Category: Student Storage
You’re leaving your student house for the summer – or maybe even planning a year of travel. There’s just one problem. You’ve got bikes, clothes, textbooks, hiking boots, TVs, pots and pans and all your other possessions, and nowhere to put them.
Of course, you could pack it all up and take it back to your parents’ garage. But if you’re a long way from home, without transport or don’t have the time to pack and carry it all before you head off for summer fun, that’s not always the easiest option.
This is when short-term self-storage units are a great solution. You’ve got the space you need – the equivalent of an extra cupboard up to a shed, or even a garage if you think you need it – with flexible contracts and plenty of security. If that sounds ideal, here are some great tips for making more of your self-storage.
Top tips for student storage
- Share with a friend. If you’re in between study years and staying with the same housemates next term, consider getting a storage unit together. You’ll both save on costs.
- Ask the storage company for advice on how much space you’ll really need. They have the expertise, after all. Remember that you need to think in terms of height as well as floor space, as you can stack your boxes up to the roof of your unit.
- If you’re looking for ways to save on costs, then picking the cheapest unit isn’t always the best solution, especially if it’s farther away from your rental and you need to hire a van to move your belongings. It’s an expense that you need to factor in.
- Ask your storage company if they offer help to collect belongings or have deals on van rental or the cost of boxes. Our box shop contains all the packaging supplies you will need to safely store your items.
- If you choose a self-storage provider with outdoor units, you’ll need to factor in damp and, potentially, rodents as part of your packing plan. Indoor facilities should be dry and rodent-free.
- Pack carefully, so nothing is damaged in transit. Clothes and shoes should be clean and dry, kitchen items may need to be bubble-wrapped and most storage companies won’t allow food items. In outdoor units, pack fabrics in plastic containers to keep rodents out.
- As you stack your items in storage, place the heavier items at the bottom. Although cardboard boxes may seem an expense, buying them from your storage company means they will be sturdy and a similar size, making it easier to stack them. Good packing and stacking make the most of the space you have available.
- Remember to ask about the notice period to end your storage. When you come to collect your items, ready for your new term at university, you don’t want to pay for an extra week of empty storage.
Our student self-storage options have been designed with you in mind. If you’re looking for summer storage, or something a little longer while you explore the globe, then we’ve got flexible terms at great rates. Give us a call on 0121 250 5055 or email us to find out more.
You’re moving out of your parent’s house and into your first home or maybe you are moving into Uni halls… but you don’t know what to take and what do you leave? Don’t worry, you are not alone! We can guarantee that everyone has had to think about the ‘what do I take with me’ problem!
You might be thinking about all the new things you can get for your home, but you’ll soon find your parents on the doorstep with a car full of your childhood toys and teenage clutter. You might not see the need for them now, but one day you may well treasure those memories. So, what sort of thing should you hold onto and what should you let go?
Things to keep
Family photographs
You may not be that interested in pictures of yourself playing on a beach you don’t remember age 3 – but one day you’ll find yourself wanting to know more about your parents holidays before you were born, or your grandparents wedding. Go through them with your parents, and have them write down who each person is on the back, so you have the information when you want it.
Old toys
Just like clothes, toys often come back into fashion as trends renew. Marvel figurines, Matchbox cars, Furbies, Tamagotchi and Pokemon cards have all come back around as must have toys over time. If you are still holding on to original versions of these, they may well increase in value. The last thing you want to do it is throw out all of your childhood toys now, only to discover you had a rare and valuable Barbie. And even if they aren’t worth anything, your own children may enjoy playing with them in time.
School reports and pictures
You may have skipped out of school on the last day, glad you never have to think about it again. Perhaps you won’t for years. But then you’ll have a school reunion, or bump into someone you knew, and you’ll want to peek back at the memories.
Awards, certificates and trophies are all nice to keep, but perhaps one of the best things, though you might not think it now, as your school reports. In 20 years time these can be a great source of entertainment, although you might want to hide the teacher’s comments from your own children.
Things to recycle
Clothes
There may well be some favourite clothes you just can’t bear to leave behind: a snuggly hoodie or band T-shirt. But the majority of clothes you wore as a teen probably don’t need to go with you to your new home. Sort out the ones that no longer fit, or are a bit too worn, and see what you can give to charity.
Books and magazines
We certainly do accumulate a lot of paper in our lifetimes. But do you really need to keep it? Take a look at your bookshelves, and see which treasured paperbacks you are really likely to read again, and which ones you have outgrown. Comics and magazines are the same. It’s all extra weight.
Finding space
Now you’ve decided what you need to keep, you still might not have space in your new place for all the boxes. Don’t throw things out just because you can’t find a cupboard for them, if you know you’ll regret it one day. With your own small self-storage locker, you’ve got just enough space for your childhood treasures, secure and dry, until you’re feeling nostalgic.
Still not sure how much space you need? Call us on 0121 250 5055 and we’ll talk through your requirements and design the perfect package for you.
Summer holidays are right around the corner, which usually signals another move for students. Whether you have finished your studies or will be returning next semester for another year, most halls accommodation requires students to vacate over the holidays. For those who are returning, the logistics of transporting a year’s worth of stuff across the country or across the pond can be a huge headache. This year why not make life easier with student storage.
Summer Sorted
There are many things to remember when you move out of halls, so let Cookes help you get ready! We have a vast range of storage solutions with simple, affordable pricing. You can store your stuff at a site local to your student accommodation so that it is ready and waiting for you when you return. No more dragging your worldly goods on and off the train, just pack your essentials and leave the rest with us.
Student Storage
Our secure storage units starting from 16sqft units, so whether you have clothes and a computer, or an entire suite of bedroom furniture, we can accommodate your belongings. All our units are available with fully flexible contracts so that you can manage your storage according to your needs and budget. You can reserve student storage online and store with us for as little as one week. You can even increase or decrease the storage size or contract length as often as you need to.
Simple Solutions
Here at Cookes, we understand that students have strict budgets, which is why we pride ourselves on simple pricing. We believe in providing quality, affordable storage for everyone. When storing with us, there are no hidden charges, no nasty surprises. Just reserve online, come in, store, secure and go.
If you are dreading the annual migration from halls to home this year, visit our website to see how our student storage solutions can save you the hassle!