Making More of Summer with Self Storage
ALWAYS THE SUN
We Irish are nothing if not optimistic.
And for a maritime nation, closer to the North Pole than the Equator, under what feels like a permacloud, we’re remarkably good at summer. The first hint of sunshine and we’re in our shorts, wearing the coolest sunnies, and throwing an impromptu barbeque.
However, has the beautiful brevity of the Irish summer ever put you off taking up a new activity like paddle boarding, or surfing, for example? Ever gazed longingly at your neighbour’s 4-burner gas barbeque grill with beverage cooler and sink and thought there’s no point in getting your own because – well, where would you put it for the other 364 days?
Have you ever thought that self-storage could help you make more out of summer?
WHEN THERE AIN’T NO SUNSHINE
In the immortal words of Game of Thrones’ Ned Stark, winter is coming. Sorry!
Left to live in situ – because it won’t fit in the shed – your gorgeous garden suite is going to be exposed to wind, rain, frost, snow, hail and freezing temperatures. And that could be before the end of September.
The surfboards that you bought for that brilliant July week in Strandhill are going to get mighty annoying propped up in the hall when you’re trying to get the Christmas tree in the door.
And that idyllic camping trip to France was all the more comfortable for having the best gear – but seriously – how do you propose getting it up through the trapdoor into the attic, never mind down again next year?
But imagine having a place where all of this and more could be safely kept for the darker months of the year, ready to be used again when the clouds finally part and the thermometer thaws out?
Let’s take a closer look at how you can constructively use that additional space that self-storage provides in order to Make the Most of Summer.
WINTER BEGONE
First things first. Making physical room for summer can feel wonderful. Carefully bagging, boxing and storing all of those winter coats, boots and woollies and emptying cupboards, wardrobes and coathooks can really free up room in your home and your mind. Store your cold-weather essentials safely in your self-storage unit and fully embrace the benefits that the warmer weather can bring.
OUTDOOR LIVING
Whether it’s a simple bistro set or something more elaborate such as a corner sofa set or a banquet table and benches, garden furniture can add extra living space to your home during the summer months. It’s ideal for lounging and outdoor dining, of course, but with some good weather, it can be the perfect place to move that messy art project outside when the kids are on school holidays. It doesn’t fare well when left outside in a January storm, however, and it’s not something you want to replace year after year. Keeping it safe in a self-storage unit during the winter months will preserve it from the elements, keeping it in tip-top condition to enjoy from April to September year after year.
Over time, why not add some additional decorative touches like gazebos, parasols, lights and cushions and keep them safe when not in use to get full value out of those expensive purchases?
GARDENER’S WORLD
Gardening is an extremely rewarding and satisfying hobby, and can turn even the most modest space into somewhere you and your family will really enjoy. It’s not only a sanctuary for humans – careful planting choices can ensure bees, birds and butterflies become regular visitors which is all great for the environment. A self-storage unit can be a fantastic way to build up a collection of gardening equipment – lawnmowers, strimmers, tools, fertilisers, plant pots, seeds etc. to make the most of your hobby without turning the house into a garden centre.
KIDS’ PARADISE
Parks, beaches and trips away are all great fun in the summer but it’s just not feasible every single day. Make the garden into your own private play park by picking up paddling pools, goalposts, Swingball, mini trampolines, swings, a sandpit, giant chess – whatever you like – and get great use from them year after year by self-storing them in your unit.
ADVENTURE TIME!
What about trying something new this year? A mountain biking adventure? Or taking to the water in a kayak? Adventure hobby items from as relatively small as fishing equipment, to very large like a jet ski or an ATV, are perfect candidates to keep in self-storage year-round. For safe self-storage, when not in use, take simple steps like cleaning everything down, disconnecting batteries and storing them separately; popping rags in exhaust pipes and other openings to prevent rodents moving in and keeping the engines in tip-top condition. Self-storage units come in all sorts of sizes so by letting them solve your storage problems, you could start a whole new adventure in life.
GETTING SPORTY
Summer’s great for TV sports – Wimbledon, World Cups, Olympics – why not turn off the set and take advantage of that warmer weather and longer days to get sporty yourself? Self-storage is a fantastic way to make sure that the house isn’t cluttered up with those rackets, balls, nets, snorkels, wetsuits etc. while making sure you’ve got the kit to get fit.
THE GREAT OUTDOORS
Sleeping under the stars, getting down with nature, taking to the open road at a moment’s notice – camping is a wonderful experience for all the family, whether it’s heading out on a whim, booking into a safe and serviced campsite for a memorable family holiday or heading to a music festival. But there’s so much stuff! Tents, sleeping bags, cooking equipment, groundsheets, thermoses and tons of different shaped peggy things – did the Famous Five need all this?!
Self-storage is, of course, the way forward when it comes to embracing camping of all sorts. Keep the gear under lock and key, but be able to get at it whenever the urge hits you. Whether you’re backpacking across open spaces, or hitching up the trailer to take the ferry abroad, camping suddenly becomes much more feasible – and comfortable – when you can keep all the right gear safe and out of the way.
PACKING UP
Sick of borrowing cases from family and friends when the time comes to pack up the fam and head for the airport? Suitcases and bags can take up a lot of space at home when they’re not being used. Keep them in your storage unit when you’re home from one trip, (leaving room in your living space for all those wonderful souvenirs you’ve brought home from your travels) ready and waiting for the next!
SCHOOL’S OUT
It’s great to see the kids of all ages home for summer. With secondary exams done, stash those schoolbooks out of sight, out of mind and out of messy bedrooms in your storage unit. For third-level students who live away from home, self-storage can be perfect for storing furniture from their term time accommodation if they have to move out over the summer period. It’s also a handy place to keep winter clothing, books, notes and other belongings if they’re off travelling, working or have simply come home for the break. No need to borrow a van or load up the car with all of their belongings – the odd pilfered traffic cone included! – and lug it all home to take up space in the house until they go back again.
EMPTY HOUSE
Self-storage units are as safe as houses – safer, in fact, with measures like 24-hour, year-round monitoring; access codes, CCTV, security guards, manned reception areas, biometrics and more. Safely store some household valuables while you’re away on holiday – an unfortunately high-risk time for burglaries – and enjoy your trip away with additional peace of mind.
