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!

2. 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.

3. 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!

4. 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.

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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

We understand that choosing the right self-storage unit can be tricky, but it is important to make an intentional decision so that you do not have to pay any additional cost for the extra space you do not need. If it is your first time renting a self-storage unit, here are three smart tips to help you choose the ideal unit.

Take note of what you are planning to store

Before getting a storage quotation, you should consider what you are planning to store. You can start by making a list of the items or number of boxes you need to use. Boxes can be stacked and piled in most cases, so if you only have a few boxes, a small walk-in or locker storage unit might just be sufficient.

owever, if you are planning to store odd-sized items or furniture, make sure you are aware of the exact dimensions (with added buffer) before you find a storage unit size. If your items are temperature sensitive, it would be important to store them in a cool and air-conditioned temperature storage unit.

Take a look at the storage size estimator 

Most self-storage providers will showcase their general storage size estimator on their website to give their customers a feel of the available storage sizes. Consider looking at the storage size estimator to get a rough sense of what storage sizes best fit your needs.

Take a look at our size estimator here for reference. Usually, the size estimator page will provide a storage size measurement and simple information such as how many boxes can the particular unit fit. If you are unsure about what storage size you need, you should always contact the storage provider for more assistance. If you need to have an estimate on the storage cost, you can also submit a web quote as seen here, and you will receive a free web quotation within 1 minute!

Visit the storage provider to have a tour around the facility

If you are unsure about the storage sizes you need, visit the storage provider to tour the self-storage facility. During the visit, you will see the various storage sizes in person and have a real feel of the storage sizing.

During your tour, ensure that the storage unit facility has certain features such as CCTV, insurance, pin code or card access to the storage unit area. These safety and security features are essential as they will give you peace of mind knowing that you have stored your items in safe and secure storage space.

For more information on choosing the right storage size, feel free to visit any of our storage facilities to have a personalised storage tour or call us at 1300 22 0288.

Our friendly Customer Service Executive will assist you through your storage journey and find you the best fitting unit for your storage needs.

Just rented your first self-storage unit to store your personal and business items to enjoy more space? If you are planning to access your storage unit frequently, it is ideal to store your items neatly to access them with ease.

Here are three clever ways to effectively maximise your storage unit space over the years.

Tip 1: Dismantle your big ticket items and furniture

If you have big-ticket items and furniture pieces that you plan to store in your storage unit, consider dismantling them so that they take up lesser space in your unit. Items such as bed frames and bookshelves should be dismantled and wrapped neatly to be easily retrievable when needed.

Did you know that when you rent a self-storage unit, you are essentially paying for every square foot or square metres you rent? Thus, it is always encouraged to list down all the items you plan to store first and see what can be dismantled and wrapped so they will take up less space. This way, you will rent a more cost-effective storage unit that fits your needs and budget.

However, if you have more things to store over the years, you can always upsize your storage unit easily when you rent a storage unit at storage facilities such as Extra Space Asia Self-Storage.

Tip 2: Stack items or furniture to your best ability

If you have items such as chairs that can be stacked, you should try your best to stack them safely so that they will take up less space in your storage unit. Stacking also makes for a neater arrangement for easy access in the future.

For box storage, it is key to stack the ones that are heavier and bigger at the bottom so that you can retrieve them easily without straining your back. Do remember to label the boxes too, so that you do not need to open them up just to find one item. It would also help if you stacked the boxes of similar sizes so that they would not stick out in an untidy manner or fall over.

If you need some sturdy boxes, you can always purchase them at Extra Space Asia’s Box Shop.

Tip 3: Utilise the vertical space in your storage unit 

When you have a self-storage unit, shelving can be a good organisation tool to add. The shelving will be great for dividing the space into your storage units according to your needs.

If you are renting a storage unit to store all of your business inventories, it would be good to organise your items based on popularity. Or sort them in a first-in-first-out basis so that you can do your stock-taking easily in your storage unit.

With proper sturdy shelving, you will also be able to fully utilise every inch of space in the storage unit from top to bottom. By optimising your storage space, you’ll be able to save on cost, spending only on what you truly need!

If you are looking to upsize or downsize your storage unit, you can always visit our reception during our operating hours and our friendly Extra Space Asia‘s consultants will be glad to assist you with your next storage unit of a different size.

Starting to feel that your children’s toys are taking over most of your space at home? We understand that it can definitely create a level of stress for parents who are constantly cleaning up their kid’s toys every day. As such, here are three ideas to organise toys and items neatly over time.

Choose storage solutions that can survive wear and tear

As we all know, when it comes to playing, kids might throw their items in all directions that could end up damaged in no time. Thus, for children’s storage, it would be good to purchase high-quality plastic bins as they are more durable, easier to clean and allow for labels that can help with your packing and organising process.

However, opting for durable items does not mean parents can only choose those unattractive toy boxes. To spruce it up, consider purchasing different coloured storage boxes to help categorise items and toys. For easier stacking, go for same-size boxes for that neat overall aesthetic.

Use a toy storage system that encourages kids to clean up

To keep the idea of storage fun and easy, parents can try different toy storage systems that fit their kid’s playing methods. For instance, if you have younger kids, you can use labels with pictures instead of words.

Toys that are often used should be placed at locations that are easy to retrieve and put away. For example, on lower shelves, children can reach out easily without much difficulty. For heavy toys, parents can position them on the floor area close to the play area.

It would be preferable to avoid placing all the well-loved toys together in a big box, as that arrangement would encourage children to pull out all the toys and create a mess just to retrieve one single item.

Only keep toys that are frequently used 

Toys have a way of multiplying over the years and over various occasions such as birthdays and Christmas. Year after year, parents might find themselves having to spend more time sorting through more toys. Thus, it is a good practice to narrow down your kid’s toys and only keep those that they play with frequently. This habit will also give the kids a chance to learn how to gift and share their toys with other children who might have lesser or no toys to play with.

If you find your home over-cluttered with toys and rarely-used items, you can also consider storing them in a self-storage unit with your other family items to make more space at home. These unused toys and clothing might come in handy in cases where you are still planning to have more children in the future.

We understand that it can be hard to create an organised home when you have children around, but it is not impossible to create an organised play area for your little ones. We hope these toy storage tips will help you find a toy storage system that works for you and your family.

If you need extra space at home, you can always store unused items at self-storage facilities such as Extra Space Asia. Come visit our clean and secure storage facilities located at Ampang, Chan Sow Lin, Kota Damansara, Section 51A and Segambut from Monday to Friday, 9 am to 6 pm, Saturday, 9 am to 1pm, to learn more about our various storage solutions. Alternatively, you can also contact us at +1300 22 0288 today to find out more.

As time progresses, space is becoming more scarce in recent times. We have to pay a premium to enjoy the privilege of having ample space, which is not something everyone has access to. That’s where we come in!

Extra Space Asia, the leading self-storage provider in the region, aims to help customers live the way life is meant to be lived – clutter-free. Many often associate self-storage with renting a warehouse, but that notion cannot be further from the truth. Self-storage is way cheaper, and the commitment period is highly flexible.

In Malaysia, a self-storage unit rental price can range from as low as RM70 a month up to RM1500 a month! There are a few factors that come into play for the pricing of self-storage, and they are as follows:

Storage Size

Size matters. Smaller units will naturally be cheaper when it comes to the rental rate than larger units. To ensure that you’re getting the most out of your money, choose a size that fits your needs. Sometimes, a smaller unit may suffice if you were to arrange and pack everything properly in your storage unit.

As Extra Space Asia offers flexible terms, you may also opt to start with a smaller-sized unit and upsize as and when the time and need comes. If you’re unsure what size suits your needs best, check out our Size Estimator for a better idea. Alternatively, our friendly customer service team is always at your call and beckon if you need their professional opinion and advice!

Storage Duration

Your length of stay is an important factor too. The longer you commit, the more potential savings you can enjoy! Store with us for a minimum of 2 months, and your first month’s rental will only cost you RM1! Talk about a steal.

However, that does not mean you need to tie yourself down to a long, lengthy contract with us! You can choose to store from as short as 14 days and extend to however long you need depending on your needs.

Storage Types

Did you know that we have different storage types? Here at Extra Space Asia, you can choose from non-airconditioned storage units, air-conditioned storage units and wine storage!

Some items you store may require a certain temperature to maintain optimal quality, especially in a country as hot and humid as Malaysia. That is why we offer air-conditioned storage units. The area is kept cool 24/7, regardless of time and day. Air-conditioned storage units will always cost more, too, because of the energy power requirements. Thus, choose wisely if an air-conditioned unit is something you truly need!

With that being said, these are the three main factors that will influence the pricing of your storage unit rental. Feel free to drop us a call at 1300220288 to speak to any of our friendly consultants who will be able to guide and advise you throughout the whole process!

Battling with your wardrobe and falling clothes every day due to a lack of space and proper organisation? Here are three ideas on how to keep your clothes, shoes, bags and accessories organised and maximise your wardrobe space.

 Do a proper spring clean of your wardrobe

Before you start organising your wardrobe, you should declutter and consider donating your clothes that you no longer use or wear. We recommend this routine every quarter if you have a small wardrobe space. This will help create more space in your wardrobe for your new clothing or those clothing lying on your floor and around your room.

Trying the KonMari folding method

If you hastily fold your clothes before putting them away in your wardrobe, not only will they look wrinkled, you will also be wasting your precious wardrobe space unnecessarily. When it comes to folding hacks, people would recommend the KonMari folding method. The KonMari folding routine includes folding your clothes into neat bundles that can stand on their own so that you will be able to see everything at one glance. Her space-saving techniques will be a lifesaver if you have many clothes but insufficient space to store everything. This folding system includes many tutorials on folding various clothing like tops, socks, sweaters etc., that you can try out.

Get creative with organising your wardrobe 

You should try organising and arranging your wardrobe based on your personality and personal habits. For example, you can organise your clothing based on colours, seasons, garment type or even the order of how you get dressed.

For those seasonal items that are bulky and take up a lot of space, you can also try using a clothing vacuum bag that will help to pack your items into tightly sealed bags and minimise the overall storage space required to store them.

If you are looking for extra space to store your seasonal items or items that you hardly use, try storing them in a self-storage unit. Some perks of using a self-storage unit include the freedom to store more than your personal belongings. This dedicated space can also be used for your collection hobby, business inventory — you can even share spaces with your family members to fully optimise the storage unit.

It is also like your home where you can access any time, any day, 24 hours. At Extra Space Asia, we also offer climate controlled and air-conditioned storage units to store your temperature-sensitive items in peace. For more storage enquiries, you can also contact Extra Space Asia Self-Storage today at 1300 22 0288 to learn more about our various storage solutions. Feel free to also visit any of our 4 storage facilities located in Kuala Lumpur and Petaling Jaya today from 9am to 6pm (Monday to Friday) or 9am to 1pm (Saturday) to learn more about our various storage solutions.

Hiring movers just a tad bit too expensive? That sofa doesn’t look too heavy, I can do it myself – we often think to ourselves. Moving homes can often be a stressful process, not to mention an expensive one. More often than not, we try to save money where we can and hiring movers is one area where we try to save on. Not to worry, we’ve got your back! (literally and figuratively). Here are some tips and tricks that we’ve put together to help take the load off.

1. Knowing your limits

The first step to moving heavy furniture/objects is to actually know your own limits. There are times when we think we’re stronger than we really are, and instead, we’re sorely mistaken. It’s important to know this, as the health implications on our body can be painful. Always lift with your legs and not your back, as this is the easiest way to blow your back and cause years of backaches. Wearing proper clothing will also help. You don’t want to be doing the heavy lifting in a pair of jeans that is not stretchable. Bend your knees when picking stuff up, and keep your back straight as well.

2. Protect your furniture

Often enough, we find ourselves bumping into doorways and corners when lifting heavy objects, especially as our line of sight is somewhat limited. The professionals would recommend wrapping your furniture in bubble wrap as the best form of protection, but alternatively, you can also use towels and even comforters! You don’t want to move into a new home only to have your furniture all dented and scratched!

3. Remove the items inside your storage furniture

To ease your burden, it’s a good idea to remove everything from inside a piece of furniture before moving, such as clothes from a wardrobe, books and ornaments from a cabinet and so on. Some will argue that it’d mean double work, as eventually, the clothes will go back into the same wardrobe. But lighter furniture to lift will save you a ton of time and energy, so we say that’s a better outcome! One can also consider disassembling a particular piece of furniture and assemble it back later on in your new place. However, it’s important to note that repeatedly taking apart and reassembling furniture back together will cause some wear-and-tear over time, so do so at your own discretion.

4. Use the ‘Friends and family’ lifeline

As the saying goes, ‘Many hands make light work.’ This couldn’t be any truer in this context when one is moving homes. Call in favours from friends and family. You can even turn it into a party at the end once the process is done, ending the day with some good food and some drinks. The more, the merrier! Everyone pitching in will definitely speed things up and, of course, lighten the load. Your back will thank you in years to come.

All in all, it’d probably be best to leave it to the professionals, but if one had to do it yourself, do keep in mind these pointers that we have compiled for you! They may come in handy one day! Should you also need a space to store your furniture and belongings that are too bulky and troublesome to handle during your moving transition, consider Extra Space Asia! Drop us a call today at 1300220288 to find out more.