Organization & Storage Tips | Simply Self Storage Blog

March 18, 2022
by Simply 2 Comments

Moving Home for Summer Break? How to Make Your Life Easier

As if studying for finals wasn’t enough to deal with, with the school year ending many college students find themselves having to pack up a dorm room or apartment for the summer break. You’ve got a lot to juggle already, so we’ve got some compelling reasons why self storage makes your life easier so you can enjoy your summer break more — and maybe even relax a little.

You’ve probably accumulated all kinds of items during the school year, including books and school supplies, clothes, sporting equipment, electronics — maybe even some furniture. Instead of hauling all that stuff back home, consider storing where you study this summer so it will be close to your college or university when you return in the fall.

Does summer storage make sense for me?

Self storage is a smart, cost-effective solution for college students living in residence halls, dorm rooms and short term off campus housing to safely and easily store any items that won’t be needed until school starts again next semester. It makes sense to store where you study if you:

Are a first time student wanting to simplify your college life
Attend school out of state and plan to go home between semesters
Want to avoid the hassle of driving a rental truck a long distance
Want to save your parents the worry about where to store your items at home

What size storage unit do I need?

Self storage facilities have a variety of storage unit sizes to accommodate every budget. For students, we usually recommend one of the following:

5’ x 5’ Storage Unit (25 Sq. Ft.) – This size can typically hold the contents of one room or a large closet: book shelf, bicycle, coffee table, nightstand, boxes/bins and other small items.

5’ x 10’ Storage Unit (50 Sq. Ft.) – This size can typically hold the contents of a small one-bedroom apartment: mattress, sofa, kitchen table, boxes and other similar items.

What are some things to look for when choosing a storage facility for summer storage?

Climate controlled units, which stay at a consistent temperature range, protecting your electronics and other items from the summer heat
Convenient, time-saving options like contactless online storage rental and autopay
A safe, secure location
Positive online ratings and reviews
Availability of packing and moving supplies
Other features like drive-up vs interior access for your storage unit
Any special promotions or incentives available to save money

Any other advice?

As the college campus crowds thin out, storage units may start booking up in your area. We recommend thinking about storing your stuff ahead of time so you’ll have a better idea what size unit you’ll need — that way you can focus on finding the best storage unit deals before moving day approaches. It’s also useful to know that you can complete a reservation online with no deposit required, which will temporarily hold a unit for you until you complete your rental and sign your lease — which you can also do online.

Simply Self Storage offers self storage options for college students near many US campuses. We have convenient locations near Johns Hopkins University, Purdue University, The Ohio State University, Texas Southern University, University of Houston, University of Texas at Dallas, Florida Tech, University of Oklahoma, and other colleges and universities.

February 14, 2022
by Simply 0 Comments

Moving in With Your Soulmate? 5 Tips to Keep the Love Alive When Combining Households

So, you’re moving in together — congrats! Moving in with someone you love is an exciting time, but it’s not without its stressors. Make a few key decisions up front about how to blend your households (and your possessions) and you and your partner will be in good shape to manage any issues that arise and settle into a happy new life together in your shared space. We’ve put together a few tips to help start you off right.

1. Your place or mine…or neither?

Deciding where to live can feel challenging. Sometimes there are memories attached to the place we live, or practical considerations like square footage or the number of bedrooms and bathrooms. Maybe you’re thinking of making a long-distance move. If one or both of you has a lease or a mortgage, there may be an option that makes more financial sense. Many couples choose to move into a new space together, rather than trying to merge into someone’s existing home. Regardless of where you and your significant other choose to live, you’ll have to figure out how to deal with your collective stuff.

2. Assess your shared space.

Once you’ve decided where to live, it’s helpful to know how much space you have to work with. Measure your rooms, closets and furniture so you have some idea of what will fit where. If you want to plan furniture arrangements, you can find online tools from Wayfair, West Elm and more with a simple web search.

3. Take inventory.

Is one bed bigger or more comfortable than the other? Who has the newer tv? Can you really justify owning two air fryers? Make a home inventory to see where you have duplicate items and get a better idea of any home goods you may be missing. If you’re planning to get married, you can add those needed items to your registry.

4. Think about downsizing.

Combining households usually means that some things will have to go. We recommend you both start by sorting through your own possessions to see where you might be able to pare down. Then get together and discuss what you each think will fit in your shared space, and agree on what stays and what goes. Be willing to compromise. Saying goodbye to some of your stuff can be emotionally taxing, so go easy on yourself and your partner.

Before your move-in date, discard or donate anything you know you don’t need. Store items that you’d like to keep but you don’t require everyday access to in a basement, attic, garage or storage unit. Things you don’t currently have room for like furniture, artwork, electronics, antiques or collectibles can be stored in a climate-controlled unit, which may make sense for you if your life plan includes buying or renting a larger home together down the road.

5. Most importantly, set a good foundation.

It’s normal to experience an adjustment period when you first move in with a partner. You’re spending more time together and getting used to the ways each of you does things around the house, so there’s a possibility that disagreements may arise.

“What matters less is if you and your partner experience friction. What matters more is how you handle it. How do you handle the smothered feeling that rises in you when you see the dish towel in the “wrong” place? How do you respond when your partner makes a snarky comment at the end of a long day? How do you repair after tempers have flared?”
– Dr Alexandra H. Solomon, Professor, Therapist, Speaker, Author, Retreat leader, and Media Personality

Dr. Solomon has some good advice on addressing the challenges of cohabitating. One thing to remember: Communication is key. Having conversations about things like home maintenance, chores, parenting, pets, finances, meals, and how much time you each need alone can help stop potential arguments before they happen.

We hope these tips will save you a few headaches, and we wish you the best in your new life together!

February 10, 2022
by Simply 0 Comments

How to Make a Home Fitness Space You’ll Actually Use + FREE Printable Workout Trackers

*^{Photo by Karolina Grabowska from Pexels}*

The past couple of years have shown us just how many things we can do from home. As a result, many of us have developed an interest in home improvements to make our spaces more flexible and more comfortable, including creating home gyms or fitness spaces.

One big benefit of working out at home is that it becomes a part of your lifestyle, rather than a chore you have to leave the house for. That can have a positive impact on both your fitness goals and wellbeing. Another benefit — the time and money saved by ditching your gym membership. But how do you create a fitness space at home that you’ll actually use?

Map Out Your Space

Having a defined space for exercise is an important step toward making it a habit that lasts. A spare bedroom is an ideal spot for a home gym, but you could also use the untapped potential of a basement, attic, or even a shed. If you only have one flex space or spare room in your home, consider combining your home gym with an office or family room. Get creative. The space you carve out can be anything from an entire room to the size of a yoga mat. What matters most is having a place to go that allows you to focus and show up for yourself.

Create Your Workout Zone

Thankfully, creating a home workout space doesn’t have to mean packing a room full of weights and machines. In fact, you’ll probably feel more comfortable using the space if there isn’t a bunch of equipment and clutter. The equipment you need depends on what kind of workouts you’re doing, so think about what you like and try to accommodate a variety of activities in your fitness space to keep yourself engaged. While you may be tempted to buy ALL THE GEAR, you don’t need to go broke creating a great home gym. Start with some basic equipment (a jump rope and some free weights can go a long way) and then add to your collection.

*^{Photo by MART PRODUCTION from Pexels}*

A few more tips for creating your home fitness space:

Put down mats or rubber flooring to protect your body as well as your floors.
Hang mirrors to help fine tune your form and add light to your space.
Add a tv to follow online workouts or just zone out while you sweat.
Resistance band training can give you a great workout, even in a small space.
For a yoga space, set the mood by installing a dimmer switch or using flameless candles — an aromatherapy diffuser and a humidifier are other nice touches.
Don’t forget to fill your space with inspiring images and your favorite workout tunes.
Use a folding screen or cube shelving to help divide a multi-purpose room.
If you work out in a shared space, baskets and bins are a good option for stashing your smaller equipment (think hand weights, bands, yoga blocks, etc.) when you’re not using it.
Check out some great ideas from HGTV to make a home gym in any space.

FREE Printable Workout Trackers

We’ve created some printable workout trackers to help you get started in your new home fitness space. Your free downloadable PDF includes a general weekly tracker and a detailed daily tracker, so no matter how you choose to track your fitness goals, we’ve got you covered.

While you’re at it, download our FREE Ultimate Planner and crush all your goals this year with 10 pages of printables, plus multiple covers and binder spines.