Howards Storage World sheds light on the dull act of moving house
With recent research showing Aussie families are downsizing their home1, trying to squeeze existing items into a smaller space can cause quite a concern. In fact, whether downsizing or simply moving house, the hassle of fitting all your possessions into a new space can be overwhelming.
While moving house is recognised as one of the most stressful things that people can experience, Howards Storage World has some simple organisational solutions available to ensure the strain of moving is kept to a minimum.
Howards’ own organising expert, Cathy Player, has a few simple yet effective tips for families preparing for the big move. The Howards’ philosophy to STOP, SORT, SOLVE will ensure this experience is as pain free as possible.
Reduce and cull
A great rule of thumb when getting rid of items is to first STOP and evaluate your home, if you have not used any items in the past year then chances are you’re not going to use them in the year ahead. Moving house is the perfect opportunity to start fresh. Give non-essential items to relatives or friends or donate them to charity.
Downsizing or not, getting rid of all your unwanted items will make you feel revitalised and let’s face it, no one wants to pack and unpack more boxes than absolutely necessary.
Be realistic
Know how much space your new living environment offers and decide how much you will be able to comfortably store. Make a list and SORT your items by those that you absolutely must keep and start from there. Be committed to keeping only the most often-used items in the interest of saving space.
Invest
SOLVE the problem of not enough space in your new home with solutions such as elfa®. Cleverly designed for use in any room, you can add to your storage requirements as your budget allows, as your needs change and better still you can take it with you if you ever move again.
With elfa®, you can transform a cluttered space into an organised oasis and with Howards offering a free measure and quote it couldn’t be easier to get the storage solution of your dreams.
Store and label
Clear boxes and baskets such as the popular Marie Baskets ($4.95) and Easi Store Underbed Boxes ($34.95) are terrific because you can quickly see their contents. By labelling your boxes or baskets you will always know where everything is and other members of your family will know where to put certain items. This method can be used everywhere from the kitchen cupboard, under the bathroom sink or under the bed.
Cathy explains, “I’m a big believer in if you can see it, you will use it. Don’t store items in boxes you can’t see through.”
“Utilise your cupboard space by simply adding baskets you can pull out. This way you will use the entire contents of the cupboard, rather than just using what is stored at the front. Also, when looking for storage solutions try grouping baskets in threes, this will help to calm the space and have a manageable feel to it.”
So remember Cathy’s top tips for moving and easy storage solutions are:
• Reduce and cull – get rid of unwanted items
• Be realistic – sort out what you need and work with the space you have
• Invest – maximise your space with this easy to build storage solution
• Store and label – use clear storage items and label as you go; if you see it, you will use it!
Visit the Howards Storage World website at www.hsw.com.au or pick up a catalogue in store for a wide variety of products to help organise all rooms in your new home.
