Had a stressful day at work only to find yourself with even more stress at home because of all the clutter? Studies have shown that clearing this clutter could just be the solution to lower your stress levels.

One study published in the Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin concluded that clutter sometimes contributes to depression. Another research in the Journal of Neuroscience found that clutter is highly distracting, as there are too many stimuli in the environment.

Dennis Greenberger, the co-author of “Mind Over Mood”, has also pointed out that it’s not the clutter itself that is damaging – it’s how we react to it.

Let’s take a look at some benefits of decluttering.

Cleaning and organising can reduce anxiety

Tidying up your house can help you to reduce anxiety, according to Alicia H. Clark, a psychologist and the author of “Hack Your Anxiety: How to Make Anxiety Work for You, in Life, Love and All That You Do”.

This is true, as most of us tend to view clutter as “unfinished business”. Leaving tasks uncompleted meant more things to do in the future, and that’s stressful. By maintaining a neat and organised living space, you’ll be able to think clearer.

Cleaning and organising can reduce anxiety

Decluttering trains your decision-making and problem-solving skills

You’ve limited space and what seems like an unlimited number of belongings. To fit everything, you’ll need to choose what gets stored and what gets left behind. Time to get that decisive muscle working!

Decluttering trains your decision-making and problem-solving skills

Decluttering helps you move on with life

Clutter is annoying, distracting and drains our energy. It might even remind us of our painful past. So declutter now! Get rid of the excess baggage (both physical and emotional) and move forward. A clean and tidy space literally shows more room for new things in life. Make room for more possibilities.

Decluttering helps you move on with life

Decluttering usually means discarding some of your precious belongings. BUT… if you’re unable to give up any of them just yet, here’s our favourite solution: store them at Extra Space Asia.

This way, you’ll not have to face the mess at home any more. Stay clutter-free, stress-free, while keeping all your things safe and secure at our facility!

 

Having trouble deciding to rent a self-storage unit or to use our valet storage services? Well, you’re not alone. Before you decide, it will be good for you to know some of the key differences between the two services.

Self-Storage

This concept offers storage space at a facility for you to store your belongings. Just like owning an extra storeroom out of your home, where you can access at any time of the day!

Valet Storage

Think of Valet Storage like a mover and delivery service. Instead of visiting a storage unit to store your belongings, you go online to arrange for a delivery person to pick up your items and store them for you. And when you need your belongings back, simply log on to our web app and select a timing to have your items delivered back.

Self-Storage vs Valet Storage Features

Self-storage offers the flexibility of different storage unit sizes, from as small as a locker to as big as your bedroom. You can also choose to upgrade or downsize your storage unit any time during your storage period. The facilities are accessible 24/7, so you can reach your belongings any time without notice.

For valet storage, our delivery personnel will provide you with your requested number of storage boxes. Once packed, just arrange for retrieval of your boxes – that’s all! Here’s an overview of these two services.

Self-Storage Valet Storage
Size of Storage Space Locker to master bedroom sizes available As many storage boxes as you require
Accessibility 24/7, instant access to your belongings Arrange online for belongings to be sent to you within 2 days
Convenience Visit our storage facilities to store or retrieve your belongings Extra Space staff will deliver your storage boxes directly to your preferred location.

As you can see, each has its own benefits. So it really boils down to what you’re looking for. Happy deciding!

Winter clothing can be real costly! And with Singapore’s all-round humid weather, proper long-term storage will ensure 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

As Singapore is summer-hot all year round, the 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 6771 3100 if you need extra storage space for your winter items.

Congratulations, you just received keys to your new home! Before you go on creating interior design mood boards on Pinterest, have you got a storage solution to store all your personal items and furniture during the moving and renovating period yet?

No? Fret not. Self-Storage is here!

By storing your items at a self-storage facility, you not only protect them from dust but also unexpected damages that may occur during the moving and renovation period. That’s not all: Here are 3 more benefits of why you should use a self storage!

1. Flexible storage options

Self-storage companies like Extra Space Asia offer flexible storage options in terms of storage period and storage unit size! By storing with Extra Space Asia Self Storage, you can enjoy storing from as short as 14 days to as long as you need. You can rent a Locker or Walk-in storage space base on your current storage needs during the renovation period. Choose to upgrade or downsize your Locker storage unit after the renovation – it is all up to you and your storage needs. Your storage unit also comes with 24/7 access, enabling you to store and retrieve items any time, any day.

Extra-Space-Asia-Secure-Storage-Unit

2. Clean and climate-controlled environment

Here at Extra Space Asia, you can ensure that your furniture and personal belongings are dust-free; our cleaners work hard to keep the facilities and surrounding premises spotless and sanitary. Storing your items with us presents a huge difference and advantage compared to keeping them at home in the middle of chaotic renovation works.

The air-conditioned storage unit at Extra Space Asia is climate-controlled with temperatures that range from 23 to 25 degrees Celsius, keeping all your items in optimal conditions.

Extra-Space-Asia-Storage-Size

3. Safe and secure environment

Safety comes first: Here, you will receive a personalised pin code and key just for you and no one else – so that ONLY YOU can access your storage unit. What’s more, our facilities are staffed with security guards who will patrol the premises round-the-clock. CCTVs are also well-positioned to monitor activities 24/7. All equipped, to give you peace of mind.

Extra-Space-Asia-Pincode-Access

Try Extra Space Asia Self-Storage today. This solution will definitely help relieve stress while you focus on completing your new home. Now, you can safely keep your belongings in a secured facility; no more worrying about losing items during your moving and renovation period. Start now and start here, at Extra Space Asia.

 

Chinese New Year is just around the corner, and while we are excited about the long holiday, we should also look forward to expelling ‘negative energy’ by spring cleaning our homes thoroughly. Time to rid the bad, and welcome another year of good fortune!

Here are a few hacks to make spring cleaning less painful:

Hatch a Master Plan for your Spring Cleaning

Hatching a Master Plan

Rome was not built in a day; the same theory applies to spring cleaning.

To reduce stress from the fact that Chinese New Year is just days away, it helps to start an organised routine.

Make a checklist of cleaning tasks

You will be surprised that having a clear task list will make your spring cleaning a lot easier and less stressful.

Set a specific time for spring cleaning

Set aside 30 – 45-minute intervals for cleaning. Focus on cleaning and treat yourself to a well-deserved break after.

Prioritise cleaning tasks

If you do not have enough time, it will be better to prioritise where to start. The best place to start is usually the main living space where your guest will spend the most time!

Gear Up for Your Spring Cleaning

Gear up!

What is spring cleaning without the proper gear? Ensure that you are well-equipped with your broom, dustpan, gloves and others. Having your cleaning tools on standby will save you lots of time and energy. Less time spent searching for tools, and more time for actual cleaning!

Be Merciless during spring cleaning

Be completely MERCILESS

Identify belongings that you have not used in the last six months. Then clear them out and make space for the new stuff in 2019!

Remember, there’s only so much space you have at home. Make sure these spaces #sparkjoy.

Bonus tip: if you cannot bear to part with your old and precious items, why not store them with us at Extra Space Asia?

Hey, we know the process of moving into a new home can be daunting with all the planning and packing checklist. The list never ends, and it’s stressful even thinking about it.

Before the moving, there’s always the process of wondering:

1. Do we really need that item?
2. Where to do I keep that big photo frame passed down from my grandparents?
3. Is there enough space for the family’s personal items?

There are plenty of ways you can make the moving process a smooth one. One sure way is to use self-storage, an incredibly convenient service and solution to the questions above.

What is self-storage?

Self storage Unit

Self-storage companies provide highly secure, self-contained storage spaces to give individuals & families the flexibility to rent a space according to their needs. Storage spaces range from 16 square feet to 450 square feet and the rental period start from as short as fourteen days to as long as you need. You also have the freedom to upgrade or downsize your storage space at any time.

At Extra Space Asia, each storage space is equipped with a locking mechanism that integrates with a 24-hour security system, as well as a personal access code system for customers to access their items 24/7, all year round. Air-conditioned and dehumidified storage spaces are also available and the temperature is maintained between 23°C to 25°C.

How can self-storage help during your moving period

Extra Space Asia Storage Unit with items

1) Extension of your living space

Having a self-storage unit is like owning more living space where you can store your personal items. The extra space can also come in handy for your furniture while you renovate your new home. In addition, It’s also a safe and secure place to keep your growing personal collection and memorabilia which you might not have space for in your new home. The best part of using a self-storage? Things will be kept in good condition, and accessibility is 24/7, which also means you can store and retrieve any time, any day!

2) Cost-effective alternative

Most self-storage facilities in Singapore allow you to start renting a storage unit for just $1 for the first month. You can also enjoy attractive recurring discounts if you’re storing for a longer period too. An effective solution versus storing at a warehouse where you might end up paying for space that is not utilized. With over 200 different sizes available in a self-storage space, you can be certain of taking up a storage space that best fits your needs. Most warehouse spaces do not allow 24/7, unsupervised access too. Now, you no longer have to throw precious belongings away due to lack of space, only to repurchase the same things when your new home is ready!

3) Flexible storage terms

Using a self-storage facility is an excellent option as it offers flexible storage terms. For storage rental period, you can choose to store from as short as two weeks to as long as you need. What’s more, you can rent a bigger storage unit should you require more storage space during the renovation period and choose to scale down to a smaller storage unit as you remove items. Perfect for your private collection or even business inventory!

Bottom line: Using a self-storage unit during the moving transition period will smoothen your moving process without you having to worry about your furniture getting dirty or whether you have enough space at home to keep all your personal belongings.


 
"Why does my new 4-room HDB flat seem smaller than my previous 4-room HDB flat?”

I bet that’s what you’re thinking if you have moved from an older-generation flat to one of the new HDB flats today.

The truth is, it is smaller. Infact, much smaller. Our HDB living spaces are indeed shrinking if you’re comparing with HDBs that are built before 1997. Here’s a size comparison.

HDB built before 1997















Type of HDBSize of HDB
4-Room HDB FlatBetween 85 and 105 square metres
5-Room HDB FlatAbout 123 square metres

Source: Gov.sg




HDB built after 1997















Type of HDBSize of HDB
4-Room HDB FlatAbout 90 square metres
5-Room HDB FlatAbout 110 square metres

Source: Singapore Housing & Development Board




With our HDB homes getting smaller, most people would start to wonder how to fit everything into the new house. Here are some ideas on how you can make room for more storage space at home.

1: Make use of wall space

In a home of limited spaces, consider using the wall to create more storage space for your knick-knacks and books. Creative shelving ideas include ‘strip-like’ open bookcases that trail end-to-end across the ceiling area (see picture below). This can be a good storage option for book lovers with a bigger-than-usual collection. With these shelves, you’ll have a beautiful display PLUS! more walking space and floor area for other furniture too.

Wall Space
Need more storage? Here’s another tip: Tap into all that wall space around your bed. From the sides to even the top of your bed, all these areas can be better utilised with a custom shelving system.

Bed Space
2: Turn the floor area into another storage space


With limited space on ground, why not create more space ‘underground’? You can explore having floor storage in the form of a platform bed or even as your children’s play area. Floor storage is a good option if you’d like your home to achieve the minimalist look, as everything can now be kept out of sight, leaving your home to be free from all that clutter.

Floor storages would also remove the hassle (and pain) from storing at hard-to-reach areas such as high shelves and cabinets. No more straining your back just to keep something!

Source: Pinterest

3: Double up with a double-decker




Looking to fit more than one person in the bedroom? It might be hard to put 2 beds in a room, given our current HDB bedroom layout. In this case, a double-deck bed would be a more feasible solution and you can also free up more space for a cozy study table.

Better yet, opt for a combination look (see below). This multi-functional furniture not only saves space but also creates more storage space for the children with more drawers.

Double Deck
Source: Pinterest

Here’s another smart solution…




If you’re still looking for more space to store rarely-used family items, you can always keep them at Extra Space Asia self-storage where you can still access the items 24 hours, any time any day. If you are unsure on which storage facility is nearest to your home, simply visit 'Our Facilities' page and we’ll advise you on the location coupled with the best promotion for the storage size you are looking for. Say ‘yay’ to more space!




 

Why, you asked? Let us start off with the two main BTO woes:

1) You are all set to move into your new BTO flat, but you are worried about the lack of space.

2) You are still in the midst of deciding whether you should save some money by living in a smaller flat, or live a bigger HDB flat and cut your expenses to make up for the difference in cost.

Believe it or not, we have one solution that solves both problems: Self-storage. You can now achieve your dream lifestyle in a more cost-effective manner!

Let us look at why you should make full use of self-storage spaces.

Tetris Space

strange living room interior. 3d design concept

Can you live comfortably in a smaller BTO flat?

In short, the answer is YES.

Truth is, homes in Singapore are getting smaller, and financing a bigger HDB flat is more challenging with the rising cost of living. Optimising your expenses seems to be the most practical option.

More important than spaces, it is actually how you manage it. For example, a minimalist 3-room BTO flat can look visually bigger than a heavily cluttered 5-room flat. That may be the case for most households as many of us have the habit of storing items we barely use.

Items are just there because ‘you might end up using them one day’. Think about that dusty piano spot, or that bicycle you use once every 3 months. Imagine the extra space you will have if you have somewhere else to store them!

Affordable alternative to bigger spaces

Self-storage spaces are technically your very own personal extended store room. Facilities are located around the island and have 24/7 accessibility, making it extremely convenient when you need to pick up your items. Unlike warehouse spaces, storage sizes at Extra Space are customised to suit your needs.

Many people are already on board. Storing household items remotely in a self-storage space is fast-becoming a trend amongst new BTO home owners, and even other households worldwide.

This table below shows roughly how much you can save by owning a 3-room BTO with a 450 sqft self-storage space vs owning a 5 room BTO house.

BTO TypeBTO Total CostBTO Size (sqft)BTO Cost p/sqftSelf-storage Cost (per month)Self-storage Size (Sqft)Total Available Space (sqft)Total Cost Over 5 Years
3 Room BTO Flat$187,000700$267$1,2904501150$264,400
5 Room BTO Flat$362,0001,184$306--1184$362,000
Total Cost Savings Over 5 Years$97,600

Data obtained from the sources below:

  • Self-storage price is taken from Extra Space Asia Eunos Link in August 2018.
  • Based on a duration of 5 years.

As you can see, using a self-storage space can help you save up to $97,600 over a period of 5 years!

Extra Space West Coast

Extra Space Kallang Way

Here is another fun fact: there are actually home owners who use Extra Space so that they can have a ‘private space’ without any disturbance. It becomes their home away from home.

So, when are you getting yours?