure. Don’t let a bad day or a bad week sour your motivation. Instead, take some time to shake it off, return to your SMART goal and pick up where you left off.

And don’t forget to share your goal with your friends and family; celebrate your wins with them, no matter how small. Their support will help you keep that positive energy focused on your goals.

Evaluate and Re-Adjust

A year is a long time to plan for, and it will go by in a flash. If you find yourself struggling or you think your wants may have changed, there’s no shame in adjusting your goal accordingly. After six months or so, evaluate your progress by looking at where you started in 2023 and what you’ve achieved so far. Maybe you’ll have already completed your goal, or perhaps you didn’t manage to get started. Either way, take some time to reflect on your progress and re-adjust if necessary.

We hope you feel inspired to make the change you’re looking for in 2023. From everyone at Kangaroo Self Storage, we hope this year brings you what you’re looking for. As always, we’re here to provide support in the form of extra space whether you need domestic self-storage when moving home, student self-storage when going to university, or business self-storage when starting your own company.

As it gets closer to the depths of winter, now is the time to sort out your home, so it’s ready for those cold, long months ahead, and Kangaroo Self Storage is here to help. When we say goodbye to the last of the family visitors over Christmas and put away the fold-up bed, table extension, and spare chairs, now is a good time to get the house and garden in order ahead of the inevitable cold snap.

Here are some tips on how to prepare your home for the cold weather.

Make Sure Your Property Is Insulated

Winter has the potential to make those energy bills skyrocket, and there’s nothing worse than rising energy bills. The best way to keep heat in the home and help keep those bills down is to ensure your home is well insulated. Check the level of insulation in your loft and secure those draughty windows and doors with draught excluders.

Keep curtains closed to help keep heat in, especially in older buildings that may not have double glazing. As well as keeping costs down, your home will be all cosy and ready for cold winter nights snuggled up by the fire.

Make All the Repairs Sooner Rather Than Later

Things like home repairs and maintenance can seem daunting, and it’s easy to put them off for a later date. However, it pays to be on top of things. Check your guttering for cracks and blockages so the wet weather won’t lead to more significant problems down the line, like leaks in your roof or walls that could cause severe water damage. If you have one, check your chimney so you can get that fire roaring on those chilly winter nights.

Make a Home Cold Weather Pack

Make sure you know where you’ve put your candles and torches, and check you’ve got matches and batteries too. You might want to consider putting a few cupboard essentials together such as:

Long-life milk, tea, and coffee
Non-perishable food such as tins of soup and instant noodles
A camping stove and blankets are always good to keep in a handy place should you need them

Additionally, you should stock up on household fuel and other necessities like medicines, especially if you live rurally and travel in poor weather is difficult.

Keep a list of useful telephone numbers to hand or make sure you’ve entered them into your mobile phone. Looking around for contact details for electricians and plumbers just when you need them can often make a stressful situation worse.

Put Outdoor Summer Items in Storage

Space is precious and often limited. A garage and attic can only get you so far, and you may not have those, or you’d rather keep essential things in there, like your car. If your summer furniture, not to mention the BBQ, are still flying around outside or cluttering your drive, you should move them so they don’t become damaged by the weather. But if you don’t have the space, what can you do with them?

You can put them into self-storage, of course! With our 24/7 security system, your unused items can be kept safe and secure inside one of our household storage facilities located across Scotland and North West England. You can store with us for as long as you need, and with our flexible storage solutions, you won’t be locked into a lengthy contract. In addition, you can upgrade or downgrade to differently sized units completely free of charge if you find extra things tucked away at the back of your attic or wish to take items out when you need them at home.

Make Room At Home for Bulky Winter Items

The glory of self-storage is that you can use it to help organise your home throughout the seasons and make it a more enjoyable space to live. For example, using self-storage will now mean you have room for all those bulkier winter items, such as fluffy blankets and portable heaters. It’s winter, after all; do you really need your swimwear, inflatables, beach towels and picnic baskets taking up all that space?

Create some space and store away all those summer items you won’t use for many months. Make way for blankets, big coats, scarves, hats and gloves, and get those beach accessories and garden games into storage to give room for your wellies and raincoats.

At Kangaroo Self Storage, your items are always safe and sound with us. You can even purchase boxes and packaging accessories like tape and bubble wrap, and we’ll deliver them to you! We offer household self-storage across the UK, including:

So, there’s a unit nearby to store your things in over winter. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about our storage facilities; our friendly team are more than happy to help.

Self-storage is advantageous no matter what time of year. It allows us to make space during renovations and redecorations, store bulky and expensive items, and shield outdoor belongings from the elements. But is this more useful during the winter when the weather is harsher and protecting items becomes a necessity?

We’re helping to answer this by looking into whether winter is the best time of year to take advantage of self-storage. We’ll be exploring all the benefits of self-storage during the colder months and how Kangaroo Self Storage can help you store through winter.

Is Storing Items During Winter More Important Than Other Times of the Year?

In short, it depends on the items and where they are stored when they are not in self-storage. If you have belongings, such as outdoor furniture, which require protection from the elements during the brutal British wintertime, then yes, their storage is more important than during summer.

Additionally, winter is often when home renovations take place, whether in time for Christmas or as a New Year’s resolution, and this is a perfect reason for using self-storage during the colder months.

On the contrary, people need self-storage all year round, whether for storing surplus stock, protecting their vehicles, or keeping confidential documents, so you could argue that just because it’s winter, it doesn’t mean storing becomes more important.

Preparing Your Home for Winter

Ensuring you have prepared your home for winter before the cold weather hits is crucial. Here is a checklist of maintenance to consider and how self-storage can assist:

Address roof repairs. Problems with your roof will only worsen during winter, so addressing any issues early on is vital. To help, we can temporarily house and protect your belongings if disruptive or messy work needs to take place in your home.
Book your boiler service. Don’t put it off. Book a boiler service to ensure your home is heated efficiently over winter.
Insulate your loft. Letting heat escape through your roof is a huge mistake. Allow us to look after your items in our secure, dry, and clean household storage units while you get insulated.
Install draught-proofing. Similarly, don’t let the warmth wave goodbye as it finds its way through your doors and windows. Install proper draught-proofing and ensure your heat is efficient and you’re not wasting money.
Tackle damp. Damp and mould only get worse when you ignore it, so clear the room you find it in, move your belongings into self-storage, and get to work before it takes over your home.

Decorating Your Home in Time for Christmas

Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year, so don’t let clutter and a lack of organisation ruin your festive spirit. Self-storage allows you to make room while you decorate for Christmas, providing you with the perfect, secure environment to store everything while you get the fairy lights and tinsel up.

And what’s more? You can use your storage unit to keep your Christmas decorations when the festive season ends, allowing you to make use of your space all year round.

Making Room for Guests During the Festive Season

Winter, specifically Christmas, is a time of year when family and friends gather together. If it’s your turn to host the in-laws, you may look at your home and wonder where you will fit everybody. With self-storage, you can transform your home office or gym into the perfect spare bedroom without worrying about where you will put your desk and chair or running machine during their stay; just give them to us until your relatives have gone home!

Make your guests feel at home this Christmas and give them space to relax with our help.

Storing Expensive or Bulky Outdoor Furniture During Winter

If you enjoy spending time in the garden, you probably have all the furniture and outdoor items to make your garden your paradise. However, many of these items cannot handle the British wintertime and will rust, rot, or grow mould in cold, wet weather.

Self-storage is the answer! Don’t clutter your garage with mountains of outdoor chairs, tables, and parasols; let us take them off you and protect them from the elements until the sun shines again.

Packing Away Your Summer Wardrobe

Shopaholics, come clean – do you have a winter and a summer wardrobe? If the answer is yes, you may have found that your summer clothes become a burden during the winter and vice versa. Use our wardrobe boxes available from the Box Shop and store your seasonal clothing with us leaving your home a sanctuary of calm and relaxation, not overcrowded with clothes.

Here at Kangaroo, we have self-storage stores across the country, so you’re never too far away. Visit our:

Hop over to one of our stores or contact our team today to discuss your storage options.

We’re here for you. No matter what your circumstances are or what life events you’re going through, expected and not, our self storage facilities can provide you with relief.
Our self storage stores have a wide range of household storage options to suit all requirements, whether you need permanent or temporary storage space. There are plenty of reasons as to why you would choose to use self storage facilities. Perhaps you’re moving home and need somewhere to store furniture while you wait for completion, or maybe you’re expecting a baby and need some extra space. Whatever the reason, you can rest assured that we will go above and beyond to ensure that our self storage facilities provide exactly what you need.

Moving Home

According to the Self Storage Association Annual Report, 29% of self storage customers are involved in moving home, making it one of the most common reasons for someone to use our household storage.
Moving home is one of the most stressful experiences in a lifetime, with so many factors to think about simultaneously and a long list of different expenses to consider. We aim to take some of the pressure off and allow our self storage units to give you some breathing space while you focus on other areas of the move.
There are many reasons someone might use our household storage in Edinburgh and other locations when moving home, for example:
• When waiting for a completion date
• When clearing their home ready for viewings
• To make space for renovating
• To hold items before selling after a clear-out

Marriage

Another huge life event that could require help from our self storage in Glasgow or other areas is marriage. When you get married, you’ll acquire many things during the lead-up, including a vast array of decorations such as table settings, flower arrangements, signs, seating charts, and anything else you’ve accumulated to create your perfect day. Many couples buy these items in bulk to cut costs but struggle to find somewhere to keep them in their home amongst the other pre-wedding chaos.

Our household self storage facilities can act as a hub for your big day, allowing you to organise and store everything you need in one safe place. Rest assured that you will not be running from your family home to your future mother-in-law’s house and everywhere in between looking for the candle holders you put in a “safe place”. With our self storage units, you can keep everything you need contained and secure.
Additionally, keep all your wedding gifts, leftover decorations, flowers, and outfits in your storage unit after the big day. Sorting through these items can take time, and the last thing you will want after arriving home from your honeymoon is to be faced with clutter and piles of things to organise.

Divorce

Going through a divorce is an emotionally exhausting experience, so doing anything you can to take some pressure off and make this time in your life easier is always worth doing. Each divorce is entirely individual, so it’s difficult to say just how self storage can help in your situation. Here are a few examples:
• Store household belongings while you decide which party they are going to
• Store household belongings before selling
• Store your personal belongings and important documents for security reasons
• Store household items while you clear your home before moving
We understand that each scenario is different, and often quick decisions need to be made. If you find that you need to make changes to your storage unit, for example, needing to upgrade to store more belongings, we will be more than happy to accommodate.

Bereavement

A death in the family is the most common reason someone would use household storage facilities. Understandably, it is a traumatic and incredibly upsetting time for everyone involved, which is why the team at Kangaroo will do everything we can to make your time with us simple and hassle-free.
Store their belongings in our household storage units for as long as you need. So whether you need a place to store items while you clear out their home or are storing things until it is decided who is receiving what, we can accommodate you. Our household storage in Warrington and other areas in North West England have plenty of options depending on the volume of items that need storing.

Having a Baby

When you’re expecting a baby, everything else in your life gets put on pause. All your priorities shift to ensuring everything is ready for their arrival, including making extra space you may not think you have.
As part of the nesting process, it’s essential for expecting parents to have the facilities to get their home to the standard they want before their baby arrives. We have plenty of household storage options available, whether you need to clear out an entire room or just a corner. If you need to make space for a nursery or baby items, then we’re here to help.
We understand that these life events can cause a considerable stir in your everyday routines, and it can take time to get back on track. However, the team at Kangaroo will ensure that your or your loved ones’ belongings are safe and secure until you’re ready to take them back, however long that is.

Get in touch with us to find out what we can do for you, or visit our sites for household storage in Dundee and other cities in Scotland and North West England.

Many of us live in small spaces, and with it come issues with storage. Modern studio apartments, flats, and small new builds often lack the square footage commonly associated with older, larger properties and don’t always come with ample built-in storage. As a result, keeping things tidy and uncluttered can often be challenging, particularly if you have a growing family or share your space with others. Today, we’re exploring all the ways you can make the most of small space living, with handy tips and tricks for household storage and knowing when it’s time to find space somewhere else.

Multi-use Furniture

With innovative designs, furniture is becoming much more flexible for storage options. From sofas and beds to ottomans, there are many ways in which furniture can be used to store your belongings. Furniture manufacturers are always looking for fresh ideas on combining items to make the most of the space, which may have otherwise been wasted. For example, sofas can come with pull out beds, lift storage, or both. In addition, a side table with a hinged lid can be used to store blankets when they’re not needed. If you are looking for some small space living solutions, look into the furniture you currently have research whether there’s a multipurpose alternative with built-in storage in mind.

Collapsible Furniture

Drop leaf and extendable tables have been around for many years. They are a great example of furniture that can fit your changing needs, functioning as your small day-to-day table when you need to save space and extending to accommodate more guests when required. Investing in a good quality extendable table with an easy pull-out design will mean you can quickly turn a table for two or four people into a table for six or even eight guests. It’s even possible to purchase a compact dining set that can be turned into a fold-away unit when not in use.

People have become imaginative with home office space, with many working from home but lacking a dedicated workspace. Desks can be wall-mounted and folded away at the end of the working day, transforming your space back into a home.

Declutter

If you’re already making the most of space-saving furniture and still finding that you’ve got little space, perhaps it’s time for a declutter. Over the year, our homes tend to accumulate things, many of which we no longer have use for. There is tremendous satisfaction to be had in reducing the amount of clutter in your home. You can either give things a new home by donating them to friends, family or charity or, if you’re not ready to part with items yet, store them in one of our household storage units.

Attic Space

Utilising your attic space is an ideal way to help with small space living. Whether it’s an overly full wardrobe or an excess of outgrown toys you can’t bear to part with, there are plenty of ways to design your attic to suit your needs. With the help of a joiner, you could create an overspill wardrobe for all your occasionwear. It doesn’t even need to be a joiner. You could make your storage solution with a cheap curtain rail and a few mothproof clothing covers.

Boxing and packaging up seasonal décor, Christmas decorations and bulky items you don’t use regularly and storing them in your attic or loft space will free up a lot of room in your home. Alternatively, if you don’t have an attic space, self storage is an excellent option for seasonal items. We offer a range of storage unit sizes, so whether you’ve got a few boxes of Christmas decorations or a shed-worth of gardening tools you want to store for the winter, we’ll have a unit that is perfect for your needs.

Using Every Nook and Cranny

Is there any wasted space within your home, or are you genuinely using every inch of available space? From the top of the cabinets to the boiler cupboard, there is usually a space you could re-organise and use more efficiently. With the minimalist style trend still going strong and many fantastic and unique storage solutions available online, there are ways to use almost every nook and cranny in your home. So take a look around with a tape measure and see if there is a space you have underestimated for extra storage.

Outside Storage and Gardening Equipment

If you’ve got outdoor garden space but no room for a shed to keep your gardening equipment in, compact, waterproof garden storage is a great space-saving option, with a smaller footprint than a full shed but still giving your room to keep your tools tidy. If you don’t have quite the room for any garden storage without sacrificing essential garden space, take advantage of our cost-effective storage units and keep your tools out of sight, safe and secure when you don’t need them.

Small space living isn’t always easy, but there are many ways to make the most of the space you have available, and for everything else, there’s always self storage. Here at Kangaroo, we offer household self storage in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee and household storage in North West England. If you’d like to learn more about how we can help with your storage needs, contact us today.

Whether you’ve just bought your first home and it’s a fixer-upper, you’ve got a modern, blank space that you want to add character to, or you’ve simply grown bored of your current décor, DIY can help you make your house into a home.
If you’ve not done much DIY before, it can be hard to know where to start. You may not think you have the tools or the knowledge, but we’re here to change your mind and show you that storage can help. Whatever your motivation for getting into the DIY spirit is, here are some ideas to help get you inspired.

Feature Walls or Board and Batton

Trends come and go, but feature walls never seem to go out of style. What does change is the style of the feature wall. The past twelve months have seen a rise in board and battening accent walls. This growth in traction has helped shift colour choices away from white and grey and towards bold navy and greens. This style has inspired many homeowners to inject a dash of colour into their lives and let their personalities shine.

The process of board and battening can be as easy. It requires lengths of wood, preferably untreated pine, the same width or height of the intended room. You will need to mark out the pattern on the wall and cut the wood to size to create a wood panelling effect once the wood is painted.

We would advise removing all furniture during this project, as you’ll need the space to fix wood together into one piece before attaching it to the wall. This will likely create dust and take up a lot of room, but don’t panic. We have plenty of household self storage in Edinburgh. Self storage is the ideal place to keep your furniture during DIY projects, protecting it from damage and keeping it safely out of the way.

After determining how you intend to attach the wood to the wall, you can finish the design by painting the wall in your chosen colour.

Furniture Upcycling

In a world where we’re more focused on recycling than ever before, DIY is a fantastic opportunity to start upcycling some old furniture. Don’t worry if you don’t own any old furniture; there are plenty of local charity shops with incredible vintage and used furniture waiting for a new lease of life. Alternatively, you can use secondhand furniture websites and apps to find people locally who are giving away unwanted furniture to a good home. Finally, if you need somewhere to store all the preloved furniture before showing it some love, you can always use our household self storage in Dundee.

To begin with, keep things simple by giving the furniture a new coat of paint. Painting alone can completely change the aesthetic of a piece of furniture, making it a statement piece within a home. Once you gain confidence, you can start experimenting with staining, varnishing, and swapping out the hardware to bring it in line with your décor.

Alternatively, you could get creative and change an item’s intended purpose. For example, an old dresser can become a chic indoor bar unit with a bit of imagination and know-how. We’ve seen people create unique workspaces out of old cots, and old chests of drawers become new seating features. The possibilities are endless, and if you end up making a hobby out of it, it could even make a great little business for you.

Freshen Up The Finishes

Over time and with constant use, houses start looking a bit worn, particularly in high-traffic areas where there’s water present, like the kitchen and bathroom. Grout can look faded, sealant begins to peel away, and skirting boards get scuffed. Dedicating a few days to replacing or touching up these areas will keep your house looking fresh, and you may even learn some new DIY skills. Spend some time in each room checking all the caulking, skirting, fixtures and fittings. Replacing old sealant and repainting skirting boards is a great way to smarten up your space without committing to redecorating.

If you’re concerned about not having space to store the tools and materials needed for home DIY, self storage is the perfect solution. We offer a variety of household self storage across Glasgow and many other locations, and by renting out a storage unit, you’ll have a home for all those tools you may only need once a year to maintain your house. This can save you money on hiring tools, equipment, or a professional to do the work on your behalf. We have various unit sizes available so that you can store everything from paint tins to wallpaper steamers and power tools.

Build Your Own Garden Furniture

Trying to find affordable but good quality garden furniture can be tricky. All the deals are snapped up fairly quickly, so why not beat the crowd and build your own?

Old pallets are perfect for building furniture. They can be stacked, disassembled, cut in half, and nailed back together to create all kinds of outdoor furniture. As a result, pallet upcycling has boomed in popularity in recent years; many have even used them to build garden decking. In addition, pallets are relatively easy to get hold of. Have a browse online for people or businesses local to you who are either giving them away or selling them for a reasonable price.

Leaving your furniture out over the winter months can severely damage it. So whether you are choosing to build it, or have already bought it, make sure it stays safe and dry throughout winter by using self storage in Scotland and the North West. We offer competitive prices across all our self storage units, so get a quote online today for the Kangaroo store of your choice.

Working from home can help you to boost your productivity, especially because you don’t have a commute or travel costs; this makes it a great option for small business owners or sole traders. However, working from home can have some downsides too – mainly, how difficult it is to focus if there are distractions around you. (more…)