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Can You Sleep in a Storage Unit in the UK? | ANVSJ Sheffield & Rotherham

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 16:00:04 GMT

Can You Sleep in a Storage Unit in the UK?

If you're stuck in a housing crunch or you've had a long shift and your next place isn't ready — a storage unit can seem like an easy, private solution. It's out of the way. It locks. Nobody's asking questions.

But sleeping or living in a self-storage unit is illegal in the UK, unsafe by any measure, and a breach of every operator's terms and conditions, including ANVSJ's. This page explains why, what we do if it happens, and where to find genuine help if you're in a tight spot.

The legal position: storage units are not habitable spaces

Under UK health and safety law, building regulations and fire safety legislation, storage units are classified as spaces for goods, not people. That classification is not a technicality. It means these spaces are built without the ventilation, fire escape routes, sanitation or thermal insulation that the law requires for anywhere a person sleeps.

Using a unit as accommodation breaches your licence agreement and can expose the site operator to serious liability. That is why all mainstream providers, including ANVSJ, prohibit it outright.

Why sleeping in a storage unit is genuinely dangerous

This is not a paperwork issue. The risks are physical and immediate:

Fire and smoke. Steel containers and internal units are not fitted with escape routes for occupants. Smoke fills the space quickly and there is no early-warning system designed for a person inside.

No ventilation or heating. Units get dangerously cold in a Yorkshire winter and uncomfortably hot in summer. If someone uses a fuel-burning device for warmth, the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning is real.

No sanitation or running water. There are no toilets, sinks or washing facilities. This creates hygiene problems and falls well short of even emergency housing standards.

Electrical hazards. Temporary heaters, extension leads and cooking appliances are banned for good reason. They start fires in environments with no suppression system.

Security systems. Our sites have perimeter alarms and CCTV monitoring. Out-of-hours presence will be picked up, and staff or the police will respond.

A storage unit is engineered to protect belongings from theft and weather. It is not designed to keep a person safe overnight.

What happens if ANVSJ staff think someone is sleeping on site

Our first concern is welfare, not enforcement. If we suspect a unit is being used for accommodation, this is what we do:

A member of staff will attend — usually with a colleague — to check there is no immediate risk to life. If we have any concern about someone's safety, we will contact emergency services or the police to assist.

If the situation is confirmed, your licence agreement will be reviewed and access can be withdrawn under the terms you signed. We may also ask you to remove your goods within a set period.

We enforce this policy because we have a duty of care to everyone on site — not to catch people out.

Can you sleep in Big Yellow, Safestore or any other storage company?

No. The prohibition applies across the entire sector. Big Yellow, Safestore and independent operators are all bound by the same planning consents, fire regulations and insurance conditions. If you are looking for an exception somewhere, there is not one.

Safer options if you need somewhere to stay tonight

If you are between homes or facing a housing emergency in Sheffield or Rotherham, these are routes that can actually help:

Your local council. Sheffield City Council and Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council both have housing options teams. They can assess your situation and arrange emergency accommodation where it is available.

Shelter and local night shelters. Shelter (0808 800 4444) provides free advice around the clock. St Mungo's and local hostels across South Yorkshire can offer short-notice placements.

Your university, if you are a student. Sheffield Hallam and the University of Sheffield both have emergency accommodation arrangements through their student unions and accommodation offices.

Short-term lets. Reputable platforms list verified weekly or monthly rooms. Always look for hosts with clear ID checks and recent reviews.

Family or friends. A temporary sofa in a private home is far safer — and warmer — than an industrial site in Rotherham or Sheffield at night.

If keeping your belongings safe while you sort out your next place is part of the problem, that is exactly what we are here for. Store your things with us and take one pressure off the situation.

What ANVSJ storage units are actually for

ANVSJ has depots across Sheffield, Rotherham and the wider Yorkshire and Lincolnshire area. Our units are used for:

Household and personal storage during house moves, renovations or decluttering — a common need across Sheffield's busy rental market.

Student storage between terms or during course changes, with easy access from both Sheffield universities.

Business storage for stock, tools, equipment and archives, with road access suitable for articulated lorries. Several sites also offer small office spaces in Sheffield and Rotherham for businesses that need a workspace alongside their storage.

Vehicle storage for cars, vans, lorries and motorbikes at designated depots.

If you need secure self storage in Sheffield , our Sheffield depots offer clean units with modern CCTV and perimeter alarms. For customers closer to the M18 corridor, our Rotherham storage units cover personal, business and vehicle storage with competitive rates.

Explore self storage in Sheffield , including personal units and student-friendly options.
View storage units in Rotherham with business and vehicle options.
24-hour access storage in Sheffield at our Woodhouse facility — useful for shift workers and early-morning deliveries.
Rotherham 24-hour access storage units are available at select depots — contact us to confirm which sites are open around the clock.

Access hours and unit sizes vary by depot, so give us a call and we will point you to the right location.

How ANVSJ keeps its sites secure

All ANVSJ depots have perimeter alarms and modern CCTV. Sites are laid out for vehicle access — including articulated lorries — with ground-level units and clear traffic routes. Several locations offer 24-hour access storage in Sheffield and Rotherham, subject to confirmation per site.

These controls work when sites are used as they are intended. That is why we take the no-sleeping rule seriously — it protects the integrity of the site for every other customer.

Quick answers

Self storage units in Sheffield or Rotherham

Sleeping in a storage unit is not legal or safe in the UK, and it is against ANVSJ's terms. Units protect belongings — not people — and the risks from fire, temperature, hygiene and security are serious.

If you need somewhere to store your things while you sort accommodation, we can help with secure, affordable units across Sheffield and Rotherham. If you need a place to stay, please use the council, charity or university routes set up for exactly that purpose.

Ready to store your items securely? Check availability at our Sheffield or Rotherham locations, or call ANVSJ on 01709 701155 or email info@anvsj.co.uk — we aim to get back to you the same day.

Local Storage, No Stress: Your Friendly Rotherham Unit Waiting

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 11:58:47 GMT

Feeling like your home is closing in on you? Or maybe you're in the middle of a big move, and the boxes are taking over. We get it. At ANVSJ, we're not a faceless corporation. We're a family-run business right here in Yorkshire. We believe sorting out storage should be simple, secure, and not cost the earth.

Our hub in Hellaby is perfectly placed, making our storage facility in Rotherham the go-to spot for anyone in the area who needs a bit more room without the hassle. Let's sort that space out.

Peace of Mind Comes Standard at our Rotherham Storage Facility

Let's be honest, the main thing you want is for your stuff to be safe. When you choose our Rotherham depot , you're choosing a site we watch over like it's our own. We've got top-notch CCTV covering the whole place and proper perimeter alarms that work. Whether you're stashing away boxes of Christmas decorations, important business stock, or your gran's old dining set, you can sleep soundly knowing they're secure 24/7.

Flexible Space for Life's Little (and Big) Adventures

Life doesn't stand still, and your storage solution shouldn't either. Whether you're:

Fed up with clutter: Need to reclaim your spare room?
Moving house: Surrounded by boxes and need a temporary home for them?
A student heading home for the summer: Need somewhere safe for your uni essentials?

We offer flexible personal storage that fits around you. And because we pride ourselves on having some of the lowest prices around, sorting out your space won't leave you out of pocket.

More Than Just a Lock Up: Storage for Your Business

ANVSJ is here to help local businesses grow, too. Our Rotherham site is ideal for keeping stock, equipment, or years of paperwork safe and out of the way. Plus, we even have small office spaces to rent if you need a proper base. Here's a bonus for business owners . Our depots, including Rotherham, are all right on major 'A' roads and motorways. So, if you need to pull up with an articulated lorry to load or unload, you can. No tight corners, no stress.

Got a Car, Van, or Caravan? We've Got Space for That

Need to free up your driveway? Whether it's a project car, a caravan for your holidays, or a work van you don't use daily, our dedicated vehicle storage is a simple answer. Right near the motorway, it's easy to drop off or pick up whenever you need to.

Why Rotherham Chooses ANVSJ

It's simple, really. We're your local, friendly team who believe in doing things properly. We offer:

Real security: Proper CCTV and alarms, not just promises.
Genuinely low prices: Value that makes a difference.
Easy access: Placed right where you need us, near the motorway.
A human touch: We're a family business, and we answer your questions. We usually get back to you within a day.

So, if you're ready to reclaim your space, need a safe spot for your business gear, or just want to chat about your options, get in touch . We're here to help you find the perfect space, simply and securely.

Secure Your Vehicle with Our Car Storage Rotherham Services

Thu, 26 Feb 2026 05:01:13 GMT

At ANVSJ, we pride ourselves on being a family-run business providing some of the most affordable and reliable storage solutions in the country. Our head office is conveniently located on Hellaby Lane in Rotherham, making us a primary choice for residents and businesses across Yorkshire. If you are looking for professional car storage in Rotherham , our facility is designed to offer peace of mind through high-level security and easy accessibility.

Discover the Benefits of Professional Car Storage in Rotherham

Did you know that ANVSJ operates multiple depots across Yorkshire, Derbyshire, and Lincolnshire, all situated on major ‘A’ roads and motorways? This strategic positioning ensures that when you utilise our car storage , Rotherham services, you are never far from your vehicle. We cater to a variety of needs, whether you are looking to store a classic car, a seasonal vehicle, or a larger van, ensuring that our "cheap, friendly, secure" motto is upheld at every site.

Versatile Storage Solutions for Every Requirement

While we excel in vehicle housing , ANVSJ offers much more than just a place for your car. Our services include personal storage, business storage, and even dedicated office spaces. We also specialise in student storage and moving house solutions. Did you know that all of our depots are designed to accommodate articulated lorries? This makes our sites incredibly accessible for heavy-duty deliveries and large-scale removals.

24-Hour Access and Convenient Site Features

We believe that you should have access to your belongings whenever you need them. That is why many of our locations, such as Woodhouse , Heeley , and Market Rasen , offer 24-hour access. When you choose our car storage in the Rotherham facility , you benefit from a site that is not only secure but also highly functional. Our goal is to provide a seamless experience, allowing you to drop off or collect your vehicle at a time that fits your busy schedule.

Contact ANVSJ for an Instant Price Today

Are you ready to clear your driveway or protect your vehicle from the elements? We aim to respond to all enquiries within the first day. Whether you need a small unit for personal items or a large space for vehicle storage, our team at the Rotherham head office is here to help. Contact us today to learn more about our lowest-price guarantee and find out why so many customers trust ANVSJ for their long-term and short-term storage needs.

Unbeatable Security for Your Valued Assets

Security is at the heart of everything we do. All of our depots are equipped with state-of-the-art CCTV and functional perimeter alarms to ensure your property remains safe 24/7. Did you know that our commitment to safety has made us a trusted name for car storage , Rotherham ?

We understand that your vehicle is a significant investment, which is why we maintain rigorous monitoring protocols across our Rotherham , Heeley , and Woodhouse locations.

Secure Your Vehicle with the Best Car Storage Derby Solutions

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 13:23:11 GMT

Secure Your Vehicle with the Best Car Storage Derby Solutions

Finding a safe place to keep your vehicle can be a challenge, especially when you have limited space at home or need to store a classic car for the winter. For residents and collectors in the Midlands, finding a reputable provider for car storage in Derby is the first step toward ensuring your investment remains in pristine condition. At ANVSJ, we specialise in offering high-security, flexible storage options that cater to everything from daily drivers to vintage treasures, giving you the peace of mind that your vehicle is protected 24/7.

Why Local Enthusiasts Choose Our Car Storage Derby Facilities

Convenience and security are the two most important factors when selecting a facility. Our car storage Derby services are designed to offer easy access while maintaining a formidable security perimeter. We understand that your car is more than just a mode of transport; it is a valuable asset. By choosing a local specialist, you reduce the hassle of long-distance travel when you want to take your car out for a weekend drive, and you benefit from a team that understands the specific needs of the local motoring community.

Advanced Security Features for Maximum Protection

When you store your vehicle with us, you are benefiting from industry-leading security protocols. Our sites are equipped with sophisticated CCTV surveillance, gated access, and robust perimeter fencing. We ensure that only authorised personnel and clients can access the storage areas, drastically reducing the risk of theft or vandalism. This multi-layered approach to security is why so many people trust us with their high-value vehicles, knowing that our vigilant monitoring is always active.

Flexible Terms for Short and Long-Term Needs

Whether you are heading overseas for a few months or simply need to clear your driveway for a home renovation project, flexibility is key. We offer various rental agreements that can be tailored to your specific timeline. You aren't tied into restrictive long-term contracts if you only need a temporary solution. This adaptable approach makes it easy to manage your storage requirements as your circumstances change, providing a cost-effective way to keep your car off the street and out of harm's way.

Weather Protection and Maintenance Benefits

Parking a car outside exposes it to the harsh British elements, leading to rust, paint degradation, and mechanical issues over time. Utilising professional car storage in Derby helps shield your vehicle from rain, snow, and UV damage. By keeping the car in a controlled, dry environment, you help preserve the bodywork and internal components. This is particularly vital for classic or luxury cars where maintaining the original finish is essential for retaining the vehicle's market value and aesthetic appeal.

A Reliable Partner for All Your Storage Requirements

Beyond just vehicles, ANVSJ is a leader in comprehensive storage solutions across the region. Our commitment to customer service means we are always on hand to help you find the right unit size or discuss specific requirements for your car. We pride ourselves on maintaining clean, well-lit, and professional facilities that reflect the quality of the items kept within them. Trust us to provide the space you need, backed by a reputation for excellence and a passion for keeping your property safe.

The Ultimate Secure and Affordable Car Storage Yorkshire Solution

Wed, 24 Dec 2025 07:51:19 GMT

Why ANVSJ is Your Best Choice for Car Storage in Yorkshire

Welcome to ANVSJ, your trusted provider of affordable, friendly, and secure storage across Yorkshire, Derbyshire, and Lincolnshire. We specialise in offering reliable storage solutions at competitive prices. Whether you are seeking long-term vehicle storage or a short-term solution, we pride ourselves on delivering the lowest prices in the country. We understand the importance of finding safe and accessible car storage in Yorkshire, and our commitment is to provide a seamless service from inquiry to retrieval.

Comprehensive Security Measures

At ANVSJ, the security of your possessions is paramount. All of our depots are equipped with robust security systems to give you complete peace of mind. We ensure every site ben efits from functional perimeter alarms and state-of-the-art CCTV surveillance. This meticulous approach to security is applied across all our storage types, from personal and business units to our dedicated vehicle storage facilities. When you choose us for your storage needs, you are selecting a highly secure environment monitored around the clock.

Our Convenient Locations and Access

Our depots are strategically located on major 'A' roads and motorways, ensuring easy access for all customers. We serve a wide geographical area, including key locations such as Rotherham , Heeley , Woodhouse , Market Rasen , Brigg , Goole , Chesterfield , and Sheffield .

Many of our sites offer the added convenience of 24/7 access, allowing you to manage your stored items on your own schedule. Furthermore, our facilities are designed to accommodate large vehicles, with certain depots capable of handling articulated lorries. If you are specifically seeking car storage in Yorkshire , you will find our Rotherham, Heeley, and Woodhouse locations are perfectly equipped with vehicle storage facilities. Specific services vary by location; for instance, Rotherham provides Personal Storage , Business Storage , Vehicle Storage , and Small Office Space , while sites like Heeley , Woodhouse , Goole , and Market Rasen also proudly offer 24-hour access.

Storage Services We Specialise In

While we excel in providing specialised car storage in Yorkshire, ANVSJ offers a comprehensive range of storage services tailored to meet diverse requirements:

Personal Storage : Ideal for storing household items during a move or decluttering.
Business Storage : Perfect for inventory, equipment, or archives.
Car Storage : Our specialised service for cars, motorcycles, or other vehicles.
Office Space : Small, flexible office solutions available at several locations.
Moving House Storage : Dedicated solutions to ease the stress of relocation.
Student Storage : Convenient options for students between semesters.

We are dedicated to assisting you with any storage needs you may have.

Contact ANVSJ Today

If you require affordable, secure, and reliable storage, please get in touch with the ANVSJ team. Our head office is located at 8 Hellaby Lane, Hellaby, Rotherham, S66 8HN . We aim to respond to you on the first day to discuss your requirements and find the perfect storage solution for you.

The Ultimate Guide to Office Storage Solutions

Thu, 11 Sep 2025 10:47:42 GMT

A cluttered office can hurt productivity. It can turn a space meant for focus into a source of stress. Whether you’re in a home office or a large corporate setting, the right storage plan is essential for building an efficient and inspiring workspace. By organizing your files, supplies, and personal items, you can improve your workflow and focus on what truly matters.

Innovative and Modern Office Storage Ideas

The world of office design keeps changing, and so do the ways to keep it organized. Beyond the old filing cabinet, modern office storage options are practical and look good. Think about using wall-mounted shelves and vertical units to make the most of unused space. Multi-functional furniture, like desks with built-in drawers, is also a smart choice. Smart lockers and mobile pedestals are popular too, especially in flexible or hot-desking areas, as they offer secure, personal storage for a mobile workforce.

The Power of Vertical Space

When floor space is limited, the best solution is to go up. Vertical storage can greatly improve small offices by keeping clutter off your desk and floor. Wall-mounted shelves, tall bookcases, and storage walls open up valuable surface area and provide plenty of room for books, binders, and decorative items. Pegboards offer another flexible option, letting you customize your storage for different tools and supplies. By using vertical space, you can create an organized and open atmosphere, even in the smallest areas.

Embracing Multifunctional Furniture

Every individual and every office is unique, so the best organization system is one that fits your specific needs. Start by evaluating what you need to store, whether it’s files, technology, or office supplies. Then, choose solutions that match those needs. Labeling is a simple yet effective tool that makes sure everything has a designated place. Whether you like open shelving for easy access or hidden storage for a minimalist appearance, a well-planned system will help you work more efficiently and feel more in control of your work environment.

Decluttering as a Ritual

Even the best office will become messy without a regular decluttering routine. Good organization is not a one-time task; it’s something you need to do regularly. Set aside time, whether weekly or monthly, to go through your documents and supplies. Turn old files into digital format to cut down on paper. Throw away anything you don't need anymore. Keeping a “clean desk” policy can help you manage daily clutter, making sure your workspace stays clear and productive.

Creating a System That Works for You

Affordable & Secure Storage Units in Yorkshire

Thu, 28 Aug 2025 06:39:48 GMT

When you need extra space for your belongings, storage units from ANVSJ offer a reliable and secure solution. Whether you're downsizing, relocating, or simply need a place for your items, our storage units across Yorkshire, Derbyshire, and Lincolnshire provide the perfect solution at affordable rates.

Conveniently Located Storage Units for Easy Access

ANVSJ offers storage units in convenient locations throughout the region. With sites situated along major roads and motorways, we make it simple for you to access your storage whenever you need it. Whether you're based in Rotherham, Chesterfield, or Goole, there’s an ANVSJ storage unit near you.

Your Belongings Are Safe with Our Secure Storage Units

Security is essential when storing your valuables. Our storage units are protected by cutting-edge CCTV systems and perimeter alarms, providing top-notch security for your belongings. Plus, many of our locations offer 24/7 access, so you can retrieve your items whenever it suits you.

Affordable Storage Units with No Hidden Fees

We believe in offering affordable storage solutions without hidden charges. Our storage units are some of the most competitively priced in the area. Whether you're storing household items, business stock, or even vehicles, we offer transparent pricing and flexible rental terms to suit your needs.

A Variety of Storage Units for Personal, Business, and Vehicle Use

ANVSJ offers storage units in different sizes to cater to personal, business, and vehicle storage. From a small unit for your personal belongings to larger spaces for business storage or vehicle parking, you can find the right storage solution with us.

Easy Booking Process and Quick Customer Support

Getting started with your storage unit is easy. Simply contact us by phone or online, and we'll assist you with finding the perfect unit. With our quick response times, you’ll have your storage sorted in no time, ensuring minimal hassle.

Why Choose Self Storage with ANVSJ?

Wed, 30 Jul 2025 09:04:10 GMT

If you need extra space for personal, business, or vehicle storage, self-storage with ANVSJ provides a reliable, secure, and affordable option. With several locations in Yorkshire, Derbyshire, and Lincolnshire, you can easily find a space near your home or workplace.

Affordable Storage in Convenient Locations

At ANVSJ, we take pride in offering the lowest prices for self-storage in the area. Whether you are moving, storing business inventory, or looking for a safe space for your vehicle, we have the right solution for you. Plus, our locations are on major 'A' roads and motorways, making it easy to access your storage.

The Security You Need for Peace of Mind

When it comes to storing your valuables, security is a top priority. Our self-storage units are protected by perimeter alarms and modern CCTV systems, ensuring your belongings are always safe. Some locations even offer 24/7 access, giving you peace of mind whenever you need your items.

Flexible Storage Options for Personal, Business, and Vehicle Use

ANVSJ offers various storage options to meet your needs. We provide personal storage for household items and business storage for inventory and documents, so we’ve got you covered. We also offer vehicle storage for cars, bikes, and more, ensuring your belongings are kept safe.

Simple and Easy Booking Process

Booking your self-storage space with ANVSJ is simple. Whether you need personal storage in Rotherham, vehicle storage in Goole, or business storage in Sheffield, you can easily inquire online or give us a call. We aim to respond within the day, ensuring your needs are quickly met.

Why Trust ANVSJ for Your Storage Needs?

With multiple convenient locations, affordable prices, and a commitment to security, ANVSJ is the trusted choice for self-storage in Yorkshire, Derbyshire, and Lincolnshire. Enquire now to find the perfect storage solution near you.

Why Choosing the Right Storage Company Matters

Mon, 02 Jun 2025 09:33:44 GMT

What Makes a Good Storage Company Stand Out?

Not all providers offer the same level of service. A reputable storage company will provide robust units, transparent pricing, and fast delivery. ANVSJ , for example, supplies steel storage containers and portable units across the UK, tailored to suit your specific site requirements.

Flexible Options for Different Needs

Whether you need a 10ft container for a short-term project or a larger unit for long-term use, flexibility is key. ANVSJ offers a wide range of container sizes and interior layouts, including highly secure anti-vandal cabins and fully customisable portable buildings, making them an ideal long-term partner for businesses in construction, retail, education, and event management that require dependable, scalable storage or workspace solutions.

Safety and Security First

Security is a top priority when it comes to storing equipment , documents, or goods. Choose a provider that offers high-spec containers with reinforced doors, secure locks, and anti-theft features. ANVSJ’s units are built to resist break-ins and harsh weather, keeping your assets safe and secure in any environment.

In addition to their robust security features, ANVSJ offers a flexible range of storage options to suit both short-term and long-term needs. With nationwide delivery, fast turnaround times, and custom modifications available, their steel storage containers are ideal for businesses, construction sites, and private users alike. You get not just a unit, but a reliable storage solution tailored to your requirements.

Nationwide Delivery with a Personal Touch

A strong logistics network ensures your unit arrives quickly and is professionally installed. ANVSJ delivers nationwide and supports clients with friendly, expert guidance from enquiry to delivery.

Long-Term Value with a Trusted Partner

Choosing the right storage company isn't just about space. It's about trust, reliability, and long-term value. With ANVSJ , you’re partnering with a team that understands your needs and delivers solutions that grow with your business.

Whether you need a secure storage solution for a construction site, retail operation, or temporary workspace, ANVSJ has the expertise and range to deliver exactly what you need. Get in touch today for a fast, no-obligation quote and discover how a trusted storage company can support your business with flexible, high-quality units delivered nationwide.

Premium Storage Solutions That Prioritise Security & Convenience

Mon, 12 May 2025 08:31:21 GMT

Looking for reliable storage with a difference? ANVSJ delivers secure, affordable and accessible storage containers , perfect for both personal and commercial use. Whether you're moving house, managing inventory, or simply need extra space, ANVSJ offers a tailored approach that guarantees peace of mind.

Why Choose ANVSJ for Your Storage Needs?

With over 20 years of experience, ANVSJ provides top-quality steel containers backed by outstanding customer service. Each unit is wind and watertight, vandal-proof, and available in a range of sizes, ensuring that your possessions are protected, whatever the weather.

Flexible Options for Every Scenario

From temporary to long-term solutions, ANVSJ’s storage containers are available for hire or purchase. Whether you need to store tools on a worksite, documents for a business, or furniture during a renovation, there’s a container fit for your requirements.

Bespoke Modifications Available

Need shelving, electrics, or insulation? ANVSJ’s expert team offers custom container conversions , turning standard units into bespoke solutions. Whether it’s a mobile office, workshop or simply a tailored space, the team can make it happen.

Competitive Pricing & Fast Delivery

ANVSJ offers highly competitive rates and fast, nationwide delivery. With depots across the UK and a strong logistics network, your container can be on-site in days not weeks. Affordable storage with zero compromise on quality.

Trusted by Customers Nationwide

From homeowners to businesses, ANVSJ has a loyal customer base who value reliability and personal service. Their transparent pricing and no-nonsense support make them a trusted name in the storage industry.

Discover the Benefits of Self Storage with ANVSJ

Tue, 15 Apr 2025 12:28:49 GMT

Looking for extra space to store your belongings, business stock or seasonal items? Self storage solutions from ANVSJ offer a convenient and secure way to manage your space more effectively, whether you’re decluttering at home or growing your business.

Why Self Storage is the Smart Choice

Choosing self storage isn’t just about freeing up space, it’s about peace of mind. With ANVSJ, you can enjoy the flexibility of short or long-term rental, ideal for both personal and commercial needs. Whether you're moving house, renovating, or simply need a secure place to keep tools and equipment, ANVSJ’s well-maintained containers are the perfect solution.

Flexible Solutions for Homes and Businesses

From homeowners needing temporary storage during a move, to small business owners managing stock overflow, self storage can solve a range of challenges. ANVSJ offers container-based units that are clean, dry, and easy to access, giving you complete control over your stored items.

Secure, Convenient, and Affordable

Security is key when it comes to storing your valuables. ANVSJ sites are fully fenced, gated, and monitored with CCTV, ensuring that your goods are safe around the clock. With 24/7 access, you can get to your unit whenever it suits you, no appointment necessary.

Locations Across the UK

With a growing number of self storage sites across the UK, ANVSJ makes it easy to find a unit close to home or work. Whether you're in Barnsley, Scunthorpe, or Doncaster, there's a conveniently located site ready to help you get organised.

Get Started with ANVSJ Today

If you’re ready to reclaim your space , get in touch with ANVSJ for a simple, stress-free self storage experience. Visit ANVSJ to find your nearest site and request a quote today.

Choosing the Right Storage Company: What to Consider Before You Rent a Unit

Tue, 18 Mar 2025 07:57:21 GMT

In today’s fast-paced world, having extra space to store your belongings can be a game-changer. Whether you're moving, downsizing, or simply decluttering, finding a reliable storage company is crucial. But with so many options available, how do you ensure you’re making the right choice? Here are the key factors to consider before selecting a storage provider.

Key Features of a Good Storage Company

When searching for a storage company , security should be your top priority. A reputable provider will have round-the-clock CCTV surveillance, gated access, and individually locked units to ensure your belongings are safe. Some facilities also offer climate-controlled units, which are essential if you’re storing sensitive items like electronics, antiques, or important documents.

Another crucial factor is accessibility. If you need regular access to your items, look for a facility with flexible hours or even 24/7 access. Additionally, consider the location —choosing a facility close to home or work will save you time and effort when retrieving your items.

Pricing and Customer Service Matter

The cost of renting a storage unit can vary widely, so it’s important to compare pricing across different companies. However, don’t just opt for the cheapest option—hidden fees and restrictive contracts can sometimes make a low-cost unit more expensive in the long run. Look for transparent pricing and flexible rental terms, such as monthly payment options instead of long-term commitments.

Customer service is another critical aspect. A responsive and friendly team can make a significant difference, especially if you need assistance or encounter any issues. Reading customer reviews can help you gauge whether a storage company provides reliable service , maintains clean facilities, and handles customer concerns efficiently.

Choosing the right storage company requires more than just finding an available unit. By considering security, accessibility, pricing, and customer service, you can ensure your belongings are stored safely and conveniently. Take the time to research your options, visit facilities, and ask questions before making a decision. With the right provider, you’ll have peace of mind knowing your valuables are in good hands .

Comprehensive Unit Storage Solutions

Wed, 26 Feb 2025 11:50:44 GMT

Maximizing Space with ANVSJ's Unit Storage Solutions

In today's fast-paced world, efficient storage solutions are essential for both individuals and businesses. ANVSJ offers a range of unit storage options designed to meet diverse needs, ensuring your belongings are safe, accessible, and well-organized.

Understanding Unit Storage

Unit storage refers to secure, designated spaces rented out to store personal or business items. These units come in various sizes, accommodating everything from household goods to business inventory. With ANVSJ , clients benefit from flexible terms, 24/7 access at select locations, and top-notch security features.

Why Choose ANVSJ for Your Unit Storage Needs?

Affordable Pricing : ANVSJ prides itself on offering some of the most competitive rates in the industry, with units starting from just £17.30 per week.
Robust Security : All facilities are equipped with functional perimeter alarms and state-of-the-art CCTV systems, ensuring your items are protected around the clock.
Convenient Access : Many ANVSJ locations provide 24/7 access, allowing you to retrieve or store items at your convenience. Additionally, all depots can accommodate articulated lorries, making large deliveries or pickups hassle-free.
Diverse Locations : With facilities across Yorkshire, Derbyshire, and Lincolnshire—including Rotherham, Sheffield, and Chesterfield— ANVSJ ensures you're never far from a reliable storage solution.

Tailored Storage Solutions

Whether you're a student needing temporary storage during holidays, a business requiring space for excess inventory, or an individual looking to declutter, ANVSJ has a unit storage option to suit your requirements. Their flexible terms mean you can rent space for as long as you need without being tied into lengthy contracts.

Getting Started with ANVSJ

Embarking on your storage journey with ANVSJ is straightforward. Visit their website to explore available unit sizes, get instant pricing, and make inquiries. Their friendly team is ready to assist you in finding the perfect storage solution tailored to your needs.

Declutter Your Home This Holiday Season with Easy Self-Storage Solutions

Wed, 18 Dec 2024 10:03:51 GMT

Make the most of the festive period and beyond with ANVSJ’s secure, flexible storage options.

The holiday season is here, bringing with it the joy of decorating, gift-giving, and spending time with loved ones. But with all the festive cheer comes an inevitable challenge: finding space for everything! From Christmas decorations to extra furniture for hosting guests, it’s easy for your home to feel cluttered and chaotic.

That’s where ANVSJ can help. With convenient self-storage locations in Yorkshire , Derbyshire , and Lincolnshire , we make it easy to "store your stuff away" and enjoy a stress-free holiday season.

Why Use Self-Storage During the Festive Season?

The Christmas period is the perfect time to take advantage of self-storage. Here’s why:

1. Store Seasonal Decorations Safely
Once the holidays are over, your Christmas tree, lights, and other decorations need a safe and secure place to be stored until next year. Instead of cramming them into your attic or garage, why not give them a dedicated space in one of our storage units?

2. Free Up Space for Guests
Expecting family or friends to stay over? Create a comfortable, welcoming environment by temporarily storing bulky furniture, unused items, or even boxes of clutter.

3. Keep Gifts Out of Sight
Hiding presents from curious children (or adults!) can be a challenge. Use a self-storage unit to keep your gifts secret and safe until Christmas morning.

4. Declutter for the New Year
As you take down the holiday decorations, why not start the new year with a fresh, organized home? Self-storage can help you make space for the things that truly matter.

Tips for Storing Your Stuff Away

To make the most of your storage unit, follow these simple tips:

Pack Smart: Use sturdy boxes, label everything clearly, and stack heavier items on the bottom.
Use the Space Wisely: Optimize your unit by using shelves and keeping frequently used items near the front.
Protect Your Items: Wrap fragile decorations in bubble wrap, and consider plastic containers for items prone to moisture.

With locations across Yorkshire, Derbyshire, and Lincolnshire, ANVSJ is here to make storage convenient for you. Whether you’re storing a few boxes of Christmas decorations or decluttering your entire home, we’ve got the perfect solution.

Why Choose ANVSJ for Self-Storage?

When you store with ANVSJ, you’re choosing a hassle-free and reliable storage experience:

Multiple Locations: With sites in Yorkshire, Derbyshire, and Lincolnshire, we’re conveniently located wherever you need us.
Secure Facilities: Your belongings are protected with 24/7 security and climate-controlled units.
Flexible Options: Store for as little or as long as you need, with no long-term commitments.
Friendly Service: Our team is here to help with any questions you have, ensuring a stress-free experience.

Get Started Today

This Christmas, don’t let clutter take the shine out of your holiday season. Let ANVSJ help you reclaim your space and keep your belongings safe.

Visit us online at www.anvsj.co.uk to learn more about our storage solutions and find the perfect unit at a location near you.

Start the new year with a decluttered home and peace of mind. Remember, with ANVSJ, it’s easy to “store your stuff away!”

Under Stairs Storage Ideas to Make the Most of Your Space

Fri, 29 Sep 2023 08:49:33 GMT

The space under the stairs often goes unused or, at the very least, unused to its full potential in most homes. This is a real shame: while it may only be a small space, it has a huge amount of potential that you can exploit to make the most of the space in your home. In this guide, we’re going to take a look at the most important under stairs storage ideas that you can use to add more space to your home and create a small nook perfect for storing a wide range of belongings.

Read on and find out more about how you can make your understair storage go further!

Add Bookshelves Under the Stairs

One great addition to the space under the stairs is bookshelves. Bookshelves can be made to almost any size and shape, which means that they can fit into any understair space, no matter how big or small. If you’ve got a big collection of books, you’ll know how much space they can take up. Adding some bookshelves can remove a whole host of clutter from other areas around your home, freeing up space and making your home a far more inviting place to be.

If you’d like to make the bookshelves flush, you can use screws or wood glue to firmly attach the bookshelves to the base of the stairs. You could also use this as an opportunity to make a reading nook for you and your family – throw a small seat in, some blankets and soft lighting, as well as a set of small shelves, and you will have a cosy and peaceful space to relax.

Add an Area for Getting Ready

Getting ready to leave the house can take a lot longer than you expect sometimes. If you’ve got a child, you can double that time, as getting their shoes and coats on when they really don’t want to go out is an exercise in patience. One way to make it significantly easier is to have everything all in one place so that you can minimise the time for potential tantrums.

If you’ve got either a cupboard or an empty space under your stairs, you can add a shoe rack and some hooks for coats. If you add a seat to your space, even a small one, you’ll be able to get prepped to go out as quickly as possible. This also gives you a place to store your shoes and coats so that they don’t take up as much space in your home – storage, and it’ll save you time? Fantastic!

Add a Storage Bench

Storage benches are a fantastic way to add storage space to your home without making it unusable. A storage bench gives you somewhere to relax and rest while also adding a considerable amount of storage. What’s more, they come in a range of different sizes, which means that no matter how big or small your space under the stairs, design ideas have already been drawn up for a perfect bench.

While storage benches may look a little plain to begin with, if you throw a blanket and some cushions on top, it will fit right into the rest of your home decor.

Add Filing Cabinets to Store Away Your Documents

When you’re running a household, you accumulate a lot of documents. From credit card statements to tenancy agreements and much more, keeping your documents safe is very important. The best way to keep them safe is to have them in an organised filing cabinet, where you know that everything is safe, secure and easily accessible.

Filing cabinets are ideal, of course, but if this isn’t a viable option, you can grab some shelving units, baskets and binders, which you can use to store everything. The key is organisation, no matter what you’re using to actually store the documents.

Turn Your Cupboard Under the Stairs Into a Wardrobe

Provided that the cupboard under your stairs isn’t too humid, you can easily turn it into a wardrobe and store your clothes in there. To achieve this, you can add some clothes racks on wheels, allowing you to easily pull them out of the cupboard if there’s something that you need to get access to at the back. You can also buy folding clothes rails, which you can make into a more compact size for ease of use if you need to make some extra space or move some of your clothes into a storage unit.

If you’re worried about humidity in your cupboard under the stairs, you can hang up some dehumidifiers on your rails, or put a small dehumidifier in the cupboard that you can leave running.

Add a Small Home Office

Working from home is now far more common than in the pre-pandemic years. This means that having a home office is very important, it’s a great way to be more productive at home and get more of your work done. If you’ve got a decently-sized space under the stairs, adding a desk, shelving units and a cork board can make it easy to get work done in a sheltered, cosy space.

Put These Understair Storage Tips Into Action and Enjoy

We hope that you’ve enjoyed this list of under stairs storage ideas and will use them to add a new area or just some extra space to your home. Whichever you opt for, you’ll be making good use of a previously unloved space. However, we recognise that space in your home is limited to a certain extent – if you decide that you need to have a clear out, ANVSJ is here to help. We offer personal storage units in a variety of sizes that you can use to make extra space in your home.

For more information, or if you have any questions for us, feel free to get in touch. You can call us on 01709 701155 or email us at info@anvsj.co.uk

Under Stairs Storage FAQs

Does Under Stairs Storage Add Value to My House?

While there are few guarantees when it comes to house value, adding storage to a home can only be a good thing. If done tastefully, it could add notable value to your home.

What Are the Easiest Ways to Add Storage to the Space Under My Stairs?

The easiest and cheapest ways to add storage to your home is to add hooks or shelving units. These can be used for many different purposes, and are a versatile addition to any space.

Why and When You Should Use Short-Term Self-Storage

Fri, 29 Sep 2023 08:37:23 GMT

Short-term self-storage has some fantastic benefits that you can reap the rewards of. In this guide, we’ll have a closer look at why you should consider using short-term storage and when it can come in useful.

When you think of self-storage, you likely think of long-term self-storage. The sort of storage that you might use when you need to create some extra space in your home, where it will be stored away for years. However, short-term self-storage has some fantastic benefits that you can reap the rewards of. In this guide, we’ll have a closer look at why you should consider using short-term storage and when it can come in useful.

Moving House

If you’re moving house, self-storage can be a real helping hand. When you’re between houses, knowing where to store your belongings can be tricky, especially if your previous home has been sold or the lease has expired. You can’t keep all your belongings with you at a hotel.

Renting a self-storage unit for as little time as a week will give you a place to store all of your things with minimal fuss, allowing you to focus on the many jobs that come with a house move, before you worry about actually moving all of your belongings in.

If you rent a storage unit for a little longer, say, a month, you could move bits and pieces of furniture etc into your new home piecemeal. This will turn what seems like a mammoth task into a collection of much smaller ones.

Home Improvement

If you want to renovate your home, short-term storage is a great way to make the job easier. Having all of your belongings lying around in your home will make it tricky for you to complete renovations and could cause issues for any contractors who you hire. Putting all of your belongings away into short-term storage means more room in your home and, potentially, faster renovations.

This advice is particularly handy when it comes to renovations like painting, where you’ll need to completely empty the room to avoid paint damaging your furnishings. Extensions are another ideal opportunity for using short-term storage, as brick dust and other contaminants will likely be walked through your home.

A Midpoint for Students

Students often have to, effectively, live between cities, splitting their time between home and university. This can be difficult for a host of reasons, and the first trip to university is always a massive move, particularly if the student is going to a university on the other end of the country. Renting a student storage unit, then moving stuff from home to there before moving it onto the university, can cut the number of long drives that you’ll need.

It’s a perfect way to make summer easier, too. Students typically return home during the summer holidays, and if they don’t already have a new house secured, they may not know what to do with their possessions. The best way to handle this is to rent a short-term storage unit until the new term starts, so they can be safe in the knowledge that their belongings are safe and sound.

Divorce or Breakup

Breaking up with or divorcing from a long-term partner can be devastating, and figuring out the logistics of finding somewhere else to live can make it even worse. A short-term storage rental can help you a lot – if you just want to leave your shared home and stay in a hotel while you hunt for a flat, you need short-term storage. It also means that there doesn’t need to be anawkward exchange of belongings later on, allowing you to have a clean break from your ex.

While it will likely not be the first thing on your mind during a breakup, renting short-term storage could help you have an easier time of it.

A Place to Store Goods After a Disaster

If you’ve been unlucky enough to experience a disaster, such as a fire or flood, renting short-term storage is a great way to protect your belongings while you repair the damage to your home. For instance, if your home has flooded, but all your belongings on the top floor are safe, moving them into a short-term self-storage unit will give you the space that you need to get your home in order.

Help Your Business Scale Up

Whether you’re starting a brand-new business from scratch or want to open up a new office, short-term business storage is a fantastic way to prepare. This means that you don’t need to wait until you’ve got your new office secured before buying what you need for the staff you’re going to employ. Simply store your business’ equipment or other goods in short-term storage, then move them to your new office when you’ve secured the lease.

For new businesses, this can also be particularly handy if you’re currently working from a home office. Storing inventory in your home is not ideal – it takes up a lot of space and can create tripping hazards. This is often far cheaper than traditional warehousing, too, especially while you’re still establishing a brand.

Event Planning

If you’re thinking of throwing an event at your party, such as a baby shower, birthday party or even a wedding reception, you’re going to need some space. All of the party favours and decorations will take up a lot of space! If you don’t want your home to resemble a party shop, you’ll want to hire some short-term storage to keep all of them in and free your home from clutter.

The Many Uses of Short-Term Storage

Short-term self-storage is a fantastic option for everything from moving house, party planning or starting a new business! We hope that you’ve enjoyed this article and now understand the many benefits that self-storage can offer.

If you’d like to contact us to assess whether it’s suitable for you, or if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch!

Short-Term Self-Storage FAQs

What Counts as Short-Term Storage?

Short-term storage is any storage that you use for three months or less. Longer than that, and it becomes long-term storage.

What Is the Smallest Self-Storage Unit?

At ANVSJ, the smallest self-storage unit that we offer is 10 x 8 feet, or around 7.4 square metres. This can store up to 150 medium size boxes, which is about the size you would need to store the contents of a 1-bedroom flat or house.

The Huge Benefits of Self-Storage Units for Businesses

Tue, 19 Sep 2023 08:35:19 GMT

Learn more about how you can start using a self-storage facility to benefit your business today.

We often think of a self-storage unit as something we use when moving house, when we need to store stuff long-term or if we’ve run out of space at home. However, personal storage is far from the only application for storage rental. Self-storage facilities have huge benefits for businesses, from reducing costs to helping your business expand. In this guide, we’ll have a look at just some of the biggest benefits storage can have for your business.

Cost-Effective Storage

One of the biggest benefits that self-storage units offer for businesses is that they’re a highly cost-effective way to store your businesses’ items. If you run a small business, this is particularly significant: warehouse space can be costly, while ANVSJ’s business storage units start from £17.30 per week.

If you run a larger business and need more space, don’t despair. Storage units come in all shapes and sizes, and can even accommodate the needs of larger businesses that need more room.

If you are a sole trader, if you have stock that you sell from home or online, a storage unit is a compelling alternative to a traditional warehouse. Keeping stock and inventory safe will be a snip, and will be easy to access thanks to self-storage facilities’ convenient locations.

Cuts Down on Relocation Hassle

Sometimes businesses need to relocate. Whether for good reasons or bad, moving your office can be a significant hassle. A self-storage unit can make relocation far easier. Let’s say that your business is moving offices, but you’ve got a period of time between your old lease expiring and your new one beginning. Instead of having to dash around finding places to store your goods, you can simply rent a self-storage unit and pack your things in there until your new office is ready.

Relocations are often tough: storage can make it easier.

A Self-Storage Unit Offers Increased Security

If you run a small business from your home or a small office, you may not have strong security measures in place to protect your company. This can be a serious problem. Self-storage facilities often have excellent security measures in place, such as CCTV cameras, so you can rest easy, knowing that your business and its goods are safe.

Another significant safety feature of reputable self-storage companies is the presence of alarms. This combination can act as a strong deterrent to would-be thieves and solid evidence to give to police should the worst happen.

Strong Scalability

If you want to expand into a new area but haven’t secured new premises yet, it can be difficult to know when to start hiring employees or moving goods to a new storage location. If you work with a self-storage company, you will be able to find a location near your new proposed location and move your goods. This means that when you’re ready to make the move, one logistical issue has already been taken care of!

Some self-storage companies, such as ANVSJ, offer combinations of office space and storage, giving you a new location and storage in one easy package.

You Can Improve Workplace Safety

Having large amounts of items and papers lying around in your office can cause a real safety hazard. Boxes of items can be trip hazards, while large collections of papers could increase the risk of fire. It’s easy to let things gather, and you might not realise the danger that a crowded business can pose until it’s too late.

To improve workplace safety, you need to make some space. The best way to do that, while still retaining everything that you need, is to rent a self-storage unit.

Keep Copies of Your Documents Safe

Keeping your documents in order is a key part of running a business. Government regulations on record keeping are very strict, and you must keep records for six years. These documents take up space, there’s no two ways about it.

While you may upload documents to the cloud and keep a hard copy in your office, it’s well worth keeping spare hard copies of your records in a safe location, in case of issues such as fires. Keeping your documents in a storage unit, with the appropriate protection from damp, is a great way to ensure your records are safe and in order.

A Great Place to Store Tools

Some businesses need bulky tools to carry out their business, such as builders. Storing all of this equipment at home can take up a huge amount of space, if it’s even possible in the first place. Storing tools in a self-storage unit can make lots of space at home, while also allowing you easy access to the tools whenever you need them.

Some very large storage units even allow for the storage of machinery like excavators or vehicles like trucks.

You Can Store Seasonal Goods

Some goods and products sell far better in certain seasons. For instance, if you run a clothing company, scarves and gloves will sell better in autumn and winter than in the warmer months. Instead of buying these products when they’re in demand, it may be more cost-effective for your business to buy these goods in the seasons when there’s less demand, store them in a self-storage unit, and then sell them during the time of high demand.

A Self-Storage Facility Can Be a Great Help for Your Business

Self-storage facilities are useful for far more than simply moving house. If you run a business, we hope that you now understand the massive benefits that storage rental can offer your company. At ANVSJ, we are experienced in working with businesses of all kinds – if you need any help or have questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us. You can call us on 01709 701155 or email us at info@anvsj.co.uk.

Business Self-Storage FAQs

Can I Store Anything in Self-Storage?

There are some restrictions on what you can and can’t store in a self-storage container, whether for personal or business use. For instance, at ANVSJ, we do not allow the storage of flammable or toxic materials.

Is Self-Storage a Business Expense?

You can claim self-storage as a deduction on your taxes, provided that you only use it for business purposes.

Self-Storage Do’s and Don’ts: 7 Common Mistakes to Watch Out For

Fri, 08 Sep 2023 08:32:48 GMT

Read through our self-storage tips and tricks, and find out the 7 biggest mistakes you should avoid when it comes to self-storage units.

Self-storage is a great way to free up some space and securely store things that you don’t use anymore. However, it’s important that you know how to manage your storage and make the most of it. In this guide, we’re going to look at mistakes you need to avoid and self-storage tips to bear in mind.

1. Picking the Wrong Size Unit

One of the most important things to remember, when hiring self-storage, is to pick the right unit size. There is a wide array of different sizes of storage unit available. For example, at ANVSJ, we have personal storage units that can hold the contents of a 1-bedroom flat all the way up to ones that can hold the contents of a 5-bedroom house!

Picking a storage unit that’s too small will mean that you won’t be able to fit everything you need in it. This is especially frustrating as a lot of the time people don’t realise this until they’ve already started filling their unit. Alternatively, without due research, you could hire a unit that’s too big for your needs, and you’ll end up with storage going to waste and a higher bill.

Our number one self-storage tip for this is to think carefully about how much storage you’re going to need. It’s better to err on the side of caution and get a slightly larger unit than you need, but ideally, you should try to find one that perfectly fits your items. If you’ve already boxed up your items, you can break out the tape measure and get an idea of how much space all of them take up, which can help considerably.

2. Not Packing Properly

Proper packing practice is vital to keeping items safe in storage. For example, you need to take care to pack large and heavy items separately from lighter items, and mark them so that you can safely store them below lighter or more fragile boxes. It’s also worth bearing in mind that plastic boxes are far more hard wearing than cardboard boxes, and more resistant to leaks or other unforeseen issues that could arise. Ensure that they seal well and these should protect your goods without any issues.

When it comes to fragile things, you should wrap them in bubble wrap or use packing peanuts or similar materials to keep them safe. Clearly mark the boxes as fragile so that you won’t forget which boxes need to be handled with extra care. When it comes to items that you can disassemble, you should always do so to save space.

Best practices for packing, extend beyond packing up at home, though. For example, at the storage facility a handy self-storage tip you can use, is to place your boxes on pallets to raise them off the floor. This will help to keep pests off your belongings while also reducing the likelihood of water damage caused by a wet floor.

3. Planning With Precision

Before you start moving your packed up stuff to your self-storage unit, you should draw up a plan. This is perhaps the most important self-storage tip of all – without a plan, you’ll be left floundering in the dark, trying to store items without a concrete idea of what you want the end result to look like.

When drawing up a plan, you should start by making an inventory of everything that you’ve packed. This will help to ensure that you know where things are and what you’ve packed up, without having to dig through a load of different boxes. In addition to this, you should also consider marking your boxes with permanent marker so that you can tell what is in each box at a glance.

Finally, you should consider which items you’re more likely to need quick access to. These should be stored closer to the front of your storage unit, while ones that you’re less likely to need can go to the back.

4. Not Taking up an Insurance Offer

One of the most important storage units tips and tricks that often gets overlooked, isn’t anything to do with packing your goods, or issues you can completely avoid. Instead, it’s about covering your belongings when they’re not under your roof. The owners of the storage facility aren’t liable for damage to your belongings, apart from under very stringent circumstances.

While it’s unlikely that your belongings will be damaged while in storage, having contents insurance means that you won’t have to fork out too much, should that happen. Ensuring insurance covers your belongings in storage will give you peace of mind.

5. Not Checking for Dampness Before You Pack

Damp can cause real issues when it comes to storage. If you pack damp items away in a box and store them with the rest of your belongings, you’ll likely end up with mould growing on your stored items and on boxes, which can cause permanent damage.

Before you pack anything away, always check that it’s dry. If it’s even slightly damp, thoroughly dry it with a towel before packing it away.

6. Storing Perishables

When you’re storing a wide variety of belongings and items from across the length and breadth of your home, you may come across bulky perishables. These could be large bags of grains such as rice or flour, or a wide range of other goods.

Storing these in a storage unit might seem like an easy way to save space, but it’s a horrible idea. Leaving food or other perishables in a storage unit will likely lead to insect or vermin infestations, which is not only unhygienic, but could also cause severe damage to your belongings, as well as potentially resulting in a loss of your deposit and cleaning fees.

7. Not Thoroughly Researching a Storage Company

Before you commit to a storage company, it’s important to do your research. Without adequate research, you will never know whether or not the company is the right one for you.

For instance, do they have a number of locations? Are the facilities secured? What types of storage are available and for what types of customers? You should be able to find the answers to all of these questions on the company’s website. It’s also well worth checking online reviews for the company in question, on Google, Trustpilot, and any other review sites that you trust.

If you’re going to entrust your belongings to a facility, you need to make sure that it’s run by a company that you can trust.

Now You Can Be Confident With Your Storage

We hope that you’ve found this collection of self-storage tips helpful. Many of the mistakes can be avoided by buying well-made storage containers and planning your packing. You should also bear in mind that perishables and damp items should never be packed away in a storage unit, to avoid uncleanliness, vermin and damage to your belongings

If you have any questions about hiring a personal storage unit, we’re here to help. You can contact us by phone at 01709 701155 or by email at info@anvsj.co.uk.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Are Some Storage Tips and Practices?

When it comes to self-storage, you should always pick the right size of unit, plan well, label your boxes, and remember not to store anything heavy on top of fragile objects.

What Is the Best Way to Store Things in Storage?

Start from the bottom, then work your way up. You want to ensure that you start with heavier things on the bottom, then progressively add lighter and lighter boxes.

How to Create the Perfect Reading Nook

Fri, 25 Aug 2023 08:29:46 GMT

Discover how to make the perfect reading nook in your home, so you can have a comfortable and cosy space to relax and read in.

If you want to make your home a cosier place to be, knowing how to create a reading nook is a fantastic place to start. A small, peaceful space in your home where you can unwind and read adds so much to a home, and it’s quite easy to achieve too!

In this guide, we’re going to give you some top tips about making a reading nook and how you can make the space for one. Ready to get started? Then read on!

Define Your Reading Space

Before you can start piling books into your reading corner, you need to choose where in your home you’re going to read. A perfect reading nook is cosy and quiet, somewhere you can truly unwind after a hard day. Some great locations could be in any alcoves in your home, a corner of your lounge, or even in the space under the stairs.

Once you have an area in mind for your cosy corner, you should define the space, and start making it your own. If the area already has items taking up space, you can use this opportunity to clear out some space and store them away.

A fluffy rug is a great way to define the space as separated from the rest of your home, particularly one in a deep, dark shade.

Add Some Seating and Storage

Choosing seating for a reading corner can be tricky. There are so many options to choose from! One classic example might be a wing back chair, or, if you’re able to find one, a porter’s chair for total isolation from the outside world.

If you strive for a more modern vibe, a recliner would be an excellent option, or a love seat. If you have the space, a small sofa might also be ideal. A bean bag, that old bookshop favourite, is another option. Whichever type of seating you plump for, blankets or throws never go amiss. A side table is always a pleasant addition, perfect for resting a nice cup of tea or any other drink of your choice.

Book Storage

Now that you’ve got your reading corner’s seating sorted, you need to consider where you’re going to store all your books! While many people use Kindles or other e-readers, sometimes you just can’t beat a real book. If you want to store plenty of books in your reading nook, you can’t beat a bookshelf.

If, however, you’re dealing with a small space and want to just store a couple of books, there are many different compact storage solutions open to you. Coffee tables with shelving could be enough, or you may opt for a basket, a small storage unit that you can put under the seat, or fix a small shelf to your wall.

Choosing furniture for your reading nook will, ultimately, come down to how much space you have to offer.

Set the Mood With Some Lighting

Cosy corners are often quite dimly lit, which is obviously not ideal for reading, but adding too much light can take away from the cosy atmosphere that you’re trying to cultivate. The answer? Lamps.

Lamps can add enough light to read while keeping the area cosy, and there’s a lamp to suit every reading nook under the sun. Anglepoise lamps are, of course, a classic, but standing lamps are another option that typically isn’t as harsh.

If you’re trying to create that classy, old-school vibe, a Tiffany lamp, with its beautiful and colourful glass shade, will add a real touch of elegance. While originals are very expensive, you can purchase reproductions at much more affordable prices.

Add a Touch of Colour

When it comes to reading corner design, at home you have such a wide range of possibilities available to you, particularly if you own your home. Painting the walls around your reading nook an attractive colour, such as wine red or a deep blue, can add so much extra cosiness to your new favourite spot.

If you rent your home, don’t despair! There are a lot of other great ways to add some colour to your reading nook. For instance, putting up some posters with magnetic frames is a great way to add colour without altering or damaging the walls.

Making the area your own is vital – decorations are key. You should also think about adding some keepsakes or items that have sentimental value to your nook.

Conclusion

Adding a reading nook to your home is a fantastic way to add some extra cosiness. Having a space where you can always go to relax, rest and enjoy a good book is sure to help you relax.

All you need is a small space that you can dedicate to reading. Once you’ve got one, you can define the space with plush furniture, a rug, decorate it to your heart’s desire, and start enjoying your new favourite spot.

Having Trouble Making Space?

To create a reading nook, you ultimately need to have free space available in your home. Unfortunately, this can sometimes be hard to find. If you’re running out of free space in your home, we can help you.

We offer personal storage containers in a range of sizes on secure sites, so you can free up some space while keeping your belongings safe. For more information, take a look around our site or get in touch with us today at 01709 701155 or email us at info@anvsj.co.uk.

Making a Reading Nook Fa Qs

Why Make a Reading Space?

Having a dedicated space for reading could help you enjoy reading more. Having a dedicated space for a hobby is a good way to help you to focus on the hobby, and reading is no different.

How should I make a reading nook for kids?

If you have kids and want to encourage them to read, you can consider making your reading nook a more adventure-themed space. For instance, throwing a canopy or even a small tent into their reading nook can help them feel more like it’s a space just for them.

What to Look for When Searching for Vehicle Storage Units

Fri, 11 Aug 2023 08:27:16 GMT

Looking to put a vehicle in storage for long or short term? Here are some handy tips that can make the process of finding the right storage for you easier.

If you’re a fan of cars, you’re probably familiar with the idea of the barn find, the vehicle that’s sat in a barn for decades before being discovered. Yet what about storing vehicles in a dedicated storage unit for weeks, months or years?

If you need to find storage units for cars, bikes, trucks, vans, or any other kind of vehicle, the prospect can seem daunting. In this guide, we’re going to have a look at the key considerations that you need to make when looking for storage units for vehicles.

Is It Secure?

The most important thing with any storage is to make sure that the containers are secure. The containers must be lockable, but the entire site should also be secure, with CCTV and perimeter alarms are a must.

This is the only way that you can be sure that your vehicle is safe from theft, damage or arson.

A Convenient Location

When choosing a car storage facility, you should make sure that it’s at least relatively near you. The storage company’s locations should not be inaccessible to you, and you should be able to visit it within a reasonable amount of time.

This makes it easy to perform maintenance, check on your vehicle, and move it as necessary without having it take up your whole day.

ANVSJ’s Locations

All of ANVSJ’s storage facilities are located off major A roads or motorways, so you’ll have no problem finding a site that’s easy for you to access.

Make Sure the Site Is Clean

A clean site reflects a high level of care. When you go to a storage facility, to see if it’s the right car self storage facility for you, take a look around and see whether the site is clean. If it’s dirty, you should consider whether the site takes proper care of its containers or not, and thus, your vehicle.

Dirtiness can indicate more problems than simply not cleaning often enough – it could also indicate the presence of rodents, which could cause serious damage to your vehicle.

If you don’t feel that they can be trusted with their site, would you trust them to take care of your storage container?

Consider Your Budget

There is a wide range of different storage options available to you when it comes to vehicles. One of the most important factors to consider is your budget and how long you’re expecting to store the vehicle for.

If you’re looking for long-term storage, even years of storage, you should ensure that you can afford to pay the storage company. It’s no good finding the very best site and then only being able to afford one month of storage. Think about your finances and how much you can honestly afford to pay, and for how long.

Do You Need Indoor Storage?

Not every vehicle needs to be stored indoors. If you only need to store your vehicle for a short time, or if it’s a truck, which is less practical to store indoors, you may be better off opting for outdoor storage.

You’ll still get the security benefits offered by indoor storage, as well as a clean site – but you might be able to save some money if you choose outdoor storage.

Pros and Cons of Indoor vs Outdoor Vehicle Storage

When it comes to choosing storage, it can be hard to know whether indoor storage or outdoor is right for you. Let’s take a quick look at the pros and cons of these types of storage, to help you make the right decision for you.

Pros and Cons of Indoor Vehicle Storage

Pro: Indoor storage offers protection from the elements, keeping your car safe from rain, sun, hail and ice.
Pro: An extra level of security – indoor storage should be lockable, giving a higher level of security than relying on the site’s security measures alone.
Con: More expensive – indoor storage contracts a premium

Pros and Cons of Outdoor Vehicle Storage

Pro: More cost-effective – outdoor storage is often a lower price than indoor storage, ideal for those on a budget
Pro: Ideal for short-term storage, as weather conditions will not matter for this type of storage.
Con: Exposure to the elements could cause damage to your car if you store it outdoors long-term.

Do You Need 24/7 Access?

Depending on your needs, you may or may not need around the clock access to your stored vehicle. For instance, if you are likely to need access to your van at short notice, having 24/7 access to the storage site is of the utmost importance.

Similarly, if you need regular access to perform maintenance and will only be available at night, instant access is very important.

Do You Have Confidence in the Company?

The final thing to consider is, perhaps, the most difficult to pin down – do you trust and have confidence in the storage company? This will mean different things to different people, but it’s something you always want to have when you’re handing a company your vehicle for storage.

If something doesn’t feel right, if you don’t have complete confidence in the company, you should trust your instincts and look elsewhere. If you’re questioning whether this storage company is right for you, consider looking at online reviews. Google the business and look at reviews on their listing or check Trustpilot.

Useful Tips When Using Storage Units For Cars

Before you store your vehicle, it’s important to know the best practices of storing one, so that you can minimise maintenance and keep it running smoothly. In this section, we’re going to have a look at what you need to do before storing your car or other vehicle.

Don’t Leave the Handbrake On

While it may seem like a good idea to engage your car’s handbrake before you leave it in storage, this can cause issues with your brakes long-term. Leaving the pads in contact with the brake discs for too long can cause them to get stuck together.

Cover Your Vehicle

If you’re leaving your vehicle in storage long-term, a hard-wearing cover is essential. A bike or car cover can protect the vehicle from weather damage or moisture. Make sure that you secure the cover firmly, as winds can whip them off if not properly secured. Be mindful not to use a plastic tarpaulin – opt for a stretchy and soft material to avoid damaging your vehicle’s paintwork.

Stop Animals Nesting In Your Exhaust

If animals decide to nest in your exhaust, they can damage your vehicle. Thankfully, it’s easy to stop them. All you need to do is put clean rags or other cloths into your exhaust pipe. Be mindful not to push them in too far, or you may have issues getting them out again.

Fill It Up

Before you leave your vehicle in storage, it’s recommended to brim the fuel tank. If you’re going to store it long-term, you should also add a fuel preservative.

Prevent Rust

Rust can cause serious issues with vehicles and damp climates, such as the UK’s, provide ideal rusting conditions. To prevent rust, spray any areas of your vehicle that are going to be exposed with WD40 or another lubricant.

Check Your Oil Before You Leave Your Vehicle

Over time, any contamination in your vehicle’s oil can cause damage to your engine. The best way to prevent this is by checking your vehicle’s oil before you put it into storage. If you’ve had the oil in your engine for a while, it’s probably best to swap it out for clean oil and change your oil filter before you store it.

Conclusion

We hope that this article has been helpful! Storing a vehicle can seem like a big commitment, but by following the advice in this article, you’ll be able to find the right storage facility for your needs. You should also know how to decide whether you need indoor or outdoor storage, and know what you need to do to your vehicle before you put it into storage.

To summarise, you should look for a storage company that offers facilities near you, that are secure, well-priced, clean, and that are within your budget.

Do You Need to Store a Vehicle?

If you need to store a vehicle, ANVSJ can help you. We offer vehicle storage solutions for everything from bikes to trucks in Rotherham, Sheffield, Market Rasen, Brigg, Goole and Chesterfield. For more information, you can contact us via email at info@anvsj.co.uk or by phone at 01709 701155.

Storage Units for Vehicles FAQs

It’s normal to have a lot of questions when it comes to finding the right storage units for cars or other vehicles. In this section, we’ll answer some of the most common questions people have about vehicle storage.

What Size Storage Unit Do I Need for a Vehicle?

This will depend quite significantly on the size of the vehicle in question. However, as a rough guide, you will need 3m x 6m of storage to comfortably fit a car, while a van or lorry will need more. At a push, however, a 3 m x 3 m container will fit most cars.

How Much Do Storage Units for Vehicles Cost?

The price of storage units for vehicles will depend on several factors, such as the size of the vehicle being stored, whether it’s indoors or outdoors, how long you intend to leave it for, and where the storage facility is located. At ANVSJ, we have vehicle storage units available that start at £15 per week.

7 Shelf Organisation Ideas to Make the Most of Your Kitchen Space

Thu, 03 Aug 2023 08:22:41 GMT

Discover some useful tips and tricks you can use to organise your kitchen shelves and make the most out of your space.

7 Shelf Organisation Ideas to Make the Most of Your Kitchen Space

Are you struggling to make the most of space in your kitchen? If so, getting organised can help. Organising shelves allows you to make the most of a small space, with a place for everything and everything in its place.

A common question is where to start with shelf organisation. It can seem like a daunting task, especially if you’ve got a lot of different shelves to organise. In this guide, we’re going to take a look at the best shelf organisation ideas and help you turn your ideas into reality.

Categorise Your Kitchen

Before we begin, it’s a good idea to think about the different categories of items that are in your kitchen. If you’re a keen cook, you likely have spices, dry goods, tins, jars, and more! Knowing where to store all of these is a great place to start. Rather than having them all mixed in a muddle, think about how to group these items together.

For instance, for a neater kitchen, grouping your herbs, spices and other seasoning together is a must. Not only will it help you find them more easily, but if you choose to categorise further, for instance, by colour, you’ll have a more aesthetically pleasing space as well!

Other categories for you to consider include:

Dry goods, such as flour, pasta and rice
Tinned goods
Snacks
Wet Ingredients

Time for a Clear-Out?

While you’re categorising your kitchen, take the opportunity to take a look at the use-by dates on the food in your kitchen. Maybe there’s an old tin of something lying in the back of the cupboard that’s now just taking up space .

If you find anything that’s out of date, now’s the time to throw it away and make some more space. This is an especially important step in small kitchens, where space is at a premium.

1. Buy a Shelf Organiser

Buying a kitchen shelf organiser is a great way to maximise your shelf space. It may seem strange since you’re adding an extra item to your kitchen, but these handy little devices can really help. In the realm of kitchen shelf organisers, there are a variety of different types available, with one great example being the spice organiser.

A spice organiser often comes with clips that allow you to attach them to the back of a cupboard door or the side of a cupboard or fridge.

A spice shelf is, in essence, a wire shelf that allows you to store a row of spice jars on each shelf, with wire or another material at each end to stop them from falling off. Some models offer one shelf per organiser, while others offer multiple tiers, which is useful if you love to cook dishes from around the world.

Another area of the kitchen for you to turn your shelf organisation skills to is the fridge. Fridges can be chaotic places, so bring some order to them by buying fridge organisers! These divide the shelves up into smaller, discrete compartments, which lets you organise different goods into different parts of the shelves, keeping everything ordered.

2. Organise Your Dry Goods

Now that you’ve sorted out your fresh produce and spices, it’s worth considering how you’re going to go about organising your dry goods. Things like pasta, rice, and flour can take up a lot of space and require airtight storage to lower the likelihood of accidentally handing over your pantry to weevils and moths.

Jars and canisters are your friends here. Instead of making do with bulky bags of sugar, flour, pasta and rice, decant them into elegant glass jars with an airtight lid, then store them away in the cupboard. Depending on the size of the jar and the size of your cupboard, you may be able to store them either horizontally or vertically, whichever you prefer.

3. Organise Crockery and Pans

The third step that you should take, when organising your kitchen, is to organise the crockery, pots and pans. These items take up a lot of space in the kitchen cupboard, and while you may have a cabinet for these items, overspill is common.

Crockery

If this sounds like you, you should consider how you can minimise the space that these items take up. If you have a large cupboard for your crockery, but without any definitive structure (other than, for instance, larger pieces on the bottom and smaller ones on top), you should have a look at buying a kitchen shelf organiser for the cupboards. These are small wire racks that have several tiers along their height, which lets you separate crockery by size, set, or any other criteria.

For cups and mugs, if there’s any space left in your cabinet, you may wish to consider installing hooks, allowing you to hang your mugs for easy access. Failing that, a mug tree lends a great retro look to any kitchen.

Pots and Pans

Pots and pans can be a tricky proposition. Stacking can be an easy way to minimise how much space they take up, but be careful! Nesting the pots and pans can lead to scratches, so you need something between the bottom of one pot and the surface of another. If your pots don’t have feet, you will likely need to buy pot protectors, but a tea towel can also work in a pinch.

Another option is to install hooks in your kitchen and hang your pans from the wall. While this isn’t an efficient way to use your space, it can add a rustic feel to your kitchen, which might be a worthy exchange, depending on your priorities.

4. Tins, Snacks and More

Now that you’ve got a lot of your pantry organised, it’s time to have a look at what you need to do with your tins, snacks and other miscellaneous kitchen items. One easy rule to remember, when it comes to organisation, is if you can stack something, stack it! Tins are particularly good for this. Even in smaller cupboards, you should be able to stack a couple of tins to create more space.

For snacks and other items in your cupboard, you could grab a kitchen storage rack or basket to keep your food separate. One rack could be for snacks, another for tins, and another for soups, and so on. Racks or baskets are a great shelf organisation tool for things like teabags and coffee, too.

5. Larger Appliances

The task of storing larger kitchen appliances like slow cookers, air fryers and the like is a tough one for even a seasoned kitchen organiser. These items take up a lot of space and don’t tend to be particularly stackable. So, what should you do?

One easy option for storing larger appliances is to buy a larger kitchen storage rack with big openings, such as some cube storage units. These tend to be large enough to fit larger appliances with ease.

If you don’t have the room for a cube storage unit, you may want to look up. There’s often vertical space going empty in kitchens, be it on top of shelves, fridges, or somewhere else. You may want to grab a stepladder and store something up above head height, particularly if you don’t use it regularly. Do make sure that the appliance is securely stored and not blocking any vents, however.

6. Knives, Forks, Spoons and Utensils

Cutlery, like knives, forks and spoons, are used every day, so they need to be within easy reach in the kitchen. Storing them in a drawer near your cooker or dining table is ideal, but we’d recommend that you grab an organiser for your drawer, if it doesn’t have one already. Leaving cutlery to lie on a drawer’s bare surface tends to make it grimy.

For utensils, organisation is easy. Put the ones that you use the least in a drawer, complete with an organiser. For utensils that you often use, we’d recommend storing them in a large metal utensil holder, next to your prep area.

7. Create a Prep Space

Speaking of a prep space, it’s a good idea to make sure that one surface in your kitchen is consistently clean and free of clutter. Whether you love cooking or prefer not to, having a space that is ready to use makes the process far easier.

It also makes clean up a breeze, as everything that you need to wash or put in the dishwasher is right there, ready to be cleaned.

Still Not Got Enough Space?

All the kitchen shelf organisation skills in the world can only take you so far. If you don’t have enough space in your kitchen, you may need to dispose of some items or, if you don’t want to part with them, put them into storage.

If you decide to store items from your kitchen, we can help you. We offer personal storage at a price to suit you, no matter the size of your home. Interested in making some more space in your home by storing unused items? Get in touch with us today!

Shelf Organisation Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the Most Efficient Way to Organise My Kitchen?

It can be tough to know where to start with kitchen organisation. We’d recommend working in zones, going area by area, such as starting with the fridge, then the drawers, then the worktops. When organising these zones, try and group items that will be used together, for example, keeping your utensils together.

How Should I Keep Shelves Neat?

When you take something off the shelf, put it back in the same space. As you add more to your shelves, always add to an appropriate area. Try to limit how much you purchase if your shelves are nearly full, sometimes a “less is more” approach can help keep things neat and tidy.

Simple Tips to Make Home Decorating a Breeze

Wed, 26 Jul 2023 08:18:34 GMT

Some top tips to help to make the process of decorating your house much easier.

Decorating your house is an exciting time, it lets you personalise and design your home to match your tastes, routine and lifestyle. However, without proper planning, the process of renovating your house can become lengthy, expensive and stressful. In this article, we’re going to go over some tips which will help make decorating your house much easier and enjoyable.

Create a Plan For Decorating Your House

The first step to making decorating your house easier is to get a good plan in place. You’ve probably heard of the expression: “If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail”, which is definitely the case when renovating your home. Not having a good plan in place can make the decorating process confusing, stressful, and more expensive.

Find Inspiration

Before starting anything else, find inspiration and examples of other people’s houses and room designs. This will help you determine what you like, don’t like, and what general direction you want to go with your decorating. Look at examples online from sites such as Pinterest, go to showrooms, or visit home and hardware stores that have example rooms on display, such as Ikea or B&Q.

Make sure to take photos, save links, and write down which elements you like for different rooms, so you don’t forget what design elements you liked.

Take Measurements

The next step in your planning process should be to measure the width, length, and height of the rooms and spaces that you want to decorate, being sure to write your measurements down. This will help you determine how much space you have to work with, and will let you know if big pieces of furniture, such as beds, cupboards, and drawers will fit.

This can save a lot of stress of trying to figure out how to get a combination of items to fit in one room, and stops needless shifting and shuffling of furniture. In the worst-case scenario, not measuring your space can result in wasted money if something can’t fit.

Create a Floor Plan

Now that you’ve measured the rooms you intend to decorate, and have the measurement of existing/new furniture, you can now create a floor plan, which will help you to visualise the layout of a room. This will give you a rough idea of how a room will look and how various pieces of furniture will fit together, highlighting any issues such as wasted space or over cramped areas.

Creating a floor plan can be as simple as drawing the sides of a room, from a top-down perspective, and writing the measurements along each side. Or you can use free software online to create digital floor plans that you can edit and play around with easily.

Tape Out Your Floor Plan

Once you’ve created a floor plan, you can then use masking tape to “draw” the outlines of furniture and objects you plan to place in a room. Use the measurements you made to ensure the shape and size of an object is accurate, and then place it in the spot you’ve designed on your floor plan. This will help to give you a “real life” perspective on how a room’s layout might look.

Because masking tape is made to be taken off surfaces without causing damage, you can move your furniture outlines around the room to see how different layouts look and feel.

How Do You Want to Live?

An important step when creating a plan to decorate your house is to consider your lifestyle and how you like to use certain rooms. If you’re the type of person that likes to host friends and family for dinner, then creating a space focused on dining/entertaining should be the direction you aim for. However, if you rarely eat at home or have large groups over for dinner, investing a lot into a dining room makes less sense.

Remember, this is your home, so you should decorate it to suit your lifestyle and preferences.

Create a Realistic Budget

An important part of your house renovating plan is your budget. There is no use finding a perfect piece of furniture or art, for example, if it is going to eat 90% of your budget, leaving not much for the rest of your room. Decide on a realistic budget and how many/what items you’re going to need for a given room.

Part of this should include the function of each room, for example, in a bedroom a bed is the main element, which should be reflected in the percentage of the budget it takes up. However, if you also need to buy a wardrobe and bedside tables, you need to make sure your budget covers all that, meaning you might have to choose a less expensive bed option. It’s worth noting for each room what is more important to you, as that will determine what elements you can and can’t compromise on.

Make The House Renovating Process Easier

Now that you have a solid plan in place for any rooms you want to decorate in your house, it’s time to get started. There are a few tips that you should consider which make the process of renovating homes much easier.

Double Check You Have Everything

This is as simple as it sounds. No one likes getting started with decorating a room, only to find that they’re either missing something or don’t have enough of something. Avoid unwanted trips to the hardware store by double-checking you have everything you need, and the right amounts of it, before you start decorating.

This could include things like paint, plastic sheets, tools, various screws, or materials needed such as wood, to name a few.

Empty Your Rooms

One of the best tips that makes decorating any room significantly easier is to empty the room as much as you can. If there are any pieces of furniture, decorations or other items you can move to somewhere else, it’s worth doing so. Having an empty room makes decorating much easier, especially if you’re doing work such as painting, sanding or any other messy work.

Not only does this give you more space to place tools and work in, but also means the chances of your belongings being damaged or dirtied are much lower.

Get The Messy House Decorating Done First

Grouping up and getting all the messy decorating tasks done first will save you a lot of time and effort in the long-run. If you followed the previous tip, it means you don’t need to move furniture multiple times and also means it doesn’t if you make a bit of a mess, as other tasks will also add to it. Then you can do one big clean up at the end, rather than multiple cleaning sessions after each job. The caveat to this is you should clean up any mess that could be a safety hazard.

Messy decorating jobs can include:

Plaster boarding
Painting
Woodwork
Poly filler/Repairing surfaces
Putting up wallpaper

Additional House Decorating Tips

Paint The Walls With Light and Neutral Colours

Painting your walls with light and neutral colours can help to make rooms feel bigger and brighter, which generally feels more inviting and appealing. This especially applies to smaller rooms, as it can make them feel less claustrophobic. Lighter paint makes use of natural light by reflecting it more than a darker colour would, which helps rooms to be brighter and feel less gloomy.

An additional benefit of using a consistent palette of lighter colours is that it can make going from room to room feel less jarring, and makes the look of your house more cohesive. Typically, when choosing colours, pick your “base” colour which will cover areas such as landings and hallways. Then you can go a shade or two towards a different colour, which will add some variety and personality to your rooms, while still adding to the cohesive feel.

Consider Conversational Placement For Sofas and Chairs

When deciding on the layout of your sofas and chairs, it’s worth keeping in mind the intent of the room. If you’re designing a living room that is made for guests to sit in when they visit, then placing chairs and sofas in a “conversational” arrangement will help to make chatting and looking at each other easier.

An easy way to think about how to do this is to look at examples such as hotel lobbies or sitting areas. Sofas and chairs often face each other so that everyone sitting in the room can see and chat with each other easily.

Of course, if you’re decorating your room to be more of an entertainment room, with the focus being on watching TV, films or playing video games, then conversational placement is less important.

Sometimes Less is More

When decorating a house, it can be easy to get excited and keep adding new things to a room. Sometimes it’s worth taking a step back and checking if the space feels too crowded or full. Sometimes the effective use of a few elements can be much more appealing than filling a room. Don’t be afraid of some empty space because when used well, it can make a room feel bigger and more spacious.

It can be a fine line between “less is more” and a room feeling empty. So, experiment by adding/removing items until you get a look that you’re happy with.

Utilise Mirrors

Adding a good-sized mirror to a room when decorating is a great way to make a room feel bigger and brighter. The mirror will not only reflect light, making the space feel less gloomy, but will also “reflect the room”, which is a decorating trick which makes a room feel much bigger than it actually is. This can be especially effective with smaller spaces, making them feel less cramped.

It’s worth noting the position of the mirror in relation to direct sunlight, it can be annoying if direct sunlight is reflected into your eyes while sitting down or on TV screens, creating glare.

Create More Work Space With a Personal Storage Unit

We’ve already mentioned the benefits that emptying a room can give when it comes to renovating your house. However, if you have a lot of furniture and belongings, it can be difficult to find space to keep them all while you decorate.

In situations like this, choosing to use a service that offers Personal Storage Units, can be a great way to temporarily free up your home when decorating, giving you the space you need without cluttering up the rest of your house. Additionally, keeping your belongings in a self-storage unit will make sure they remain safe, clean, and in good condition while you decorate.

At ANVSJ, we offer a range of affordable, different sized units for self-storage, starting from just £17.30 a week. And with multiple locations across the country that you can access at any time, there is sure to be a personal storage unit which suits your needs.

For more information on our self-storage units, visit our website today.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where Do I Start when Decorating My House?

Before doing any decorating, getting a solid plan in place will help to make the process much easier, less stressful and possibly cheaper. Plan decorating your rooms around the large statement pieces of furniture first, such as beds, sofas and large tables. This will let you know how much room and budget you will have left to work with. You can then start adding additional elements to compliment the main piece. Try not to take up too much of your budget with one item because it may leave no room for other decorations you want.

What order do you decorate your house?

Start decorating by getting the messy tasks out the way. This can include painting, plaster boarding, and any woodwork. When painting, start with the ceiling, as this will avoid any splashes of paint on freshly painted walls or other surfaces. Then proceed to do the skirting boards, windows/door frames and the doors. After painting, you can then start placing furniture in the layout you want. Remember to try and make the room’s design and colour palette feel cohesive.

10 Small Kitchen Tips: Maximising Space in Compact Areas

Mon, 17 Jul 2023 08:13:25 GMT

Explore ideas for decorating your smaller kitchen today with ANVSJ.

Your small kitchen ideas don’t have to be restricted by the limited space you have. With some creative thinking, smart planning, and utilising clever design choices, you can create your dream kitchen that is both stylish and functional.

Smart small kitchen ideas make the most of the existing space you have while making the space somewhere you want to socialise and cook in.

10 Small Kitchen Ideas to Make The Most of Your Space

To make the most of your limited floor space, you can implement some smart kitchen ideas that focus on making efficient use of your existing space. Along with making smart choices in your kitchen’s layout and functionality, there are several creative decorating choices you can make that help to make a smaller kitchen feel bigger and more open.

1. Design Your Kitchen Around Windows

Smaller kitchens can sometimes feel a little bit dark and cramped, especially if you have dark finishings, cupboards, and surfaces. When designing a small new kitchen, making the design revolve around windows and natural lighting can help to brighten up the space. Opting to incorporate roof windows or skylights can make a smaller room feel much taller, by opening up the ceiling and flooding the room with natural light.

An additional benefit of having roof windows or skylights integrated into your kitchen is that they can be opened to increase the natural ventilation in the room, which can be useful to help clear smoke or steam when cooking. It’s important to remember with any kitchen ideas you want to implement, that apart from style, they should be functional and suit your lifestyle too.

2. Make Use of Built-In Appliances

When you have a small kitchen, typically, you need all the floor space you can get. Utilising built-in appliances when you can help to make your kitchen feel less visually cluttered, and frees up more floor space. While built-in appliances do free up floor space, it does come at the cost of taking up more cupboard space, so you might need to start using some smarter storage methods in conjunction with this.

3. Use Smart Storage

Utilising savvy storage ideas when designing a small kitchen is key. Building shelves on your walls can be a great way to gain additional storage for your kitchen, without taking up floor space or room on your countertop.

Another great way to save room on your countertop is to install a rail onto one of your walls, which can be combined with hooks so that you can store large cooking utensils like serving spoons, spatulas, and ladles.

Additionally, if you opt to use a bench against a wall for some of your seating, you can make use of storage under the bench too. Finding any little ways to make items multipurpose will help you to maximise your small kitchen space without making it feel cluttered.

4. Focus on Building Up

With small kitchens, space is a precious commodity, yet people often don’t make enough use of the vertical space they have. That’s why, when it comes to thinking of ideas for your small kitchen, making use of your kitchen’s vertical space is the way to go. Having appliances in-built and stacked on top of each other can save a lot of counter space, a common example of this you see in kitchens is a microwave placed above an oven.

5. Use Lighter Colours

We already mentioned how using roof windows can help to make your kitchen feel brighter and more open. This effect can be amplified when used in combination with painting your kitchen in a lighter colour scheme.

Lighter colour walls and surfaces reflect more light than darker surfaces, which can make even smaller rooms feel bigger, and more inviting. This effect isn’t just limited to your walls, but also your countertops and cupboards. The more surfaces that are light in colour, the more effectively the room will reflect light.

Something to bear in mind is if you have glossy surfaces, as these surfaces will reflect light but could also result in glare from your indoor lighting. To get around this, you could opt for matted surfaces.

Natural Shades

Using lighter colours doesn’t just limit you to white or off-white. It is currently trendy in modern kitchens to utilise natural shades and materials, such as light woods or lighter stone colours. This can help your kitchen to feel more natural, which compliments natural lighting.

6. Utilise Vertical Lines

A clever small kitchen idea you can implement which makes a room feel bigger is making use of vertical lines that lead to the ceiling. These vertical lines naturally draw the eye upwards, towards the ceiling, which makes the ceiling’s height feel much taller than it actually is. Another benefit of this is that eyes are drawn to the patterns on the wall too, so can help to distract from any clutter in your kitchen.

This can be achieved by decorating your walls with wallpaper or tiles, or by having cupboards that feature vertical lines or indents.

7. Flooring That Works For Small Kitchens

When it comes to your kitchen floor, you’ve probably thought about it needing to be functional, such as being hard-wearing and easy to clean. But what you’ve probably not thought about is how the floor in your kitchen impacts how big the room feels.

But choosing the right type of flooring can make a surprising difference. When coming up with small kitchen ideas, include a floor that is lighter in colour, but also features a larger pattern, for example, large tiles.

8. Organise Your Cutlery

Investing in a cutlery drawer divider is a cheap and great way to not only keep your drawer nice and tidy, but also can be used to store utensils that you might have previously kept in a pot on your countertop. It might not seem like a big ‘hack’ to help maximise your kitchen’s space, but utilising a number of these smaller hacks can result in a big difference.

9. Go Handless

In recent years, more and more people have been implementing handleless cupboards and drawers in their kitchens. This is because it has less visual ‘clutter’ without the handles being present, as well as creating a ‘smoother’ finish across the overall kitchen. This concept works well for small kitchen designs, as the minimalistic look helps the room to feel less busy, and when used in combination with other ideas on this list, can make your small kitchen feel more open.

10. Sometimes Less is More

When planning your new kitchen layout and design, it’s worth remembering that sometimes less is more. It can be easy to try to get excited about building your new kitchen and try to include too many features and ideas you’ve seen. But in a smaller space, it can sometimes make the room feel too busy and cluttered. It’s worth experimenting with taking away certain decorations and seeing how it impacts the room.

Use Personal Storage While You’re Decorating

While you’re decorating your new kitchen, especially if you’re working with limited space, it is recommended to move anything you don’t need out of the room. This not only gives you more space but stops your belongings from being damaged or dirtied during the remodelling process.

For times like these, choosing to use a personal storage unit can be very helpful, giving you the space you need that guarantees your belongings stay in great condition. Here at ANVSJ, we have a wide range of personal storage units you can use for both long and short terms, starting from as little as £17.30 per week. We supply our storage units in a number of different locations across the country.

See how we can help make remodelling your small kitchen easier today.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best-shaped kitchen for a small space?

The U-shaped layout is considered the best choice for kitchens, even in small areas, as this maximises the amount of floor space you get. While this design may result in two deep corner cabinets, innovative cabinet additions like sliding storage units, or L-shaped shelving can effectively maximise storage in these previously challenging areas.

What colour is suitable for a small kitchen?

With a small kitchen, opting to choose lighter colours is typically more suitable. This is because the lighter colours will help to make the room feel bigger and more open by reflecting light when compared to a darker colour. This effect is increased when combined with many windows so that lots of natural light can be introduced and reflected.

How to Store Your Sports Equipment Properly and Efficiently

Fri, 07 Jul 2023 08:10:27 GMT

Explore how to store your sports equipment with ANVSJ.

Storing sports equipment can be inconvenient. It often takes up a lot of space, particularly for things we can only use at certain times of the year. Some equipment is much more delicate than others and storing away correctly often takes a little prep work – however, it will be worth it in the long run. In this post, we go through how to make sure your sports gear is stored properly to make sure it is kept in good condition and lasts as long as possible.

Golf Club Storage

How to Prepare Your Golf Clubs for Storage

Ensure each club is cleaned properly with warm water and a towel, ideally a microfibre cloth. Scrub off any grass stains, dirt, or marks off and make sure they are completely dry before storing to prevent rust damage.

When you have prepared your clubs for storage, it is important to keep them in a cool, dry place when not in use. A good place people store their clubs is in their garage or shed at home. If your garage reaches freezing temperature in winter, this can sometimes cause the grips to dry out and harden or crack. During the winter periods, it may be worthwhile considering storing them in a storage facility to ensure they are protected properly and to save some space.

Can I Store My Golf Clubs in My Car?

Golf clubs should never be stored in the boot of your car – even if it is just for a few days. For starters, they can easily pick up dints and scratches whilst moving around in the back as you drive around. Secondly, car boots and get very hot, particularly on sunny days. This can cause the glue on the grip to lose strength over time, along with the epoxy that keeps the head attached to the shaft.

How to Store Your Golf Clubs Properly

Always make sure the clubs are clean before storing
After cleaning the clubs, ensure they are dried properly to prevent rust
Store your golf bags upright to reduce the risk of getting them knocked over
Ensure they are stored in a cool, dry place (but not freezing)

Bike Storage

How to Prepare Your Bike for Storage

To make sure your bike is ready for storage, take off all of your water bottles, accessories, and any devices. Store these in a warm, dry place to make sure they are preserved properly. Make sure the bike is properly cleaned, leaving no dirt or grime on there that could cause corrosion. Next, after cleaning the bike, it is important to lubricate the chain and cables. This provides additional protection on parts of the bike that can be particularly vulnerable to damages.

Finally, pump the tires up, even if you won’t be riding for a while. This helps to make sure the tyres preserve their shape without any deformations. If storing your bike inside without hanging, it is better to not rest it on a concrete floor such as a basement or garage as concrete can draw moisture from the tyres.

Can I Hang My Bike on Its Wheels?

Bike wheels are designed to withstand weights much more than that of a bike frame, so this is absolutely fine to store a bike hanging by its wheels. In fact, this is often best practice as there is no pressure being placed on the tires.

Can I Store My Bike Outdoors?

This should only ever be the case if you have no other options. If your bike is new or high-end, it is likely to have better protection in outdoor conditions. If it is an older bike or cheaper bike, however, it could have parts more likely to corrode due to seals being worn out easier.

If you are going to store your bike outside, use a cover to protect it from rain and moisture and maintain it regularly. If you know you won’t be using it for a while, think about using a self-storage unit to make sure it is kept safe.

How to Store Your Bike Properly

Give your bike a good clean to prevent corrosion
Lubricate the chain and cables
Pump up the tires to prevent flat sports and other deformities
Remove water bottles, lights, and any other accessories
Use a cover when storing outdoors
Hang by the wheels if possible
Avoid resting the tyres on concrete floors

Kayak and Paddle Board Storage

How to Prepare Your Kayak or Paddle Board for Storage

Start by making sure your kayak or paddle board equipment is cleaned and dried properly. Make sure all the salt, grime, grit or dirt is removed. If you are storing for a short while you can rinse it using fresh water, but for longer periods it would be better to clean with soap or another cleaning product. It is always a good idea to check the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Next, you need to dry it – using a microfibre towel would be ideal for this. It is better to not leave it in direct sunlight. It is important to make sure everywhere is dried before storage to prevent mould growing. It is recommended to store a kayak or paddleboard inside to protect it against the elements, alongside animals and insects. Try to find a cool, dry place such as a shed or garage if possible.

Can You Store Your Kayak or Paddle Board Outside?

You can store your kayak or paddle board outside if you absolutely have to, but this is not recommended. Try to keep it covered up, out of the sun, and preferably off of the ground if storing outside.

How to Store Your Kayak or Paddle Board Properly

Wash the paddleboard of all salt, grit, dirt and grime
Ensure it is dried correctly to prevent mould
Store out of sunlight and off the ground

Home Gym Storage

How to Prepare Gym Equipment for Storage

It’s important to clean and wipe down your gym equipment before storing it away. If you are tight on space, it might be helpful to store smaller bits and bobs such as weights or resistance bands in a container or box. Larger equipment, such as treadmills or similar, should be stored in a dry area like a garage or basement if possible.

Can I Store My Gym Equipment Outside?

This depends on what the equipment is. It is recommended to not store anything with any moving parts outside, as the moisture can get in the cracks of these and form rust.

It is however possible to store certain gym equipment outdoors if maintained correctly – however storing inside would generally be much better.

How to Store Gym Equipment Properly

Clean and wipe down the equipment before storing
A cool dry place such as a garage is ideal to store
You can use protective products such as WD40 to prolong the life of your equipment

Ball Sports Storage

How to Prepare Ball Sports Equipment for Storage

For storing ball sports equipment such as football, rugby, and basketball, it is first a good idea to ensure the ball is cleaned and dried properly. Let a little air out of the ball before storing it away to make it last longer when you are actually using it.

For equipment such as football goals, basketball hoops, and similar, these also should be cleaned and dried thoroughly and stored in a cool dry place when not in use.

How to Store Football, Basketball, and Rugby Equipment

Clean before use, deflate ball slightly if applicable
Ensure everything is dry before storing away
Keep in a cool, dry place such as a garage or shed

Sports Racket Storage

How to Prepare Racket Sports Equipment for Storage

It is recommended to clean and remove the strings from tennis or badminton rackets before storing them. It’s best to place them in a carrying bag or case and store them in a dry area such as a garage or shed. For larger equipment such as table tennis tables, renting a storage unit can provide convenient and secure storage.

How to Store Your Tennis and Badminton Equipment

Ensure everything is cleaned and dried correctly
Make sure nothing could be applying pressure to the springs if they haven’t been removed
Store in a cool dry place, ideally a racket bag if possible

Baseball and Cricket Equipment Storage

How to Prepare Your Cricket and Baseball Equipment for Storage

Make sure your bats, balls, and other bits and pieces are all cleaned properly to prevent any mould growing. For baseball equipment such as gloves and balls, wipe them clean and keep them in a bag. For cricket equipment like bats and pads, wipe them down and store them in a well-ventilated area. Make sure all your gear is dry before putting it away.

How to Store Your Cricket and Baseball Equipment

Clean the equipment with a damp cloth, removing any dirt or mud stains
Make sure all the equipment is dried properly
Store in a dry area away from sunlight and humidity

Alt text: Skiing equipment featuring skis, ski poles, and a snow shovel

Ski and Snowboard Storage

How to Prepare Ski and Snowboard Equipment for Storage

To store snow sports equipment like snowboards and skis, wipe them down to remove any dirt or debris, or anything else that could make it dirty. It might be worth applying a coat of wax to protect the base and edges before storing them. When ready for storage, put them in a dry and cool location, such as a garage or storage unit.

How to Store Ski and Snowboarding Equipment

Wipe down your equipment to remove any dirt
Dry your ski and snowboard equipment properly
Use wax to protect your equipment and prolong its lifespan
Store in a cool, dry place when finished

When to Store Your Sports Equipment

In addition to storing different types of sports equipment, it is important to consider when and why you may need to store them. For example, snow sports equipment can be stored in summer when it is not being used, while outdoor sports equipment may be stored during the winter months.Students may also need to store their equipmentwhilst moving in between properties or outside of term time. Self-storage units can be a great option for secure and convenient storage.

Why You Should Consider a Storage Unit for Sports Equipment

Storing your sports gear takes a bit of preparation, but it’s well worth the effort. By following the tips above, you can keep your sports gear in good condition and make sure it lasts as long as possible. Consider using storage facilities like self-storage units to make the process more convenient and organised. With proper storage, your equipment will be ready and waiting for your next adventure.

Storing Your Sports Equipment with ANVSJ

We have various storage facilities spread across Yorkshire, Derbyshire and Lincolnshire to cater for your needs. Our locations includeSheffield,Chesterfield,Rotherham,Goole,Brigg, andMarket Rasen. With plenty of options available, we are able to offer an affordable sports equipment storage solution.

Affordable Self-Storage: Smart Ways to Save Space and Money

Fri, 30 Jun 2023 08:03:08 GMT

ANVSJ explore the different options you can take if you need to store items on a small budget.

Having extra space available at home to use for storage can be a luxury, especially in smaller homes like flats. Over time, people tend to start amassing more things within their homes, and when floor space is at a premium, this can start to clutter your home quickly. Opting to use a self-storage unit can be a great way to free up your home. But depending on the storage unit you get, this can be expensive.

This article will go over some tips you can use to make the most out of a self-storage unit, while also keeping your costs to a minimum.

How to Save Money on Self-Storage

To save money when using self-storage, be sure to measure the items ahead of time that you want to store, as this will give you a rough estimate of the space required, and therefore means you can choose the smallest unit that will fit your belongings in. Additionally, opting to choose a self-storage unit away from city centres also reduces the costs involved.

Rent a Small Storage Unit

When trying to save money on a self-storage unit, it makes sense that opting to go for the smallest unit you can, while still having the room you need, is the first thing you should consider. It goes without saying that the bigger the storage unit, the more expensive it will be to rent. It can be tricky to balance getting the cheapest unit you can afford, while still having enough space to store your belongings, however, there are some tips and tricks you can start to use to make the most of a small storage unit.

Measure How Much Space You’ll Need

It can be hard to visualise just how much space you will need in a storage unit, too big a storage unit wastes money, and too small means not having enough space to store everything you want.

To try and avoid this situation, measure the items you want to store, as this will help to give you a rough idea of how much space you’ll need. You’ll need to measure the width and depth of an item, and then times the two numbers together, this will give you the surface area of your item.

For example: If you have a box that is 1 m x 1 m (100 cm x 100 cm), the surface area will be 1 m2 or, 10000 cm2. The smallest storage unit we offer is around 74000 cm2 (7.4 m2) , and has a height of 2.27 m. This means you could fit around 14 of the boxes we measured in this storage unit, with a bit of spare room leftover.

To give some ‘real world’ context to the numbers, 7.4 m2 is typically enough space for the contents of a standard 1-bedroom flat.

It’s worth noting that depending on the storage unit you get, the height may be different, which is something to keep in mind if you have bulky items, like a wardrobe, to store. As a point of reference, our small storage units have a height of 2.27 m, which is typically more than enough for most furniture.

Be Smart with Your Packing

One of the best ways to keep costs down is to rent a small storage unit. To help ensure you can fit as much as you can within your self-storage unit, you’ll have to be smart with how you pack and position your belongings.

Start with the biggest items you have to store, as it will be much easier to position your smaller items around them, rather than the other way around.
Try to be as efficient with space as possible , try not to leave big gaps between items if possible – all the gaps when added up could be the space for another item.
Use vertical space if possible . This could be through stacking boxes, or placing items on top of big furniture such as a set of drawers or a wardrobe. People often waste space by not utilising verticality.
Use space-saving hacks like storing clothes in vacuum-sealed bags, which can massively reduce the space needed to store them.

If you’re unsure about what size self-storage unit you’ll need, then be sure to ask your provider. A good storage unit provider will be able to advise you on what the best storage unit to rent is, based on your needs.

Be Flexible in Your Location

Like with most things, location can impact a small storage unit’s cost. Being in a higher-demand area, or being closer to a city centre, will mean it will be more expensive when looking for a self-storage unit to rent. Opting to go a little further afield, away from the city centres, will help to save money on your self-storage unit.

One thing to consider is how you’re transporting your belongings to your storage unit. There is no point in getting a self-storage unit that is cheaper, but too far away for you to easily travel to and access. However, if you have the means to transport your things to a unit that’s further away, you’ll be able to save a good amount of money.

While being a bit more expensive, choosing to use a small storage unit closer to a city centre may be the best storage option for students, or if you’re living in a city like London and don’t have a car.

It is always worth checking ahead of time if the storage unit provider you have in mind has the right self-storage unit available, in the right location for you, when you need it.

Share a Self-Storage Unit

Even when deciding to go for a small storage unit, you still might have enough belongings that you need to store to fill the unit. If this is the case, which you can roughly figure out ahead of time by measuring as we mentioned earlier, you can always share your storage unit with a friend or family member.

Sharing a self-storage unit is a great way to reduce the costs involved with storing your belongings, particularly if you don’t have too many items. Sharing a unit with one other person will cut the weekly price of the unit in half, making it much more affordable.

When doing this, it’s worth bearing in mind that you’ll have to organise who has the keys to the unit, and make sure they’re handed over to the person who needs them. You don’t want to be caught in a situation where you need to access your self-storage unit but can’t if the keyholder is away.

Finding a friend or family member who already has a storage unit can be a cost-effective way to temporarily gain additional storage if you’d only need the storage for a short amount of time. This can be useful if you need a bit more storage room while moving house.

Save Money on Packing Boxes

When it comes to packing items to go in your self-storage unit, boxes are usually the best option. They make carrying multiple items easier, are easy to label/organise, and can be stacked and placed for maximum space efficiency.

But just because boxes are the best option, it doesn’t mean you need to pay a premium for them. There are some easy ways you can save a bit of money on any boxes you might need.

Ask Friends and Family

Before buying boxes of your own, it’s always good to ask your friends and family if they have any boxes that are suitable for moving. Someone may have moved recently or kept their boxes in a garage or loft from a previous move, just in case they need them. In an ideal world, this might supply you with all the boxes you need for free, which can be a huge money saver, depending on how many boxes you need.

Ask Supermarkets and Shops

Another great way to get free boxes for packing is by asking shops or supermarkets. These shops will regularly receive huge deliveries, which typically come in a lot of varying-sized boxes. It might seem a little strange, but asking the staff if they have any boxes you can have is a great way to save some money. Depending on how lucky you get, there might be plenty to choose from, plus you’ll save an employee from having to break them down and throw them in the recycling bin, so you’ll be doing them a favour too.

Save Any Moving Boxes

If possible, after moving homes, try and keep a few of the stronger and bigger boxes if you have room for them. While this won’t help you save money now, you’ll be thanking your past self when it comes to needing boxes to use for packing/storing later on. Be sure to keep the boxes in a safe and dry place to reduce the chance of them getting damp or damaged over time.

With any older boxes, whether self-stored or second-hand, be sure to check the integrity of the boxes before using them for packing and storing your belongings. The last thing you want is the bottom to rip or fall out when you’re mid-unloading into your self-storage unit.

Check The Notice Periods

Some providers will have a notice period in place for their self-storage units so you have to give them a minimum time frame when letting them know you are leaving. This period can differ depending on the provider and service.

We recommend before renting a small storage unit, that you check what the notice period is, so you’re not hit with a nasty surprise and end up paying for a few more weeks of storage unit use without actually needing it. Once you know the notice period, write it down so that you won’t forget it, as you might not be leaving for months depending on your circumstances.

Conclusion

Using a self-storage unit on a tighter budget is possible, but requires some proactive planning and organisation before renting a unit. Maximising the use of a small storage unit, by measuring ahead of time, mixed with some clever packing, will save you the most money. It is also worth factoring in the location of the storage unit provider, as being closer to a high-demand area like a city centre will be more expensive.

Looking For Cheap Self-Storage?

If you’re looking for budget-friendly small storage units, we offer self-storage units that are available across multiple locations, and at great prices that won’t break the bank.

All of our storage unit sizes come with both measurements and real-world examples of what you can fit in them, so you don’t have to struggle with visualising how much a certain square meterage is.

If you need any help with choosing the right-sized storage unit or have any questions at all, don’t be afraid to get in touch. Our team of friendly experts will be able to advise you on the best self-storage solution for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cheapest storage option?

The cheapest way to store your own items you don’t have room for at home is to rent the smallest self-storage unit you can and be efficient with how you use the space. Be sure to use the vertical space, not the horizontal, so you’re not wasting space you’ve paid for. Ideally, the storage unit will be away from high-demand areas like city centres. Additionally, sharing a storage space with a friend or family member will dramatically reduce the cost.

How much is a small storage unit?

Our smallest storage unit is 80 ft2 or 7.4 m2 and starts from £17.30 per week. A self-storage unit of this size will typically be enough for the contents of a 1-bedroom flat or house, which is roughly about 150 medium-sized boxes. This can be a great option if you’re looking to move house from a flat or uni accommodation and need a little extra room to store belongings while you move.

How are Assets Divided in a Divorce?

Fri, 16 Jun 2023 07:59:48 GMT

Explore more about splitting your assets in a divorce, and the storage options you have available for those assets.

When a marriage breaks down, the process of determining who gets what isn’t always a smooth one, and is often the biggest cause of concern and stress. Read on for a simplified guide to splitting assets in a divorce, and always ensure you consult a solicitor to help with the process.

Where Do You Start?

Going through a divorce is difficult enough as it is, but it can get very complicated if there aren’t agreements in place for how your assets will be divided.

When it comes to the question of ‘how are assets divided in a divorce’, there is unfortunately no one answer. Whether there have been discussions and agreements put in place or not, you will need the help of a professional solicitor to help you settle your divorce, as well as emotional support from family and friends. This will likely be the first step, ensuring you have a professional and personal support system behind you, to make the process as easy and stress-free as possible.

But what next? Let’s look into the different assets involved, and explore further how this works.

What Do Matrimonial Assets Include?

If you’re going through a divorce yourself, this term is likely not a new one for you. Matrimonial assets are normally joint assets that have been acquired during the course of your marriage – this covers everything from a home with shared ownership (and its contents), to your vehicles, savings and pensions.

What are Non-Matrimonial Assets?

These include anything you owned before the marriage or after separation, and generally aren’t included in a divorce settlement. There are exceptions to this, and each client’s circumstances will be reviewed on a case by case basis.

How Does the Process Work?

The first step in the process of dividing assets in divorce is working out the total value of all your matrimonial assets, or the ‘yardstick of equity’, as it’s better known.

There is no set method for dealing with a divorce – every situation is different and requires a unique approach.

Having said this, the assets you will need to consider during a divorce asset split do often fall into categories. We will explore these categories below.

Your Home

For most people – your main and most valuable asset. This is often the most important thing to come to an agreement on in a divorce, but again there is no set answer as to who gets the family home.

Generally speaking, your home should be split 50/50 between the two parties, however it’s not always as simple as this.

The first, and simplest, method of dividing a marital home is that the property is sold and the equity divided between the two parties.

If you and your marital partner have children, the agreement could also be made where one parent continues to live in the home with the children until they have finished full time education, and then the home would need to be divided equally.

The other option is that one person keeps the home, and essentially buys the ownership from the other party. This would require the new sole owner to continue the mortgage payments (if you still have a mortgage), as well as paying out the lump sum to the other partner.

Note: Other options of splitting a marital home may be possible, and it is important to speak to a solicitor to help with this process.

Contents of Your Home

Whether you are selling your home or one party is keeping the marital home, dividing the contents can often be an issue between divorcing partners.

There are a few ways you can deal with this:

Option 1 : The main contents of the home (furniture, appliances etc.) are sold along with the house, and then divided equally.

Option 2 : The contents can be divided so you each have what you need to set up separately.

Option 3 : The person who keeps the home also keeps all the contents. The other partner will often be owed more money from the divorce as a result.

If you’re splitting the contents of your home in a divorce and need somewhere to store furniture and other items whilst you’re finding and setting up your new home, you may want to look at storage options near you. At ANVSJ, we offer self storage containers around South Yorkshire, Derbyshire and Lincolnshire –find your nearest storage units here.

Your Pension

Whether you’re going to each keep your own pension or split the value, this is another asset you need to consider when going through a divorce. If your pensions are split, this isn’t necessarily divided equally, as it can compensate for things like one person having a smaller pension due to not earning as much, or to make up for the fact that one partner is going to be keeping the house or other assets.

Hidden Assets

What happens if you suspect your partner has assets they haven’t disclosed? Your solicitor will be able to advise on the best approach to deal with this, whether it’s contacting their bank or HMRC regarding their accounts, freezing their account to stop them disposing money, or looking into whether money has been transferred to family or friends to hide it in the divorce.

Exploring Different Approaches to a Divorce Asset Split

As mentioned above, for each asset there are different ways it can be split depending on your circumstances and preferences. Having a reliable solicitor will be key for ensuring assets are divided fairly, so consult them with any questions you have regarding the process.

Going Through a Divorce Yourself? See How We Can Help

Where does ANVSJ fit into this? We provide affordable, secure and clean self storage units – taking the stress out of finding somewhere to store your assets (such as furniture and other belongings) whilst you’re in the process of getting divorced and sorting a place to live. Find more information on pricing and locations for our self storage units on our website, or get in touch with our friendly team on 01709 701155if you need further assistance.

Secure Self Storage Solutions in Yorkshire, Derbyshire, and Lincolnshire | ANVSJ

Tue, 06 Jun 2023 07:56:40 GMT

Looking for secure and convenient self storage solutions in Yorkshire, Derbyshire, and Lincolnshire? ANVSJ provides trusted storage services for personal goods, business items, and vehicles. Explore their advanced security measures, flexible options, and competitive pricing for a seamless storage experience. Convenience and Accessibility: ANVSJ offers easily accessible self storage facilities in Sheffield, Chesterfield, Brigg, Whitley […]

Convenience and Accessibility: ANVSJ offers easily accessible self storage facilities in Sheffield, Chesterfield, Brigg, Whitley Bridge (Goole), Market Rasen, and Rotherham. With strategically located depots, ANVSJ ensures convenient access to your stored items and vehicles, tailored to your location in Yorkshire, Derbyshire, or Lincolnshire.

Advanced Security Measures: Rest easy knowing that ANVSJ prioritizes the security and protection of your belongings. Their storage facilities feature 24/7 surveillance cameras, access control systems, and secure fencing, ensuring a safe environment for your stored items.

Versatility and Flexibility: ANVSJ understands the diverse storage needs of individuals and businesses. Their self storage containers are available in various sizes to accommodate different volumes of personal goods and business items. Additionally, ANVSJ provides secure vehicle storage options, catering to a range of vehicles, from bikes to lorries. Enjoy the flexibility to choose the duration and size of your storage space based on your specific requirements.

Competitive Pricing: ANVSJ offers cost-effective self storage solutions in Yorkshire, Derbyshire, and Lincolnshire. Their competitive pricing ensures exceptional value for your investment. Benefit from their transparent and affordable pricing structure, allowing you to budget effectively for your storage needs.

Conclusion: Experience secure and convenient self storage solutions in Yorkshire, Derbyshire, and Lincolnshire with ANVSJ. Their advanced security measures, flexible options, and competitive pricing make them a reliable choice for storing personal goods, business items, and vehicles. Visit ANVSJ.co.uk to learn more about their services and find the nearest ANVSJ depot. Trust ANVSJ to safeguard and protect your valued belongings and vehicles with their trusted storage facilities.

Step-by-Step Moving House Guide

Fri, 26 May 2023 07:55:02 GMT

ANVSJ have created the ultimate moving house checklist for you to go through. This hopefully should remove the stress of the unknown, and you can look down the list and ensure everything has been ticked off.

Let’s face it, moving house is one of the most stressful things someone can do in their lifetime. The physical work of transporting possessions to a new place, and the mental challenge of ensuring all paperwork and admin are sorted, isn’t something you’d like to do every day.

To try and make your move as easy as possible, ANVSJ has created the ultimate moving house checklist for you to go through. This hopefully should remove the stress of the unknown, and you can look down the list and ensure everything has been ticked off.

Your moving house checklist

Everything included in the checklist is essential to most people’s moving process. There may be some items we’ve missed, as they don’t apply to everyone. However, these are the essentials that you must tick off to move house.

1. Research your move

Before taking a leap of faith and moving, you’ve got to do your research and ensure you’ve considered everything before moving house.

Everyone’s reasons for moving are different, you could be moving location for a work opportunity, moving into a house with more space if you’re a growing family, or moving into a smaller, more manageable home.

Whatever your reasons, it’s important to know why you’re moving, so you can sort a priority list of what you’re looking for in a new home.

Things to consider before moving

Here are some common things to consider or use in your filter when searching for a new home:

Location

Is the new house local to a good school? Use Locrating’s School Map to help find the best schools in the area you’re moving to.
How close is the property to local amenities that are important to you? Such as supermarkets, parks, pubs etc.
Is the house close to your place of work, or close to somewhere you’re likely to find work?
What are the transport links like? Is there a train station or bus stop nearby?

The property

How many bedrooms/rooms are there?
What’s the internet connection like in your area (important for working from home)?
Do you need a garden or access to outdoor space?
Is the home detached, semi-detached, terraced or a flat?
Does the property need much work doing to it, and how much will it cost to ‘make it your own’?

2. Arrange a survey of your new property

Getting a survey of the property you’re looking to purchase will help you discover if there’s anything else that hasn’t been included in the description of the property.

A survey is an essential part of the property buying process and highlights potential issues such as:

Property lines and borders – finding out exactly what land you will own when you purchase the property
Easements – sharing access to your property, for example, you may need to share a drive with your neighbours that may not have been previously flagged
Elevation – a survey may discover that the property you’re looking into could be in a high-risk flooding area
Hazard areas – the property you’re looking into may be near a recognised issue, such as high levels of radon

3. Finalise contracts

As soon as you’ve agreed on a price for the property, completed your survey and all the paperwork, it’s time to finalise and exchange contracts.

Once contracts are exchanged, you’ll officially own the property and will be free to do what you wish with the land you now own.

This is potentially something you may need to discuss with the people who are moving out of the property you’re buying, as a property chain may hold back the completion of the sale.

4. Confirm your move-in date

As soon as you own the property, and you have the keys, you’ll have to decide what your move-in date is. Because, at this point, you have the keys and own the property, there isn’t a hard date you have to move in by. However, there are a few things to consider beforehand.

Are you in a chain?

If you’re in a chain, you might have a fixed date of when you need to move out of your existing property. Ideally, you might have a couple of days to do the moving process, you’ll be surprised at how much stuff you accumulate.

Assuming you only have the day to move from one house to the next, organising how you’re going to transport your belongings, especially large appliances and furniture, is key. As soon as you know your date, get something booked in – this could be movers, a van hire or renting a personal storage unit to keep some bigger things while you move.

If you are chain free

Being chain free makes the moving process a lot less stressful because there is less pressure to get everything moved in one day. Whether it’s moving from a rented property, or from your parents, having extra time to move in makes the process significantly easier.

It’ll give you time to make sure you haven’t missed anything, and in the case of renting, gives you time to clean and do any little touch-ups, so you can get your deposit back.

5. Let the right people and companies know you’re moving

When moving house, one thing that is important to get sorted as soon as possible is letting various providers and services change your address. There is always more than you think, and it can be easy to lose track of, so we’ve made a checklist to help make things easier to manage.

Local council – council tax
Your employer
Your bank(s)
Your utility providers – gas, electric, water
Your phone and internet providers
Your GP and dentist – if you’re moving to an entirely new area, you might have to find new ones
The DVLA – driving licence, car tax
TV Licensing
HMRC
Electoral roll – update your registration
Royal Mail – Post redirection
Any other insurance providers – pets, cars, travel
Home insurance – whether this is moved or you get a new provider, make sure your new home is covered
Any local services you might have a direct debit for, but will need to find a new one in your new area – gyms/leisure centres etc.

It’s also useful to know that some companies will let you make these changes ahead of your move, all they’ll need is your new address and the date that you want the changes to be in effect from. This can be very useful for things like your internet provider, which can avoid you having to go without internet for days/weeks after you’ve moved house.

6. Declutter your current property

As you start the process of packing up your old home, it gives you a good opportunity to declutter a little. Take the time to sort your things as you move and pack them. When you’re doing this, be sure to make a “not-taking” pile.

Moving can be physically intense, especially if you have to do it one day. Make your job slightly easier by getting rid of the stuff you don’t need or use any more. Trust us, you’ll be thankful when it means a few less boxes come moving day.

Don’t think you necessarily have to throw everything away either, depending on what it is and if it’s in good condition, you can donate some things to charity shops or sell them on platforms such as eBay or Facebook Marketplace.

7. Pack what you want to take with you

Label all your boxes!

Labelling all your boxes is the best way to organise your things during a move and helps to avoid rummaging through every box looking for one specific thing. It’s as simple as having designated and labelled boxes for each main room. An example of how you label them could be:

Kitchen
Living room
Bedroom
Bathroom
Garage
Dining room

Not every room will apply to your property, but it should give you an idea of what you should be doing. If you want to go the extra mile, you can also label what is in each box too, which can be useful if you have multiple boxes for a room. For example:

Kitchen – plates, bowls mugs
Kitchen – cutlery, toaster, kettle

Knowing where you have the necessities to make a cup of tea will be appreciated by you and any other people helping you move!

You can go one step further than this and use an app to track exactly what you have in each box, which makes it easy to see where things are quick. Read our The Best 10 Apps to Make Moving Easierblog post for more information.

8. Ensure you have the essentials for the first night

One thing to make sure you don’t miss off your house moving checklist is the essentials for the first night. After a long and tiring day of moving boxes and furniture, the last thing you will want is to then have to search through every box just so you can find the things you need for a shower.

Some of the things you’ll want to have easy access to are:

Things needed for a shower – towel, shower gel, shampoo etc
Other toiletries – toothpaste, hand soap, face wash, loo roll etc
Tea & Coffee supplies – including mugs and a kettle
Food for the first night/morning – pick something easy, no one wants to spend hours cooking after a day of moving
A fresh change of clothes for the next day
Anything you need for sleeping – duvet, pillows, nightwear etc
Chargers for any phones/laptops

9. Clean, unpack & then relax!

So, now that you’ve prepped correctly, the next thing to do is to start the move! There’ll be a lot to do on moving day, so do your best and don’t worry if things are still in boxes for a couple of days.

Unpacking

The first things to move are the big pieces, things like your sofa, bed and fridge. With these out of the way, you can start unpacking your hopefully well-organised and labelled boxes. Start with priority rooms like the kitchen, bedrooms, and bathroom – the rooms that you’ll have to use throughout the day. You’ll appreciate being able to lie down in bed at the end of the day with no last-minute faff.

Remember, while it can be stressful, moving home is an exciting time in your life. So if you have to leave a few non-priority boxes to unpack the next day, that is perfectly fine.

Cleaning

While your new home is in a mostly empty state, it is the perfect time to make sure all the rooms are nice and clean. Even the tidiest of people will need to give the place a quick hoover, unpacking and moving always seems to make a bit of a mess – usually in the form of dust from things being moved around so much.

Relax

Now that you’ve finally moved in and unpacked, it’s time to relax! You’ve earned it.

Looking for somewhere to store your items whilst you move?

The process of moving house can be stressful, especially if you need to move everything in one day. A good way of relieving some of that pressure can be by renting a personal storage unit, to store some of your belongings ahead of time, then you can move them into your new house at your leisure. This can be particularly useful while you wait for any storage deliveries such as shelving, wardrobes or cupboards.

We offer a range of self-storage units which range in size from enough storage space for a 1-bedroom flat to enough storage for a 4-5 bedroom house. We have a range of locations across the country, so you’ll be sure to find a storage solution that suits you, starting from as little as £17.30 per week .

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the essentials for moving house?
A basic first aid kit – moving can cause small cuts and scrapes
Toiletries – so you can have a shower and brush your teeth
Loo roll and hand soap
Charger for your phone/laptop
A change of clothes
Pillows and bedsheets
Tea & Coffee supplies – including mugs and a kettle
Food for the first night/morning – pick something easy, no one wants to spend hours cooking after a day of moving

How soon before moving should I start packing?

If possible, it is recommended to start the packing process as early as 6 weeks before. Initially, this will be made up of tasks such as decluttering and cleaning. By the 2 weeks before, you should start boxing up non-priority items that you can live without. Then, as you get closer to the moving day, start packing more priority things. Some things like bedding will need to be packed on the day.

The Best 10 Moving Apps To Make Moving Easier

Fri, 12 May 2023 07:51:26 GMT

Here are 10 of the best moving apps we recommend to help make moving easier.

Moving can be a stressful process. There are a lot of moving parts at each stage of the moving journey. It can be difficult to even know where to start, let alone keeping track of everything when you’re mid-process. Any help with any part of the moving process can help to reduce stress. So with that in mind, here are 10 of the best moving apps we recommend to help make moving easier.

The Best 10 Moving Apps

1. Mortgage Calculator UK – Free | IOS + Android

To potential new homeowners, the thought of finding and taking out a mortgage can be a bit overwhelming. Trying to find out the amount of money you can borrow from the bank can be stressful, especially when you’re trying to work out things like potential bills and other monthly costs alongside it.

The Mortgage Calculator UK app can help you figure out how much you should borrow, rather than what you could. Then you can work out how much your monthly repayments and interest will be. You can use it as an estimate against your salary to work out how much you can borrow while leaving enough for bills.

2. Rightmove UK – Free | IOS + Android

Now that you know how much you can borrow, it’s time for the fun part – looking for houses you like within your budget. The Rightmove UK app is one of the best apps to have when moving because you can search for properties via area, budget and requirements, for example; a 3 bed semi-detached house.

Another great feature of the app is that each property shown will have useful information attached to it, such as how close it is to amenities, schools and what public transport is available.

3. Google Maps – Free | IOS + Android

There is a good chance that you’re already using Google Maps, as it’s one of the best apps for both navigation and for finding new places or services around you. Once you’ve found a house you like, you can use Google Maps to search the area, finding out how far away you are from major roads, train stations and services in the area such as restaurants, shops and gyms.

You can use the directions feature on the app to see a rough estimate of how long it will take to get to any of these places, too. So it’s a great tool to find out how long your new commute might be from your new home.

4. Sortly Home Inventory – Free | IOS + Android

Sortly is a great app for cataloguing and keeping track of your belongings when mid-move. While there are paid plans, the free version app offers plenty of utility and should be enough to help organise your moving boxes.

You can create and name folders, and then add items within them, including photos. This makes packing your things via room much easier, and stops the rummaging through every box to find that one thing you need after you have moved.

5. Around Me – Free | IOS + Android

In a similar vein to Google Maps, Around Me, can be used to find services, amenities and other points of interest. Unlike Google Maps, the map is specific to finding what’s around you, and can be filtered to find groups of things quicker, for example, showing only pubs around you.

This app can be very useful when you first move to your new home, as it can help you get to grips with the area quickly and start to find your favourite spots.

6. Pocket Bubble Level – Free | IOS + Android

As the name suggests, this is a spirit level you can use on your phone. Once you’ve moved, having this app can be really handy for any initial DIY jobs you might run into when unpacking and decorating your new home. Since it’s on your phone, it is always likely to be on hand, which is convenient for quick jobs which you need to check are level, such as hanging up frames, paintings or shelves.

7. Dulux Visualiser – Free | IOS + Android

Painting and decorating can be a fun part of the process of settling into your new home. However, even when using tester pots, trying to figure out how a colour looks across an entire wall or room can be tricky. Using the Dulux Visualiser app can help to give you an idea of what a colour of paint will look like on your walls. It uses augmented reality technology to “replace” the current colour of your walls on your phone screen, letting you swap between multiple colours with ease.

Not only can this help inspire you for a colour you might not have thought of, but also save you a lot of money on buying paint that you might hate after it’s on every wall.

8. WhatsApp – Free | IOS + Android

Like with a couple of the apps on this list, there is a good chance you’re already using WhatsApp, but just in case you’re not, here is why you should probably download it. WhatsApp is a free messaging app which can be used for messages and calls, and can be used for both one to one and group messaging. It’s also end-to-end encrypted, so you won’t have to worry about security, either.

This is one of the best apps to have when you first move, as it’ll easily let you have a channel to communicate with new neighbours and people you meet. The group messaging can be great for organising meet ups with friends and family.

9. Google Keep – Free | IOS + Android

Google Keep is a great app for keeping track of tasks. You can create separate task lists for different areas and then have the lists you need within them. For example, you can have a separate “things to buy” list and then another list for “things to organise before moving” list.

Because moving house has so many moving parts, this can help you to keep track of everything and make sure nothing gets missed. The app is simple to use and allows for quick edits, which means you can add new tasks on the fly as they come up.

10. eBay

When you’re getting ready to move and everything is getting put in boxes, you often find things you no longer need. It can be a great chance to de-clutter, and for getting rid of things eBay can be very useful. You can list things for sale, which people can then buy from you. So not only are you decluttering a bit, but you might even find you get a nice bit of cash from it too.

Of course, there are many options for apps to get rid of things you longer need, for white goods removal you might need to contact a removal service. Another option to consider is donating some unwanted items to a local charity shop.

If You Need Help With Storage

Moving homes can be a stressful experience, especially if you have a lot of things to move. One way you can reduce some of this stress is buying using a service that offers personal storage units, which can be used to temporarily store some of your belongings while you move. This can be particularly useful while you wait for any storage deliveries such as shelving, wardrobes or cupboards.

We offer a range of self-storage units which range in size from enough storage space for a 1-bedroom flat, to enough storage for a 4-5 bedroom house. We have a range of locations across the country, so you’ll be sure to find a storage solution that suits, starting from as little as £17.30 per week.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is There an App to Help Move House?

There are many apps available which can be used to help make moving easier. Some apps, like Mortgage Calculator UK and Rightmove UK, can be used to make the initial stages of finding a property easier. Where apps like Sortly and Google Keep can help make the organisation stage of moving easier and less stressful.

How Can I Move with No Help?

If you’re moving with little or no help, there are some steps you can take to make things easier on yourself. Using organisation apps to help track what tasks you need to and by when will pay dividends. Also, buying moving boxes and then packing/labelling them by room will help organise your belongings and make unpacking easier. You can supplement this with organisation apps like Sortly, so you can digitally keep track of what’s in each box.

Guide to Converting Your Garage into a Functional Home Office.

Thu, 04 May 2023 07:49:35 GMT

In this article, we’ll be covering everything mentioned above in more detail, so you can be fully informed on what you need when converting your garage into an office.

Now that flexible working is becoming more and more popular, there is an increasing number of people needing a dedicated space at home from which they can work comfortably. Because of this, it is becoming increasingly popular for people to turn their garage into a home office setup.

Turning a garage into an office first requires consideration about planning permission and building regulations. After that, getting a professional to sort out the plumbing, electrics and heating is recommended. Only then can you start getting on with decorating and furnishing your new office space. Using a storage unit should also be considered, as they will easily store anything you need to hold on to, but can’t keep in your garage.

In this article, we’ll be covering everything mentioned above in more detail, so you can be fully informed on what you need when converting your garage into an office.

Is Your Garage Suitable To Convert Into An Office?

Before you get started with converting your garage into an office, you need to make sure that it’s suitable and that there are no structural issues. The easiest and best way to do this would be to hire a surveyor, who will be able to assess the space and check it is safe and ready for the conversion.

Most brick or solid block garages will be suitable for a conversion into an office, from a structural standpoint. However, it is likely that a lot of work will be required to turn it into a safe and comfy living space.

Is Planning Permission Required?

Before starting any work on converting your garage, it is important to check if you’ll need any planning permission.

As a general rule of thumb, any internal work shouldn’t need planning permission. This includes things like putting up plasterboard and painting the walls, laying down flooring or sorting out the electrics/plumbing.

If you are separating the garage from your house or changing the external size of it, you will need to get planning permission. Before starting any external work, it’s always worth checking if planning permission is needed.

What Building Regulations Need To Be Met?

Some councils will ask to check that your space is suitable for living/working in. This may include things like whether the structure is sound, if it’s fireproofed, has efficient electrics and good ventilation. We recommend checking with your local council before you start work, so that no headaches develop later down the line.

Preparing Your Garage For A Home Office Conversion

Before you can start any work on your new office space, you’ll need to prep the space. Typically, garages are used for storage, so there is a good chance you’ll need to have a bit of a clear out. To make your life easier, we advise that you completely clear out your garage before starting any work.

Another thing that is good to get sorted out early are the necessities like your heating, plumbing, electrics and ventilation.

Plumbing, Heating & Electrics

If your garage doesn’t have them sorted already, getting in a professional to sort out any plumbing, heating and electrics you might need doing to make your garage office-to-be is a comfortable space you’d like to stay in. Having a professional sort these out will make sure they are up to regulation.

Remember that depending on your garage, it could get cold during the winter months, so having proper heating in place, like radiators, will be key to staying warm. It’s also recommended looking into insulation for your garage. This will help to keep the heat in your space, therefore helping to keep your bills a bit cheaper.

Natural Lighting

If at all possible, we recommend adding in a way of bringing in natural light into your garage office. This could be through the installation of some windows or by adding in some roof windows or skylights. Garages can be a bit dark, so adding in natural light will not only brighten up the space, but also make it feel bigger.

Ventilation

Linked into the use of windows or skylights, having plenty of natural ventilation will help to air out the room, making it feel fresher. This has a practical benefit of reducing moisture built up in the room and keeping a flow of fresh air. Overall, this helps with improving air quality and reducing the chance of condensation or mould.

Making Your Garage Look Like An Office

It goes without saying that most garages normally don’t look very comfortable to work all day in, most are grey, brick rooms. There are some easy tips to implement that can make the space feel less like a garage and more like an office you’ll love to spend time in.

Flooring

Most garage floors are made out of concrete, and I think you’ll agree that a cold, hard, grey floor isn’t the most appealing of surfaces to have in a living space. Instead, installing a new floor can make a huge difference in making your garage office feel and look comfier.

Before installing a new floor of your choice, it’s also important to check your original floor is level and flat. If it isn’t, you may need to lay a level floor down first, made out of something like a chipboard. You can then layer your new floor on top of this for a nice finish.

Decorating & Furnishing Your New Garage Office

Assuming you’ve followed any of the previous points that you needed, you should now have a clear, practical room, with nice lighting, utilities and a good floor. Next up is the fun bit, you get to decorate and furnish your office however you like.

This is obviously up to personal preference, so have fun making your ideal office space. However, here are a few things we’d recommend you think about including:

Plasterboard Your Walls

Most garages have brick or concrete walls, so unless you like the look of them, plastering your walls, so they’re ready for painting, can really help to make the space feel more like an office than a garage.

High Quality Chair

If you’re going to spend money on anything, it should probably be the chair you’ll be sitting in all day. This will help with posture and back support, and generally make being in your new garage office much more enjoyable.

The Finishing Touches

Fitting your office with the little details and finishing touches will really help to make the space feel more personal and “lived in”. At the end of the day, this should be a space you enjoy working and being in, so anything that helps to achieve that is a more than worthwhile addition. Whether that be desk knick-knacks or a shelf full of your favourite books.

Save Space When Turning Your Garage Into An Office

Garages are typically used as a place for storage, and often, as a place to dump things you don’t want in your house. When converting your garage into an office space, you’ll need a place to store the things you’ve collected but don’t want to throw away.

A Storage Unit Could Be The Solution You Need

Storage units are a great way to store extra things you won’t have room for in your garage office-to-be. Our options for Self-Storage cover a range of locations across the UK. One of our storage units that can fit the contents of a standard single garage starts from as little as £20 per week, and gives you the space you need to make your dream garage office.

If you’re thinking about using a storage unit, we have plenty of guides on things to know when using a storage unit across a long period of time, which can help to keep your belongings in the best shape possible.

Conclusion

When considering turning your garage into an office, you’ll need to make sure that it’s up to current building regulations and check if you’ll need planning permission for any of the work. Making your garage comfortable for living in, by getting the electrics, heating and plumbing sorted, will go a long way, as will adding sources of natural light and ventilation through windows or skylights.

A storage unit can be very useful for keeping the things you’ve taken out of your garage and will ensure they stay safe and sound.

Lastly, have fun with how you decorate it. This should be a space you enjoy working in and want to spend time in.

If you have any questions about what kind of storage unit you might need to accommodate your garage’s possessions, feel free to get in touch with us , we’d love to help you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Turn My Garage Into An Office?

The short answer is yes! Typically, garages aren’t made to be habitable. But with some insulation, plasterboard and some hard work on decorating, you can make a great looking office you can enjoy working in.

Do I Need Planning Permission To Turn My Garage Into An Office?

If the work that needs to be done is only internal, such as plasterboard and flooring, then planning permission shouldn’t be needed. If the work needed is external, such as separating the garage from the house or extending the outside area, then planning permission might be needed. Contact your local council to find out if you’ll need planning permission.

ANVSJ's Clothing Storage Guide: Struggling with excess clothes? Follow these steps to free up space.

Thu, 09 Mar 2023 07:45:30 GMT

Are you struggling with more clothes than wardrobe space? Are unneeded winter coats or summer swimsuits taking up essential space? Follow the steps set out in this comprehensive guide from ANVSJ. We cover how to get the most out of storage, how to keep your clothes fresh, and more.

Are you struggling with more clothes than wardrobe space? Are unneeded winter coats or summer swimsuits taking up essential space? Using some long-term clothing storage is a great solution. If you’re going to go down this route, it’s important to do it properly. It can be tempting to just shove clothes in the back of your wardrobe – but this isn’t exactly conducive to keeping your clothes in good condition. Over time, they’ll only get damaged, and you’ll be left kicking yourself.

Follow the steps set out in this comprehensive guide from ANVSJ. We cover how to get the most out of storage, how to keep your clothes fresh, and more.

What Clothes Should I Put in Storage?

Storing clothes long term is perfect for any excess wardrobe that you want to keep but don’t have space for. Whether it’s off-season clothes such as winter coats or skiwear, items that you’re selling second-hand online, or sentimental items, such as children’s clothes, taking them out of your day-to-day wardrobe will help you free up space and stay organised.

10 Steps to Storing Clothing Long Term

1. Sort Through Your Wardrobe

Take this opportunity to sort through your entire wardrobe. And let’s face it – this is probably overdue. It may be time-consuming, but combing through your clothing collection, and picking out items you don’t need any more, is the best place to start.

It’s worth spending this time doing this at the start of the process, to avoid finishing putting things into storage, and realising that you missed something out after putting your boxes away.

There may be some things that you want to get rid of completely. Items that are in good condition can be donated to charity, or to a friend. Or, if you’re not sure if you’re ready to part with something, but you’re also not wearing it regularly – it can go into the storage pile.

2. Take an Inventory of What You’re Putting Into Storage

Taking inventory is important, especially when using external storage facilities. You want to make sure that you have a record of what’s going in your storage containers for a few reasons. Firstly, so that you can get a reminder of what’s in there. Especially when your belongings are in there for the long haul – it can be hard to remember the specifics of what’s in there and what isn’t.

Additionally, an inventory is used to account for everything you’ve put in the storage unit so that you can prove it was stored there in the case of an insurance claim. Of course, accidents warranting an insurance claim are the worst-case scenario – but it’s still important to insure against them.

3. Wash and Dry Clothing Properly Before Storing

Since they’ll be in an enclosed space for long periods of time, it’s the best way to protect your clothes against any unpleasant developments such as mould, mildew and bad smells. Additionally, clothing stains become harder to remove over time, so it’s better to get any spots or specks out before they get boxed up. Additionally, dirt and debris on clothes can attract bugs such as moths. Washing will help keep everything pest free.

Make sure to dry clothes properly after you wash them to keep them smelling fresh, and prevent any damp build-up.

Although you might think that ironing is a good option prior to storage, it’s actually unnecessary. And, if you’re storing clothes in boxes, you may actually end up creating some long-lasting creases by ironing before storing them. Instead, we recommend ironing after you take clothes, like shirts, out of storage again.

4. Clean and Polish Boots and Shoes

Just like the rest of your clothes, cleaning your shoes before storage is another essential. Dust and dirt left on shoes may cause discolouration and stains during storage.

So – taking the time to clean and polish them before packing them away, will prevent permanent damage. And, they’ll also be ready to wear straight away, the next time you get them out of storage.

5. Collect Your Accessories Together

If you have lots of accessories you’re not going to use for the time being, resist the temptation to chuck them in any old box. Things like jewellery may have their own boxes for safekeeping, but if you have stray necklaces, rings, hair clips, etc, we recommend using a small bag or box to keep them in. This will stop you from losing, or breaking, anything precious.

Equally, you may want to collect other items together like belts and hats so that it’s easier to find them at the end of your storage rental.

6. Choose the Right Storage Containers

The containers that you use for storing your clothes are also important. There’s no point in carefully preparing your clothes if the box or bag you put them in won’t protect them well. There are different receptacles that you can use for storage, aside from the standard box.

The best option for clothes that can go on a hanger, is a ‘wardrobe box’. Yes – you can get a wardrobe in a box! Cardboard boxes with an inbuilt clothes rail are the perfect way to keep shirts and dresses in perfect condition. No folding is required – and they double up as a place to store the hangers as well.

Or, you might prefer plain old boxes. In terms of plastic vs cardboard – it’s best to store clothing in cardboard boxes wherever possible because they’re breathable. Plastic on the other hand can trap moisture, and lead to mould and mildew growth.

Reused cardboard is also an eco-friendly choice. Especially if you have some lying around already – it’s good to reuse and recycle them wherever possible. And you can fit a lot of neatly folded clothes in a well-organised box.

Vacuum-packed bags can also be a good option if you’re trying to store a high volume of clothes in a smaller space. Items like padded jackets won’t necessarily experience any detriment in vacuum-packed bags. However, you may find that more delicate materials such as satin, or linen will come out of storage with lots of creases. Generally, this is rectifiable – but it’s something to take into consideration.

Regardless of what storage receptacle you choose – make sure you have enough to comfortably fit all your items inside. Over packing boxes or over filling bags will only lead to breakages that damage your stuff further down the line.

7. Take Care when Packing

All your careful preparation goes to waste if you don’t pack properly. Make sure any smaller bags or boxes for accessories are safely secured so that nothing spills out in transit. It’s also important to make sure that nothing accidentally gets put in storage by mistake, so that you save yourself the stress of having to unpack clothes from storage just to find it.

Laying your prepared clothes out into piles, and packing them into designated, labelled boxes – is the best way to keep organised when packing. You might think that you’ll remember what’s in each box without proper labels – but it’s likely that you won’t. Label now, to make your life easier, later.

If you want to take extra care, you can spray your clothing with an insect repellant, or throw in some moth balls to keep those insects at bay,

Make sure you seal all your boxes properly so that you know that you’re the only person that’s opened them. Taping things up securely also keeps dust and any potential pests out. It’s the final step in keeping your clothes safe throughout storage, so don’t give up at the final hurdle!

8. Picking a Storage Location That’s Convenient for You

Take some time to consider your options in terms of where you store your clothing. First things first – if you do have a loft or other extra storage space, you can store your clothes at home and save yourself the journey. But, if you’re tight on space, then a self-storage facility is the best route forward.

Choose a reliable facility that’s close to home – so that it’s easy to access whenever you need to. It’s also a good idea to check in on your belongings from time to time during long storage contracts.

Long-Term Clothing Storage from ANVSJ

If you’re based in Yorkshire, Lincolnshire or Derbyshire – ANVSJ is a great affordable storage solution in your area. We proudly offer high-quality, secure sites for prices that undercut the big names in self-storage. So, you can store clothes for longer, for lower prices when you store with us.

All of our sites provide:

24/7 access to accommodate all schedules
Lowest prices in the country for storage located on a major A road or motorway.
Secure perimeters with state-of-the-art CCTV and alarm systems.

Enquire today , to get a quote for your storage needs.

Conclusion

Storing clothing long-term doesn’t have to be a hassle. By following these tips and tricks, you can keep your clothes looking and smelling fresh for years to come. Remember to clean everything before storing, use the proper storage containers, keep clothing in a cool, dry place, use natural repellents to deter insects, and check on your clothing regularly. Do your research to find a local storage facility that’s secure, and offers reasonable prices, so that you get peace of mind without breaking the bank.

With these simple steps, you can ensure that your clothes are well-protected and ready to wear whenever you’re ready to bring them home. And, you’ll free up valuable storage space in the meantime. Enjoy your streamlined home!

How To Move Out Of Your Parents’ House in 10 Simple Steps

Wed, 08 Feb 2023 07:35:48 GMT

The ANVSJ team has compiled a list of 10 steps to follow to make moving out of your parent's house as simple and streamlined as possible.

Whether you’re going to university or moving out in your 20s or 30s, moving out of your parent’s house is an exciting time. But sorting through a lifetime of belongings can be easier said than done. So, the ANVSJ team has compiled a list of 10 steps to follow that will make the process as simple and streamlined as possible.

1. Plan a Time Frame and Moving Date

Before you start the process of moving house , it’s important to get a good plan in place. Starting from your planned moving date, you can work out a time frame for your different organisation and packing tasks.

As any frequent movers will tell you, it’s always better to start packing sooner rather than later. Some things will have to wait until the last minute, such as packing up bed frames and essentials like daily toiletries. Other tasks, such as sorting out belongings to keep and things to get rid of, can start much earlier in your timeline.

You can also factor in if you need to move all your belongings in over one day or if you’ll have several days to move things over.

2. Work out Your Budget

If you have the budget, it’s advisable to organise help with the moving process wherever possible. Don’t simply rely on the help of your parents if you want to avoid a stressful moving day!

Once you’ve got your timeframe for moving house, take your budget and the belongings you’re taking with you into consideration. If you’re moving to a local furnished house and just have a few boxes to bring, a car trip or two may suffice. Or if you’re moving bigger items and heavy furniture, it’s best to rent a van or the help of a removal company. You can also consider using the services of a self-storage company, like ANVSJ , to get some of your unneeded furniture and belongings out of the way. Whether it’s long-term or short-term, this can be a really useful tool for decluttering and storing things you won’t be bringing straight to your new house. This will make it easier to pack up the things you are bringing with you.

Find out more about our storage unit options for moving house here!

3. Save Money Ahead of Your Moving Day

Moving house is a costly process, so make sure that you plan ahead and practise financial responsibility in the run-up to your move. As well as your housing deposit, you’ll also need to save up for all the other costs you’ve factored into your house-moving budget, like petrol, removal companies, and decorating your new house.

It’s really important to make sure that you’re financially stable before making the move out of your parent’s house.

So, aside from moving costs, make sure to look at the income and savings that you have that are relevant to the costs of your new home. Building credit is also important for renters and mortgage payers alike. Landlords and estate agents will run credit checks as part of applications to rent and for mortgage approval, so it’s essential to build a good credit score ahead of moving out. When the time comes, if you can square your monthly income or student loan with the cost of rent or a mortgage, then you’re ready to make the move. If it seems like your budget is going to be stretched, then you may want to consider a cheaper property.

4. Book Removal Services in Advance

If you decide to book the services of a removal company or storage facility, make sure to contact them ahead of time to avoid disappointment. You’re more likely to get your preferred removal date secured the more notice you give. And it’s best to have any storage units booked in advance for peace of mind that your move will go to plan.

5. Sort Through Your Belongings

Moving out of your parent’s house is the perfect opportunity to sort through belongings that you no longer need. Whether it’s old books and toys you haven’t touched for years or clothes you no longer want – seize this opportunity to sort through it all before you move. That way, there’s less clutter to sort out once you’re in your new home or university accommodation.

Use three piles when sorting out your belongings:

Things to keep: Items that you still use, or that have a lot of sentimental value, go in the keep pile, ready to come to your new home with you.
Things to give away or sell: Items in good condition that you simply no longer use or don’t want can be given away to friends or charity shops. You could also consider selling things online.
Things to throw away: When things are past the point of use and you wouldn’t feel comfortable giving them to another person, it’s time for the bin. Remember to recycle wherever possible!

6. Be Organised when Packing

It can be all too easy to rush the packing process and shove your things in boxes in any old order. This approach may be quicker at the time, but when it comes to unpacking, it will come back to bite you. Some top tips for organised packing include:

Pack similar items, or items from the same room, in the same box.
Make sure to label each box clearly so you know what’s packed inside. You’d be surprised how easy it is to forget what you’ve packed in each one when they’re all sealed up. This will also be helpful when bringing boxes into your new house, so you can put them down in the right room.
Invest in things like bubble wrap, strong tape, packing dividers, and clothes hanging rails. These items all play a part in protecting your belongings in transit.

7. Discuss Any Items to Leave at Your Parent’s House

Your family may be able to help you out with storing things that you don’t have space for in your new home. Especially when it comes to sentimental items that they also have a vested interest in keeping. So, discuss your options with them.

Do they have an attic or a garage in which you can leave a few boxes in? Will the spare room be yours to use when you come back to visit?

Discuss these arrangements ahead of time, so you can make alternative arrangements if you don’t have space for all of your belongings in your new home.

If there isn’t space at your family home for belongings that you’re not ready to part with, then self-storage is the perfect solution. With ANVSJ’s low prices, you can keep things in our safe and secure units based across South Yorkshire, Derbyshire, and Lincolnshire. Or, if you’re based elsewhere in the country, simply Google your nearest storage facility. If your parents have limited space, then moving your belongings elsewhere is the way to avoid additional stress or strain on relationships.

8. Ask for Help Setting up Your New Home

It’s easy to underestimate just how much work moving house can take – so don’t try to do it all alone. Whether it’s from family or friends, drafting in some help is the best way to avoid burnout in the moving process. Trying to do all the jobs yourself can lead to more stress and chaos. So – call in some favours and get a team of volunteers to help you make your home feel like home in record time. You can return the favour by helping others move house in the future.

9. Get the Details for Your Utility Providers

Once you’re moved in, one of the important tasks on your to-do list is to make sure that you know who the current utility providers are so that you can set up your own accounts. If you don’t have letters waiting for you, you can ask your landlord or previous owner to provide this information. Key utilities in the UK include:

Water
Gas
Electricity
Internet
Council Tax

You should also look into setting up a postal redirection service so that any important letters, including bills, can be forwarded to your new address, cutting out the need for your family to pass them onto you.

10. Throw a House-Warming

After all the hard work that goes into moving house, it’s time to celebrate! Moving out of your parents’ house can be an emotional, stressful experience, but there’s also a lot to look forward to. As well as the sense of achievement that comes along with getting to this milestone. Whether it’s a meal with your new housemates or inviting people over for a full-blown party, it’s nice to do something with friends or family in honour of this new chapter in life.

Ready to Move out Of Your Parent’s House?

Follow these steps to help your house move go smoothly. And remember – in addition to local removal companies, storage units can be a really useful tool to declutter your family home, as you make the move elsewhere. They’re also useful for storing clothes or belongings that you’re planning on selling online.

ANVSJ provides self-storage , business storage , vehicle storage , and office space services in Derbyshire, Lancaster, and South Yorkshire. Contact us or make an enquiry today for more information on how we can help you.

How to Store Clothes for the Long Term – Without Ruining Them

Tue, 13 Sep 2022 07:27:32 GMT

We’ve put together an expert list of tips for effectively storing your clothes.

Organising your wardrobe to suit the season is essential in saving space. When winter rolls around it’s sadly time to pack away your summer gear. But storing your off-season clothes can require a bit of thought, especially if you want to protect them from mould, dampness and moths.

Whether packing away your summer clothes, winter clothes or getting rid of bulky items there are plenty of options for you.

We’ve put together an expert list of tips for effectively storing your clothes:

1. Wash And Dry Before Storing

2. What To Hang and What To Fold

3. Use Boxes and Containers

4. Using Vacuum Bags (Dos and Don’ts)

5. Find The Ideal Clothing Storage Location

6. Clear Out Your Closet

7. Store Your Shoes and Boots

8. Keep Organised

1. Wash and Dry Before Storing

Deodorants and perfumes left on fabric can stain over time and bugs and moths love dust, so making sure your clothes are clean before storing is essential.

Not to mention, your future self will thank you when winter rolls around and all your warm jumpers are clean and fresh.

But don’t forget, damp clothes make it easier for mould to develop in storage areas, particularly over long periods of time. We strongly recommend drying all clothing completely before packing it away.

2. To Hang or To Fold

Different materials require different storage solutions. According to Martha Stewart, your typical winter wear, like thick jumpers, will begin to stretch when hung, so make sure you fold these. Common summer materials such as linen, on the other hand, are better to be hung – this will also save you time on ironing once it’s time to take your off-season clothing out of storage.

For extra protection, we recommend covering your hanging clothes in a garment bag.

3. Storage Boxes and Containers

There are plenty of storage options when it comes to packing away your gear. To store your clothes for long periods without ruining them, airtight plastic containers are your best option. Yes, you can absolutely use plastic boxes for storing clothes. These will keep bugs, moths and mould away from your outfits and ensure your wardrobe is fresh and ready when it’s time to wear them again.

How to Pack Clothes for Storage:

One of the best ways to pack your clothes for storage is to keep your space in mind. Here are a few extra tips on how to get the most out of your storage space:

Fold and store vertically, like a filing cabinet. Not only does this save space and make it easier to see what you have, it also reduces the need for ironing!
Use the right hangers. Make sure you use the right size hanger for your clothing, this will help avoid misshaping your pieces over time. Wooden hangers also tend to be better at maintaining shape than wire hangers.
Avoid using plastic garment covers. These can allow moisture to fester and create mould.
Avoid cardboard boxes, these serve as a great snack for bugs and pests.

4. Using Vacuum Pack Bags

Vacuum storage bags are a great way to save space, shrinking your items to fit in the smallest of spaces, however, they can present some issues. Clothing items made from natural materials such as silk and wool can lose their shape over time, so avoid using vac bags on these.

If you’re storing items for a while before moving house, for example, vacuum bags are ideal. Less delicate (and more bulky) items like pillows and throws are well suited to these storage-saving solutions!

5. Finding the Ideal Storage Location

Whilst it can be tempting to store your off-season clothes in the garage there is a high chance they’ll go mouldy. Garages are a hotspot for damp and mildew and should not be used to store fabrics over a long period of time.

To keep clothes fresh when storing you should opt for a location out of direct sunlight, as this can cause discolouration, and away from wood, as this attracts bugs. A metal storage container is your best option and for delicate items of clothing, you can even opt for climate-controlled storage.

6. Clear Out Your Closet

The North London Waste Authority reports the average Briton has not worn 30% of their clothing in the last year. It’s time to start clearing out. Before packing away all your belongings in clothes storage, take some time to go through what you wear and don’t wear.

What to Do with Old Clothes:

Donate to charity. Charities are always looking for new clothes and there are plenty of drop-off points around the UK to make it easy for you.

Sell your old clothes. Haven’t worn something in a while but maintained its quality? Why not sell it? Selling old clothes is a great way to create a little cash and save space in your storage for pieces you intend to wear again.

Swap clothes. Clothing swaps are a great way to freshen up your wardrobe without breaking the bank.

7. Storing Shoes

Shoes can take up a lot of space in your wardrobe so packing them away is important. Whether your leather boots are now off-season or it’s time to put away the football boots there are some key steps in storing shoes properly.

How to Store Shoes Properly:

Clean and dry. Just like with your clothes it’s important to clean your shoes before putting them in long-term storage. Dirt and dust can attract bugs which will feed on the material.

Use shapers. Over time your shoes can begin to lose shape so investing in some shoe shapers can be well worth it.

Apply protection. For leather shoes, giving them a polish before storing them is ideal. For fabric shoes, apply your favourite protection spray or balm to look after the material.

Prevent Mould. Silica gel packets are great at keeping away nasty winter mould.

8. Stay Organised

If you’ve followed our tips this part should be easy. When packing your clothes into their appropriate storage containers, aim to group them. T-shirts in one box, jeans in another, or however best suits your storage style. Your hanging clothes are easy to identify, but using labels on storage boxes will make life a lot easier when it comes to swapping your wardrobe next season! Using drawer dividers will take your organisation to the next level.

Self-storage with ANVSJ

Are you looking for a self-storage unit for your off-season wardrobe? ANVSJ have multiple self-storage locations across Yorkshire, Derbyshire & Lincolnshire.

Feel free to get in touch with our team today and let us know what your storage needs are.

Get in touch with ANVSJ on 01709 701155 today for more information.

How Much Does Self-Storage Cost?

Wed, 25 May 2022 07:22:59 GMT

If you’re looking for a self-storage facility, then the cost to rent a storage unit will be one of the key factors to consider.

There are many variables when it comes to the pricing of a storage unit, which can be difficult to get your head around.

ANVSJ are here to help you understand how different factors affect the different prices on storage units, and how to identify the best storage unit for your budget.

What Does the Cost of A Self-Storage Unit Depend On?

The cost of a self-storage unit depends on numerous factors. Despite a self-storage unit usually being a container for your use, there are plenty of other additional factors to consider when choosing a storage unit.

Location

The location of the storage facility has a great impact on the price that you will pay.

For example, the price of a storage unit in central London will be a lot more expensive than the price of a storage unit in Rotherham.

Unit Size

This is slightly obvious, but the larger you’d like the storage unit, the higher the rental price will be.

Duration of Storage

The longer you require a storage unit, the more expensive the unit will cost over time. The cheapest way to store items is to identify how long you will need the unit for so you can inform the storage facility how long it will be in use.

Functionality

A storage unit is much more than simply a storage container in a yard. Storage facilities usually have other features and services that can improve the storage experience.

Such features include:

Pest control
CCTV
Access times
Access for different vehicles
Alarms
Lorry access
Temperature control
Removal companies welcomed

Working out Cost per Square Foot

Total cost is the most important metric to look out for, however, it’s also worth checking out the cost per square foot of the unit you’re looking for.

For example, an 80 square foot ANVSJ storage unit starts from £15 per week.

Average Self-Storage Price vs ANVSJ

According to the SSA Annual Industry Report, the average weekly price for a 75 square foot storage unit was £34.53.

For an 80 square foot storage unit with ANVSJ (slightly larger than the 75 square foot unit in the SSA report), the price starts from £15 a week.

If you’re looking for a cheap storage unit in Derbyshire, Yorkshire or Lincolnshire, look no further than ANVSJ.

Tips to Save Money when Putting Items in Storage

If you’re looking to save money when you’re putting items in storage, there are numerous avenues you can take to save a little money.

Hire a Van Instead of A Removals Company

When moving items into storage from a property or business, and then removing your items from storage to a new location, you may be tempted to hire a removals company.

An easy way to save money is to do the removal yourself, instead of hiring a company to do it for you.

The average price to hire a removals company in the UK is £1,181, whilst the cost to hire a van for the day from Enterprise is only £108.99.

If you were planning to hire removal experts, however, if you manage to find people who are willing to help you move your items in and out of storage, you could have a potential saving of £1,072.01 .

Get the Smallest Space You Need

If you work out how much storage you need for the items you have, it will be cheaper to move your storage into the smallest unit possible.

This is because storage units increase in price for the larger space they contain, so working out the size of the storage unit you require will be saving you money.

For example, a medium personal storage unit at ANVSJ starts from £23.07 per week, and a large unit starts from £46.16 per week.

Therefore, by working out the size of storage unit you require, you could be saving up to £23 a week. If you’re not sure what size of storage unit you need, feel free to contact our experienced team today and we can offer advice on the sizing you may require.

Find a Cheaper Location

Finding a storage location that is situated in a cheaper location than the place you’re looking for could be a method of saving money on your storage needs.

Storage in city centres are usually more expensive, however, you can find cheap and practical storage solutions just off motorway exits. These storage locations have excellent transport links, making them ideal storage solutions.

Self-Storage with ANVSJ

Are you looking for a self-storage unit? ANVSJ have multiple self-storage locations across Yorkshire, Derbyshire & Lincolnshire.

Feel free to get in touch with our team today and let us know what your storage needs are.

Get in touch with ANVSJ on 01709 701155 today for more information.

9 Useful & Essential Long Term Storage Tips

Tue, 24 May 2022 07:17:26 GMT

To help you place your items into storage, here are 9 long-term storage tips from the storage experts at ANVSJ.

1. Assess the Stuff You Want to Store

The first thing to do before you think about putting your items into storage is to think about what you need to store.

Considering your needs for your items is essential to consider as soon as possible, as this will help you identify the features, sizing and location of your storage facility later down the line.

2. Work out How Much Storage Space You Require

As soon as you’ve thought about everything you need to put into storage, you can begin to get an idea of how much room you will need to store your items.

The larger the storage facility you need, the most expensive it will be. That’s why it’s beneficial to try and work out the square footage of the space you require.

3. Think Location, Location, Location

The location of the storage facility you choose to use is an essential part of the selection process.

City centre storage facilities can be expensive due to their central location, and severely out-of-town spaces are cheaper but can be difficult to get to.

One of the best places for storage facilities to be located off motorway junctions, as they’re quick and easy to get to, and offer storage solutions at an affordable price.

4. Storage Features

Storage facilities offer many different types of features in their storage units.

CCTV, pest control and access times are some of the key features to consider when choosing a storage facility.

One of the key features of any storage facility is the size of the unit you’re renting, so ensuring that you’ve got enough space for all your items is a key consideration.

5. Vehicle Accessibility

Some storage facilities do not allow access to some types of vehicles.

Common examples include lorries not being able to fit up to the storage unit for easy unloading, narrow driveways making it difficult for cars to access, as well as removal companies not being welcome to use a facilities services.

Make sure that if you require vehicle access for a removal company, lorry or a wider car, check with the facility before booking your space.

ANVSJ welcomes removal companies and our units are ground level with wide driveways and access available for lorries – meaning you don’t have to worry about vehicle access.

6. Cost & Prices

A key piece of advice for putting items in long term storage is to consider the long-term cost to store your possessions.

If a storage unit is £5 extra a week compared to another storage unit, then the overall cost adds up if you’re storing your items long-term.

Having your items in storage for a year could end up costing you an extra £260, so ensure that your chosen storage facility has all the essential functions you require in order to save money.

7. Use a Climate-Controlled Storage Unit if Necessary

A climate-controlled storage unit is one that maintains an exact air temperature and humidity.

This means if the items you store require a specific temperature or humidity in order to preserve their quality whilst in storage, then you will need to select a storage facility that utilises climate-control technology.

If you don’t require climate-control, then it’s worth looking for a storage unit that doesn’t have it included, as it will just add an additional cost to your overall storage unit.

8. Packing Tips for Long Term Storage

Ensuring that you’ve packed your storage items effectively is a key part to successfully storing items for a long time.

Prepare Materials for Packing

Instead of simply packing your items in random boxes, it’s essential to plan the materials you will need to effectively store each items for a long time.

Depending on your item, you will need tape, boxes, packing peanuts and other items to ensure the quality of your items is preserved for a long time.

Make a List of Everything in Storage

By making a list of every item you’ve placed in storage, this will make it easier to remember each item that was stored when you come back to the facility in the future.

Pack Heavy Items at The Bottom

Heaving heavy items at the bottom of your boxes in storage means that lighter items won’t get crushed or damaged beneath the heavier items.

Especially if you’re storing items for a long time, you need to ensure that your heavier items are packed towards the bottom of your boxes.

Protect Items with Covers

It’s essential to protect valuable and fragile items with covers or relevant packing materials to avoid breakages.

Items such as mirrors and furniture certainly require a little extra protection to ensure they won’t get damaged in storage.

Labelling

Making sure that all boxes are clearly labelled will help you when you’re unpacking your items in the future.

This will save you the time and effort of going through each box to find one thing you’re looking for, and ensuring that everything is correctly labelled will make it a lot easier to identify and locate your possessions in the future.

9. Check in On Your Items Now and Again

It’s a great idea to go and check on your items in storage now and again, just to make sure that everything is okay.

If something wasn’t packed efficiently, then it could have started to slip and be at risk of becoming damaged, and could easily be avoided if it was checked upon several times during a long stay in storage.

Self-Storage with Anvsj

Are you looking for a self-storage unit? ANVSJ have multiple self-storage locations across Yorkshire, Derbyshire & Lincolnshire.

Feel free to get in touch with our team today and let us know what your storage needs are.

Get in touch with ANVSJ on 01709 701155 today for more information.