A finished basement may cost a pretty penny in the beginning, but in the end it can bring a large return on investment. If you are ever looking to sell your house a finished basement is very profitable since many homebuyers prefer a finished basement. Finishing your basement is great for you to entertain guests and have your kids play. We have given you a few helpful ideas on how to finish your basement below!

Living Room

Why not convert your empty basement into a second living room? This can be a great space for entertaining guests. Not only can this be used as a second living room when your kids want to watch a different movie than you do, but it can also be great for their friends to come over as well. This is also a great spot for your kids to play in a spare living room. They can play loud video games or other games downstairs that enable the adults some relaxing time upstairs.

At Home Gym

If you can’t find the time to go to the gym a great finishing touch to your basement is converting it into a gym. Most basements have enough space to make a small gym, or even a large one if you want. Finishing your basement and creating your own workout room means you can gear the gym to your needs. Whether you want to add a sauna or steam room, a few weights, a barbell, or multi-use machines this is a great space. Creating a home gym is great for those who don’t have time to go to the gym or those who prefer to workout in private. Use yoga mats or foam mats underneath the machines to help prevent any damage to the floors.  

Wet Bar

Adding a bar to your basement is a great space to entertain your guests. Using cabinets and counters you can convert your basement into a comfortable and warm place to have a few drinks to wind down a fun adults night. This will likely become a great place for socialization. Be sure to stock up on fun snacks and even consider getting beer on tap if that’s your style! However, if you have young ones consider installing cabinets that lock to prevent their hands from getting on any alcohol.

Theater

Who doesn’t love going to movies, especially in the newer theaters with reclining chairs? When finishing your basement you may not have to go to the theaters anymore – turn your basement into your own personal theater! Often times basements have very few windows or no windows at all making it a great space for a theater. You can add large comfortable chairs that recline, light fixtures that dim, and even a microwave for popcorn! Depending on your style and imagination you can make it look however you would like a movie theater to look!

Small Apartment/Bedroom

Do you have family and friends coming to visit and staying over quite often? Or do you even have children sharing a room that are annoyed with one another constantly? This is a great way to allow privacy for family members and children. If you want to take it a step further you can convert your basement into a small apartment suite. You can add a kitchenette, a small living room, and potentially a half wall for a bedroom and bathroom. You can either use this space to rent out for a little extra money or save it for when your family and kids come and visit!

Playroom

Finishing your basement doesn’t need to just be for adults and entertaining, it can be centered around children. You can have a whole playroom down there where all the toys are out of the upstairs and give your kids a space to run wild with their imaginations. You can get creative with a rock climbing wall, a slide, or even a small alcove for hide and seek. You can also get fun child’s bean bag chairs to allow your kids to get comfy while playing video games, watching TV, or reading their books. Also consider putting toy chests, baskets, or even shelves to help your kids stay organized.

Combination

So, let’s say you can’t decide on what you want to do with your basement. No stress! If you have enough space you can pull off a few of these ideas. You can combine a bar and living room area, or even a bar and movie theater area. You can also consider combining a living room and playroom having each side of the basement be designated. If you really want to get creative you can divide your basement to section off a play area, the living room, and a gym. For the last idea consider using a small wall to divide the gym from the rest of the basement and keep everything else open to avoid creating too cramped of a space.

Conclusion

No matter how you decide to go about finishing your basement there is no wrong way! Just keep in mind that having a finished basement may cost a bit in the beginning, but the return on investment will be well worth it in the future. During your renovation you may even need to store some ideas you’ve been storing in your basement. Contact us and we can help find the right sized storage unit for you!

Moving in together as a couple is a big next step in many relationships. It is a huge life transition that has many emotions attached to it from exciting, to scary, to not knowing how to feel. Allow yourself to feel these emotions because it’s okay to feel the way you do! At Albuquerque Self Storage we want to give you a few questions to ask before moving in together and a few tips to follow when moving in together.

In the past decade many more couples are moving in together before officially tying the knot. It is great to know the person you may be considering spending the rest of your life with prior to fully committing. This means moving in together is a great trial for your potential future, but there are a few basic questions that must be answered before moving in.

What to Discuss with Your Partner Before Moving In

1.   How will rent, utilities, groceries, subscriptions, and other expenses be split?

Money should always be discussed before moving in together. There is no point in hiding money now as you will be living together. You and your partner will quickly learn each other’s loans, debts, and credit scores. This is a time where you should discuss anything you haven’t talked about before, as well as deciding how you will split all of your expenses. Who will pay for Netflix, Hulu, and other subscriptions? Who will pay for groceries or how will you split the cost? How will rent be split along with utilities? These are questions that should be answered well before moving in together to ensure there is no hostility towards pays for what.

2.   How will you respect privacy and space?

Moving in together completely eliminates privacy. There is no “break” of alone time from your significant other once you move in together. You are going from a lot of privacy to nearly none at all, so it is important to set boundaries on private time and private space. This will vary depending on each relationship, but it still a discussion that should happen.

3.   How will house chores and responsibilities be split?

This is something that can be changed throughout your time living together but is very important that chores and responsibilities be split and not fall onto one person! Make a list for the week of who is responsible for laundry, washing the dishes, drying the dishes, vacuuming and mopping the floors, and other chores you may have. Change up who does which chores to keep things lively, and as you go through the chores you’ll learn who loves to wash the dishes and who loves to do the laundry and can make each of those your own chores for a while!

4.   How will you maintain the spark in your relationship?

It is very easy to fall into a routine of sitting down and watching Netflix. But let’s face it, after a while this becomes rather boring. Once you move in together things tend to fall into a routine, so try to keep the spark alive in your own way! This could mean a date night every week or every month, going on a hike, playing board games, making dinner together, or even just a fun day trip. Whatever fits your relationship and your budget set time aside to do something you would both enjoy.

5.   If the relationship ends who will keep the apartment and the potential pets?

No one enjoys talking about the potential of a relationship ending, especially if you are moving in together – but you have to be realistic. Often times couples discover that living together doesn’t work and their relationship may not work. It is smart for both of you to have a Plan B just in case the relationship doesn’t work. Let’s say you have a dog, fish, cat, or some other animal… you will need to decide who gets to keep the animal and the apartment.

Once all these questions are answered and figured out it’s time to move in! As you begin to move you will need to purge a few items each of you have. Whether this means donating or selling certain items be sure you don’t keep absolutely everything since this isn’t always necessary. As you are moving in together there are bound to be items you want to place in storage. Contact us and we can help find the perfect storage unit for you! Don’t fret about getting rid of absolutely everything to make room for your new apartment or house. There are always items that are good to keep in storage you may find beneficial in the future!

Welcome back to the Albuquerque Self Storage blog! We know just how difficult it can be to keep a clean home with children and toys lying everywhere. Constantly tripping over toys, feeling them imprint into the bottom of your foot, or falling over and having them jab your side you may think it is impossible to have a clean house with kids. Let us tell you just how possible it is to organize a kids room. 

Baskets 

Baskets, either wicker or metal, are a great way to keep toys together and off the floor. These types of baskets also allow you to still have style in your kids rooms. Use baskets to collect toys, books, and accessories. You can label the baskets too to help your child keep their items in order and in the proper place. By using baskets you help to keep clutter off of the floors and teaching your children to clean up after they are done playing. 

Built-In Shelves

Having built-in shelves in your kids room can help to organize immensely. These can be used to store books as actual bookshelves, store toys, or even store small trinkets. Allow your kids to place what they wish on these shelves, but also make sure they know everything must be kept neat. Built-in shelves are also helpful to keep items you don’t want your children to be able to reach to easily a little higher. 

Beds with Drawers/Under Bed Storage

We all have seen our own closets at one point or another with clothes shoved in and all askew. By utilizing under bed storage you are able to keep things nice and tidy. Instead of shoving knick-knacks underneath the bed consider purchasing drawers or containers that slide easily giving you access to what you need to store.  

Cubbies

Cubbies are great storage for your kids! They are easy to teach children how to use and are fun for kids to store their toys and books in. When you have cubbies and bins set aside for to organize your kids room they will begin to get in a habit of cleaning after themselves. A great way to make sure your child gets into the habit of cleaning is by labeling each bin. 

Extra Play Room

Kids have big imaginations and sometimes get bored in one room. That is why you often end up stepping on toys in your living room, kitchen, and bathroom. If you have extra storage rooms in your house consider turning one of these spaces to be an extra playroom. Not only will your kids enjoy an extra play room, but this will also keep their toys limited to their bedroom and playroom. 

When deciding how to organize kids room you need to think how your child will respond best to organization. Will they need bins and shelves to be labeled, are they better with color coated items, or will they just enjoy having a place for everything? You will be able to organize based on your child’s level of understanding how to organize. 

Minimalism has taken a run-in popularity, giving people a change to live a simpler life and focus beyond material items. You don’t have to become an extreme minimalist overnight to feel satisfied with living simply. We are sure you are questioning what minimalism is, how to begin, and how to begin making changes in your life. Learning how to become a minimalist is much easier than you may expect. 

Maybe you are looking into your closet and thinking to yourself you just don’t have enough room, or you have too much stuff, so we are here to help you understand the best ways to become a minimalist! If you have ever seen the documentary Minimalismthe creators define it as freedom. There are many benefits that people believe help them once they learn to begin to follow a minimalist lifestyle.

There are many different ways in which you can begin your minimalist lifestyle. Let’s talk on areas to focus on to begin your lifestyle change. 

Decide What is Necessary 

Take out of piece of paper or begin taking notes for your minimalist lifestyle in a notebook. You want to write down and have a physical note of everything that you absolutely cannot live without. This can include clothing, jewelry, household items, or even decorations. If there are items in your house that don’t bring you joy, or you may never use it is time to get rid of them. Begin to take notice of what you actually use and want in your home daily. 

Get Rid of Excess Items

Now you know what you need in your home and in your daily life, so it’s time to declutter and get rid of the excess items. Do you have three measuring cups, 5 pots, 2 pans, and too many glasses to count? Start to get rid of anything that is a duplicate and this will help you to slowly declutter your home. We understand how difficult it can be to let go or some items in your home, but we promise once you see how much cleaner life is with less material items you will love the feeling. One of the best ways to learn how to become a minimalist and let go is TEDx Talk on The Art of Letting Go. 

Reduce Technology 

Today, not socializing and staring at a screen is rather common. We tend to walk with our heads down passing hundreds of people, gorgeous landscapes, and so much more. We never truly know what we are missing out on because we are so engulfed in the digital age. If you have an iPhone you can now monitor your screen time or download different apps to help you set app limits. By clearing your phone and computer of old files and emails will help you to feel just ever so slightly less stressed and cluttered. 

Create a Budget 

Create a budget can help you to live a great minimalistic lifestyle. By learning to value materialistic items less you are able to save more money in the long run. Once you understand what you do and don’t need in your home you will begin to learn how to purchase only what is a necessity. As time goes on you will see that by being able to save more money you can begin to work less in the long run. Try a budgeting app to help you with your money and try to 50/20/30 rule. Once you create a budget this will allow you to think before you buy any unnecessary items at the store.

Try Minimalism When You Travel 

Depending on how long you are traveling for often dictates how much your pack. So, let’s try taking just a carry on for a trip that is over 8 days long. Instead of bringing ten different shirts, four pairs of jeans, and six pairs of shoes, cut all of that in half. Pack for half the amount of days you are traveling. This helps you to pack light and basic clothes that can be swapped out to create different outfits each day. This will help you to see just how little you need as you travel the world! 

Create a Schedule

As you learn to declutter your house and begin to live a minimalist lifestyle. You cannot just clear out your closet and house once and think it will stay organized forever. As time goes on you will begin to accumulate certain items again. Make sure you create a schedule to clean and give items away throughout the year. This can be once a month, one every three months, or just two to three times in a year. A great way to avoid over accumulation is throwing something away, donating something, or selling something each time you purchase a new item. 

Conclusion

As time goes on you will learn how to become a minimalist. No different than anything it takes time to create a habit and time to create a new lifestyle. Don’t stress yourself by thinking you need to do all of the steps above in a day, week, or month. Take your time and slowly allow your life to veer that way. By rushing into a new lifestyle it may only become a fad and not what you are hoping for. As you begin to clear out your house and decide to place items in storage contact us! We will help find the perfect climate-controlled storage unit for you. 

Adjusting to life in a new city can be difficult no matter your age or how many times you have moved around. This is an exciting and challenging time all at once. It can be stressful packing up and leaving things behind, but you know that moving to a new city is beneficial to you! Once you have found your home and are all unpacked it is time to settle into your new home.

You need to try doing things like your routine and meeting new people as soon as you feel you are ready and unpacked. In the beginning you may need to do things on your own at first if you don’t know anyone in the city. Don’t fret, you will meet people and find your crew in due time!

Exploring Your New Home

Finding a home that is comfortable for you when moving to a new city is important. You want to find somewhere that is safe and reliable. This may mean that prior to moving into your permanent residence in your new city you dotemporary housing. While this can be difficult to feel at home immediately it does provide good options to find the best places to live once you arrive. Temporary housing gives you the ability to just bring your necessities and not worry about unpacking and repacking. Once you are ready to officially settle down you can take your things out of storage and move into your home.

When you first move to your new city you want to begin to have an understanding of how the city is laid out. Once you have the basics down like grocery stores, hospitals, pharmacies, and even relaxing cafes you will begin to feel more settled in. Also look into local apps for your city to meet people and neighbors. Different apps can help you find your way around the city and find the hotspots where you might meet new people! Once you’ve gone and met some people you can even ask them for recommendations on other places to go to in the city. You’d be amazed how kind and willing to help everyone is for the new person in town!

Another key is don’t be afraid to use your networking skills to see if a friend may have a friend in the city you are moving to. 6 degrees of separation really is true so it wouldn’t be a surprise if someone you know is able to link you with someone they know. Reach out to neighbors and see if they have Facebook groups for your neighborhood. Introduce yourself as much as possible to be able to find your group. Once you feel comfortable enough to begin going out say yes to work outings and other neighborhood events to meet people and see new places.

Throughout this time don’t worry too much if you feel you haven’t done enough or met enough people in your first few months. You are moving to a new city, so you have time to gather yourself. You can feel overwhelmed and shocked in a new city, so don’t worry. Be sure to give yourself ample time to adjust to this new life. Just stay positive and it will all work in your favor!

Overall

During your move you want to be sure not to forget those that love you that may be elsewhere in the world. Your family and friends are cheering you on as you adjust to life while moving to a new city. Keep in contact and once you feel settled invite them for a fun getaway to visit you. While you are exploring your new city store your items at Albuquerque Self Storage. We will help you find the perfect size unit that you need whether it be indoor or outdoor.

Moving can be a hassle, whether you are moving across the country, across the state, or even just across the city. Usually most people move post college when it is much easier to move just a few possessions. However, once you’ve settled down with kids and have more worldly possessions moving becomes a little bit more of a hassle. When you are moving around it can be difficult to make temporary housing feel like home.

We understand how difficult it can be to feel comfortable and at home in your temporary

housing. We give you a few tips on how to handle temporary housing and make it feel like you live there all the time. Different tips on what to pack and what to store, buying candles, and different types of temporary housing we hope this helps you!

How to Turn Your Temporary Housing into Home

Depending how long you are looking to stay with temporary housing may depend on your reasons for moving. When you are in the process of moving most of your items are likely to stay in storageto avoid packing and unpacking so many times between housing. You are probably used to the amount of personal touches in your home which can make temporary housing feel even more foreign.

There are multiple items that you can be sure you leave unpacked from your storage items. Things like your favorite stuffed animal, your favorite book, and a pillow are all great things to keep with you during temporary housing to feel more at home. It is also very helpful to keep some photos out that you can easily hang up wherever you go. Whether you keep these in frames or laminate them and use putty to hang the photos of beloved memories help any house feel homier!

Another way in which you can make your temporary housing feel more like home is by purchasing a candle that has a scent of your home. Scent is linked to our memories transporting us back to specific times and places. You can also purchase flowers to brighten any room in your home. These are easy things to not worry about packing when you pick up and move again but give your temporary home good ambiance.

Finding time to settle into your usual routine will tell you if you feel like you’re home. If you can get comfy, kick off your shoes, and nap on the couch you can probably say it feels close to home. Start this by seeing if you can get into your kitchen routine. If there is a meal you can make better than anyone else this is the time to whip it out and cook! While you may be busy during your transitions avoid the temptation to eat out and keep some money in your wallet. Try cooking enough for the week so that you can focus on working, unpacking, and have meals prepared already!

There are different types of temporary housing you can rent or lease depending on how long you need to stay. Some types of housing include:

1.  Airbnb

One of the most popular ways to rent housing for a few months or even for vacation Airbnb is a great option for those looking for temporary housing! While it is more known as a hotel substitute for traveling there are certain houses that only rent for 30+ days. Airbnb provides great flexibility and often quick responses from the host. Although this can be a higher cost depending on the level of privacy you are looking for Airbnb provides great options.

2.  Month-to-Month Rentals

Month-to-month rentals and short-term lease apartments are nice because you are often able to bring in your own furniture – this means sleeping in your own bed for those few months! No different than any other apartment, but this time you are only here for a few months. Month-to-month rentals definitely make you feel as though you are at home but can be a hassle depending on how much you need to pack and unpack in-between moves.

3.  Subletting

Subletting is a great option for temporary housing. Often times the person looking to sublet their apartment for a few months is either renting out an entire apartment or their bedroom within their apartment. This can lead to having an apartment to yourself or with a few roommates which can be fun!

4.  Apartment Hotels

Also known as extended stay hotels this is a simple way to find already furnished temporary housing. Usually supplied with kitchens appliances, dishes, and utensils can give you quick and easy access to cooking. You also usually have options to use gyms, pools, and sometimes breakfasts. Depending on the area you are staying in it can also potentially be cheaper to stay at an apartment hotel.

5.  Friends and Family

Living with friends and family can be a great experience, but you must be sure there are boundaries set prior to moving in. You want to be sure you are not overstepping in someone’s home when they are helping you. However, often friends and family allow you to live for free which is a great money saver. You also already know your roommates and so it won’t be like moving in with new people entirely. Living with friends and family it is essential to go above and beyond as a house guest! Be sure to communicate and do whatever it is they may need help around the house with.

While temporary housing is not necessarily the easiest or most glamorous you can certainly make it feel like home. Just adding a few extra touches can help you to feel like your home for a little while! If you are in the process of moving and need a storage unit for a few months during your temporary housing contact us. Albuquerque Self Storagewill do our best to help find the right sized storage unit for you!

When making the decision to store some belongings in unit, you might come across a few worries. You might be thinking, “Will any of my things get damaged? How can I make sure that my stuff stays in good condition?” These are definitely reasonable uncertainties to have on your mind before putting your items in storage. However, if you rent a climate controlled storage unit, this stress won’t be a problem anymore!

Welcome back to the Albuquerque Self Storage Blog! We’re going to dive into some of the wear and tear that might happen if your belongings are improperly stored. Today, we will focus on the importance of climate controlled storage units and some possible damages that could occur without it.

What Can Climate Controlled Storage Units Prevent?

Mold

Since we are on the verge of the winter and spring seasons, rainstorms are more frequently occurring than other months of the year. Although you are keeping your items inside, some damage might still take place if they aren’t kept in a climate controlled space.

Mold is one of the most common effects from too much moisture in the air. This fungus is an organism that is similar to a plant and has the purpose of removing dead cells. We’ve all seen mold before in places like on bad food in the refrigerator or on plants when it’s moist outside. Mold shows up in a variety of colors including white, orange, green, black, and brown.

Oftentimes mold isn’t extremely harmful to humans, but might cause some allergies when around a large amount of it. However, when it comes to your belongings, mold can digest and deteriorate whatever the molecules start growing on. As long as there is nutrients and water, mold is bound to appear. Mold can grow on furniture, in plastic bags and coverings, on wood, and pretty much anything that can hold moisture. When storing your belongings, be sure to take precautions and stay aware in order to prevent this from happening. Look for a storage unit that can control the temperature!

Rust

Have you ever found an old penny or a nail on the ground that is all worn down and discolored? Well, the reason it looks like this is from a chemical reaction that creates rust. Rust is semi-permanent damage that happens when there is humidity around metal objects. This damage is usually a reddish-brown or yellowish colored coating that develops from a process called oxidizing. When iron (or a similar metal like steel) meets oxygen and water, this reaction occurs that causing discoloration and corrosion. This can not only affect the appearance of your belongings but the purpose of them as well.

While storing your things, you want to try to prevent anything from ruining them. Rust can form on things like kitchen appliances, electronics and more. These items are important to keep in good condition to maintain their function and clean appearance. Kitchen appliances and utensils are used for food that you consume, so rust on any of these items would potentially be hazardous if ingested. Coin collections will lose their value if they have damage. Musical instruments and electronics could stop working if the internal pieces become rusted.

Heat Damage

In the spring and summer months (which will be approaching soon enough), warm weather is a factor that can cause problems for your possessions. If you keep old photos in an album or stacked in boxes, they might end up fading or getting stuck together if the unit gets too hot. In order to keep your precious memories stored away safely, make sure your pictures are not facing one another. Put them back to back to keep the glossy sides from sticking together and getting ruined.

Just as heat damage occurs in cars, the same thing can happen in storage units. You might notice the dashboard of an older car begins to curl up after years of being in the sun and heat. Comic book collections, paperwork, old baseball cards, etc. all might face this similar problem if you store them somewhere that isn’t prepared for weather changes. Since you are now more aware of this, you can stash your belongings away in a climate controlled unit to prevent this from taking place.

In conclusion, it is important to know about what can happen to your belongings if not properly stored away. The best way to ensure your items remain in tip-top condition is with a climate controlled storage unit. If you are interested in making more room in your house and renting a self storage unit, please feel free to contact us!

As you’re cleaning and reorganizing your house, you might come to the realization that it is filled with too much “stuff”. Throwing away these items is not an option because of the value they have to you. Yet, keeping them around makes your home look and feel cluttered. So, what do you do? Well, the best way to solve this problem is to rent a storage unit!

We have some self storage tips that will help make the whole process much easier and more efficient for you. Although it might sound like an overwhelming and time-consuming task, the suggestions we provide will ease some of this unwanted stress. Let’s get to it! 

Tidy Up & De-clutter — A Few Self Storage Tips!

Research the Best Option For You

Before actually storing your belongings somewhere, it is crucial to do some research. Since you will be putting some of your possessions in a location outside of your home, you will want to know all about the company that your choosing to trust. There are always a few options to pick from, but Albuquerque Self Storage is one of the best in New Mexico. If you are anywhere in the nearby area, this company will definitely fulfill all of your storage needs!

We have been around for 25 years and understand the expectations and standards that are in place. Pleasing our customers and storing their items safely are priorities for us. Being a family owned company, we understand the significance and connection there is to the belongings being stored here. Even if you aren’t storing anything valuable, these are still your possessions and have meaning to you. Having a trustworthy and reliable company is the top thing to look for when deciding to rent a storage unit.

Organize Your Unit

After you’ve picked out a company that is the best fit, you should plan out what you’re moving out of your house and into storage. Keeping an inventory will help you remember what you are putting into the unit and help you determine the actual size unit you will need. Also, with this inventory, you will be able to split your items into categories and store them in a systematic way.

One of the most uneasy steps of renting a storage unit is the actual act of moving the clutter from your home to an external place — with no organization at all. You fear that the clutter will be a big messy pile at this new location. However, this does not have to be the case!

When removing belongings from your home, you can label boxes in order to know exactly what items are placed there. Usually, the items you are storing won’t be needed for a while, so you might forget what is in the boxes, if you don’t mark the contents on them. By just doing a simple step of labeling, you will notice how this strategy helps you stay organized when searching for items that have been locked away for some time.

Security and Safety

It is important to take precautions to make sure your items stay safe. Whenever you visit the unit, always double check that you have locked everything up before leaving. Here, at Albuquerque Self Storage, we offer strong locks and allow you to keep your own key. This way you have peace of mind that you are the only person that can enter the unit.

However, if your storage unit has a privacy access code or PIN number, it is advised to not tell many people this information. Although you might not have prized possessions being stored there, you still do not want anybody getting access and rummaging through your things.

All in all, the process of self storage is not as intimidating as you may have previously thought. As long as you follow these simple steps, you will remain organized. Using these tips as basic guidelines will let you be efficient in transporting your things in a systematic way. Now that you have these suggestions on storage units, contact us to get your de-cluttering process started!