12 Best Tips for Using Self Storage Effectively

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A little pre-planning will help you get the right space, ideal organization and save you some money. But, if you don’t have time for pre-planning, that’s okay too. You can move everything in to a larger unit and organize afterwards in the comfort-cooled spaces we have at Access Mini-Storage.

Organize for Access

You may not think you’ll need to get to your things while your house is being built or remodeled, but it is best to have it organized in the event you do.

  1. Label The Ends: Label the ends and/or sides of your boxes and bins to easily see/know what is inside.
  2. Group By Seasons: Group items together in seasons so you can find what you need based on the time of year.
  3. Label By Family Member: Label items by family member to grab something for someone quickly.
  4. Bigger Units For Freedom: Increase to a bigger unit if you want to have space to move around, sort and organize.
  5. Walk It Out: Fill your storage so you have a small walk way or path to access those items in the corner

Plan Your Space

You don’t want to pay for more space than you really need.

  1. Drive It Up: If you’re storing items from your garage, patio, shop, etc… you don’t need a heated/cooled space. Consider getting a small drive up storage unit for these items.
  2. Temperature-Controlled For Certain Items: For things that are in your home, you’ll want to consider an interior unit and how long you’ll be storing. August heat can melt more than candles, and can ruin electronics, artwork and photos.

Save Time and Money by Planning

Plan your move in and move out.

  1. Know Your Dates: At Access Mini-Storage, we prorate your move in, so you pay for only the days of the month that you move in, then it is a month-to-month lease. Knowing when you need to start storing will save some move in costs.
  2. Special Discounts: Ask if there are any special discounts. Some units are available for a full month FREE.
  3. Truck Rental In Advance: Reserve theAccess Mini-Storage truck or trailer in advance. The truck is free for moving in and out, you just have to pay for the gas. We have two trailers (open landscape & enclosed cargo) also available.
  4. End Of Month Planning: Plan your move out to be at the end of the month to maximize your rental.
  5. Call Us For Help: If you need more assistance, call Access Mini-Storage and ask a manager for help. We work with people in every situation imaginable to maximize their storage options, and we’d be happy to work with you on yours!
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8 Reasons People Rent Storage Units in Chilliwack BC

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In almost any instance where you may need to keep your belongings secure in an easily accessible location and can’t do it on your own property, public storage provides the perfect solution. Here are 8 common reasons why people rent self-storage units in Chilliwack from Access Mini-Storage Ltd.:

1) They are downsizing or moving

Mini storage is a great option for families who are downsizing but don’t want to get rid of all of their possessions. Self-storage is also convenient when moving, as it allows you to move your belongings out of your old home and into your new one at your leisure.

2) They came into an inheritance

An inheritance can often be difficult to keep and sort through at home. Heated storage units allow you to keep any furniture, books, artwork, or other inherited items safe until you have decided what to do with them.

3) They are storing seasonal equipment

Seasonal outdoor equipment can take up a lot of space in the shed or garage when it is not being used. Having a mini storage unit will allow you keep only seasonal equipment that you are currently using at home.

4) They are traveling

If your home is going to be empty for an extended period of time because of travel, then keeping your possessions in a mini storage unit can keep your items safe from theft or unexpected damage such as fire or flooding.

5) They’ve run out of space at home or at the office

Easily the most common reason for using self-storage, mini storage units offer you extra space when you’ve run out of places to store things at home or at the office. For items that you can’t throw away but also can’t accommodate, mini storage allows for convenient and easy access.

6) They are renovating

When homeowners undertake a major renovation project, they want to keep their belongings safe and the rest of the home uncluttered. Storage units are also a perfect place to keep building materials that you aren’t using at the moment.

7) They are trying to sell the house

A cluttered house does not photograph or show well. Staging a home and putting any unnecessary belongings and pieces of furniture into mini storage can help you sell faster and potentially for a higher price as well.

8) They are students

Students who are home from university for the summer and staying with parents who have already downsized often take advantage of using public storage. It provides an affordable option for keeping their belongings safe and accessible before heading back to school again.

For All These Reasons and More, Choose Access Mini-Storage

No matter what is going on in your life, you can be sure that Access Mini-Storage Ltd. in Chilliwack has the right size and type of self-storage unit for your needs. You can contact us today if you have any questions about our facility or if you would like to rent a mini storage unit to keep your belongings safe and secure.

taping packing box

5 Packing Supplies Needed to Make Your Move Smoother

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Anybody who has ever moved or helped someone move knows what a stressful time it can be. The good news is that a great way to minimize the stress inherent in moving a household from one residence to another is to make use of the right packing supplies.

Here are some invaluable packing supplies that you need to make any move go smoother, as well as why you don’t want to overlook the benefits of renting a mini self-storage unit for the move:

1. Boxes in different sizes

Boxes are perhaps the most important packing supply needed for any move, and making sure that you have differently sized boxes to properly store all of your belongings is crucial. For example, you’ll want to use smaller boxes for small items such as CDs so that they don’t move around too much, and you’ll need larger boxes to accommodate bulky items such as kitchen appliances.

2. Boxes made of the right materials

While sturdy, quality cardboard boxes should do for most of your packing needs, you may need to consider other materials for packing certain items. For example, durable plastic containers are a better choice for heavy items such as weights, or items that you worry may get crushed such as paintings and other decor.

3. Packing tape

Boxes would hardly be as useful of a packing tool if they weren’t paired with heavy duty packing tape. You’ll need tape not only to close your boxes, but to reinforce them as well. Packing tape can also help make sure that bubble wrap stays put around fragile objects.

4. Packaging bubble wrap

Speaking of bubble wrap: you’d be mistaken to assume that you can have a successful move without it. If you want your dishware, glasses, mirrors and other fragile items to arrive intact, that make sure to wrap them in quality, packaging bubble wrap before packing them away.

5. Markers

Filling up your boxes and not bothering to label them with markers once you close them up is going to result in a big headache when it comes time to unpack. Do yourself a favor, buy some markers, and take the time to label your boxes. It’s quick, easy, and will save you more time in the long run.

BONUS: A mini storage unit in Chilliwack

A mini storage unit may not technically be a “packing supply,” but renting a self-storage unit in Chilliwack from Access Mini-Storage Ltd. is one of the best ways to help your move go smoother.

If you are downsizing or if there will be some time between the date you can take ownership of your new residence and the date you need to be out of your old one, then you will need a place to securely store some of your belongings for a while.

Give Access Mini-Storage Ltd. a call today and we’ll fill you in on our great short- and long-term storage options. Moving is stressful enough, so let us look after any belongings that may not have a place to go for a while.

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4 Tips for Organizing Your Fall Closet

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Spring cleaning is a great time to get your closet ready for the warmer months, but what about preparing it for the colder days of fall and winter? Organizing your closet in the fall provides a great opportunity to ready your winter wardrobe and clear out some clutter.

Not sure where to begin your closet organization project? Here are four tips from the Chilliwack mini storage pros at Access Mini-Storage:

Tip 1. Sort all of your clothes, shoes, and accessories

The first step to successfully organizing your fall closet is to sort every item of clothing, every pair of shoes, and every accessory. Don’t let any item leave your hands without sorting it. Consider creating three different piles: one for items you want to keep in your fall closet, one for items you want keep but need to put away in storage, and one for items that you want to sell or donate.

Tip 2. Clear out any excess closet clutter

Now that your closet is clear, it’s time to go through any excess clutter which may have built up in it over time. Items such as books, bags, or random little knickknacks can also be sorted or put away in their proper place somewhere else in your home. Be liberal with what you’re willing to toss, sell, or donate. If you come across an item which you haven’t used in a long time, consider if you really still need to hang on to it.

Tip 3. Put away your fall and winter clothes

Once you’ve cleared up all of your closet clutter, you can start putting away the fall and winter clothes that you want to keep out for the season. Now is a good opportunity to think about how you want to organize your clothing instead of just putting it all away haphazardly. Place items that you are more likely to wear in easier-to-access locations. Items which you may not need as much, such as snow pants, can go on a higher shelf or a further hanger.

Tip 4. Find a place to store summer and miscellaneous items

All of your clothes, shoes, accessories, and other items which you’ve decided to keep but to clear out of your closet for the season need to be kept in proper storage. If you don’t have enough space in your home, then mini storage units in Chilliwack can provide a fantastic solution. Prepare your clothes for self-storage by neatly folding them and packing them away, and you can switch them out come spring time.

Access Mini-Storage provides temperature controlled and securely monitored mini storage in Chilliwack that can keep your items safe. With storage units ranging from 3×5′ to 15×25′, we have the right solution for all your needs. We also offer professional packing supplies that can help make self-storage all that much more convenient for you.

If you’re interested in Chilliwack mini storage to help you organize your fall closet and keep your belongings safe, then you can begin by contacting the storage experts at Access Mini-Storage today.