Category: self storage

If you’ve recently inherited cherished possessions or invested in valuable antiques, you may be wondering how to store antiques safely to protect both their monetary and sentimental worth. These items often come with delicate materials, unique craftsmanship and centuries of history, meaning they need more care than standard household belongings. Whether you’re keeping them long-term or until you decide what to do with them, the right storage environment is essential.

Below, we share professional tips on preserving inherited treasures and storing antiques safely in self storage.

Why Proper Storage Matters for Antiques

Inherited items and antiques are often made from materials that age, warp or deteriorate if not kept in the right conditions. Wood can crack, paper can yellow, and fabrics can attract mould or pests. By choosing the correct storage method, you’ll ensure your valuables remain in excellent condition for years to come.

1. Choose a stable storage environment

The most important factor in how to store antiques safely is environmental stability. Temperature and humidity changes can cause serious long-term damage.

Benefits of climate-stable storage:

  • Indoor units maintain a steady temperature all year round
  • Reduces humidity, preventing mould, mildew and wood expansion
  • Protects delicate finishes on furniture, paintings and photographs

This is especially crucial for items such as musical instruments, artwork, books, and wooden or upholstered furniture.

2. Clean and Prepare Items Before Storing

Before placing antiques in storage, give them a gentle clean to prevent dust or oils from causing deterioration over time.

Preparation tips:

  • Dust wooden furniture and apply a high quality wax polish
  • Wrap fragile items like ceramics, glassware, and figurines in acid free tissue
  • Clean textiles and ensure they are completely dry to avoid mould
  • Avoid using harsh chemicals that could damage antique surfaces

A little preparation now can save you from costly restoration later.

3. Use the Right Packing Materials

Cheap packing materials can do more harm than good. Instead, opt for:

  • Acid free tissue paper for delicate surfaces
  • High quality bubble wrap for fragile items
  • Sturdy, archive grade boxes for photos, books and documents
  • Cotton dust sheets for covering furniture (never use plastic, as it traps moisture)

Proper packing ensures your items remain safely cushioned and protected.

4. Store Items Off the Ground

Even in secure facilities, placing antiques directly on the ground isn’t ideal.

Use:

  • Pallets
  • Shelving units
  • Raised platforms

Keeping your belongings elevated protects them from potential spills, dust and general wear.

5. Avoid Overpacking or Stacking

Antiques need room to breathe. Overcrowding your storage space can lead to accidental damage

Guidelines:

  • Do not stack heavy items on top of fragile ones
  • Leave pathways so you can reach items without shifting everything
  • Keep artwork and mirrors stored vertically, never flat

A well organised storage space prevents pressure damage and makes it easier to retrieve items when needed.

6. Insure Your Antiques

Even with the best precautions, accidents can happen. Ensure your inherited items or antiques are properly insured while in storage. Many self storage facilities offer specialist insurance add-ons, or you can arrange your own cover. It is a legal requirement to have insurance for any items stored in a facility, so you can have peace of mind over your belongings.

7. Visit Your Storage Unit Regularly

Check on your items from time to time to make sure everything remains in good condition. A quick inspection every few months can help you catch potential issues early.

Understanding how to store antiques safely is essential if you want to protect inherited items and valuable collectibles. From choosing an indoor, climate regulated unit to using the correct packing methods, each step ensures your treasures are preserved for the next generation.

If you’re looking for a safe and secure environment for your antiques, our Cookes self storage facility is here to help. Contact us today to find the perfect unit for your needs.

If you’re new to using self storage, you’ve probably wondered at some point: “What can’t I put in self storage?” It’s one of the most common questions first-time customers ask, and for good reason. While self storage is perfect for furniture, household items, business stock, archives and more, there are certain things that can’t be stored for safety, legal and hygiene reasons.

To help you get started with confidence, here’s a simple, beginner-friendly guide to the items you should avoid placing in your storage unit.

1. Perishable Foods and Drinks

It may be tempting to store tins, packets or leftover groceries during a move, but any type of perishable food is a firm no. Items such as:

  • Fresh fruit and vegetables
  • Meat, dairy or frozen food
  • Opened dry goods
  • Drinks that can ferment or spoil

These attract pests and mould, and can quickly cause damage to other belongings in your unit.

2. Plants and Living Organisms

Another common query when people ask “What can’t I put in self storage?” is whether plants are allowed. Unfortunately, the answer is no.

Plants need light, air and water — none of which a storage unit can provide. Storing them will only lead to wilting, rot and potential pest problems. This rule also applies to any living organism (yes, even insects or aquariums).

3. Hazardous or Flammable Materials

For health and safety reasons, anything dangerous, combustible or toxic is strictly prohibited. This includes:

  • Petrol, diesel or oil
  • Paint thinners and cleaning solvents
  • Fireworks
  • Gas canisters or propane tanks
  • Fertilisers, pesticides and chemicals

Even small amounts of these materials can pose a serious risk to the entire storage facility.

4. Illegal Goods

This one might sound obvious, but it still needs stating: anything illegal cannot be stored under any circumstances. Examples include:

  • Stolen goods
  • Counterfeit items
  • Unauthorized or unlicensed firearms
  • Drugs or banned substances

Storage facilities work closely with local authorities and follow strict compliance rules.

5. Cash and High Value Jewellery

While self storage units are extremely secure, they’re not designed to act as a replacement for a safe or bank. If you need to store cash, jewellery or other valuable items, you’re better off using a safety deposit box where your items are insured and protected under tighter conditions.

6. Strong Smelling Items

Anything with a potent smell, such as certain cleaning fluids, pet food, or scented chemicals, can seep into other belongings or attract unwanted pests. Best to avoid these entirely.

7. Unregistered or Untaxed Vehicles

Some (but not all) storage facilities allow the storage of cars, motorbikes and vans, but only if they meet specific requirements. As a general rule:

  • The vehicle must be roadworthy
  • It must be insured
  • It must be fully taxed and legally owned

Non-operational or abandoned vehicles are not allowed.

8. Damp or Mouldy Items

It’s not just about what you can’t store legally, it’s also about what you shouldn’t store for your own benefit. Items already affected by moisture or mould can spread damage to everything else in your unit. Always clean and dry items thoroughly before storing them.

If you’ve ever asked yourself “What can’t I put in self storage?”, the key things to remember are simple:

  • Nothing dangerous
  • Nothing illegal
  • Nothing alive
  • Nothing that can spoil
  • Nothing overly valuable or irreplaceable

When in doubt, always check with the Cookes Storage team – they’ll be happy to guide you before you move anything in.

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.

So you’ve just been offered your dream job overseas, and you can’t wait to get started. But there’s something big you need to consider. What will you do with your home?

Renting out your property while working abroad

The obvious answer is to rent your home out. That way it’s continuing to pay for itself and hopefully bringing in a little income while you are gone. There are a few things to decide, though, and that may well depend on how long you will be working abroad for. 

When you’re likely to be gone for a few months, you might decide to put your home on a holiday website such as Airbnb or Travelnest. That gives you flexibility in how long you allow other people to stay in your home, from weekend breaks to month-long rentals. 

Travelling abroad on a long-term basis.

If you plan to be much longer, choosing to let your property to tenants on an Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreement can be a simpler choice, with rental agreements commonly running from 6 months to years. 

You will need to read up on the regulations or ask a professional agency to assist you.  Becoming a landlord has a lot of legislation that you need to understand, including:

  • Amending your mortgage to a Buy To Let mortgage.
  • Ensuring your property is fit to rent out, with the appropriate Gas Safety certificate, Energy Performance Certificate and Electrical certificate. 
  • Adding carbon monoxide detectors and smoke alarms as required. 
  • PAT testing any electrical equipment.
  • Performing appropriate checks on prospective tenants including referencing and identity checks.
  • Joining a Deposit Protection Scheme. 

Letting your property furnished or unfurnished

When your home is a holiday let, your guests will expect the home comforts to be in place, such as beds, sofas and tables, a wardrobe to hang their holiday clothes in and a kitchen equipped with the basics; cutlery, fridges and a microwave.

However, your home is likely to be filled with personal items from your life that you won’t be taking abroad. Will you leave these out for your guests’ use, and run the risk of them becoming damaged or lost? 

If you’re letting your property as a landlord, your choice is a lot simpler. You might choose to rent your property as furnished, but even so, that includes furniture and, possibly, white goods such as fridges, washing machines and dishwashers. It does not include your small items, so you will need to pack away everything you own, from pictures on the walls, clothing and ornaments, to saucepans, plates and books.

An unfurnished property is exactly that; empty. In many ways, this is the simpler option, as you don’t have to arrange PAT testing for every electrical item your tenant may use, and you don’t risk any damage to anything you own. 

Storing your belongings for safekeeping

Now you need store your items. While a friend or family member may be able to accommodate a box or two, anything more will be using space that most people don’t have spare. Using a self-storage unit is a simple and cost-effective storage solution – and it offers you peace of mind. Our indoor storage option has state of the art security and, being indoors, your belongings are kept safe from damp and rodents. 

Storing the contents of an entire house may sound daunting. However, you might be surprised how little space it actually takes when boxed and stored properly. Beds, tables and other large furniture can usually be taken apart and stored as ‘flat pack’, clothes folded, books and ornaments packed away into boxes, and there will always be items that can be donated, sold or thrown away.

When you come and speak with us about our storage options, we can also advise you on the best way to stack your items. If there is one thing that many people forget, you always end up with plenty of room at the top. Carefully packed, a storage unit can be filled from floor to ceiling, with the heaviest items at the bottom. 

As a guideline – the contents of an average one-bed apartment would fit into around 50 sq. ft. – or a 5×10 unit, while contents of an average two-bedroom home would need 100 sq. ft. of storage, or 10×10 unit. 

Thinking about unit sizes can be confusing, but it’s something we do every day. Just give us a call on 0121 250 5055 or email us at info@cookesstorage.co.uk and we will be happy to advise you on how much space to rent, and our flexible contract terms. With locations in both Stratford upon Avon and Sutton Coldfield, Cookes has the perfect storage solution for you.

We love this time of year. The reception is filled with mince pies and sweet wrappers, the Christmas tree is up and carols are playing on the radio. We see a lot of families popping in to collect their festive decorations from their personal storage and drop off garden furniture to keep dry until the summer. It’s a busy time, but a fun one.

However, we know that everyone is suffering a little this year with the cost of living. We all want to be able to relax and give our families the best holiday season we can, but we need to do it on a tighter budget. Well, self-storage is an industry that is all about cost-saving and sustainability, so we thought we would look at ways to make your Christmas eco and budget friendly. Read on for our top tips.

Choose recycled wrapping paper. 

Did you know that your shiny wrapping paper is not recyclable? If it’s laminated, glittery or contains foil, it can’t be recycled and ends up in landfill. Consider these shocking statistics. It’s estimated that it takes 50,000 trees to make our wrapping paper and then we throw around 227,000 miles of it away, every year.

If you choose to use wrapping that is made entirely from 100% paper, such as plain craft paper or tissue paper, it can be fully recycled. Be aware that sticky tape is plastic, so consider using recyclable paper tape, string, or ribbon to seal your presents. You could even consider fabric wraps, which double up as an extra gift for your crafty friends. But, if you’re looking for an option that saves hours of backache and sticky tape anyway, why not use gift bags instead? Your wrapping time will be drastically reduced, and you can re-use them next year as well.

Save costs with your shopping.

If there is one thing we all enjoy, it’s giving and receiving gifts. Unfortunately, you can’t get to the present part without doing some shopping, which can be one of the most stressful parts of the season. But there are ways to budget this year and still have a wonderful day.

First, talk to friends and family and be honest. Agree on who you are buying gifts for in advance. Rather than choosing one per person, you might suggest a secret santa for your siblings, joint presents for couples, or choose to just concentrate on children this year. You may well find that your family are happy to agree and relieved you spoke up first.

Then, before you head to the shops, agree a budget and make a list. It’s easier to stick to your limit if you have a plan. Better yet, take a look at second-hand sites first. You can often find new products on these websites.

Consider your storage options.

Much as we love to see the twinkling lights, we know that having a tree in your home does take up a lot of room. Furniture needs moving around, ornaments are put away to make room for decorations and the sofa gets shoved back into a corner. If your home is anything like ours, before you even start putting up the tinsel, you need to tidy up your clutter to make a little space.

This is the time when a lot of us start to have a clearout. But before you get rid of things to create some room, consider storing them in your own unit instead. That way you have all the space you need for the season, and you can reuse those items again in the future. It’s like having a personal home furnishing store, where you can refresh your home as often as you want without re-buying new décor every time.

To find out more about what self storage can do for you this Christmas, give us a call on 0121 250 5055 or email us at info@cookesstorage.co.uk.

Support your local businesses and charities.

One thing we are very keen on here at Cookes is supporting our local businesses. We know how important this time of year is as the main shopping season for local shops, independents and boutiques. We are busier than ever at this time as extra stock arrives in storage units, ready for the Christmas rush.

You may also consider picking up gifts from charity shops – there are often handmade or brand new items that cost much less than retail price and support a worthy cause. Charities like Oxfam also offer donation gift options, where you can purchase necessities such as clothes, livestock and school supplies on behalf of someone else for those facing poverty; this can be a great present for those who have a heart for others.

So, when you do start planning your shopping this year, please head down into the town and explore the fabulous local shops and charities we have here in Stratford-upon-Avon and Sutton Coldfield. Buying from a local shop rather than a big international brand online not only supports the local economy, it means you’re supporting a family in town to have a wonderful Christmas too.

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas from all of us here at Cookes!

We don’t know about you, but we feel like the last few years have just zipped by. It wasn’t that long ago that we were living through unprecedented times. The whole world stopped for a while – and it’s been on fast forward ever since. There’s been a huge amount of change in such a short time, and we’re still adapting to it as families, as businesses and as nations.

Of course, we know that sometimes change is scary. Sometimes it’s not that great. But it can lead to exciting things – it’s a matter of uncovering a new perspective. In the self-storage industry, as with all businesses, we are impacted by events in the world. So, what changes have been happening in the self storage industry, and why are we looking forward to the future?

A change in the way we see things

The pandemic hit us all in different ways, and many businesses are still finding their way back. In the self-storage industry, we’ve seen a number of changes in the way people use our facilities as a result. 

For a time, almost all office-based workers were sitting at their kitchen tables trying to work remotely. It was a new experience for many – and apparently a popular one, as many of us didn’t want to go back to the routine of a daily commute. That means turning what was a temporary solution into a more permanent one, as we carve out spaces in our homes for desks, ergonomic chairs and a fixed home office. And all the things we kept in the spare room or the living room corner are moving out to storage. 

But that’s not the end of the home office movement. As those who have worked from home for a long time know, having your office at home makes it a lot harder to switch off. There’s been an increase in small business owners moving out of the home and making a workspace in self-storage units. And self-storage companies are rising to meet demand, with many now adapting units or creating office space on site. And it’s not just computer-based businesses who need a desk and WIFI– units are being adapted for all sort of industries; if all you need is space, what could you do with a unit? 

So, whether you need more space at home or an alternative option for growing your own business, the storage industry may be the unexpected solution. 

House moves are not slowing down

Interest rates are rising and house sales are slowing down, although this has not necessarily impacted the number of people moving. Instead, as the cost-of-living increases and budgets get tighter, more people are downsizing or staying in rented accommodation for longer while waiting for rates to improve before jumping on the property ladder. 

This means that more people are storing their excess belongings in storage, and often for longer than they planned. But that’s not a bad thing, because it means you don’t have to make snap decisions, and as storage is more often cheaper than you would be spending on a larger property, you’re still saving.

Thinking about health

Another result of the pandemic is the hugely increased awareness of mental health. Something that had been quietly growing for decades suddenly became the focus of the nation, as it should. We’re more aware of the impact of isolation caused by working alone for some, or the stress caused by returning to work on others. But we also need to recognise that the state of our homes can also impact on mental health.

Living in clutter or working in a messy environment has long been shown to negatively impact on our mood and our productivity. Clearing unnecessary items out of homes creates a more welcoming space and relives stress – all good for our health. 

But that doesn’t mean we should just throw out everything in the house. By using self-storage, you can keep items safely put away for another day – clothes that will come back into fashion, furniture that is too sentimental to sell but too bulky – or ugly – to have at home, children’s toys that will keep for the next generation. By storing items long-term, you not only preserve memories, you also save these items from going into landfill. 

As we look to the future and ongoing changes, the self-storage industry has a place in the circular, sustainable economy and that can only be a positive for the planet. 

Self-storage is changing, and we’re excited to be a part of it

The self-storage industry is rapidly growing in the UK. As more homes are built across the country, more self-storage facilities are opening as well. 

Successful companies are adapting and embracing the changes, from showing our customers new ways to use the space available, to adopting new technology such as mobile entry apps and state-of-the-art security. 

In the ever-evolving landscape of the modern market, Cookes self-storage has emerged as an indispensable solution for individuals and businesses alike. As space becomes an increasingly precious commodity, Cookes comprehensive self-storage services offer a secure and accessible option for storing belongings, inventory, and valuables. With our state-of-the-art facilities and customizable storage options, Cookes aims to cater to diverse needs while ensuring utmost convenience and peace of mind. For more information and personalised assistance, please feel free to contact us at info@cookesstorage.co.uk or call us on 0121 250 5055. Our team of experts is ready to provide tailored solutions that meet your unique storage requirements.

For an industry that is relatively young in the UK all this change is happening fast; it’s exciting and we can’t wait to see what more we can offer.