e.hardy@thisisengage.co.uk, Author at Cookes Storage Service

The holiday season is a time of joy, family, and plenty of decorations. But once the Christmas festivities are over, many of us are left wondering how to store all those holiday treasures efficiently. From delicate ornaments to tangled string lights and piles of wrapping paper, putting everything away can seem like a daunting task.

To help you get organised and create space for the new year, we’ve compiled a few practical tips on how to store your Christmas items safely and efficiently. Whether you’re looking for ornament storage, wrapping paper storage, or decorations storage, these tips will ensure your holiday items are neatly packed away and ready for next season.

1. Start with Clean, Organised Storage Containers

The key to good storage is to use the right containers. Avoid flimsy cardboard boxes that can get crushed or exposed to moisture. Instead, opt for durable plastic bins with secure lids, which will protect your items from dust, dirt, and pests. Clear plastic containers are ideal because they allow you to see the contents without having to open them.

When choosing containers, consider the following:

Ornament Storage: Use divided bins or ornament storage boxes to keep delicate items safe and organised. You can find boxes with individual compartments to protect fragile glass ornaments or smaller decorations. For extra protection, line the compartments with tissue paper or bubble wrap.
Wrapping Paper Storage: Long, flat containers are perfect for storing wrapping paper rolls. You can also use a designated wrapping paper storage box with compartments for ribbons, gift tags, and bows, keeping everything in one place.
General Decorations Storage: Use bins of various sizes for storing wreaths, garlands, lights, and larger holiday items. Consider using a wardrobe box for larger fabric items like tablecloths or tree skirts.

Our in store Box Shop is the perfect place to get all your storage and packaging supplies – pop in store today, and a member of our team would be happy to help you.

2. Use Labelling to Stay Organised

When it comes to storing holiday items, it’s easy to forget what’s in each box, especially when you’re dealing with multiple containers. Labelling is one of the simplest and most effective ways to stay organised.

Use strong, waterproof labels or masking tape to clearly mark the contents of each box. Be specific in your labels, such as “Christmas Ornaments – Glass” or “Wrapping Paper & Bows”. You can also colour-code your boxes (e.g., red for ornaments, green for lights) to make identification even easier.

For added convenience, create an inventory list of your holiday items, either digitally or on paper. This will help you quickly locate what you need when the holiday season rolls around again.

3. Store Fragile Items with Extra Care

Your delicate Christmas ornaments, heirloom decorations, and sentimental pieces deserve extra protection. To prevent them from getting damaged, use the following storage tips:

Wrap Each Item Individually: Wrap fragile ornaments in tissue paper, bubble wrap, or cloth to cushion them during storage. This is particularly important for glass ornaments, which can easily break if not properly packed.
Store in Divided Bins: As mentioned earlier, using divided ornament storage boxes will help keep fragile items secure and prevent them from shifting around inside the container.
Avoid Overpacking: Make sure not to cram too many items into a box. Overpacked containers can put pressure on delicate decorations, leading to damage.

4. Maximise Vertical Space in Your Storage Area

Whether you’re using your attic, basement, closet, or self storage unit, maximising vertical space can help you make the most of your storage area. Stack boxes neatly and use shelves to keep things off the floor. This will free up space and make it easier to access your decorations when you need them. If you have limited space in your home, consider storing larger items like artificial Christmas trees in the corner of your garage, basement or self storage rental unit.

5. Use Self Storage as a Solution for Excess Items

If you don’t have enough space at home to store all your Christmas decorations, or if you have a large collection of holiday items, self storage can be a great option. Renting a self storage unit gives you extra space to store everything from Christmas trees to inflatable yard decorations. It also allows you to free up valuable space in your home while keeping your items safe and organised.

Our self storage facilities offer a variety of unit sizes, so you can choose one that best suits your needs. Get in touch with our team today to find out more.

6. Take Advantage of a Box Shop for Packing Supplies

For the best protection, it’s essential to have the right packing materials. Our self storage facilities offer a Box Shop where you can purchase packaging supplies designed for storing holiday items. These supplies can include:

Bubble wrap for cushioning fragile ornaments
Packing peanuts to fill gaps and prevent movement in boxes
Plastic storage bins to keep decorations protected from dust and moisture
Wardrobe boxes for larger fabric items like tablecloths, stockings, or tree skirts

Having the right supplies ensures that your Christmas items are well-protected and organised, so they’re ready to go when next year’s holiday season arrives.

7. Plan Ahead for Easy Access

As you pack away your holiday items, think about how you’ll need to access them next year. Place the items you’ll want to access first—like lights and tree ornaments—near the top or front of your storage area. Store larger, less frequently used items like inflatable yard decorations or extra wrapping paper towards the back or bottom.

Organising and storing your Christmas items doesn’t have to be stressful. By using the right storage solutions—such as sturdy bins, proper wrapping, and clear labelling—you can keep your decorations safe and easily accessible for years to come. Whether you’re storing your Christmas items in your home or opting for self storage, following these tips will help ensure your holiday treasures remain in great condition, ready to spread cheer when the next Christmas season arrives.

Ready to get started? Make this year’s post-holiday clean-up a breeze by getting organised now—and keep your Christmas memories safe and sound for years to come!

You can probably see from the increase in storage businesses around the UK that there is a rising demand for units. They can be a cost-effective and simple solution for business and personal use.

But before you jump into your first self-storage unit, what do you need to know? Here is our beginner’s guide to choosing the right facility.

What are you using the unit for?

It may seem obvious but consider what you need to store first. Are you planning on long-term storage of belongings you won’t need often? If you’re storing furniture you don’t have space for at home, or your household goods while you go travelling, take a look at facilities that are further out from the town centre as they may have lower fees. Here at Cookes Storage, we have stores in Stratford-upon-Avon and Sutton Coldfield, so your midlands self storage is never far away.

How much space will you need?

Working out what size unit you need can be quite complicated. But don’t worry—you can always ask one of our team for guidance or visit our units to help you visualize the dimensions.

If you are storing furniture for the long term, you may not need as big a unit as you first think. A well-packed unit includes height, as well as width. You can stack well-balanced boxes all the way to the ceiling.

When you plan to use your unit for more practical reasons, such as an extension of your garage, somewhere to keep bikes or tools, or as a business unit, you’ll need more space to allow for accessibility, making it easier to move about inside.

How flexible is your self-storage contract?

When you’re planning on running a business from self-storage, or moving home, you may not be sure how long you need the unit for or what size you’ll need to start with.

Always take a look at the contract terms to begin with and see how flexible they are. Some facilities offer simple terms that allow you to cancel your contract if you need to leave earlier than planned or to move into a larger unit if your business is expanding faster than you expected. You’ll also want to know whether there is a penalty if you do leave earlier. At Cookes Storage, we offer short term and long term contracts to suit your needs.

Always look at the financials.

Make sure you understand how the payments are structured. Do you make regular monthly payments or, especially if you want a longer term rental, is there a minimum upfront payment? Although most storage units include utilities such as lighting in the rental fee, always ask first. And, if you want to run a business from your unit, check whether adding power, running a heater and easy access to WIFI will be an issue.

Location, access and security are important.

A storage facility inside a city centre may have higher rates, but if it’s closer to your client base or home, the extra cost may be worth it. For homeowners who need daily access, a unit right next to the train station or within walking distance may be a key factor.

Businesses who will be in and out through the day may choose something outside of town with a larger car park. However, you also need to find out how simple access is outside of working hours or at weekends, when your business may still be running.

Whichever you choose, make sure you look at the security options. Is the unit manned or have excellent CCTV? Some facilities allow 24 hour access with a key card or PIN code to the main doors. Modern facilities may also have PIN code access to your individual unit. If not, you’ll need to factor in supplying your own padlock.

The final details.

It’s always important that you read your Terms and Conditions before you enter into a contract, and clarify anything you’re not sure of.

Small details can cause big issues, so ask questions such as:

Will there be a trolley handy, or people available to help you carry your items in when you arrive?

What sort of thing can you store in your unit?

What can’t you store, such as food items?

What kind of business can you run? Are you allowed to run appliances such as fridge or freezer units?

What insurance will you need?

Finally, although these may be minimal or unavoidable, there are a few extra costs such as your padlock, robust storage boxes and racking in your unit if needed.

Although there is a lot to consider, planning ahead means you’ll find the best storage facility for your needs first time, and won’t have any issues once settled in. If you have any questions, please do just ask. We’re happy to answer all your queries and show you around.

You’ve booked your self-storage unit and you’re getting ready to pack everything. Before you start, it’s worth taking a little time to plan the best way to make the most of all your space.

Remember that in a self-storage unit you have height as well as the width of the room to fill. You can stack boxes and furniture, but you do need to think practically. Read on for our top tips for safely storing your belongings.

Plan ahead for easy access to your most used items

Start by considering what you’ll be storing and how often you’ll need to access it.

If you’re storing furniture between house moves or while you’re travelling abroad, you won’t visit your unit very often. But, if you want to use it as a work unit or an extension to your garden shed, you’ll probably need access to items more often.

It sounds obvious, but the things that you want to access frequently are the ones that need to be put into the unit last, so that they are near the door and accessible without clambering over every box and bike.

If you are moving house, there will come a time when you need to empty your unit. Think about the items you’ll want to get out first. Don’t pack big furniture like your bed and mattress against the rear wall, when that’s what you’ll want to move into your new home on day one. Instead, boxes of books, ornaments and spare clothes – the things you’ll unpack last – are best placed at the back.

Heaviest items at the bottom

Maximise the use of space by packing from floor to ceiling. But to do that, you’ll need sturdy boxes. While we know packing boxes come at a price, they are strong and made for the job. They are also all the same size, so they stack and balance easier than mismatched and weaker cardboard boxes.

Put the heaviest items in the boxes at the bottom. You don’t want the weight of the pile to crush something delicate. A box full of books, for example, is a heavy and sturdy foundation for your pile. In fact, boxes of books can be far heavier than you would expect, so it’s better to get lots of small boxes than one large one. Otherwise, once it’s full you might not be able to lift it.

Organise and label your boxes clearly

As you start to build piles in your unit, make sure to leave pathways through them, just in case you do need something quickly.

Label your boxes so you know what’s in them, as well. It will save you a lot of time and frustration if you can easily lay your hands on everything when you need it.

Taking care of your belongings with careful packaging

As you’re wrapping and packing a lot of things, it can be tempting to just throw them all into boxes and sort it out when you unpack. Unfortunately, that may lead to your personal items becoming damaged. Here’s a quick list of packing tips.

Wrap breakables such as ornaments and china in bubble wrap to avoid breakages.
Put sheets of newspaper between plates to cushion them.
Seal any container of liquid carefully and, if you’re still worried, wrap clingfilm around the seal as added protection.
Use plastic boxes for clothes and leave an air gap in the box instead of stuffing everything in, so fabrics can breathe and won’t get crushed.
Use a wardrobe box for delicate materials so they can hang without creasing.
Make sure shoes, particularly leather, are clean and dry to avoid mould or staining.
Cover furniture and electronics in sheets to help keep dust accumulating in fabrics or inside vents.

Check the items you are not allowed to store

Our storage units are indoors, secure and protects your belongings from damp and rodents. However, some items are prohibited, so please read our FAQs thoroughly and ask us if you are not sure.

The most common items that are not allowed include:

Perishable items. We do not allow food to be stored as it may attract rodents and, as it deteriorates, will create a smell.
Live animals. Our units are not appropriate for keeping live animals.
Hazardous Materials. Chemicals, flammables, and explosive items are not allowed.
Medical Supplies. Medical items that require refrigeration are prohibited.

If you have any questions, please get in touch with us on 0121 250 5055. We want to make your storage experience as positive and straightforward as possible.

The self-storage industry in the UK is growing, with an increase of 8.1% over the last year according to industry reports. Homeowners, businesses and entrepreneurs are all finding self-storage a useful option when they need more space. It’s flexible, secure, safe and dry, and offers short and long-term storage. But is it cost effective?

Saving costs on office space

The average cost of renting office space across the country in 2024 is £35 a square foot. When you’re based in a city centre, you could be paying a premium. Birmingham office space is estimated at £300 per person per month, while even an economical office averages £455 per desk in London. For micro businesses and SME’s where every penny counts, smaller office space is also much harder to find.

Even as businesses face rising costs, there are ways to save on your space. It’s all a matter of reassessing how you use it. Prioritising your needs – and looking for alternative options to make the most of every corner of your current office.

If your biggest need is room for people – with desks, staff breakout and meeting rooms your priority, you don’t want to lose space to storage. Corners, cupboards and rooms taken up with old furniture, marketing materials and filing is taking up space that is costing your business money.

Saving costs on home living

As the cost-of-living features as an ongoing topic of conversation, the housing market seems to be heading upwards. House prices have increased by 1.4% so far in 2024, according to Zoopla. It might be good if you are selling, but less so for anyone considering upsizing for more space, especially once you add on the additional costs of moving, such as estate agent fees, conveyancing and the cost of moving.

Rental prices are going up as well, by 8.7% in the last 12 months. When your monthly rent averages £1,300 in England, moving to a larger property with higher rates is going to be a big commitment.

Self-storage as a cost-saving alternative to gain more space

While we’re all focused on saving on expenses, the idea of adding the cost of a self-storage unit may not seem to be the best option. But when you consider the potential there are actually huge benefits.

Self-storage contracts are flexible, so you can choose a short-term option. For homebuyers, this gives you time to allow the economy to settle down, or to save up for your house move, while solving your immediate space dilemma.

What do you need more space for? If you have a young family, a lot of room is likely taken up with toys, pushchairs and clothes, however the amount of equipment and size of toys children have is inversely proportional to the size of the child. As they get bigger, their gadgets get smaller, and you’ll need less storage space.

If you’re living in a flat in the city and need somewhere to store your sports gear and camping equipment, a storage locker will be more cost-effective than a larger flat, and you can have access to your items whenever you need it.

Growing a business in storage

Businesses also often need short term space – for seasonal goods or to allow for a temporary staff increase, perhaps for project work. That means you can move the filing out of your storage room and create a new office or temporary meeting room with ease.

Small businesses that need a secure storage option for stock or tools will find a storage option a better business decision than taking on premises, especially if they don’t plan on being open to the public. Business premises incur rates, utilities and insurance on top of the rent, and you are responsible for the upkeep of the security and meeting H&S and fire regulations. With storage units, it’s all taken care of.

If you’re still not sure that a storage unit is the cost-effective space you need, why not get in touch today. Once we understand what you primarily need space for, we can help you calculate the size of unit you’ll need and give you an idea of costs. At Cookes Storage, we have the perfect storage solution for you.

Are you on the hunt for the perfect office space in Sutton Coldfield? Look no further than Cookes Storage. Our premium office suites offer a range of benefits designed to enhance your work experience and productivity. Whether you’re a small business, a growing start-up, or an established company looking to expand, our offices provide the ideal environment for success.

The Benefits of Choosing Our Office Spaces

Flexible Access Hours

We understand the importance of flexibility in today’s fast-paced business world. That’s why our office spaces are accessible from 9am to 5pm Monday to Saturday and from 10am to 4pm on Sunday. These generous access hours ensure that you can work at times that suit your schedule, accommodating early starts, late finishes, and weekend work.

Ample Parking

Each office suite comes with two dedicated car parking spaces, providing convenience and ease for your daily commute. For additional vehicles, roadside parking is available, ensuring that your team and clients always have a place to park.

Inclusive Pricing

At Cookes Storage, we believe in transparent and straightforward pricing. Our office suite prices include all rates and utilities, so there are no hidden costs. You only need to arrange your own phone and broadband services, giving you control over your connectivity options.

Prime Office Suites Available

We offer two distinct office suites, each designed to meet different business needs:

Suite 1: 541 sqft

Suite 1 is perfect for smaller teams or businesses looking for a compact yet functional space. At 541 sqft, this suite is priced at £850 per calendar month plus VAT (£1020 including VAT). With its efficient layout, Suite 1 provides a comfortable working environment that can easily accommodate your team.

Suite 2: 843 sqft (Including Kitchen)

For those needing a larger space with additional amenities, Suite 2 is an excellent choice. This 843 sq ft suite includes a kitchen, making it ideal for businesses that require more space and facilities for their team. Priced at £1300 per calendar month plus VAT (£1560 including VAT), Suite 2 offers a spacious and versatile office environment.

Why Choose Cookes Storage?

Cookes Storage in Sutton Coldfield is committed to providing high-quality office spaces that cater to the needs of modern businesses. Our office suites are designed to offer flexibility, convenience, and value, ensuring that you can focus on what matters most – growing your business. Our range of storage units also provide as much space to store your business items as you need, close by and accessible anytime.

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to secure an exceptional office space for your business. Contact us today to arrange a viewing and see for yourself why Cookes Storage is the perfect place for your office.

For more information, please visit our website or give us a call. We look forward to welcoming you to Cookes Storage in Sutton Coldfield!

All prices correct at time of publishing (August 2024), contact store for availability and current prices.

You might not be able to tell right now by the slight chill in the air, but we are speeding swiftly towards the summer holidays. We’re all hoping for some sunshine, but at the same time, the unseasonal weather is a reminder of the impact climate change has on our countryside and wildlife.

With the holidays being a time when parents are stretched trying to find activities for the children, and our wonderful British weather always being a little hit-and-miss, we thought we would put together a list of greener activities for you and the kids to enjoy this year.

Sustainable activities for children.

Plant some tomato plants

Tomato plants are a very easy and fun plant for children to grow. You can get some baby plants from your local nursery and some supermarkets. Tomato plants don’t need a lot of space, and some varieties do well in hanging pots, which makes them a versatile option for balconies, window boxes and patios. Not only do your children have the fun of planting and caring for their growing plants, they can eat the tomatoes straight off the vines, which is when they have the best flavour.

Join a clean-up event

Organised clean-up events are becoming more popular as we become more aware of the devastating impact of plastic and litter on our countryside and beaches. Take a look online to find details of events happening near you. Clean-up events are usually hosted by volunteers who will welcome your contribution to the effort, and it’s a great way to teach children about caring for our green spaces.

Even if there are no events near you, you can always organise a picnic in your local park and take a bin bag to have a mini litter pick of your own.

Build a rocket

If you grew up with Blue Peter, you’ll be familiar with toilet roll rockets. There are a lot of craft ideas online, so gather together your scrap material, cardboard boxes and leftover paint tins, and see what you can create.

We love the idea of toilet roll puppets, and then you can turn a cardboard box into your very own theatre and put on a show. Or maybe you can cut up some old clothes and make a collage of family portraits. In fact, we’re sure we saw plastic jar lids around here that would make some wonderful windchimes.

Hop on a train

The wonderful thing about our country is that even the biggest city is always surrounded by beautiful countryside. Plan a day trip out to your nearest green space and enjoy a hike. All that fresh country air is good for your health, and exercise has the added benefit of helping the children sleep all night long.

Sew yourself some new bags

Being Britain, we know there will be wet days ahead. But that’s okay if you have an indoor plan. Get together some old clothes and see what you can turn them into with a little sewing. Make your shirts into cushions or cut up some jeans and create a new denim tote bag. Recycling old clothes is a good way to learn about upcycling. And, if your children don’t feel like sewing, just enjoy dressing up and throw a costume party.

Make a bird feeder

Collect the fat from your morning sausages, the last of the peanut butter and buy some birdseed to create your own birdfeeders. All you need is some pinecones, which you can find on your next woodland walk. Roll the pinecone in the fat or peanut butter, sprinkle in birdseed and hang them up in your garden. It may take a day or so for the birds to find the new food source, but soon they’ll be swooping in, so you can keep a note of which wild inhabitants you share your garden with.

Plan a toy swap

If your children are getting a little bored of the same books or outgrowing their toys, plan a toy and book swap. Talk to other local parents and bring together all the toys they no longer want. Your children will learn about recycling and reusing items and have something new to play with. It’s also a fun way to build a sense of community and meet some new parents.

Offsetting your carbon footprint.

If you are heading abroad in search of some sunshine, (and we wish we were, too), there are ways you can offset some of the carbon footprint caused by air travel. Climate change is already impacting our wildlife, with The Woodland Trust estimating that spring now comes an average of 8 days earlier. It doesn’t sound like much, but it has a serious impact on nesting birds and their food sources.

The Trust is actively working to restore some of the ancient woodlands that used to cover Britain by improving the condition of those remaining and replanting native species. You can help by donating to the Trust or even dedicating a tree as a gift for a family birthday. All the funds go towards supporting the fight against climate change.

Enjoy your summer.

With six weeks of cycling and picnics, pond dipping, learning to compost and enjoying the local parks, we know you’ll find plenty to do. Whatever your plans for the summer, we at Cookes hope you have a wonderful time.