Nine months might seem like a long time, especially when you are expecting a new life. During this period, we understand that it can be stressful as you deal with this major transition, and part of the change is finding ways to prepare your home for the baby.

For new parents, you might be overwhelmed by what to get, and different parents will have different priorities. Thus, it is important to take your time to deal with one task at a time. Here are some things you can try to prep your home for the arrival of your little one.

  1. Prepare a baby room with the essentials

It would be good if you have a room for the baby so that you will have ample space to move around and also for your baby to sleep and play over time. You can start by checking the big ticket items such as baby cots/cribs, car seats, strollers, baby carriers, sanitisers, baby monitor, diapers, baby bath items, baby bottles and baby clothes. To extend the shelf life of the items, you can opt to purchase items that are more functional so that you can use them even as your baby grows.

For the baby’s essentials, you can also place them around your home instead of just one location so that you do not have to rush to the baby’s room whenever you need something. This will save you time and also the strength to move around.

  1. Babyproof your home

Take a careful look around your home for things that need baby-proofing. This can include moving your cleaning products and placing them on higher grounds. You would also need to find ways to secure your cabinets and doors that your baby can reach.

Next, avoid long curtains and hide your cables and cover the electrical supplies. Babies are naturally curious, and their hands might start to grab things within their reach. Thus, it is important to keep these items and cords out of the way so that they will not harm your baby as they crawl and move around your home. The act of baby-proofing can differ for every family, and it is up to the parents to prepare accordingly as every home layout is different too.

  1. Try to declutter and clean up your home

With the baby’s arrival, it might take a while for you to get used to it as you will have to cater to your baby’s needs first. This is why it is recommended to declutter and clean up your home first when you can. You can start by decluttering some parts of your home that will be a shared space for your baby and you. This will include your living room, bedroom etc.

If you have furniture sets, personal collections or even seasonal décor items and clothing that you do not wish to throw but lack the storage space at home, consider renting a self-storage unit near your home. This way, you can enjoy more space for your growing family by renting a storage space. With a new family member, it does not mean that you will have to give up your personal collection. You can always continue growing your personal collection with the help of an extra storage unit.

If you are new to self-storage, you can try storage providers such as Extra Space Asia Self Storage. The storage brand has been awarded Singapore’s favourite self-storage brand since 2018 and is a trusted brand in Singapore, with over 70 storage facilities in Asia. It is always good to visit the storage premise during operation hours from Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm, Saturday, 9am to 1pm, to understand more and see the various storage offerings in person. Alternatively, you can always contact the storage facilities located in Kuala Lumpur at 1300 22 0288 to find out more storage information or simply visit the website to request for a complimentary web quotation to understand the pricing for the different storage sizes too.

If you’re a business owner in Malaysia, you’re mandated by the Inland Revenue of Malaysia (LHDN) to retain sufficient records and a book of accounts for a period of 7 years from the end of the year to which income from the business relates. That means your business will accumulate significant paperwork and documentation over time that needs to be stored. With rising property prices, finding adequate storage space is becoming more challenging. Luckily, businesses can use self-storage solutions to store their documents and files safely and affordably. Here are some benefits of using self-storage facilities:

 

  1. Secure Storage Units

Usually, documents and records are stacked in cabinets in boxes, taking up valuable office space that could be used for other purposes. By renting a secure storage unit, such as the ones offered by Extra Space Asia, you can free up your office space for more productive use. Documents stored in Extra Space Asia are safe and secure, with CCTV monitoring the facilities 24/7, a unique PIN code for all customers, and an additional layer of security with a personal lock for each unit, giving you peace of mind.

 

  1. Flexible Storage Period

Extra Space Asia offers flexible storage options, allowing you to rent storage units for as short as 14 days or as long as you need. Moreover, you can extend the duration of your rental, if necessary, without being tied down to a fixed contract.

 

  1. Variety of Storage Sizes

Whether you’re a small business owner or part of an MNC, Extra Space Asia has a range of storage unit sizes to meet your needs. Their storage sizes range from as small as 11 sqft to as large as over 500 sqft, giving you the flexibility to choose the unit size that works best for you. Additionally, if your storage needs grow over time, you can easily upsize your storage unit.

 

If you want to learn more about document storage solutions for your business, contact Extra Space Asia’s friendly consultants at 1300 22 0288, or head over to our website to use our size estimator tool.

Renting a self-storage unit can be a great storage solution if you are planning to relocate, renovate, or even downsize your home. One common item that most people store in their storage unit is furniture pieces. As we all know, our storage rental is calculated based on the storage square feet that we rent. Thus, to maximise your storage unit space efficiently, you should also consider how to better store your furniture in your storage unit to save some rental costs too. Here are three tips on how to store furniture in your storage unit.

  1. Disassemble your furniture as much as you can

Whether you plan to store your furniture items temporarily or long-term, it is good to disassemble them as much as possible. By segmenting each piece into its parts, you will maximise storage space while making transportation easier when moving from one location to another.

In terms of storage, you should try to store them flat to free up storage space. For items such as your bed frame and shelving, you should have them nearer to your storage unit’s walls. Like Tetris, it is not about stuffing your storage unit but how you arrange your items in an optimal manner. For items that you plan to retrieve a particular item after a short period of time, you should also try to arrange them near your storage door so that you can retrieve them easily.

  1. Utilise your storage unit’s vertical space

To save costs, you should try to find ways to utilise your storage unit’s vertical space as much as you can. For storage rental, prices are usually determined based on the length and width of your storage unit. Thus, you should try to maximise your vertical space before renting another bigger storage unit, as that will incur more storage rental too.

Adding a shelf to your storage unit is a good tool to effectively make your storage look more organised and space efficient. You can just set up some shelving in one part of your storage unit so that you can place those smaller items and any odd shape furniture pieces on the shelving so that it is easier to store and retrieve them. On the other side of your storage unit, you can stack similar-sized boxes upwards.

  1. Properly wrap your furniture items

Keeping any items or furniture pieces for a long period of time will definitely lead to dust accumulation. Thus, it is always important to wrap your furniture items, such as your bed and sofa set with stretch film. Stretch films are a good packing material that helps to keep your furniture intact and also makes transportation and storage much easier. If you are planning to store fragile items like your television set, mirror, glass table top or any glass items, it is also good to layer your items with bubble wrap as it will serve as a cushion during your storage process and if you accidentally drop them. These packing materials will also protect your furniture from any scratches and dents during the moving and storing process.

If you are in need of any packing materials like boxes, and even bubble wraps, you can always purchase them from Extra Space Asia Self Storage’s box shop at the storage facility.

By storing at Extra Space Asia, you can also enjoy the flexibility of upsizing or downsizing your storage unit at any time to fit your storage unit. This will help to save money over time as you will not be paying for the storage space that you do not need.

With Raya fast approaching, it’s important to start preparing your home for the festive season. Here are three tips to help you get your house ready for the festivities:

Declutter and Deep Clean

Start by decluttering and deep cleaning your home. This is an opportunity to get rid of items that are no longer needed or used, and make space for new items. Go through each room, sorting items into piles of keep, donate, and throw away. For belongings that you would like to keep, you can store them with us at Extra Space Asia, where your items will be safe and secured, and you can access them anytime, any day! Once you’ve decluttered, deep clean your home. This means wiping down surfaces, cleaning floors and carpets, and washing curtains and linens. This will not only make your home look and feel cleaner, but it will also create a more welcoming environment for your guests.

Decorate with Raya-themed Items

Add some Raya-themed decorations to your home to create a festive atmosphere. This can include traditional items such as ketupat, colourful lanterns, and festive banners. You can also add a touch of modernity by incorporating contemporary decor items with a Raya twist, such as cushion covers with batik prints or wall hangings with traditional motifs. Make sure to place your decorations strategically in high traffic areas, such as your living room or dining area, to ensure they are visible to your guests.

Prepare Food and Beverages in Advance

Raya is a time of feasting and celebration, so it’s important to have a variety of food and beverages ready for your guests. Plan your menu in advance, and prepare as much as you can in the days leading up to the event. This will help reduce stress and allow you to enjoy the festivities with your loved ones. Some traditional Raya foods you can prepare include ketupat, rendang, lemang, and various types of kuih. Make sure to also have a selection of drinks on hand, such as tea, coffee, and refreshing cordials.

In conclusion, preparing your home for Raya can be an enjoyable process. By decluttering and deep cleaning your home, adding Raya-themed decorations, and preparing food and beverages in advance, you can create a warm and inviting atmosphere for your guests.

At Extra Space Asia, we are having a Ramadhan Special campaign – where customers who sign up for a storage unit between 3rd April 2023 to 21st April 2023 will be entitled to attractive discounts, rebates and gifts! Visit our website to find out more!

Remember, Raya is a time to celebrate with loved ones, so make sure to relax and enjoy the festivities!

Riding a bicycle is a sport that is fun, healthy, and can be done solo or in a team. Here is a fun fact: Cycling can also help to protect someone from serious illnesses, including stroke, heart attack, obesity, depression, arthritis, and more.

When it comes to bicycle specs, some people love to collect different kinds of bicycles for leisure and sports purposes. In this case, we all need somewhere to store our bicycles when we are not riding them. When searching for a bicycle storage solution, it is key to find something practical for the long term and also easily accessible. Here are some common bicycle storage ideas that you can try.

  1. Arrange your collection using floor racks

Floor racks are the most basic kind of bicycle storage which comes with advantages such as quick setup and ease of moving them around the home. A bicycle floor rack will help keep the bicycle upright and stationary at a particular location, which is easy to use.

However, as the name suggests, floor racks usually take up more valuable floor space and might not be a one-size-fits-all bicycle solution. If you buy a floor rack that can store more than one bicycle, you might also need more floor space to store all your bicycles in one location. We also have to consider the material of the floor racks as some materials may bend easily, making them less stable over time which poses a danger if you have young kids who are constantly on the move around the home.

  1. Mount your bikes on wall racks

Wall bicycle racks will allow you to store your bicycle away from the ground by hanging them on the wall. By using a wall rack, it will definitely take up lesser floor space. This option will come in handy for homes that are tighter in space. In terms of installation or setup, some wall racks will require fixing to the wall, while some will only need you to simply lean it against the wall. Another perk to note is that the wall rack can also act as a piece of art corner for you to showcase your bike collection.

However, do note that there is definitely a weight limit for all wall racks. Thus, it is important to choose what best suits your bicycle collection. Also, even though you are hanging your bike on the wall rack, you will also have to take note of your head space as the bicycles are suspended in the air. Not to forget, some strength is also needed to carry your bicycle up and down the rack.

  1. Choose to store your items in a storage unit

For those with a wide bicycle collection that includes foldable bicycles, mountain bikes, road bikes or even hybrid bikes, consider renting a self-storage unit. With a storage unit, you will have extra space to store all your personal items, collection pieces, or even items you hardly use to free up some space at home. This way, you can better enjoy extra space to grow your bicycle collection even if you have limited available space at home.

Come store your items with self-storage providers such as Extra Space Asia Self Storage which allow you to access your storage unit any time, any day, 24/7. To maximise the storage space, you can also use it to store your family items or business inventory. You can also be assured that your items are in safe hands as there is 24/7 CCTV monitoring, and each customer is given a unique pin code to access the storage area.

To learn more about Extra Space Asia’s storage offerings and the various storage sizes available, you can visit any of our 5 storage facilities located in PJ and KL during their operating hours from 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, 9am to 1pm, Saturday or give us a call at 1300 22 0288.

First things first, congratulations! It’s no mean feat, and we know how momentous this occasion is! Babies are a blessing, as they bring joy and happiness to everyone around. However, once the initial buzz and excitement settle down, possible worries may set in—are you well and truly prepared to welcome a baby into your life and home? In the early stages, babies are often curious as everything is new to them, so they tend to wander and touch and put everything in their mouths, so do keep an eye on what you leave around! Preparing for a baby’s room is truly exciting, and we’ve compiled some tips and tricks that may come in handy for you!

 

It’s recommended to share a room with your baby for the first six months! The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends this practice for infants’ first six months of life, lowering the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Having your baby within sight of you will also help put your mind at ease, as you know they’re within reach if anything happens. However, you may have to get creative with furniture! Mini cribs are fast becoming a thing, so are foldable, portable and convertible cribs! Your bedroom may need to be bigger to hold a large crib, so do consider moving some larger furniture to other rooms or possibly even a self-storage unit such as Extra Space Asia for the time being!

 

If you have a spare room which can be converted into a nursery, the best colours to paint the nursery are neutral tones. Not only are they timeless and soothing, this palette also makes it easy to mix and match neutral tones with other furnishings and decorations. You can let your kid pick out their fav colour when they grow older!

 

It’s also important to ensure that the room is safe and secure for a baby! Lest we forget, make it comfortable too, as both of you will be spending plenty of time in the room! Prepare for yourself a small corner to rest or an armchair for you to grab some quick shuteye while the baby’s napping. You’re going to need it! Pad the corners of any furniture in the room, and consider installing a rug to cushion the sounds of footsteps. Babyproof it thoroughly! Anchor down bulky furniture to prevent them from possibly toppling over. Conceal any electrical wires, if possible, as well as the power outlets too!

 

Most importantly, do remember to cherish this moment and enjoy it! It’s not every day one gets to go through a process such as this. Savour the moment, and have fun! For all your storage needs, there’s always Extra Space Asia. You can choose to store with us from as short as 14 days, to as long as you need! Who knows, baby number 2 might come along when you reckon you don’t need the extra space anymore! Find out more at www.extraspaceasia.com.my.

 

It’s no secret that property prices have been rising in recent times. We see a year-on-year increase in purchase prices as well as rental costs. If you find yourself in such a situation where you have to downsize your living space, fret not! We’ve put together a handy list of tips and tricks to help you move!

 

  1. Split into a trio

 

First, you will have to reduce your belongings, as you no longer have the luxury of space. Your new home will have much less space, and every square inch is valuable. You’ll no longer be able to keep that huge soft toy you won from a fun fair way back, as that’s potentially where a cupboard could be.

 

With this ‘sacrifice’ in mind, it’s time to split your items into three stacks; one where it’s the essentials, another to be donated and lastly to be tossed out. Be strict with yourself, as these items will make up the bulk of your space at home. Donate all unused clothes or those that can’t fit anymore to a charity. You’ll be saving space and doing a good deed at the same time!

 

  1. Measure and plan accordingly

 

Measure out the space you have in your new home, which will help determine where the bulky furniture can go. Knowing the restrictions you have in place will speed things up, so you can save time and effort moving things here and there to see if they fit. Write down the dimensions of each room in your new and old home to compare and give you a clearer idea of what needs to go.

 

  1. Prioritise multifunction space-saving furniture

 

This is when function trumps design, unfortunately. That stool that doubles as a table—we’re all for it! Coffee tables can be used as storage too. Bring it along! The smaller the space, the more functions each item should serve. Use your vertical space wisely, like choosing a bed frame with large drawers underneath it!

 

  1. Self-Storage

 

Whilst you may argue that the whole point of this downsizing exercise was to save money, self-storage is relatively affordable compared to a larger space rental! This option grants you the freedom and convenience to come and go as you wish and to also hold on to items that may come in handy one day, although you have no space for them in your home. Not to mention that you can rent for as long as you wish, with the flexibility of extending should the need arise!

 

All in all, downsizing doesn’t mean the end of the world. It can be a fruitful exercise to save more money too! Just follow the list of tips we’ve compiled for you, and you’ll be fine! Remember: For all your storage needs, there’s always Extra Space Asia.

With Chinese New Year 2023 right around the corner in January, it is the time of the year again to start your spring cleaning routine! Here are three quick ways to prepare your home for the year ahead.

  1. Out with the old, in with the new

The start of most spring cleaning routines is the process of cleaning and decluttering your home. You can start by throwing the old items and donating those in good condition. Once those are done, you will have some extra space to introduce new items such as blooms or even new furniture pieces.

If you have maxed out on all the available space at home to store your personal collection and seasonal items such as thick winter clothing, the Christmas tree and festive decoration, you can opt to rent a storage unit at storage facilities like Extra Space Asia Self Storage. These self-storage units can come in handy as they serve as an extension of your home that are accessible 24 hours, any time, any day.

This Chinese New Year, be the first 50 new customers to sign up for a storage unit at Extra Space Asia Self Storage and stand a chance to enjoy up to RM288 worth of storage rental rebates. Call 1300 22 0288 today to find out more about the wide range of storage options available.

  1. Introduce some touches of red and gold CNY decoration to welcome some luck

If your home lacks a festive vibe, it would be good to incorporate some Chinese New Year decorative items. You can hang decorations on your main door or over the interior walls to welcome blessings and warm, celebratory themes.

The colour red is also regarded as an auspicious colour. By adding some touches of red and even gold, your home will become instantly look more vibrant and festive looking, which makes for great additions at home to welcome the Lunar New Year.

  1. Spruce up your home with some New Year blossoms

Why not spruce your home further by simply shaking some things up a little? For a start and at no cost, you can try rearranging the furniture layout so that there is more space for family members and friends to hang around the common spaces in your home.

Next, you can purchase festive flowers to add spring colours to your decor. Here are some flowers choices and their significance:

– Tangerine tree for wealth and good luck.

– Pussy Willows for growth and prosperity.

– Lucky bamboo for strength.

– Peach blossoms for prosperity and growth.

– Plum blossoms for endurance and courage.

 

 

Packing your Christmas decorations and trees away? We can always store these festive decorations in boxes and unbox them again next year. However, it can always be more organised when it comes to your storage process so that you will know where everything is stored. Here are five storage ideas for storing your Christmas items.

  1. Store Christmas ornaments by colour themes

Love buying new baubles and ornaments every year? Over the years, you may find yourself with many different colour themes. As such, why not try storing these festive items by colour? You can use the same size boxes or transparent bins to see what is stored in the containers easily at one glance. Storing them in the same size boxes will also allow for a smoother stacking process.

  1. Label your Christmas bins and boxes

Moving boxes from one location to another can be tricky if we do not know what is in each box. If your box includes fragile items such as glass or ceramic items, it will be good to indicate labels such as “fragile” or “this side up”, which will be helpful when you are going through your boxes. You should also include details such as what is in the boxes (e.g. Christmas lights, Christmas baubles, bells and so on) so that you do not need to open up all the boxes to find one item.

In terms of storage, you should always face the label side of the box outwards so that you can see them easily.

  1. Protect those fragile glass ornaments

It can be tricky to store all of the ornaments neatly. When storing those fragile ornaments, it is good to first organise them based on the pattern type or the colours. Once that is done, you can use bubble wrap to wrap those fragile ornaments. This sequence will act as a layer of protection in case you drop them or decide to keep them for a long time.

You can use egg trays to store them away for those baubles of similar colours or smaller sizes. You can also add cotton wool balls to protect against any breakages. You can also cover the baubles with coffee filters for an added layer of protection.

  1. Store your Christmas trees with stretch films

As we will only be using these festive items in December, they will usually be in the storage room or storage unit for one year. Thus, to keep your Christmas tree intact and dust-free, it would be good to utilise stretch films to hold the Christmas tree for easy transportation. Those planning to save even more time might end up wrapping up the Christmas tree with all the ornaments and ribbons rather than taking the tree down. If you are taking this approach, it will be good to store your tree in a standing position so that the decors are intact.

  1. Wrap your Christmas lights in cardboard

Storing Christmas lights is always a hassle. If they are not stored properly, the lights will end up tangled up in a bad state. If you have many different Christmas lights, you can easily store them in a box by wrapping them in cardboard. This will keep them in an organised state, and the lights will also be tangle-free. Once you have tied them around the cardboard, you can label the type of Christmas lights on the cardboard so that you do not have to try all of them every time.

Extra Space Asia Self-Storage

Are all the seasonal decoration items and clothing taking up too much space at home? Why not free up your home by renting a self-storage unit with Extra Space Asia today? We’ve got storage units in various sizes, from Lockers to Walk-ins, to fit every customer’s needs. Contact us today at +1300 22 0288 or visit our storage facilities to learn more about our storage solutions.

Winter clothing can be real costly! Therefore, proper long-term storage is the key to ensure that your winter clothing is in tip-top condition for your next winter vacation. Here are 3 simple storage tips to keep your winter outfits in good condition for future uses. Try it out!

  1. Wash and store

Just came back from a winter vacation? Be sure to clean everything well before storing them. Sort all your winter outfits materials by either machine wash or dry-cleaning. Wash them before storing as unclean items may contain residual perfumes, oils and even lotions that can cause stains and yellow spots on your clothes.

After wash, add some Lavender in your storage space to prevent musty odours. Lavender scents work well to repel moths and keep your winter outfits smelling fresh and clean. Don’t forget about the footwear: wipe down and condition your winter shoes before storing them.

  1. Storing your winter outfits the right way

Believe it or not, the way you store your winter outfits affects how they look like in the future. Do not store your winter outfits in plastic garment bags as these bags retain moisture that may cause your winter clothes to smell and have yellow spots. Try not to cramp too many winter outfits into one vacuum-sealed bag. It may be space-saving, but the items could lose their shape over time.

As for tall winter boots, simply fill them with plastic boot sharpers or by stuffing loads of tissues inside for a quick and cost-effective alternative!

  1. Choosing the correct storage spots

Heat affects how and where you choose to store your winter clothing. Always choose a spot that is dark, cool, dry and away from direct sunlight as sunlight can fade the colours on the winter clothes.

Most winter clothing like your thick coats and sports gears can take up quite a lot of space in the wardrobe! Since winter outfits, accessories and sports gears are necessary yet not frequently used, why not consider storing them at a self-storage facility like Extra Space Asia. By storing in an air-conditioned unit at Extra Space Asia, you can be ensured that the temperature and humidity factors are constant, safekeeping all your winter gear in their optimum condition.

The next best part about having an Extra Space Asia’s storage unit is the 24/7 access to your extended personal storage space where you can retrieve and store anytime, any day you like! ‘Cool’, right?

Call us today at  1300 22 0288 if you need extra storage space for your winter items.