Beirut Moving & Storage Blog

22 Sept 2022

Amazing And Easy DIY Kitchen Storage Tricks

When you ask yourself what makes you effortlessly work in your kitchen, the only answer popping into your mind would be a systematically organized kitchen. A messy one is bound to make you perplexed and irritated, thus, discouraging your spirit for cooking.

That is why it is essential to place all kitchen items properly. Retrieving required items becomes easy when your kitchen items are arranged methodically. But, it is vital that not only should the exterior area of the kitchen be in order, but also the interior.

Usually, cluttering happens when your kitchen lacks storage. Hence, here are some unique DIY tricks for kitchen storage. Adopting the following hacks will surely make your kitchen look appealing.

DIY Kitchen Storage Hacks

1. Throw Out Expired Products

Check the manufacturing and expiry dates of all the food items stocked in your house. Those food ingredients crossed their lapsed date shouldn't be consumed as they can cause several diseases. Throw them away, making more space for new products or other items.

2. Clear Counter Areas

Counters are the working station where cooking happens. They have to be spacious and clean for free and easy movements.

3. Vertical Storage

If your house has a small kitchen, mount cabinets vertically on the wall to maximize the vertical space. Appliance and utensils rarely used can be placed in these cabinets.

4. Hidden Rolling Pantry

You can buy or build a thin rolling small pantry, hidden between the spaces of the cabinet and the fridge or between two cabinets in your kitchen. The items stored in this pantry are spices, dry fruits, oils, and sauces.

5. Built-In Cabinets With Glass Doors

Built-in wooden cabinets with glass doors add a style to your kitchen, creating an alluring vibe and using minimum space in the kitchen. Electronic appliances, crockery sets, cookware, dishes, and trays will fit into these cabinets well. Each cabinet can be allotted to a particular type of cookware.

6. Holding Stands

Holding stands for cutlery, spoons, forks, and knives makes the kitchen look neat and helps place items in one place for quick retrieval.

7. Baskets And Rails

The jute or plastic baskets look pleasant and are the best way to keep items organized. Fruits, vegetables, cleaning solutions, towels, sponges, and cups are the items to store in these baskets. Railings under the sink cabinets become an excellent place to hang cleaning solutions, brushes, and hand towels.

8. Dividers & Extra Shelves For Cabinets

Dividers and extra shelves enable the use of additional spaces for the drawers and cabinets. They can be customized as per the needs and requirements.

9. Hooks And Magnets

Install hooks and magnets in the kitchen. Clips hold mugs and utensils, while magnetic strips enable the hanging of knives, stainless steel spatulas, and scissors.

10. Label The Containers

Label all the containers with the items it carries. It will make the search simple.

11. Send Unused Items For Self Storage

Appliances, cookware, and crockery dishes you hardly use can be sent to a self-storage unit.

*The BOX*

The Box has storage units where all types of kitchen items can be stored. Their safety and security facilities help in protecting all of your items. They even sell quality packing materials. Easy access to these units makes retrieving your items quick.

To book one, contact us now.

Creative Storage Ideas For Your Small Home

Recently, there has been a steady rise in the human population, especially in cities. As a result of this, the surge in demand for houses has also climbed. Hence, now builders have started constructing multi-storey buildings with many studio apartments and 1BHKs.

When you move into these apartments, you start wondering how you will place all the household stuff properly without making the room look cramped. As per your needs, sometimes it becomes tough to get ample storage space.

You have to come up with clever ideas for finding spaces to tackle this difficulty. Below are some creative storage ideas for a small home that will help you use every nook and corner of your house.

Storage Ideas For Your Small Home

1. Vertical Storage Space

The best way to use space is by making Vertical Storage. Built shelves and cabinets right up to the roof. As most items get stored off the ground, the below area becomes open and compact-free. These storage ideas are more useful in the kitchen, where utensils and cutlery can be stacked.

2. Add A Loft

A loft built into your small house can either become an attic, a workspace or a bedroom. It makes the lower floor less messed up and more spacious. You can shift most of your furniture like a cot, wardrobe, desk or cabinets in the loft.

3. Hidden Storage

You can make several hidden storage spaces where you can keep your valuable items safe from theft.

I.Under The Stairs

Stairs that lead to the loft can be transformed into cabinets and drawers. You can store many items in it, such as books, decorative items, kitchen cabinets, mop cabinets, laundry cabinets and many more.

II.Under The Bed

As the size of the house is small, the bed usually takes up most of the space. Hidden drawers in the bed will allow for storing mattresses, pillows, blankets, curtains and furniture covers.

III.Under Flooring Storage

Trap doors are best when you want to keep your valuables. Small foldable teapoys, chairs, books, lights, etc can also be stored.

4. Outdoor storage

If you are staying in a small cabin or cottage, the front or back door stairs could be used as storing area. Items like tools, foldable chairs and tables can be placed in these spaces.

5. Built-In Fittings

Built-in fittings like dining tables, kitchen cabinets, and rolling pantries can help place electronic appliances, spices and other food ingredients.

6. Multi-Purpose Furniture

Multi-purpose furniture often saves space and can make small houses look airy. Sofa-cum beds, storage under the sofa, desk turned dining tables are many such examples.

7. Buy What Is Necessary

We often tend to buy those items that we hardly ever use. These items eat up the extra space, making your house look messy. Purchase only those items that are necessary. Extra or unused furniture, appliances, and other items can be stored in a self-storage unit where they can remain safe. It will help in making your house look roomier.

*The Box*

If you have a small house in Beirut that has limited storage space, hire the services of The Box, a self-storage facility. We, at The Box, give clients excellent services, facilities and security for their valuable items.

To hire one of our storage units, contact us now!

What Is The Difference Between Long Term Storage And Short Term Storage

Whether shifting to a new apartment, renovating or cleaning your existing house, it is necessary to hire a self-storage unit to place your items. A self-storage facility is an area that has several sizes of rooms that get leased for storing personal belongings. You can keep various things, from books to electronic applications and vehicles, in them.

Check out self-storage facilities close to your house and choose the one that offers top-class facilities. The type of storage that self-storage facilities have is either Short Term or Long Term.

➢ What is Short-Term Storage?

Short-Term Storage is where items are stored for not more than three months. It is a temporary solution when one can stash their belongings for less time.

➢ What Is Long-Term Storage

Long-Term Storage is when items are kept for more than three months. Items remain in one place for months or years.

The Difference Between Short Term Storage and Long Term Storage

1. Storage Period

The main difference between these two types is the time frame of these two storage types. In Short-Term Storage, the storage period does not exceed three months. In Long-Term Storage, the storage period is more than three months and sometimes even for years.

2. Reasons For Storing

Items are stored for a shorter period in a storage unit when you are either shifting to a new house, making some necessary renovations to it or when you are on vacation. Long-term storage is when the items stored are unwanted or rarely used. Seasonal items are those items that are stored for a long period.

3. Type of Storage Unit

As per the items, duration, and budget, a suitable storage unit is hired. If one is opting for short-term storage, you can either hire a standard storage unit or a climate-controlled unit, as items are placed only for a couple of months.

But, when stored for the long term, you must hire a climate-controlled unit to keep your items away from moisture and damage-free.

4. Cost

The cost of any storage units depends on their size and storing period. Short-Term Storage is less expensive, and many can afford it. Long-Term Storage is a bit costlier as the time duration is more.

5. Preparation Time

Be it short-term or long-term, planning each step is vital. Dust off and wipe all the items before placing them inside the storage room. Electronic appliances, large furniture and fragile items must be carefully wrapped with cushions and corner protectors and packed.

Avoid overfilling the boxes. For long-term storage, do not pack items in plastic bags. Vacuum seal the bags in which they are wrapped. Labelling each box will allow us to know about the contents kept inside it.

6. Ideal For?

Short-Term Storage items are an ideal option when shifting to a new house or renovating the house. Long-Term Storage is best when items are seasonally used or unwanted when you shift to a new country.

➢Which Storage Facility To Choose?

The Box of Beirut is an excellent option for both, short-term and long-term storage. Units with varieties of facilities are offered at an appropriate price. Up-to-date technology like CCTV cameras, laser sensors, easy access and climate-control systems keep the items safe and sound.

To hire one unit, Connect with us now!

A Guide On How To Keep Your Storage Unit Clean

To make our house look spacious, you hire storage units to keep extra or rarely used items safely. Various sizes of units with different storage periods are available in the market. As per the needs, a particular unit can be hired.

The way we keep our homes clean and dust-free, it is necessary we take care of the storage units we rent. Though items stored in them are rarely used, the unit where they are kept must be maintained. Keeping them clean n hygienic, the items remain safe and durable. Also, they can be stored for a long period.

The steps for keeping the storage units clean are thoroughly explained below.

1. Hire A Well- Ventilated Unit

Items need to be kept in a storage unit that has a free flow of air supply. A well-ventilated storage unit doesn't let foul smells accumulate in the room. Climate-controlled storage can help in keeping moisture and humidity out of the room.

2. Mop & Clean The Storage Unit Floor

It is necessary to keep the floor of the unit hygienic and spotless. Vacuum the floor of the storage unit to remove all the dust particles before placing your items. Add an anti-bacterial surface cleaner to the water and mop the floor to wipe out all the dirt, making the unit squeaky clean. Later, cover the floor with carpet and place your items.

3. Clean The Items To Be Stored

It is better to cleanse all the items you are planning to store before placing them in the storage unit. It will lead to less accumulation of dust. Deep clean the electronic appliances. Wash clothes, blankets, quilts, and covers with fabric detergents and softeners. Fold them only when they are completely dried. Wipe the glass products with anti-bacterial wipes.

4. Use Air-Tight Boxes

Using air-tight plastic containers is much safer than using cardboard boxes. Unlike cardboard boxes, they do not deteriorate and remain in good condition for a long period. They are sturdier and easy to handle.

5. Avoid Storing Perishable Goods

Perishable items are strictly forbidden in a storage unit as they get spoilt and can spread foul smell. Even coffee bags and cereals or canned food must be avoided. They lure ants, rats, rodents and other pests into the storage, and can damage all the items. They make the unit dirtier, and the cleaning job becomes more difficult.

6. Avoid Storing Toxic Items

Toxic items like paints, chemicals and fertilizers stored in a unit can create disastrous reactions. If it gets spilled, cleaning it becomes more challenging. Hence, it is better not to store them.

7. Cover The Large Items

It is hard to place furniture in cardboard boxes due to their large structure. They must always be covered to protect them from dust. You can use tarpaulins made of cloth or cloth blankets to shield them. It will make the cleaning process easy and quick.

8. Pay Regular Visits

Even after taking all precautionary measures, dust does accumulate in the storage unit. Hence it needs to be visited regularly to confirm that items are undamaged.

*The Box*

The Box’s storage units offer various types of storage units at reasonable prices. Get 50% off on our storage units.

To hire one such unit, call us at - +961 71281168/+961 71175252

Steps On Storing Photographs In A Self-Storage Unit

Photographs are not just mere fragments of paper. They are those special memories captured in a frame you treasure the most in your life. They have an immense value that makes them unique and irreplaceable.

Even though we live in a digitized world, photographs give us the joy that digital ones can never give. They make us nostalgic and work like a time machine, taking us back in time to those lovely moments.

These pieces of memories need to be stored in a protected place as they get easily damaged. Severe temperature changes, moisture, and sunlight decay them. Sometimes, due to lack of home space, we stack them up on one another without proper care. Ultimately, it creates cracks and destroys them. Hence, they must be stored in a storage unit to safeguard against all the above elements.

Steps To Store Photographs In A Self-Storage Unit

1. Handle With Care

Photographs are sensitive items, and hence they must handle with utmost care. Before touching them, you should make sure your hands are not wet. When moisture comes in contact with the photographs, it creates cracks on them and can even make them peel. It allows the growth of moss, and mildew on their surfaces, thus completely ruining them.

2. Don't Forget To Keep Digital Copies

It is essential to store digital copies of your photographs. In this way, even if the original ones are ruined or lost, the digital ones work as a backup that will help in keeping the memories safe. HD quality copies will preserve the originality of the photos. You can store them on a USB or in a file.

3. Organize But Don't Stack Them Over

When photographs are organized systematically, it will make the search in the future easy. They must be assorted, as per the groups - colour, size, or year-wise. They shouldn't be kept in direct contact with each other.

Keep tape, glue & rubber bands away from the photos as they may stick the photos together and spoil their prints. Don't forget to separate the bad photos from the good ones.

4. Get Good Quality Of Albums & Storage Boxes

Purchase albums that are made of acid-free materials. These albums must have sheet protectors that will keep the photographs safe as they will shield them against dust, light, moisture, or pests. A single photo must be placed on one sheet. Avoid overfilling photographs as it may break the cover and even tear them.

5. Hiring A Climate-Controlled Self-Storage Unit

As photos are susceptible items, temperature fluctuations, dust, pets, and moisture have severe impacts on them. These factors can decay and destroy the evidence of your beautiful memories. To preserve them, they must be stored in a storage unit that is equipped with a climate-control system. This unit will seal the room, barring entry of any dust or pests. A standard temperature is maintained in the room, keeping moisture away from all the items.

What Does The BOX Beirut Offer?

The BOX has climate-controlled personal storage units furnished with modern security features for their clients. Many packaging materials are also sold at their online shop.

To hire our services, kindly contact us at these numbers - +961 71281168/ +961 71175252

Essential Tips On Storing Items For A Long Period

Self-Storage facilities offer stress-busting solutions for storing your essential items. They offer contracts to their clients either for the short or the long term. In the short-term contract, the duration for which the items are stored is less than 12 months, whereas, in the long-term, it is more than one year.

To store the items for long-term storage in a self-storage facility, the clients may have numerous reasons. Maybe they are going for a long vacation or moving to another city or country or the items they want to store are unwanted or hardly used.

Before storing the items for a long period, there are certain crucial steps that one has to follow. From choosing the right storage to packing and labelling the things, one has to adhere to them carefully.

1. What To Store?

The foremost step you have to take is to decide what items will go into the storage unit. Then, according to your needs or usage, make a list of these items. The listing process will minimize the chances of missing any object. It is preferable not to hold on to things having no use or value for you. It would be better to sell or donate them, or else they might eat up the space of your storage unit.

2. Choose The Best Storage Facility

After making a list of the items, find out how many self-storage facilities are present that can be accessed easily. Then, as per the items, estimate the size of the storage unit you will require to fit all your things and which facilities have this unit size. Compare their prices, services offered, and contract conditions. As per your need and the budget, select the best facility.

3. Hire A Climate-Controlled Unit

For long-term storage, hire a climate-controlled unit to keep your items safe and damage-free. They are completely sealed and air-conditioned. It helps in maintaining the air quality clean and fresh by preventing the entry of moisture and maintaining a standard temperature inside the unit. Thus the items remain unaffected by the frequent changes in the outside climate.

4. Cleaning Before Storing

All the items should be well-cleaned before storing them. Electronics must be scrubbed and cleaned with the solution of vinegar and baking soda. Wash the furniture to remove all dirt and then polish them to keep any mould or pests away from them.

5. Packing And Label!

Buy the right sizes of boxes or containers to put in all the items. Cloth blankets, bubble wraps, cushions, and thermocol absorb any shock from the fall and protect all the items like electronics, books, furniture, etc. Label these boxes to know what items are kept in which boxes.

6. Insurance Cover, A Must!

Getting insurance for the items will cover any damages that may occur during transit or storage period. Check if the storage facility is offering insurance cover.

7. Autopay The Rent

Make sure to keep the payment of rent on autopay. Every month the amount will automatically get deducted.

*The Box*

The Box storage facility offers both short-term and long-term storage contracts at reasonable rent. They even sell packaging materials, boxes, and insurance covers to their clients.

Why Should You Choose To Rent A Climate-Controlled Storage Unit?

We hire the best self-storage facility with all the latest security features as all the stuff we choose to store in this rented unit is valuable to us. These items include:

a.Electronic Applications,

b.Furniture,

c.Clothes,

d.Quilts,

e.Blankets,

f.Antiques,

g.Jewelry,

h.Collection Set,

i.Instruments

j.Books

k.Documents, etc.

The above items demand a dry and safe storage area. Standard storage units fail to save these items from frequent shifts in the climate. Hence, most rentees prefer hiring a Climate-Control Self-Storage unit rather than a regular one.

Unlike standard storage units, a Climate-Control Self-Storage unit helps keeps the items unaffected by regular climatic changes in the environment. It is due to its air-conditioning and heat-control system.

The reasons listed below explain why a Climate-Controlled Storage Unit must be chosen for storing your valuable & memorable items.

1. Safeguards Against Severe Temperature Changes

During summer at some locations, the temperature can go up to extreme levels, while during winter, it can fall drastically. Due to these severe changes, certain items like wood, electronic appliances, and equipment can get damaged as they are delicate. A climate-controlled storage unit keeps the temperature of the room at a standard level where the items remain safe from any harm.

2. Blocks Away Humidity

During monsoon, extreme humidity is present in the air. It has a harsh reaction on wooden, electronic, and metal items. Due to moisture, wooden items swell and crack, allowing the growth of moss and mildew on them. On the other hand, metal items become rusty, and electronics fail to run. When the temperature is under control, all the humidity is absorbed, keeping the air dry and cool.

3. Shields From Dust And Debris

Rain, snow, and dust hamper the quality of the items when the storage room is not closed. But the Climate-Controlled Units are fully packed, unlike the open storage area. The windows, roof, and door are securely sealed. Therefore, this debris cannot enter these units and deteriorate your stuff.

4. Prohibits Entry of Pest And Rodents

Pests and rodents are the main reasons that can destroy your valuable items. They chew and spoil the items of wood, cloth, and wires, making them irreparable. As these units are securely shut and the vents are covered with nets, there is no space or hole through which these pests can enter.

5. Better Air Quality

These self-storage units have well-ventilated systems. These vents keep circulating fresh air into the storage unit that does not allow foul odour to stay in the room. The climate-controlled self-storage facility has a centralized air-conditioned system that keeps its environment moisture free and chilled.

6. Gives The Rentee Peace Of Mind

A climate-controlled self-storage facility maintains the temperature, moisture, and air quality in check and helps keep the items protected. After hiring a climate-controlled self-storage facility, the rentees get stress-free and calm. They have to worry less about their storage items as they know these items are stored where they will not be damaged and remain safe.

*The BOX*

The Box has enhanced its self-storage units with a climate-controlled system. It can offer its clients excellent features to keep their items safe and secure by keeping them in better condition.

To book one such unit, call us at +961 71281168/+961 71175252.