Spring has sprung here in Okotoks, AB. It’s time to gear up for warmer weather and say goodbye to your winter belongings. Having seasonal items cluttered throughout your home can get a bit overwhelming. But with self storage, swapping out winter items for spring ones can be a piece of cake. Make room in your home and garage for your patio furniture, grills and more with these tips for storing seasonal belongings. Spring here in the Okotoks, Calgary, and surrounding areas means it’s time to put away the ski’s and all of that winter gear and enjoy the outdoors. What Winter Items to Store Before you can begin your great spring swap out, you must first determine what stays and what goes. Ask yourself questions, such as “Will I use this item in spring or summer?” If the answer is “rarely,” chances are it’s time to put it away for a while. Some winter items to consider storing, include: Holiday decorations. Sleds. Snow blowers and snow shovels. Space heaters. Winter apparel, such as gloves, hats, coats, scarves and boots. Remember, not all winter items will need to go into storage. Blankets or fireplace tools are useful to have for the occasional chilly nights. What to Take Out of Storage for Spring and Summer Once you figure out what to store, determine what you need to bring out of storage for the spring and summer. Items to consider include: Bicycles, rollerblades, skateboards. Gardening equipment. Grills. Lawn mowers. Patio furniture. Pool toys and equipment. Portable fire pits. Sports gear (i.e. baseball equipment, volleyballs). Don’t forget your motorcycles and boats that you stored all winter (as if you could)! Consider making a list of all the items you swapped, so the process will be easier next year. Please reach out to us today for any of your self storage needs! P: (403) 995-9008 E: info@prairieselfstorage.ca Our pricing in Okotoks, AB is as follows: 5x10 - $110 + gst/month 10x10 - $150 + gst/month 10x15 - $175 + gst/month 10x20 - $225 + gst/month 10x30 ...
MBMarch 22nd, 2024
10 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Storing Art When storing valuable pieces such as fine art, antiques, and paintings, it’s important to follow a few extra steps and take your time in packaging and transporting these items. Things such as these can be costly and even impossible to replace, depending on how rare or expensive they are. Fine art and paintings should never be put away in your closets, garage, or shed. Ideally, they should be kept in a climate-controlled storage unit with good facilities and additional safety measures such as surveillance and alarms. If you are new to storing your art and you need some guidance and direction on how to do things properly, keep reading for the 10 common mistakes to avoid. 1. Not cleaning before storing Certain types of items such as furniture, sculptures, and vintage pieces of art may need cleaning before being put away into storage for the long haul. Even paintings or canvas art will probably do well with some light dusting and a wipe down. Always make sure the cleaning products are safe and suitable for the materials you are using them on. Avoid harsh chemicals when cleaning fine art and fragile items. Cleaning your art before storing it can ensure that your pieces don’t sit with dust, dirt, and bacteria piling up on them. 2. Blocking breathing space Your fine art needs room to breathe, and should not be crushed underneath multiple pieces. Make sure the storage location you are using has enough room for all of your pieces so that nothing gets crammed in. Leave room around each piece of artwork so that they don’t come in contact with other items and risk being damaged. Choosing the right size for your storage unit should be easy given the wide range of storage unit sizes available on the market today. 3. Not inspecting for damage Before you put your fine ...
MBFebruary 15th, 2024
5 Proven Tips for Winter Clothes Storage - Okotoks Prairie Self Storage 1. Organize and Clean Your Seasonal Clothing You’ve heard the phrase “work smarter, not harder.” In this case, that means before you pack, go through your winter clothing collection and pull-out items that you no longer need or want. It doesn’t make much sense to pack and store these items if you aren’t going to wear them again. Save yourself the time, effort, and closet space by donating, selling, or gifting these items instead. You’ll also want to be sure your winter clothing is clean and dry prior to storage. Especially if you’re packing away ski and snowboard gear, snow boots, and other outdoor winter clothing. The reason being, dirt, dust, and grime often leave a lasting impression on fabrics, affecting the color, feel, and look over time. Take time to run your items through the wash before storage. 2. Find a Good Seasonal Clothing Storage Spot Finding a good spot to store your winter clothing (like Prairie Self Storage - Okotoks) is just as important as how you pack. As you seek out the perfect location, there are two important traits to look for: - Humidity - Temperature Your goal is to store your winter clothes in a dry and temperature-controlled area. That way you prevent high humidity from causing mildew growth and extreme temperature changes from altering the fabrics. Attics, garages, and sheds are NOT recommended for seasonal storage for this reason. If you can manage, we recommend using a space like your closet or somewhere else indoors. 3. Use Wardrobe Boxes For Storage at Prairie Self Storage - Okotoks If you're like most people, you likely don't have much closet space to spare. If that's the case, we highly recommend investing in a wardrobe storage box (or two) for your storage needs. Although typically used for moving, ...
MBJanuary 15th, 2024
The best thing about wrapping aesthetically pleasing and memorable Christmas gifts is that your home decor can also benefit from it! place them under your tree, a side table, or mantel for some temporary home decor! Cozy Tips to make your gift wrapping memorable: On top of the gift, tie an ornament, cookie-cutter, or pack of gardening seeds Tie the gift in a reusable piece of fabric or even a scarf that they can re-use and/or wear Stop by a local visitors center and grab some free maps to use as wrapping paper Bring the outdoors in and grab some piece of branches or berry to place on the top of the gift By some affordable craft paper rolls to use as wrapping paper. get creative by stamping, drawing, or using stickers on the paper. if the gift is for a family member, have your children draw on the wrapping paper in red, green, or gold look around your home to re-use scrap fabric, calendar paper, or newspaper purchase a vintage grain sack pillowcase and wrap the present in that Merry Christmas from your Prairie Self Storage team!! Please visit our website, or reach us at: E - info@prairieselfstorage.ca P - (403) 995-9008 ...
MBDecember 23rd, 2023
6 Ways to Prevent Clutter from Accumulating Purge Frequently Even when you live a life of simplicity, clutter tends to find its way into your home. That’s why you should consider scheduling a handful of days every year (like the start of a new year) to sort through all your possessions (especially those things in forgotten areas of your house like drawers, closets, the garage and basement) and eliminate items you no longer want or need. Make a List We’ve all been there. We’re done shopping and couldn’t possibly fit anything else into our cart. But just when you think you’re about to make it out the door, there are racks of “impulse buys” right by the register. Those little things that you feel compelled to purchase because they’re so cheap. Of course, those probably aren’t the only things you may feel the urge to pick up. By shopping with a list, it’s easier to focus on only the items you need. Spot something you really like? Think about it for a day or two. If you still want it and there’s a place in your home for it, go back and get it. Make Budgeting Your Friend Rather than trying to create new places for your miscellaneous items, clear out the items that don’t have a purpose. Then when everything feels sorted, create a budget — and don’t designate too much income to the miscellaneous spending category. If possible, live below your means. This will help prevent you from stockpiling items you don’t need or won’t use. You can put any leftover income into savings or use it for experiences rather than things. Put Everything in Its Place By creating a designated spot for everything — from your favorite shirt to the cute knickknack you picked up at a garage sale — you can quickly see what doesn’t fit. It’s also easier ...
MBNovember 13th, 2023
1. Use plastic bins. Plastic bins make storing anything much easier. This is especially true when it comes to your decorations. Utilizing bins to store your Halloween decorations will allow you to stay more organized and will protect your items from being damaged as well. *Pro Tip: Buy Orange or Purple bins, for storing your Halloween décor so your items are easy to find when stored away. 2. Create an inventory list for each tub. When packing your new plastic bins, create an inventory list with all the items that are in each bin. This will allow you to manage your decorations and keep them organized. It will also help you be more efficient next year when it’s time to put your items out for display. *Pro tip: Place your inventory in a plastic sleeve and tape it to the Lid of the bin so you can see exactly what is in each bin without having to open each one. 3. Store and organize your bins room by room. When you are organizing your bins, put items that are displayed in the same room together when possible. This also includes items that are displayed outside versus inside. This will allow you to pack your items more efficiently when it’s time to put them away. Also, it will make the unpacking process easier. *Pro Tip: Write the location (Room/Indoor/Outdoor) on the top of the Inventory List to ensure your bin gets to the right place to make your decorating process as smooth as possible. 4. Use plastic bags to help preserve fabric or paper decorations. When storing your items, use plastic bags, such as these, to store items that are made of paper or fabric. Also, you can use smaller baggies to store small items such as art and craft pieces, light bulb replacements, or other ...
MBOctober 25th, 2023
We are beyond excited to have our new 12x35 units here at Prairie Self Storage in Okotoks, AB! They are great for small contractors, boats, RV's, and full (5+ bedroom) houses!! These units come with an overhead light as well as a wall outlet. Give us a call or email to learn more! (403) 995-9008 ...
MBSeptember 19th, 2023
1. Figure out what type of movers you need. Every moving company has a specialty. Some companies specialize in interstate moves, some focus their efforts locally, and others focus on moving delicate objects like pianos or safes. The first thing you need to do is evaluate the scope of your move. Here are some questions you can ask yourself (and then verify with a moving company): Is my move local, or am I moving across the country? Will I require an interstate moving company? Would a local company be able to complete the job? Are there any items that require special equipment or skill to move? Some might include pool tables, pianos, hot tubs, etc. Do I require other services like packing, trash removal, or a cleanout? 2. Find potential movers and evaluate their credentials. A simple Google search might seem ideal for picking a good moving company. However, try to be systematic with your search so you can compare different movers. We suggest creating a blank spreadsheet to organize the results and fill it with as many moving companies as possible before you get sick of the process. For each moving company, create a column for each of the following: Where From. In this section, write down where you found the company. You could write Google or something like “personal reference.” For personal references, note who referred you and what that person had to say. When you look back at your spreadsheet, personal recommendations will tend to hold more weight, and you can opt to call these companies for a quote first. Years in Business. New companies might be less expensive, but companies that have been in business for a long time are less likely to be flight risks. Areas of Service. Can this company accommodate both where you live now and where you’re moving? License and Insurance. Find out if the company has licensing and insurance information on its website. Interstate movers should have the Department of Transportation (DOT) licensing and insurance information listed. Accreditations. Are ...
MBAugust 9th, 2023
Prairie Self-Storage is located 15 minutes south of Calgary near Okotoks. We are excited to announce the expansion of our facility! We will have our new 12x35 units ready for August 2023!! Our new units will be 35ft long x 13ft ceilings, with door dimensions of 12ft high x 11ft wide – allowing your average boat, class A motorhome, vehicles, a four-to-five-bedroom house, and everything in between! We are also welcoming small contractors who are looking for a more affordable space to store their inventory, vans/trucks, tools, etc. Please note, these units will not be able to function as a store front. Our new units will have an overhead LED light as well as a 5-amp electrical outlet (for conveniences such as a trickle charger). We have officially commenced taking reservations on these units! If you are interested or have any questions, please feel free to reach out to us at (403) 995-9008 or info@prairieselfstorage.ca ...
MBJuly 13th, 2023
Which size storage unit do you need? This size guide will help you figure it out based on several common storage unit sizes to rent. What size storage unit do I need? Depending on your situation, the answer to this question might take some work. After all, there are several storage unit sizes to choose from at each facility, all with varying features and amenities. The storage unit size best suited for your situation depends on several factors. Of course, if you’re hoping to store the contents of your entire apartment, you’ll need a larger unit than someone just looking to stow a couch temporarily. You’ll also need to consider differing availability at storage facilities near you before making a final decision. Choosing the right storage unit for you doesn’t need to be difficult, though. We created this in-depth storage unit size guide (complete with videos) to help you narrow down your selection. If simple graphics are more helpful for you, feel free to check out our storage unit size estimator instead. How to Pick the Correct Storage Unit Size 1. Determine the storage unit’s primary function. To figure out what size storage unit you need, you’ll need to think about why you’re interested in self-storage in the first place. This is an important step: You don’t want to outgrow a storage unit in a matter of a few months only to move everything to a larger space shortly after. Some common questions to ask yourself might be: Will I be storing a car? Will I be storing an expanding business inventory? Do I need temporary storage for a move? Do I want to store some items indefinitely? Will I be rotating items in and out of the unit? It’s important to know what you want to store and how often the items in your unit will be changing or rotated out. The unit’s function will determine the storage unit size that makes the most sense for you. 2. Create a preliminary inventory. You might already have a general idea of ...
MBJune 20th, 2023
