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Whether you’re downsizing, moving abroad for a while or you’ve inherited some furniture you don’t currently have room for, keeping your belongings in a household storage unit is an easy solution. But before you move everything in, there are few things to consider when it comes to preparing your furniture for storage. All our units are humidity-controlled, so you don’t need to worry about dampness, but there’s plenty you can do to ensure your furniture stays in its best condition while you store it. Keep reading for our top tips on how to store furniture. Dissemble whatever you can Taking your furniture apart will not only make it easier to clean, but it’ll also speed up the whole transportation process, as each individual part will be easier to lift. You can go further than simply removing the drawers from dressers too; we recommend physically dissembling any furniture you can. By reducing flatpack pieces back to their original state, unscrewing sofa legs and removing slats from beds or chairs, you are making it easier to transport and store these items. Organisation is key during this process – be sure to keep all parts together in Ziploc bags or boxes, and clearly label the smaller fixings like screws and nails according to which piece of furniture they came from. Make sure it’s as clean as possible Cleaning your furniture before you put it into storage is a crucial step, as it can prevent mildew from accumulating. This process is bound to look slightly different according to what kind of furniture you’re storing, but the first step should always be dusting or hoovering or each item. After that, the products you need will vary slightly. While fabric pieces like sofas or armchairs can be treated with upholstery cleaner, you might use a gentle soap on wooden furniture – choosing a mild product will preserve the existing varnish on these items. Metal or glass furniture can be cleaned with polish and a soft cloth, but if you want to take extra precautions against tarnishing, you might also consider targeting rust spots on metal furniture with a metal primer. Wrap your furniture However long you intend to store your furniture for, it’s important to wrap it up safely; this will protect it from damage which could occur in transit, as well as exposure to everyday elements. Bubble wrap is ideal for cushioning metal and glass furniture, but it’s worth avoiding any form of plastic wrapping on fabric furniture, as this won’t allow the material to breathe, and can breed condensation or mould. Instead, encase your cloth furniture in dust sheets or special furniture covers – this is the safest option for wrapping wood furniture too. Running low on packing supplies? Your local Space Station branch is kitted out with an on-site shop that stocks all the essentials, including boxes, dust covers, tape and more. Efficiently pack your furniture Wherever you’re planning to store your furniture, arranging it efficiently can save space and money. Organise your furniture with ease of access in mind, so there’s a clear path to the larger pieces, and leave some space between items to make room for airflow. Try not to tightly cram bits of furniture in together, as this is can cause damage when you’re unpacking it later down the line. If you can’t get out to a storage base, Space Station offers a free removals service, where our expertly trained staff will come and collect your belongings, and pack your storage unit for you. Double check everything This is as much for peace of mind as it is for the welfare of your furniture! Do an inventory of your furniture to make sure everything is present and accounted for, and ensure that every piece is carefully wrapped, with no surfaces left exposed to the air. If you’ve stacked some items vertically to save space, double check that these pieces are in a stable pile, and won’t be easily toppled. Finally, it’s also worth scanning the area for anything perishable, as leaving food or food waste near your furniture while it’s stored can encourage mould and even mice. Don’t have enough storage for furniture? Space Station offers affordable household storage units to hire on both short and long term contracts. Check out our self storage calculator and find out exactly what kind of unit you need, then get a free quote today. 

Around 18.5 million people in the UK are currently working from home and with schools, colleges and universities up and down the country closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, British homes are now housing nurseries, classrooms, home offices and gyms. Spare bedrooms and dining tables have been transformed into makeshift offices and classrooms, and living rooms are quickly becoming the go-to space for a workout. As a result, homes are becoming cluttered and untidy. Research has found that clutter has a negative impact on mental health and wellbeing, with 54% of Brits admitting that clutter impacts their stress levels. We have looked into how to keep our homes as functional as possible whilst adapting to living in lockdown and minimising the clutter. Here are our top tips for creating a flexi-home during lockdown: 1. Identify your boundaries You will want to create a separate space for both working, teaching and exercising in your home, so no one is disturbed throughout the day. If you have a spare bedroom, use this room for work and teaching. Or, if you’re looking to work out at home, keep any exercise equipment neatly stored, so at the end of a workday or workout, you’re able to close the door and relax. If you don’t have a dedicated room to use, perhaps ask your family or housemates if they can avoid using the area around your workspace. This will help you concentrate throughout the day and reduce distractions. 2. Decide what’s to stay and go It’s easy to have everything you think you need for working from home or homeschooling spread out on your desks or dining tables, but try to keep things you don’t need tucked away in cupboards or storage boxes. Things such as unused or full notebooks, textbooks or stationery that you find yourself not using or needing can be stored away, so they’re not cluttering up your living space when the day is done. 3. Use wall space To save desk space, use any wall space you have in your home office, spare bedroom or living room to attach any useful work documents, school learning materials or even to display your children’s lockdown artwork! Utilising unused space around the room not only helps your immediate workspace from becoming cluttered, but it is also a great way to encourage visual learning. You could also create a temporary wipe board wall for you or your children by placing a sheet of plain A4 paper inside a punched pocket and attaching to your wall using wall-friendly adhesive tape or tack. 4. Tidy away at the end of the day One of the most important steps to making sure your home still feels like a home and not a classroom, gym or office, is to clear away your things at the end of the working day. If you’re using a dining table or coffee table, clear away everything into storage boxes so you still have the usual, homely space to eat with your family and relax on an evening. If you have a dedicated space to use such as an office or spare room, tidy away any stationery, notebooks or used mugs and plates that have accumulated throughout the day. This will help you feel productive and ready for the day when you next come to use your working space. 5. Store everything correctly Keeping a home calm and relaxing in lockdown is important, but taking care of your possessions as you store them away is equally so. For stationery, especially pens or felt tips, always ensure the lids are replaced at the end of your working day and are stored away from sunlight, especially if your desk is near a window. You can store them away in a pen pot or drawer and this will stop them from drying out. Chalkboards are also great for creating a space to write notes or reminders on, so if you have one that you’ve used for meal plans, it could come in handy for your office. If your home also doubles up as a home gym, keep equipment stored away from high traffic areas, so they don’t become a trip hazard. Equipment, such as resistance bands and yoga mats, can detoritiate or dry out over time, especially if left in direct sunlight. To help keep your fitness gear in good condition, clean it regularly with a natural cleaning product that doesn’t contact harsh chemicals and store away under a bed, desk or in a cupboard away from sunlight.  

Struggling to squeeze new items into your wardrobe? It sounds like you need to declutter. Say goodbye to that holey t-shirt you’ve been clinging onto for years, whittle down your huge collection of jeans and start organising your items to make outfit planning easier than ever before. Discover how to declutter your wardrobe like a pro in just five easy steps today with Space Station. 1. Donate, sell or recycle unwanted items The aim of decluttering is to ensure every item in your wardrobe has a purpose. So, before you make a start on organising your clothing, your first step should be focused around identifying unwanted items that are currently taking up precious retail space in your wardrobe. Depending on just how much you own – and when you last had a clear out – this step might take a while (but it’s worth it, trust us). Leave the items you want to keep in your wardrobe, and create two other piles: one for items you definitely don’t want, and another for items you’re undecided on. When it comes to clothing you don’t want to keep, you have a few options. If the items are in good condition, you could try to sell them on sites such as eBay or Depop, or even pass them on to friends and family. Alternatively, you could donate to a good cause, and drop off your clothing at a clothing bank or charity such as Oxfam. A number of retailers, like & Other Stories, H&M and M&S, also offer recycling schemes. You’ll even receive a discount or voucher to spend in store as a thank you for doing your bit for the environment and recycling with them. As for your uncertain pile, put it to one side for now – we’ll come back to it in a minute.  2. Locate your basics Basics, such as plain white t-shirts and jeans, are essential no matter what the season is. But you only need so many. It can be easy to hoard items like this, so grab those year-round staples and start narrowing down your selection. Owning 10 black vests, for example, really isn’t necessary, so pick out your favourites and remove any items that are showing signs of discolouration or serious wear and tear. Think about how often you reach for certain basics too – if you never wear a particular item because of an unflattering fit, add it to your donation pile! 3. Sort by season and occasion It’s time to start creating some serious space in your wardrobe! One super easy way to do this is organising by season: think about the current climate, and remove anything you definitely won’t be able to wear for a few months. For example, if it’s currently summer, you certainly won’t be needing your puffer coats, scarves and turtleneck jumpers. Pack your winter clothes away, either in boxes or any spare suitcases, and find somewhere in your home to store them. The same goes for occasion wear – evening dresses and suits for weddings can take up a lot of room, but will only be needed once or twice a year. Consider buying a few high-quality garment bags for protection before moving your occasion wear into storage. Struggling to find space? If your loft is full, or you’re living in an apartment that’s short on storage, then consider renting out a small storage unit. Here at Space Station, we offer humidity-controlled storage units in a range of sizes for a low, monthly cost. We’ll even pick up your items for free, thanks to our handy removal service! 4. Get organised After all that decluttering, you should now be left with a wardrobe tailored to your current style. The next step is to make sure everything in your wardrobe is accessible, and organised in a way that makes putting items together as easy as possible. Here are a few wardrobe-organisation tips you might want to consider:  Fold bulkier items that don’t crease easily, such as jeans and jumpers, and place them into drawers or built-in shelves inside your wardrobe. Hang clothing by colour, type or hang up ready-made outfits. Think about how you approach your wardrobe every morning, and organise in a way that works for you. Invest in space-saving solutions: consider an over-the-door organiser for accessories and shoes, or pick up a specialised tie-hanger that can double up as a savvy belt holder too! Make the most of the space available at the bottom of your wardrobe. Buy baskets/clear boxes, and place bags and shoes, or even gym wear here. Revisit your ‘maybe’ pile By now, you should have one seriously streamlined, organised wardrobe. But you have one task left – to go through your ‘maybe’ pile created in the first step. We’ve left this until last, because by now you’ll have a much clearer understanding of what your wardrobe is lacking. Go through each item, and ask yourself the following questions: Does it fit? Do you feel good when you wear it? Have you worn it in the last year? Is there a place for it in your current wardrobe? If you answer ‘No’ to any of these questions, make sure you add it to the other pile and give it a second lease of life by selling or donating it instead. Want to continue decluttering your home, but worried about running out of storage space? Don’t forget, you can safely store clothing, furniture and so much more in our specialised storage units – click here to get a quote with Space Station today.   

Whether you live in a cosy studio flat by yourself, or a modest two bedroom apartment with a friend, it’s easy to feel a little claustrophobic when you start to run out of storage space. From de-cluttering your living room to decorating more strategically, there are plenty of ways to make a small home feel more spacious – keep reading for some of our top tips below. 1. White walls for an airy feel If you don’t mind picking up a paintbrush, this is a quick and affordable fix. Bold walls can look super stylish in a big room, but dark colours generally absorb light, making the space feel smaller. Stick to light and airy hues like white, magnolia or duck egg blue, and you’ll find that your space feels more expansive straight away. Still keen to incorporate a darker colour? Choose a specific alcove in your home to paint a bolder shade – this will add a sense of depth. 2. Make the most of light with mirrors Mirrors are a foolproof way to make a small space feel more generous – but there are some tactical things you can do with them to really make a difference. Place the largest mirrors you have opposite a source of natural light – so the view out of your window is reflected on the other side of the room. If natural light is in short supply, you can also place mirrors adjacent to lamps in your home, to open up dark corners. 3. Clever curtains to elongate space As well as making a room look wider, there are also several things you can do to make it appear taller. Swapping out shorter curtains for full length drapes is a great way to do this – the ceiling in your room will look higher, and the window itself will also appear larger. If you’re especially short on space, you might also consider investing in slat or rolling blinds, as these take up less space altogether, whilst still letting in maximum light. 4. Minimise your clutter This may sound obvious, but it’s surprising how much clutter you can accumulate in the course of a year or two, especially if you’ve been living in the same place for a long time. To free up some extra storage, plan a regular clear-out of your clothes, books and other bric-à-brac. You could easily donate anything you haven’t used in a while to local charity shops or Freecycle; you might even make some extra spending money by selling it on an online marketplace like eBay. 5. Choose big paintings or prints A gallery wall is always tempting, but opting to hang lots of small or medium sized pictures can cause a small space to feel cramped and chaotic. Instead, invest in a couple of largescale paintings or prints with subtle frames – this should keep your walls looking stylish and minimal, especially if the tones in your pictures coordinate with the other colours in your home. 6. Find savvy storage solutions While de-cluttering is a great first step to take, implementing smart storage solutions for small bedrooms is a brilliant way to save space. Slotting shelves into alcoves, or adding them above head height will easily make room for all your books, while in the kitchen you could install sliding corner cupboards to utilise every available square inch. If you’ve got furniture you simply don’t have room for, but want to hold onto until you upsize, why not consider hiring a storage unit? At Space Station, our temperature-controlled household storage units come in huge range of sizes, and are available on both long and short term contracts. 7. Lamps, not overhead lights Overhead lamps are the most straightforward way to light your home, but they can also make a room feel boxy, shooting light up into the corners and highlighting the small parameters of a space. Alternatively, opting for lamps with warm bulbs will provide softer lighting in your home; try placing a standing or table lamp in each corner of your living room to cast a glow around the room – you’ll never switch the main light on again! These household hacks for making a home feel more spacious are sure to help – but if you simply need access to more space, check out our Self Storage Calculator to see what kind of unit could work for you.

With Brits having more time on their hands than usual due to the UK-wide lockdown, gardens up and down the country are reaping the benefits of their green-fingered owners. A third of Brits (32%) admit that they enjoy gardening as a hobby, but while gardens are looking the part, what about our shed spaces? We’ve put our heads together (virtually, of course!) and came up with a few tips to help get your shed in tip-top shape. 1. Have a clear out Sheds are usually prone to becoming cluttered with gardening equipment, paints, tools and household items that you can’t quite fit in the home. To help turn your shed into an organised haven, firstly have a clear out. Pull everything you have in our shed out (you can also clean any machinery and tools as well) and sort through what you do and don’t need. Check if machinery and tools are working correctly, and if you have any old or empty paint cans, dispose of those correctly. If you have any paint remnants, remember to dispose of them in the right way as leftover paint can be hazardous to people and the environment. Try donating any spare paint to a friend or specialised paint recycling company. 2. Check your paint brushes When having a clear-out, make sure you check the condition of any paint brushes that you have. After use, paintbrushes should be thoroughly cleaned with a solvent such as white spirit before they are allowed to dry, so they don’t harden. If, however, your brushes have hardened due to paint, there are ways to dissolve this. For brushes hardened with water-based paint such as acrylic, use a mixture of fabric softener and water to help dissolve the paint. For brushes that have dried with oil-based paint on, you’ll need to swirl your brushes in a solvent or paint thinner until completely dissolved. Rinse any remaining fabric softener or paint thinner off your brushes, and allow to dry horizontally. 3. On-the-wall storage You might be lucky to have the outdoor space for a large shed, but for those whose shed is on the smaller side, you may want to invest in wall storage hooks and shelves. Hooks in particular offer a great space-saving way of organising power cables, paintbrushes and gardening tools, without taking up any floor space. If you’re looking to hang any heavy equipment, make sure the hooks are sturdy. Galvanised hooks are perfect for heavy equipment such as drills and spades. Fixing hooks high up ensures little ones can’t get their hands on any sharp or dangerous objects. 4. Get recycling-savvy Once you have decided what’s to keep and what’s not, you might need storage solutions to help store nails and small tools. Old takeaway tubs (either plastic or aluminum) work great as storage containers for bits and bobs, such as nails or small tools, like screwdrivers. They are also stackable if they come with a lid and can easily be labelled with a permanent marker pen for easy identification. 5. Utilise all available space As well as utilising the wall space, make sure you make use of other areas of your shed. The back of the door is the ideal space for hanging small tools or wires. Try adding some hooks into the back of the door for a space-saving storage solution. You can also make use of the ceiling space too. If your shed ceiling is triangular, secure a wooden beam across and attach hooks. This is a great solution for wires and low-hanging tools. 6. Give your shed a little TLC The May Bank Holiday weekend is the perfect time to give your shed a little TLC. With an extra day off and warm weather expected, it’s a great time to treat your shed to a little extra care. Firstly, use the new, organised space in your shed to brush away cobwebs, debris and dried leaves. If your shed has windows, give them a good clean to let in natural light and crack open the window to ensure lots of air can circulate in your shed. Finally, use a quality shed wood treatment on the outside of your shed. This lick of paint will ensure your shed looks brand new once again and will protect it from wear and tear, and weather damage going forward.

Whether you’re moving house, redesigning your home’s interior or just having a big clear out, it can be tricky to know what to do with old or unused furniture. There are plenty of ways to dispose of your furniture entirely, but there are also lots of things you can do to give it a new lease of life, like upcycling and donating. Explore our top tips below for more inspiration on what to do with your old furniture. 1. Sell it This could be as simple as driving your furniture round to your local second-hand furniture shop and asking them for a quote, but if your furniture is from a prestigious designer or era, you might also look into selling it to an antique store, or at auction. There’s also a multitude of ways you could sell your furniture online, using marketplaces like eBay and Facebook. If your furniture is in especially good condition or could be considered “vintage”, then you may get a better deal by using a site like Etsy, Shopify or Vinterior, which tend to be full of collectors. 2. Donate it If you’re keen to get rid of some furniture and you’re not fussed about selling, you could take it to a local charity shop. Lots of national charities have specialist furniture branches, including Oxfam, British Heart Foundation and Sue Ryder – some will actually offer to collect your items directly. You could check for local charities in your area too; homeless shelters and foundations for vulnerable people are often looking for furniture. 3. Store it Storage for furniture is the ideal solution if you’re temporarily downsizing, you’ve inherited some furniture you don’t want to sell yet, or you simply want to put some pieces you’ve collected away for safe keeping. Our furniture storage units are humidity controlled, so your furniture won’t suffer from damp or damage as it might in a garage, and they’re available in a wide variety of sizes, so no matter what you need to store, there’s a unit to match. Check out our self storage calculator to see what size of storage unit would work for you. 4. Upcycle it Got a piece of furniture you love the design of, but hate the colour? Give it a makeover or transform its use completely by upcycling it. For a simple aesthetic upgrade, you could sand down an old chest of drawers, paint it in a new shade you love and replace the knobs for that finishing touch. There are even ways to transform the functionality of your furniture entirely. With a few tweaks and a new coat of paint, you could turn a rickety stepladder into a display unit for your plants, or convert an old crate into a bedside table. 5. Recycle it Another great environmentally-friendly option is recycling your old furniture, if it’s past the point of salvaging or reuse. Finding your nearest household waste recycling centre is easy, just head over to the website for your local council and all the tips in your district will be listed. You can also use a site like Freecycle to recycle your old furniture. Freecycle allows you to list your items for free, so someone looking for a similar piece of furniture can come and collect it. It’s quick and convenient, plus you may even find a few things you like on there yourself! Got furniture you need to put in storage? Find your local Space Station branch and get a quote for furniture storage near you today.

As homes take on the role of school and office and with more than one in four now working from home (26%) a quarter of Brits (24%) have admitted their relationships are becoming more strained as a result of the lockdown. However, with the search term ‘how to Feng Shui home’ seeing an 80% increase between February and March 2020, it seems people are looking for ways to restore the peace and calm into their homes. With this in mind, here are some tips on how to easily feng shui your home on a budget. 1. Start with the hallway The practice of Feng Shui originates from Ancient China and uses energy to harmonize individuals with their surroundings. Feng Shui experts suggest starting with your hallway, as this symbolises the entrance to your sanctuary. Create a calm atmosphere by keeping your entrance free from clutter and any extra coats, scarves for bags that can be put into storage. Organise and clear away letters or parcels – the more organised and calm the area is, the more calm and peaceful the energy will be. 2. Create a clear home office boundary You may be fortunate enough to have a home office, but if you’re not, it can be difficult to create a calm and productive environment to work from home in. If you have to use your dining or kitchen table, or your desk in your bedroom to work from, try to clear away any notebooks, pens or loose papers at the end of every workday. This may seem like a repetitive task, however, your bedroom in particular symbolises you and affects you the most according to the practice of Feng Shui. Clutter in your home creates a low and stagnant energy that drains energy from you, and can have a negative impact on the flow of energy to other areas in your life and home. 3. Clean your windows and re-hang photographs Dirty windows and crooked photographs are two big factors that can have a negative impact on the Feng Shui of your home. Windows represent the eyes to the world in Feng Shui, so dirty windows can block your vision to the outside world, especially since our current outdoor movement is significantly reduced. Take the time to clean your windows both inside and out, with care taken when reaching those top floor windows. Framed photographs and art prints that are hung too low or are crooked can also impact your mood, as the low energy affects your chi, which is the energy current that runs through our bodies. Re-hang any low photographs or mirrors around your home, particularly in your bedroom. You could also use a spirit level or tape measure to make sure your frames are level. 4. Consider colour Colour represents the five natural elements of metal, earth, wood, water and fire in Feng Shui, so colour in your home should reflect one or more of those elements to create a sense of calmness and balance. Metal colours (white, grey, metallics) can provide clarity, fire tones (red, burnt orange, dark wood tones) can create energy, and water colours (blue tones, grey, off-whites) can create a sense of calm. The lockdown provides the perfect opportunity to dig out the paint and re-decorate any rooms in your home that don’t create positive energy.

In the last few months of pregnancy, the urge to nest is stronger than ever, and with your due date coming up, it’s important that you feel like your home is ready for a newborn. First on the list is the nursery, but once this is finished you can start to make the rest of your home baby-friendly. From stocking up on the basics to scheduling family visits, there are plenty of ways you can make life as easy as possible for yourself in those first few weeks of chaos. Do a deep clean You probably won’t have the energy to do much when you first bring your baby home, so it’s worth giving the whole house a proper clean while you can. Pay extra attention to any parts of the house where there’s the potential for harmful bacteria to grow, like the kitchen and bathroom. Risk-assess your home While there’s usually no need for stairgates or drawer latches until your little one can crawl, there are still heaps of hazards to be wary of. Carry out a basic risk-assessment on each room in your house, and make a note of any baby-dangers. This usually means smoothing out sharp-edged furniture with rubber corner covers, tucking dangling wires and cables out of reach, putting anti-slip mats under rugs and making sure that tiny, swallowable objects are securely stored. Keep the essentials to hand To save you an endless number of trips up and down the stairs when you’re already feeling tired, keep a stash of the essentials in different rooms all over the house. Having nappies, wipes, dummies and a clean babygro to hand can make a real difference. Cook and freeze Feeding the baby will be the priority at the beginning, but you need to eat too! If you have time in the lead up to your little one’s arrival, it’s a good idea to do some batch cooking. Why not choose three or four of your favourite dishes which freeze well, and make several portions of each? That way when you’re too exhausted to cook, there’ll always be something tasty to heat up without a fuss. De-clutter your space From the pram and the Moses basket to highchairs, muslins and monitors, babies need a lot of stuff, so make space for it! A new baby is a great excuse for a clear out, but if you’ve got furniture you need to move to make space for a cot, why not consider hiring a storage unit? This is also a great place to keep anything your baby gets too big for, which you might want to use again as your family grows. Baby entertainment A 2017 study by NTNU confirmed that babies exposed to stimulation ‘get a brain boost’ – and there are lots of different forms this can take. While baby gyms provide a great source of entertainment for little ones, they can also be stimulated by sensory toys with different textures and noises, or even something as simple as a storybook. Getting your home ready for a new arrival is super exciting, but if finding space for everything is proving tricky, get a quote for an affordable, humidity controlled storage unit from Space Station today.

Whether you’re looking to sell your home in the near future, or you just want to make the most of it, there are plenty of ways to spruce up your property, however big or small. Below, we’ll take you through our top ten tips for adding value to your home – some of these ideas might involve significant renovations, but others could easily be done on a small budget, so there’s something for everyone. 1. Refresh the exterior Upping the kerb appeal of your property can do a great deal to add value. By taking small measures like repainting your front door, repairing broken fencing, fixing any glaring problems with the roof and adding a house number, you’ll ensure your home makes a good first impression. 2. Upgrade your windows Investing in double glazing for your property will not only make your home more thermally efficient, but also modernise the exterior. If you live in a period property or a listed building, adding internal secondary glazing is a great way to increase heat retention without replacing the original windows. 3. Spruce up the garden A garden is an asset to any property, but it should do your house justice. From planting a few colourful flowers to mowing the lawn or adding new patio furniture, showing your outdoor space a bit of TLC can make it a real selling point for your home. 4.Adding an extra bedroom. Opting for a light and airy loft extension or spacious cellar conversion can hugely increase the value of your property; you’re likely to see a significant return on investment, and enjoy the extra space yourself while you’re a resident. Putting things in storage during the build is easy too – Space Station can offer household storage on both short and long term contracts. 5. Restore original features If you live in a period property, putting those charming traditional features front and centre can work wonders. That might mean getting your fireplace operational again, repainting ceiling cornices or cleaning up any original tilework in your property. 6. Bathroom updates Bathrooms can be a real focus for potential buyers, but updating them doesn’t need to include a complete overhaul. While replacing dated or damaged units is ideal, a lot can be achieved by repainting, buying new taps and re-grouting loose tiles. 7. Parking potential A place to park the car is a coveted addition to any property, and it’s guaranteed to add value – especially if it’s off the road. If you can add parking to your home without sacrificing too much of your outdoor space, it’s well worth considering. 8. New storage solutions Especially important if your home is on the small side, finding crafty solutions to maximise on space is a quick win for increasing property value. You might even consider putting some of your bulkier possessions into storage while you have viewings, so buyers can see more of the house itself. 9. Modernise your kitchen Just like bathrooms, kitchens usually represent a big tick box for any buyer interested in your home. Upgrading your cabinets and white goods is one way to give your kitchen a makeover – but it’s worth paying attention to the lighting too. If you’re on a budget, adding a few plants and a bright appliance can bring a welcome splash of colour. 10. Carpets and flooring You’d be amazed at the effect flooring can have on the value of your property. Replacing your carpets altogether might prove too costly or disruptive, but getting them professionally cleaned can make a huge difference, as can treating damaged areas of hardwood floors, or adding rugs. Selling your home and need to keep some belongings in storage while you get settled? Space Station offers affordable, convenient and secure household storage with free removals directly into your new storage unit.

We have been searching high and low and exploring the internet to find storage hacks and short term storage ideas that everyone needs to know about. From viral news articles, to Facebook posts, to Pinterest boards, we have revealed the viral tips that Brits simply can’t get enough of. Some have even been described as “life-changing” and “genius” and these hacks are likely to excite organisation fanatics across the UK and may even convert the messiest and most cluttered Brits to self-confessed storage lovers. Plastic Bags One mum revealed her genius hack for storing her endless supply of plastic bags neatly by impressively folding them into a triangle and putting them into a basket, which takes up a lot less space in the house. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Mrs D’s Cleaning Reviews (@mrs.ds.cleaning.reviews) Bras To keep the ‘cup’ shape of a bra and ensure it lasts as long as possible, put a pair of socks or knickers inside the cups. HuffPost says you shouldn’t twist the cups under each other because this can damage them and only bras that are non-padded should be folded in half. https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/how-to-store-bras-correctly_uk_5e16fc06c5b6b32c72bd9c8c Bags of snacks The internet went into meltdown this month when self-confessed organisation fanatic, Stacey Solomon, shared her genius tactic for storing and display bags of sweets and crisps. To ensure she can see every bag of treats at glance, Stacey has used a curtain pole with rings and pegs to hang the bags of snacks. She told her 2.7m Instagram fans “Cracking up at myself for how happy this made me, why do I love it so much?” Stacey has taken the snack line one step further and has organised the snacks by colour. Electronic wires We all know how frustrating endless tangles of wires are – especially when these wires are hidden behind a desk or bedside table. One genius hack for keeping wires organised and in place that won’t cost you a penny is to use bull dog clips along the edge of your desk, then feed the wires through the handles of the bull dog clips. This will ensure they remain in place and reduce the likelihood of getting your wires crossed. Bed Sheets A Twitter user shared her clever hack for storing fitted bed sheets, although many questioned how sanitary the advice was. She suggests that two or three sheets can be put on a bed at one time and then, rather than changing them, just take the top one off. Genius, or disgusting? https://www.today.com/home/fitted-sheet-storage-hack-either-brilliant-or-disgusting-t170000 Toothbrushes According to SELF, the most sanitary way to store a toothbrush is away from the toilet and, if possible, inside a cabinet rather than out in the open in your bathroom. This also helps prevent them from drying out, especially if you store them upright. And make sure that when you flush, the lid is kept down, just to be on the safe side. https://www.self.com/story/sanitary-toothbrush-storage Fridge Having a shelf with tiers in the fridge is great for sauces, according to the Daily Mail, as it will help you keep track of the ones that have already been opened and helps to make sure there is less waste. Having clear tubs with labels in the fridge is also a great hack to keep bacteria at bay, while adding dates so you know what to eat first ensures nothing is left rotting in the back of the fridge. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/food/article-5344737/The-simple-storage-hacks-transform-fridge.html Clothes For many Brits, the change of season means a change of wardrobe, which means storing woolly jumpers and bikinis is a bi-annual chore. Fashion bible, Vogue,tells us to make sure any item of clothing going into storage is washed or dry-cleaned first and that your storage space is moth-proofed with a spray that isn’t full of harsh chemicals. The spray should be directed at the storage space and not directly on to your garments. Finally, clothes should be packed up in categories, which will make it easy when you need to unpack them, and most items should be stored flat – and never use wire hangers! https://www.vogue.co.uk/article/how-to-store-clothes Winter Blankets Blankets in the bedroom and lounge are amazing for snuggling up in the winter to watch a movie, but they can become untidy and annoying when they are left on the sofa. Hiding them in storage baskets, displaying them in a log carrier, hanging them on a coat rack or storing in an ottoman are all trendy and stylish ways to store throws and blankets. https://stylecaster.com/winter-blanket-storage-ideas/#slide-13

Parents love to keep special keepsakes from their children’s early years. But how can you ensure that the memories you capture are available for you to enjoy for years to come? Here are our top tips for protecting your collection of photographs, whether physical or digital. Photographs Though the world has largely ‘gone digital’ since the turn of the century, many parents still like to take snaps using Polaroid cameras – or hire a professional photographer to capture a special occasion. To stop your most cherished photographs from fading, invest in a high-quality album that protects the pictures from dust and direct sunlight. It’s best to use albums that contain acid-free archival paper and ensure that your collection is stored at room temperature, so not in a loft or garage. Digital Photographs Digital photography allows you to store images without taking up physical space, but it’s still possible to lose photos if you don’t properly back them up and your device goes missing. That’s why it’s crucial to have a cloud solution in place. Platforms like Facebook allow you to upload snaps, but the quality is often compressed, and security may be an issue Apps like Lifecake are tailor-made for families wishing to preserve pictures of children, while most modern Android and iPhone devices offer the facility to automatically back up your images ‘on the cloud’, so you can retrieve them even if you lose your phone or tablet. Baby teeth The most important thing to know when it comes to storing your baby’s first teeth is that preservation and preparation are key. Before storing your baby’s teeth in a safe place, such as a silk jewellery bag or plastic baggie, it’s important to clean the teeth with soap and water first and then with an alcohol-based cleaning product. After cleaning, it’s very important to thoroughly dry the tooth, otherwise bacteria and mould can grow. Cleaning and drying the tooth will preserve it and help keep it shiny for years to come. Baby hair Your baby’s first haircut is often an emotional event and many teary parents like to keep a lock of hair as a keepsake. Before storing your baby’s first curl, it’s important to remember to take a suitable storage container to the hairdressers to keep it safe in transport. Hair can get caught on the sticky part of an envelope, so we wouldn’t recommend this; instead, use an old-fashioned camera roll holder, if you can find one. A second, more sentimental option, is popping the hair into a small plastic baggie and sealing it inside the back of the photo frame holding your baby’s first photograph. First shoes Like your baby’s first haircut, growing out of their first pair of shoes is another emotional milestone for many parents. To preserve your baby’s first footwear, thoroughly clean with a suitable cleaning product, before putting them in a dust bag and then the shoe box they came in. This will ensure they don’t get squashed by other nearby items, while the dust bag will help keep the shoes pristine. School books Your child’s first school books are something many enjoy reading over together in years to come, so it’s highly important to keep these safe. We recommend storing them in a sealable plastic sandwich bag and away from direct sunlight, as this can fade the pages. Keep the books away from direct heat too, and store upright or flat to protect the pages. Paintings and drawings Even a scribble on a page can be a special memento for parents if their child drew it. Drawing and painting are much-enjoyed hobbies for young children and they often love gifting their parents with their masterpieces. To safely store your child’s paintings, it’s best to follow the example set by artists and professionals. Lay your child’s art on a flat surface of acid-free board or paper and cover with a clean, dry cloth. To avoid creases, it’s a good idea to keep all the art together, sandwiched with protective paper. Once pressed between acid-free paper and cloth, pop it in a large plastic sealable bag, and, for large pieces, use a professional painting carrier, which are available from arts and craft stores.

Making the leap and moving abroad can be such an exciting time – but often, many migrators can get a little stressed when it comes to thinking about the logistics of the move. If you’re wondering what to do with your current possessions when you move overseas, don’t worry. We’ve put together this short guide to help point you in the right direction when it comes to storage options for moving abroad. Deciding what to bring along – and what to leave behind When moving abroad, usually less is more. It’s often cost effective to get rid of, or store, non-essential or cheaper items and avoid the expense and effort of taking it overseas with you. It’s best to start by thinking about your new home, plan out where your furniture will be, and consider functionality. Think about whether or not you will have the same rooms, garden and storage space as before, and what you genuinely need and would be of value to take with you rather than replace, store or discard. However, that’s not to say you shouldn’t bring anything along from your old abode – make sure to keep enough homely trinkets that really do make a house a home and have the sentimental value to help you feel settled. Storage options If you’re looking for storage options while moving abroad, there are many on the market. Firstly, you might consider whether or not friends and family have space to keep hold of some things for you – but if you have a lot to store, you should realistically consider a more long-term storage solution. Storage units can be very affordable, and make sure your possessions are kept safe and in good condition for when you need them again. For example, Space Station offer bespoke quotes depending on how many items you’re storing and use PIN access and CCTV to make sure your storage is kept safe and secure. This kind of storage can provide great peace of mind, especially when you’re living far away from your items. Space Station also sell packing items at stores on-site, such as boxes, bubble wrap and tape, which make moving your items into storage easier, as well as packing up items you’re taking with you. Choosing a removal company To move your possessions from your home into storage, the quickest and easiest way to find a suitable removal company is to check out services available near you online – typically, the closer you are to a removal company and the shorter the trip is, the less expensive the removal will be. For example, Space Station offer free removals within a 10-mile radius of their stores. Some removal companies charge by the hour, so it’s best to have all your possessions and furniture packed up and ready to go into storage for when they arrive. But if you do need help with this step, a lot of companies offer those kind of services – make sure to make a good estimation of how much work there will be to do, and ring round a range of companies to compare their prices. Shipping items abroad Once you’ve decided what you’ll be storing, what you’ll be giving up, and how you’ll move it all from your current home: it’s time to start thinking about how you’ll bring the items you’re keeping to your new home abroad. What can you take in carry on luggage? What’s permitted in carry on luggage varies from airline to airline, so it’s important to take a look at their terms and conditions when booking the flight, and then again when you pack. Generally, most airlines allow liquids in clear bottles up to 100ml in quantity, don’t allow any sharp objects, but do allow clothing and material furnishings, ornaments and electronics – but don’t forget, you have to ensure your hand luggage adheres to dimensions and weight outlined by the airline you’re using. This is usually 10kg and around 56cm x 45cm x 25cm.   How do you ship bigger items? For most bigger household items, they will be shipped by either air or sea. Most shipping companies have calculators to provide quotes based on the items you’re shipping and the distance they will be travelling. Prices can vary depending on how much you’re shipping – for example, it can sometimes be more cost effective to fill a whole shipping container – but in general, sea shipping is less expensive than air. However, sea shipping can take much longer – sometimes weeks longer than by plane. How to pack items for travel? When moving your items abroad, it’s important to pack efficiently to make the most of the allotted space you have on your delivery or in your luggage, as well as protecting them from damage. For example, make sure you cover furniture with wrapping before moving it to avoid scrapes, marks or stains, wrap cords around electrical appliances and bring smaller ones along with you in your luggage, and ensure toiletries are wrapped to avoid any spills spoiling other items packed alongside them. When you’re all packed up and ready to go, get in touch with a member of our team to see if you can benefit from our storage solutions and packing supplies – we’re always happy to help! 

They say a messy home equals a messy mind and with winter and Christmas quickly approaching, many of us are decluttering our homes ahead of the cosy season. We recently spoke with psychologist, Jan de Jonge from People Business Psychology who described how the state of a person’s home can often reflect the state of their mind, and by decluttering and organising our surroundings, this can have a positive effect on our mental health and wellbeing too. To help with your decluttering, we have created a decluttering checklist, which is organised by room and includes the most common items you’d find within those rooms. Are you ready to declutter? Grab your decluttering checklist, a pen or pencil (to cross off items decluttered as you go), storage boxes (for organising items you wish to keep or for transporting items to another room) and bin bags for any waste or recycling. Download your copy of our decluttering checklist: Your ultimate decluttering checklist (65 KB)

The big day is over, you’re back from your honeymoon and you’ve finally opened all your gifts… it’s time to start thinking about what to do with your dress. If you’re not donating or selling your gown, it’s worth taking several steps to preserve it – just in case you want to pass it down to a loved one later on. Before you begin this process however, it’s important to make sure you understand how to preserve and store your wedding dress safely. Wedding dresses are very delicate and require a bit of TLC, so here are a few essential tips for looking after yours… How to preserve your wedding dress While you can preserve your wedding dress at home, it’s far less risky to have it cleaned by a professional who’s familiar with the fabrics in question. A specialist will assess the material of your dress and identify any areas which need treating – but remember this is not the same as having it generally dry cleaned! If you are going to try it yourself, make sure you do the following: – Use a delicate detergent on the hem, and spot test the fabric first. – Check every layer of fabric for marks, as some may not be visible on the surface. – Remove any stains using small soft-bristled brushes. – Ensure your gown is completely dry before you think about storing it. How to store your wedding dress Contrary to popular belief, you should not store your dress in a zip-up bag on a hanger. If you do, the weight of any beading or applique can cause the dress to lose its original shape. As well as this, these garment bags are made of a certain plastic which can contain moisture – this might damage the dress whilst it’s in storage. Here are some things to keep in mind when storing your wedding dress: – Always handle your dress with white cotton gloves, to avoid the transferral of dirt. – Fold the dress carefully, ensuring each layer is separated by acid-free tissue paper to prevent snags. – Wrap the folded dress in several layers of unbleached muslin, then place in an airtight box or wedding chest. – You can also add silica desiccant packets to help control the moisture levels once your dress is stored. Most importantly of all, it’s crucial to keep your dress in a cool, dry place; avoid lofts, attics and basements, as temperatures can vary hugely in these areas. This goes for storing other mementos from the big day too, like your shoes, bouquet and even invitation! Space Station units are safe, dry and humidity controlled, so they’re the ideal place to stash away your memories of the special day, so why not get a quote now?

Going through a breakup can be a difficult time, both financially and emotionally. As well as having to deal with the end of a relationship, many Brits are also left with financial problems as a result. We recently conducted research to find out how many broken-hearted Brits are facing financial issues after a split with an ex-partner, and what costs are affecting them the most. Our research found that more than three-quarters of Brits who have experienced the end of a serious relationship have had to pay up to £5,000 in moving out costs and early exit fees from contracts. Our research found that the top costs the nation have had to pay after a breakup involve moving costs, such as renting a van to help move. The second highest payment Brits have been left with is the remaining monthly rent costs – something that can prove very expensive if you decide to leave the contract early. Below are the most common costs Brits have had to face as a result of the end of a relationship. 1. Moving costs – 24% 2. Monthly rent costs left in a rental contract – 22.9% 3. Having to buy new furniture/white goods (partner took some items) – 18.8% 4. Gas exit fees – 16.2% 5. Mortgage exit fee / costs of a car (joint car finance and insurance) – 14.7% 6. Holiday we could no longer go on together – 13.4% 7. Broadband/line exit fees – 12.8% 8. Electricity exit fees – 12.5% 9. Bank account fees (joint account) – 11.9% 10. Childcare/school fees – 11.6% Our research also found that one in five of us are left in debt as a result of a relationship ending, and one in 10 have long term payment plans to settle debts caused by a break-up. A breakdown of a relationship is something that is often faced by many people – however, what are the best ways of dealing with the financial strain commonly faced as a result? Here at Space Station, we have put together some tips and special offers which we hope will help you, should you ever find yourself suffering financial issues after a breakup. Assess your financial situation The first step to take is to sit down and assess your financial situation. Write down any debts you have, both ones in your name and any joint debts. Also, write down what is owned by you, for items such as furniture, white goods and so on. Having a clear picture of your situation can really help reduce any confusion further down the line. Sell it or store it Work out which of the items you own that you want to keep, and which you don’t. Out of the items you don’t want to take with you to your next home, choose what you could donate to charity and which you want to sell to make some extra money to cover your moving costs. If you’re a little undecided with what to do with some items, you could rent a storage unit to store then until you have made a decision. Close any joint accounts One of the most important things to do after the end of a relationship is to close any joint bank accounts you have with your ex-partner. Make sure you don’t have any direct debits or standing orders set up first. You should also try to divide the money fairly, not equally unless you were topping up the account equally throughout the relationship. If you contributed £100 per month, whereas your ex-partner contributed just £50, agree to take this into consideration when dividing any money. Communicate If any of the bills, rent or mortgage payments are solely in your name and you’re worried you may be unable to make the payments on your own, make sure you speak to your landlord or provider. They may be able to help by putting payment plans in place, or if they’re unable to directly help, it’s worth them knowing about the situation from the offset. Change any banking or subscription passwords If your ex-partner has any passwords to any of your subscription or online banking apps, make sure to change them as soon as you can. Regardless of trust, it’s always important that only you have access to apps that contain financial information, in order to reduce the risk of any money issues in the future.

With the UK throwing away seven billion tonnes of food annually – an average of around £470 per household – it’s clear that we could all do with a bit of education when it comes to storing food safely. It’s estimated that half of the £13 billion cost of food waste could be saved if the public were given more information about storing food safely. With that in mind, here are some of our top tips to help you keep your food fresher for longer. You can take our quiz at the bottom to see how much you remembered! Fruit and vegetables Keeping fruits and vegetables stored too closely together is a common mistake that can lead to food going bad. Build-up of the chemical compound ethylene will cause them to go off, so apples, melons, apricots, bananas, tomatoes, avocados, peaches, pears, nectarines, plums, figs, and other fruits and vegetables should be kept separate as these produce the most ethylene. One in two people (52%) would not consider buying fruit or vegetables already frozen, so buying loose vegetables fresh then chopping and storing them in an airtight container in the freezer can ensure no food is wasted. Cucumbers Wash cucumbers straight away and ensure they are thoroughly dry, as excess water will turn them bad. Wrap them in either a tea towel or kitchen roll to prevent sogginess and store in the fridge in a reusable vegetable bag. Citrus Netting for lemons, oranges and limes is very dangerous to sea life and birds so these types of fruits should always be bought loose. They should also be kept in the fridge and, if citrus starts to go on the turn, slicing them up and freezing them will make great ice cubes for drinks. Meat and fish More than one in three (38%) believe freezing meat after it has been cooked is dangerous, but this is a myth. Meat and fish can be stored in containers in the freezer, for the two thirds of us (64%) who don’t want to buy frozen meat, which will save money and food waste. Store all frozen food in containers with labels that clearly state the date the items were frozen, as meat should be eaten within three to six months. Toilet roll, tissues, kitchen paper Over half of Brits (58%) say they need help reducing the amount of plastic they use. Toilet rolls, tissues and kitchen paper is available to buy free from plastic. These items can be stored efficiently in caddys, toilet roll holders and even magazine racks. Space Station has more tips on recycling and living sustainably here. Salad For loose leafy salad, wash and dry in a salad spinner then wrap loosely in kitchen paper and store in tupperware to stop the leaves going soggy. Tomatoes and avocados should be stored outside the fridge until ripe. Onions and potatoes Onions, potatoes and shallots should be stored in a cool dark place to keep them fresh, such as in a wicker basket in a cupboard or a cellar. Avoid storing these products in plastic bags as this encourages spoilage. A clever hack to keep onions fresh is storing them hung up in an old pair of tights in a cool, dry place. Once cut, onions should be stored in a zip-lock bag in the fridge where they will last for around a week or stored in tupperware and kept in the freezer. Apples and bananas Buy bananas when green and store them away from other fruits in the fruit bowl as they release a gas that can cause other fruits to go off more quickly. Consider using a banana tree to keep them separate and minimise bruising. Or a mug tree can work just as well. Store apples in an uncovered fruit bowl on a worktop and make sure to keep the fruit out of direct sunlight. Herbs A great hack for storing fresh basil and herbs is to chop the leaves in a food processor and place into an ice cube tray with a little olive oil and store in the freezer. When basil is needed for a dish, just pop in a ready-made ice cube.  

Red wine is produced, consumed and enjoyed across the world, and is loved for its ability to be drank alongside a meal, or simply by itself. Red wine is known for its ability to age well. However, it’s a common misconception that all wines improve from aging, or that an old wine indicates a good wine, as this is not always true. The aging process changes wine, and not all wines benefit from these changes. Generally, cheaper wines do not benefit from aging, and taste better when they’re consumed at the time of purchasing. The following is a rough guide for aging some of the most popular types of wine, but the vintage, region and winemaking style can all affect the aging process. Bordeaux (8-25 years) Cabernet Sauvignon (4-20 years) Merlot: (2-10 years) Pinot Noir (2-8 years) Zinfandel (2-6 years) So once you’ve selected your favourite wine, how can you make sure that it is stored and aged to its maximum potential? Read on to find out more! How to store red wine Storing red wine correctly is the key to preserving its taste, and its important for wineries and at-home wine lovers alike to make sure conditions are perfect. Did you know the world’s largest collection of wine can be found in Moldova? The winery Mileștii Mici is home to over 2 million bottles of wine, with 70% of the collection consisting of red wine! The wine is kept underground in the Mileștii Mici tunnels that measure a whopping 200km in length, and while we’re guessing you won’t need to store a wine collection quite that big, we’re sure you’ll find our red wine storing tips below extremely useful. 1. Keep the temperature consistent To avoid spoiling wine the temperature should not exceed 24°C, as this forces wine through the cork which causes air to be sucked in. Low temperatures do not affect the wine to the same extent, but should ideally be avoided. An ideal temperature for a varied wine collection is 12.2°C, and this should remain as consistent as possible to ensure that the aging process occurs gradually. Too many fluctuations in temperature will cause the wine to age prematurely,spoiling the taste. 2. Keep away from sunlight It’s vitally important that wine is kept away from light, especially direct sunlight, as UV rays can cause the wine to become ‘light struck’, which gives the wine an unpleasant smell. Most red wines come in green or brown tinted bottles, which filter out some of the UV rays, but this does not mean that they’re fully protected from sunlight. Therefore it’s always advisable to store your wine in a dark room, like a cellar or pantry. 3. Lay the bottle horizontally Wines which come in corked bottles need to be stored horizontally if they’re to be kept for an extended period of time. By storing them on their sides, you ensure that the cork stays moist. Should the cork dry out, air will be able to reach the wine, corrupting the taste and negatively impacting the aging process. 4. Isolate the wine It’s important to remember that the aging process involves the wine ‘breathing’. That’s why wines should be stored in an isolated area, and definitely away from anything which has a strong smell. Over time, the smell will permeate through the cork and taint the wine. Good ventilation of your storage area will also help to prevent any musty smells from developing. 5. Store for an appropriate amount of time As mentioned earlier, it’s important to make a note of the type of wine and how long it should be aged for. Remember to consume the time within this time, as if you leave your wine for too long you risk corrupting the taste, as the fruity flavours become dominated by the acidity. Still have questions on the topic? Take a look at the frequently asked questions below. Does red wine go bad after opening? Once red wine has been opened it will be drinkable for a number of days, but you may be pleased to know that it’s a good idea to consume it as soon as possible! Opened red wine should be left out at room temperature, and should be sealed when not in use. Does red wine go bad unopened? Yes, all wines have a ‘peak’ in the aging process, where the wine has matured to its maximum complexity. Once this is reached the wine will quickly deteriorate and will soon become undrinkable. In fact, the oldest red wine in the world was found in the grave of a Roman nobleman in Germany, and is over 1,600 years old! We wouldn’t advise keeping your wine for that long! What’s the best age for red wine? The ideal age for red wine varies hugely between types, regions, even bottle to bottle and, even though there are rough aging guidelines, each individual wine is complex and will have its own unique recommended aging time. If you’re buying your wine from a wine merchant, then it’s a good idea to ask them for advice on how long to store it. Otherwise, it’s advisable to do some further research depending on the type of wine. Luckily, many of the most common wines taste better when drunk immediately! And for all your storage needs, in or out of the home, choose Space Station. Just click here for a quote.

Here at Space Station, we understand that school holidays can be an expensive time. With parents spending an average of £300* per school holiday on taking their children out for activities such as the cinema, bowling or play centres, the costs can really add up. So, to make it a little easier on the purse strings for parents this summer, we have created a guide on how to build the ULTIMATE cardboard fort! Not only is it a low-cost activity, but it also helps you bond further with your children, as well as develop their team-building skills and imagination. All you will need to create your ultimate cardboard castle is a few household supplies, and lots of creativity! To watch us create our cardboard fort, please view the video below: Download a printable version of our instructions: How to build the Ultimate Cardboard Fort pdf (1553 KB) Instructions What you’ll need: 12x cardboard boxes (or more/less depending on the desired size of your fort! These can be picked up cheaply, or ask your local homeware shop who may hold on to bigger boxes from stock) Safety knife/scissors (adult supervision required) Marker pen or pencil Strong tape Accessories to decorate your fort, such as flags or your favourite stuffed animals to warn off any intruders Your imagination! Steps 1. Firstly, collect all of your cardboard boxes. The quantity of boxes, and the size of the boxes, will depend on how big or small you want your desired fort to be. We recommend around 12 boxes (8x medium boxes and 4x large boxes) 2. To create the turrets, you’ll need two medium boxes per turret. Firstly, open out all of the flaps of one box and then tape the flaps together so the box stands upright and is secure. Make sure to tape the top and bottom flaps. 3. Repeat for the second medium sized cardboard box. 4. Stack the two taped boxes on top of each other and secure them together with more tape. 5. Using a marker pen or pencil, mark out the tops of the turrets. 6. Using scissors or a safety knife (adult supervision required), cut out the tops of the turrets using the guidelines you created. 7. Make three more turrets by repeating steps 2-6. 8. Using one of the large boxes, flatten it out and use it to connect two of your towers together with strong tape. 9. Repeat step 8, until all of your four towers are connected. 10. Mark out any doorways and windows you want your fort to have and cut these out. 11. Optional: Decorate your fort with any flags, poster paint or other decorations you may have. 12. Battle off your enemies in the safety of your new cardboard castle!

Here at Space Station, we know the importance of a clean, tidy living space – but just how sanitary are our homes? We conducted a study that revealed the cleaning habits (or lack thereof) of UK students. The study involved swabbing an all-male and all-female student accommodation to find the areas in the home with the most bacteria, fungi and yeast lurking. The swabs were compared against each other for their levels of infection, comparing bacteria, fungi and yeast in the test items. You may not want to read this while eating your lunch – as we found that a chopping board and fridge were a staggering four times dirtier than a toilet! Results The male toilet was found to be the most riddled with bacteria, with an infection level of 250 – which is the highest level of infection the swabbing kit was able to indicate. The female toilet, however, was much cleaner, with just an overall infection level of just 24. Most shockingly, the chopping board in the female home was found to be four times dirtier than their toilet, with a level of infection of 102.5 compared to just 24 for the toilet. The male’s fridge also had an infection level of 102.5. Having a high level of infection in food storage or preparation areas is not only unsanitary, but can also lead to health problems. Bacteria such as e.coli, salmonella and campylobacter (which is the most common bacteria which causes food poisoning in Britain, more than salmonella), can lurk on your chopping board and in your fridge and can cause problems such as vomiting diarrhoea, fever and urinary tract infections if left uncleaned. Both bedding in the all-male and all-female house was found to have a high level of infection, with 100.4 for the male and 80 for the female bedding. There are a mixture of bacteria and fungal spores lurking in your bedding, which can lead to strep throat, skin, eye and ear infections, as well as flu-like symptoms. View the results in depth below: Test items in order of infection (Colony Forming Units per cm2), with 0= no infection (male and female items). Public health guidelines suggest that anything above 80 is unsatisfactory. 1. Toilet (male) – 250.4 2. Bath (female) – 200 3. Chopping board (female) – 102.5 4. Fridge (male) – 102.5 5. Bedding (male) – 100.4 6. Bedding (female) – 80 7. Desk (male) – 42.5 8. Chopping board (male) – 40.4 9. Toilet (female) – 24 10. Desk (male) – 24 11. Fridge (female) – 2.9 12. Bath (male) – 2.5 Test items in order of infection (Colony Forming Units per cm2), with 0= no infection (by gender) Male (CFU by cm2) Female (CFU by cm2) Toilet – 250.4 Bath – 200 Fridge – 102.5 Chopping board – 102.5 Bedding – 100.4 Bedding – 80 Desk – 42.5 Toilet – 24 Chopping board – 40.4 Desk – 24 Bath – 2.5 Fridge – 2.9 TOTAL – 562.7 TOTAL – 409.4 If this has made you want to run home and clean your house right now, check out our cleaning tips in partnership with “Queen of Clean” Lynsey Crombie here !

Our office shredder was around long before anyone had heard of Google, Facebook or Twitter – in fact, it was even around before the Internet itself. But it’s still alive and kicking in our office – we use it every day without fail – and we have done since 1990. Nowadays most documents are stored electronically or in ‘the cloud’ but have we become too reliant on technology to delete our old information and private documents? Are we the minority when it comes to using old fashioned, slightly dog-eared office equipment? Or do other workplaces look past modern features and fast processes too? When you shred a physical document there’s no need to worry about data breaches like there is when deleting digital files but have you ever shredded a document by mistake?! Plus we’ve all come in to contact with a temperamental shredder – they can jam, they can stop half way through shredding, they sometimes don’t turn on at all. But not the renowned Space Station shredder. Our trusted shredder is a reliable, battle axe of a machine that rarely needs to be rebooted and never needs an update. In fact, our “Ideal 3802 A” shredder hasn’t let us down in the last 29 years that we’ve been working together. It’s outlived the Berlin Wall, it witnessed the birth of the Harry Potter Saga – it’s even seen the presidential election of Nelson Mandela in South Africa. It saw England beat Germany 5-1 in 2001, it saw the last episode of the Friends TV show in 2004, it even witnessed the Queens Jubilee in 2012. It’s also lived through many revolutionary technological advancements that have changed the way we live and work – but we’ve never left it behind. Whilst many businesses rely heavily on the fast moving technology that we all have access to in current times, here at Space Station we know it’s more important than ever to keep and dispose of confidential information properly – and that’s why we’ll never give up on our good old fashioned shredder.