Our Top Tips on How to Create a Home Office

It’s no surprise that now more than ever, most people you talk to will be doing some kind of working from home, whether that’s to homeschool the children, part time or full time to keep out of the office. For many businesses, there are plans to make this a more permanent fixture as stats are showing that those who work from home tend to be more productive.

In fact, a study by Employment Hero shows that a whopping 55% of people would look for another job if the remote working option was taken away!

With this in mind, the team at Hogleaze Storage are here to help you work out how to create a home office. Whether this is something you’ve been planning to do for a while but you’re still sitting on your sofa getting a sore neck, or you’ve only recently been introduced to the ‘WFH’ life, Hogleaze Storage has got your back.

Establish where in your house your home office will be

This is a really important first step, you need to consider the following:

Is it a busy part of the house? – Will you get the peace and quiet you need?
Are there too many distractions? – If you’re setting up your home office in the lounge for example, will you be tempted to switch on daytime TV?
Is there plenty of natural light? – If you can avoid it, you don’t want to be stuck in a room with very little natural light or ventilation. Especially when spring and summer arrive, a bit of sunlight and fresh air can do wonders for your mental health whilst working from home.

Don’t forget, you will likely be spending 8 hours a day in that one spot… so you need it to be right. Once you’ve decided your new office space, make sure everyone in the home knows it too… You don’t want your kids putting all their homework over your newly acquired desk space!

Declutter the space

A clean desk is a clear mind… right? Whether you have a 1m x 1m space to call your home office or a whole room, you’ll more likely work much more productively if you declutter some of that unnecessary furniture or rubbish.

If you’re repurposing a spare room as your new office then you will probably have lots of ‘stuff’ that you don’t need in there… This is where Hogleaze Storage comes in!

With business storage spaces from as small as 20 sq ft you can utilise them to hold extra beds you may not need at the moment, sofas that will be replaced by desks or wardrobes that will be substituted for filing systems.

Alternatively, if your business has had to close due to COVID-19 and you’ve suddenly had to move everything online, you may have a lot of stock that needs moving around. With storage sites in both Weymouth and Dorchester, we look after many local businesses in this way too!

All of a sudden, once you’ve stored your bits and bobs in one of our storage units, you’ll have one less thing to worry about and can easily get motivated to complete your work.

Buy a new organisation system

As well as your office space looking super organised and ‘Pinterest-ready’, your new organisation system can help you to separate work and home life, and get that right balance that everyone is looking for right now. Whether you treat yourself to some new stationery, boxes or go all out with new filing systems you’ll feel much better for it!

If paperwork and to-do lists are just left on the side in full view you won’t be able to get work out of your head!

Get yourself some (home) office plants…

Ok, so this may not seem like a priority but honestly, a bit of greenery can do a world of good! Many studies have shown that house plants can make you feel more relaxed, reduce stress and anxiety and make you more productive. Plus, indoor plants actually make for cleaner air! It’s all quite scientific but believe us when we say plants help in more ways than you may think!

See if you can get some extra pennies in your pocket

Lastly, did you know that the government is offering tax relief for employees that are having to work from home? You can find out more about this here >> https://www.gov.uk/tax-relief-for-employees/working-at-home

It’s also worth checking with your employer as to whether they offer any scheme for home workers to cover certain costs such as phone bills, electricity and heating. You may also be able to reimburse you for new furniture costs such as office chairs and desks if they’re required (this way you’ll have extra money to put towards your business storage unit!)

Contact Hogleaze Storage today for storage for businesses

Hopefully this article has inspired you about how to create a home office, we would be happy to help you! If you’re looking for document or business storage solutions get in touch today for your self storage quote. We offer a range of units to suit your needs both short and long term. Don’t worry, we won’t tie you into long term contracts, so once it’s time to get back in the office, you can get your spare room back to normal again.

Learn more about storage for businesses here and call us at Dorchester on 01305 889777 or Weymouth on 01305 830000. For more top tips follow us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

Redecorate with ease by using a furniture storage unit

With the UK staying in Lockdown 3.0 for a little while longer, you might be thinking about redecorating your home to pass the time. Has spending endless days in your home given you the realisation that it’s probably time for a lick of paint, new carpets or perhaps some bigger renovation jobs?

Whatever your project, large or small, you need to consider how to protect your belongings against dust, paint and maybe even the builders themselves. Read on for our top tips on how to prepare all your belongings for a furniture storage unit.

Pack glassware properly

If you are decorating your kitchen, remember that glassware is easily broken, so safe storage is essential. Moving them to a furniture storage unit, along with other items that may get in the way is best to ensure that they remain in the same condition after the work is complete. The most important rule of storage for these types of items is to do it carefully – these items can be fragile and should be handled and packaged with care.

Do you have a disaster story to share about breakages while decorating or renovating? Maybe you’ve got some additional storage tips? Share them on our Facebook page!

Take everything apart

Before moving items from each room, take apart everything you can – this includes desks, bookshelves, wardrobes and more. This extra step will make packing up the removal van and furniture storage unit far easier. It will also reduce the likelihood of breaking or scratching anything in the process, and you’ll find that you have much more room in your unit.

Top tip – Put all screws, bolts, and other small items in a labelled food bag, and tape to the furniture piece to which it belongs – you’ll thank us later!

Clean everything thoroughly

The last thing you want to bring into a newly decorated home is dirty / dusty furniture! Protect furniture in storage by ensuring everything is cleaned thoroughly first.

Some tips for cleaning furniture before putting into storage:

With wooden or plastic furniture, use a baby wet wipe to clean visible dust and marks.
Clean fabric items like sofas and seat cushions with a mild fabric cleaner. Check that everything is completely dry before you start packing it up and make sure you vacuum the internal parts that gather items like coins, crumbs and wrappers.
Polish any metal sections with a polishing cloth and metal cleaner. This step will help delay the build-up of tarnish.
Cover larger items with a cloth or old sheet for added protection.

Make the most of your unit

If you decide to use a local furniture storage unit, make sure you protect your items properly. Don’t drag items across the hard floors as this can wear or damage the item. Don’t pack your shelves too high and avoid leaving breakables on the floor. Use proper storage boxes and mark them well, so you know which box is full of sturdy items and which is full of breakables, e.g. boxes with fragile objects should be clearly marked “fragile”. Also, we recommend that you completely fill boxes that store books, so they don’t crush when stacked.

If you’re short on the packaging supplies needed to move your belongings into storage, then we offer handy supplies at great prices. These are available to purchase at both our Dorset storage sites.

Don’t ever try to store food or perishable items.

It may seem obvious but whether you’re storing furniture long term or just for a few months or weeks, never leave anything perishable in your storage unit that may attract vermin, bugs or mould!

Consider a furniture storage unit from Hogleaze Storage

If you’re redecorating your home or having some renovation work done, it makes a lot of sense to put your belongings in furniture self storage.

Our furniture storage units are cost-effective, easily accessible and can cater to your needs, whatever they may be! We don’t have a maximum length of stay, meaning that you can continue storing your possessions for as long as you like and be confident that your belongings are in safe hands.

Get in contact with our storage experts to book your Dorset storage. Just call our Weymouth facility on 01305 830000 or email info@weymouthselfstorage.co.uk. Alternatively, you can contact our Dorchester storage team on 01305 889777 or info@hogleazestorage.co.uk.

And don’t forget to follow us on Facebook for more tips and tricks on furniture self storage.

Dorset storage solutions for after the festive season

At this time of year, we all look forward to a long Christmas break to spend quality time with our friends and family. If you’re anything like us, you’ll want your home clutter-free before you introduce new presents and toys into the house, make space for relatives to stay, or host a party!

But once the celebrations are over, and you have to take down the Christmas decorations, you might be looking for an affordable storage solution to help get your home sorted… We’ve found that the New Year is a time for fresh starts, so our article not only gives you tips on how to prepare your home for the festive period but how to restore some normality once it’s all over.

Set a plan and get organised

The best way to get organised before or after the festive period is to start with making a list of the rooms and areas you need to tackle. Plan out when you are going to clear them and think about the logistics of what you’re going to do with all the ‘stuff’ once you’ve got it all out.

We recommend that you create three piles to divide your items into including, ‘bin’, ‘donate’ and ‘keep’:

Bin – What will you do with everything that needs to be ‘binned’? You will need to consider whether you’ll need to hire a skip, skip bag or rubbish removal company if there’s too much for you to take to the tip yourself.
Donate – If you’re creating a pile to be donated to charity, you’ll need to check when they’ll be open during the festive period so you can plan when you can drop the items off. You could even consider reselling your unwanted items on GumTree, Depop, eBay or other online stores to help you earn a little extra cash for the New Year.
Keep – For the items in the ‘keep’ pile, decide on what you really need to keep in your house. If you find that there is lots you want to keep but you don’t need access to on a day-to-day basis, a self storage unit might be the perfect option for you.

Self storage solutions

If you’ve concluded that you really don’t need to keep everything in your home all the time, or simply need to create some temporary extra space, self storage could be an excellent way to keep your belongings safe but out of the way until you need them.

At Hogleaze Storage we have self storage facilities in both Dorchester and Weymouth for items such as:

Christmas decorations and lights
Summer clothes / holiday suitcases
Garden items including hot tubs, garden furniture, toys etc
Boxes you don’t want to throw away
Sports equipment including surfboards, windsurfing gear, paddleboards, bikes etc
Camping equipment
Excess furniture

We even provide boxes, packaging materials and tape etc to help you store your items safely and efficiently!

Benefits of our Dorset storage facilities

Our Dorchester – Hogleaze Storage and Weymouth – Hogleaze Storage offers you the option for flexible storage solutions, allowing you to book for short and long term, or even extend the length of your term to suit your needs.

We’ll be provided with a unit in a safe and secure facility with features such as number plate recognition, security cameras, alarms and regular staff inspections. Having access to your storage unit is important, so we have ensured this is easy to do with the likes of our key fob entry system and 24/7 access to our Dorchester site.

“I used Hogleaze Storage for many years and found the facility to be safe and secure. My belongings stayed dry; the ambient temperature seemed just right and there was no dampness. Wooden furniture; cardboard boxes and books all survived intact. The staff are also helpful and friendly. I recommend this facility.”

– Peter Lewis, Self Storage Dorchester

Book your unit today!

So there you have it – Your post-Christmas clear up couldn’t be easier with the help of a Dorset storage unit from Hogleaze Storage!

If you’d like a show round of our self storage units or would like to enquire about our availability over the festive period, please contact our friendly team on 01305 889777 for Dorchester storage or 01305 830000 for Weymouth storage.

View our Christmas / New Year opening hours here.

A simple guide to self storage in Weymouth

According to WessexFM, in 2019, Weymouth was ranked as the 4th best seaside town for families in the UK, so it’s no surprise Weymouth is a popular place to live.

If you are looking to live by the sea, one thing that may hinder your quest is the size and availability of seaside properties within your budget. If this is the case, Hogleaze Self Storage in Weymouth could help by providing storage for your possessions to make it easier for you to act quickly and to live happily in a smaller property.

This article outlines a simple guide to self storage in Weymouth, as well as what to expect from a visit to our Weymouth storage facility.

Budget

When it comes to Weymouth storage, you should think carefully about how much space you actually need and what you can afford to spend on a storage unit. At most storage facilities, including our self-storage in Weymouth, there will be different types and sizes of units available that will be priced differently. Therefore you’ll want to be sure you’re getting the right sized unit to comfortably fit your possessions without paying for space you don’t need.

It’s also wise to get quotes from a couple of different companies to see who can offer you a better deal. At Hogleaze Storage, we’re so confident that our prices are the most competitive in the Weymouth area that we offer every customer a price match guarantee for any like for like quote, as well as zero deposits.

View our storage costs here.

Location

When searching for a storage unit in Weymouth, it can be tempting to choose a facility solely based on price, and the location is sometimes overlooked. For a hassle-free storage experience, you’ll want to find somewhere that is safe and easy to reach, after all, you won’t want to travel further than you have to or be forced to use a facility that feels abandoned and unsafe.

Our Weymouth storage facility is located on the Granby Industrial Estate, which is conveniently placed to allow you easy access to and from our facility, and is less than 3 miles drive from the town centre!Learn more about our Weymouth storage site.

Security

It’s essential to find a storage facility that has some very effective security features in place so that you can have plenty of peace of mind knowing that your belongings are safe and secure. This is especially important if you are storing objects that are of a high sentimental or monetary value, such as an expensive family heirloom or a business

Standard security features we offer at our Weymouth storage units include:

Alarmed site with CCTV
Member of Self Storage Association UK (SSA UK)

Read our article for tips on how to keep your home and belongings safe.

“We’ve been super impressed with this storage facility. The manager, David, couldn’t do enough for us. The facility is clean, modern and well-lit, and prices very competitive. Access to the loading bay is great and the lift is huge, and there are large trolleys to move your goods from store to van. Can’t fault it.” – Customer

What to Expect at Hogleaze Storage Weymouth

We are keen to make hiring self storage in Weymouth as simple as possible. Our process is:

Get in touch with a member of our team by either phoning 01305 830000, filling in a contact form or emailing info@weymouthselfstorage.co.uk.
Our team will help you find the best solution for your needs, help you decide on a duration (short or long term rentals are available) and give you a competitive quote.
You’ll then be invited to a guided tour of our facilities to complete some paperwork and be given an explanation of our security systems.

Don’t worry if you want to change your storage solution, just give us two weeks’ notice and we will adapt your plan to suit your needs.

If you have additional questions regarding our storage facilities, please see our FAQ page.

Contact our Weymouth experts

If you would like to hire one of our Weymouth self storage units, then you’re always welcome to pop in during our opening hours, phone our team on 01305 830000, or get in contact here. You can also find us on Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin.

We look forward to welcoming you to our Weymouth storage facility.

Our Dorset Self Storage Sites – Coronavirus Update

The Government have listed businesses such as our Dorset self-storage warehouses an important part of the goods management and distribution network. As such, we are allowed to continue to operate in the current environment.

Guidance relating to the Coronavirus pandemic is changing often, but our objective is to keep our Dorset self-storage sites open insofar as we can. This is so our business customers can continue to operate. It’s particularly important for small to medium business owners, who are allowed to continue operating, to be able to access documents or their essential goods. The Government has specifically said online retailing should continue. Read more here >>

At Hogleaze Storage, the health and safety of our colleagues, customers and suppliers is our main priority. Rest assured, we are following government guidelines regarding best practice during the current coronavirus outbreak as well as safety guidance from the SSAUK (Self Storage Association UK).

To remain operational we ask that all visitors to our sites adhere to the Government guidelines regarding best practice. You can find them here >>

Steps being taken at our self-storage facilities in Dorchester and Weymouth

Our staff have intensified their cleaning levels to ensure that all commonly touched areas are sanitized regularly. We ask that anyone visiting our sites wash or sanitize their hands before entering or leaving the buildings.

If anyone is experiencing any symptoms of the coronavirus, we urge you to please stay home. These symptoms include, but are not limited to; new continuous cough and/or high temperature.

Our staff members will remain inside reception and office areas and we ask that visitors do not enter these zones. If visiting one of our sites, please adhere to government guidelines and keep a distance of at least 2-metres from other people using the facilities.

Opening Hours

To support our customers and colleagues through this difficult time, we’ll be operating our sites during the following hours:

Dorchester

For existing customers, access to our Dorchester site remains unaffected, with 24/7 access via key fob entry. If you’re looking to hire a storage unit at our Dorchester site, please call us on 01305 889777.

Weymouth

Our Weymouth storage centre can be accessed each Wednesday between 9 am and 5 pm or by appointment. For access on other days, this can be arranged in advance by calling our team on 01305 830000.

We will continue to closely monitor information provided from the Government, SSAUK and the NHS to ensure we’re doing everything we can to continue to provide a clean and safe environment for our valued customers and employees.

Everything you need to know about our Weymouth storage site

Are you considering using a self storage unit to house your business ‘stuff’ or home belongings? If you are local to Weymouth, you will want to find a facility that will suit your requirements as well as being affordable and flexible. In this article, we have outlined the top 20 things you need to know about our Weymouth storage site.

1. We’re based in Cambridge Road on the Granby Industrial Estate

Situated just 2 miles from the centre of Weymouth town, our storage facility is conveniently located on the Granby Industrial Estate, meaning free parking and easy access when you need to store.

2. We’ve recently extended our storage facility to 3 floors

2019 was the year of expansion for Hogleaze Storage, our 30,000 square feet premise went upwards as we added a whole new floor of units to meet the demands of our customers. We have rapidly started filling up our new units which are still easily accessible using the onsite lifts.

3. Our manager, David, is a self-confessed storage expert

David has been with us from the very beginning of our Weymouth storage venture, so it’s safe to say that if he doesn’t know what size unit would be best for your belongings then no one will. You will likely bump into David when you visit Hogleaze, whether that’s for a tour of our facility or to provide you with some helpful tips on making the most of your space. Call David on 01305 830000.

4. We’re open 7 days a week

Not everyone has the flexibility to visit their unit during the weekdays, so we’re open 7 days a week to make it convenient for you. Whether you are popping in to pick up a single item or have a garage full that needs storing, we’re here when you need us!

5. We have units available for everyone

From tiny cupboard sized units, to a unit to fit your whole home in (well almost), you can rest assured that the size you need will be available. It can sometimes be hard to know how small or big you need to opt for but when booking your unit, but our team will ask all the right questions to make sure you get the size that’s right for you!

6. Our largest unit available is…

200 Sq ft! That’s pretty big and could probably fit the contents of a 4 or 5 bed house in. A great option if you are moving house and need somewhere to store your belongings in the meantime. Perfect for large appliances, sofas and other bulky furniture.

7. We’re rated pretty highly by our loyal customer base

Customer satisfaction is hugely important to us, whether it’s the friendly face on arrival, or our flexible storing contracts, we go above and beyond to make your storage experience a good one. We’re pleased to say we’ve achieved a 4.7 star rating on Google… take a look at our reviews here >>

“We’ve been super impressed with this storage facility. The manager, David, couldn’t do enough for us. The facility is clean, modern and well-lit, and prices are very competitive. Access to the loading bay is great and the lift is huge, and there are large trolleys to move your goods from store to van. Can’t fault it.”
Peter, Weymouth Storage customer

8. We’re proud members of the SSA UK (Self Storage Association)

When looking for a storage facility, you will want to check they’ve got their SSA UK badge. This means that they have access to advice and training by the SSA to enable them to meet high standards within the storage industry.

You can learn more about how storage facilities receive the SSA badge here >>

9. The best things we’ve ever seen stored with us are…

We don’t actually always see what comes in but treat all customers the same as all items to them are precious. Some people have previously used their unit to store large book collections and make a whole library in their unit.

10. Our Weymouth storage facility opened in 2016

We are now celebrating our storage site being open 4 whole years!

11. The longest time someone has stored their belongings with us is…

We have a few customers that have been storing with us since the 1st week we opened and haven’t left since, now that’s what we call customer loyalty!

12. We have plenty of trolleys & boxes to make storing simple

To make best use of your unit, we would advise that where possible you bring your belongings packed in boxes as this way you can optimise the space. If you haven’t had the chance to beg, borrow or steal boxes from friends or family, we have plenty that you can pick up from reception. We also have trolleys available to use, and with our large drop off point outside the front of the building, you won’t have to trek too far to get to your unit.

13. The most commonly stored item we see is…

Household storage wins the award for this one!

14. Our storage facility was featured in the Dorset Echo

Our manager David and owner Hugo were interviewed back in 2016 and featured in the Dorset Echo… you can read the article here >>

15. We have many businesses using our storage units

Storage units aren’t just for homeowners who need to make some space, we see many businesses come through our doors too.

Whether it’s to store extra stock safely, or you have too many documents that you need to archive, businesses use our units for many reasons.

16. We have a sister storage facility based in Dorchester

If you are looking for vehicle storage, or Dorchester is just a little more convenient for you to get to, then our sister facility would be perfect for you.

Our Dorchester site accommodates the following:

Learn more about our Dorchester storage facility here >>

17. We take the security of your belongings very seriously

With our fully alarmed and CCTV monitored storage facility together with our strict security procedures we take very good care of your stored goods at our Weymouth storage facility.

18. You can rent a Weymouth storage unit immediately or in advance

Maybe you’ve suddenly had an urge to spring clean and need to move some belongings out of your home immediately, or you’re moving house and want to pre-arrange your storage unit, either way we will be able to sort it for you at a time that suits you.

19. Zero deposits

To help make our servcies even more affordable, we offer zero deposit contracts to allow you to start storing right away.

20. We’re easy to get in contact with…

You’re always welcome to pop in during our opening hours, alternatively, you can get in contact via email on info@weymouthselfstorage.co.uk, our contact form here or by calling us on 01305 830000. You can also find us on Facebook and send us a message here >>

We look forward to welcoming you to our Weymouth storage facility.

Contact Hogleaze Storage today for storage for businesses

Pack glassware properly

Take everything apart

Clean everything thoroughly

Make the most of your unit

Don’t ever try to store food or perishable items.

Consider a furniture storage unit from Hogleaze Storage

Set a plan and get organised

Self storage solutions

Benefits of our Dorset storage facilities

Book your unit today!

Budget

Location

Security

What to Expect at Hogleaze Storage Weymouth

Contact our Weymouth experts

Steps being taken at our self-storage facilities in Dorchester and Weymouth

Opening Hours

Dorchester

Weymouth

1. We’re based in Cambridge Road on the Granby Industrial Estate

2. We’ve recently extended our storage facility to 3 floors

3. Our manager, David, is a self-confessed storage expert

4. We’re open 7 days a week

5. We have units available for everyone

6. Our largest unit available is…

7. We’re rated pretty highly by our loyal customer base

8. We’re proud members of the SSA UK (Self Storage Association)

9. The best things we’ve ever seen stored with us are…

10. Our Weymouth storage facility opened in 2016

11. The longest time someone has stored their belongings with us is…

12. We have plenty of trolleys & boxes to make storing simple

13. The most commonly stored item we see is…

14. Our storage facility was featured in the Dorset Echo

15. We have many businesses using our storage units

16. We have a sister storage facility based in Dorchester

17. We take the security of your belongings very seriously

18. You can rent a Weymouth storage unit immediately or in advance

19. Zero deposits

20. We’re easy to get in contact with…

Excellent Security and Beautiful Views

Hogleaze provides excellent facilities and service

Really impressed with the service & customer-focused attention

Fantastic value, easy and secure.

Having stored motorhomes at Hogleaze over a number of years…

My second time of using Hogleaze for storage.

Very pleased with Hogleaze Storage.

Found the facility to be safe and secure

Thank you for your excellent service as I made use of your storage unit 215.

Excellent facilities.

Very secure.

Absolutely brilliant service from Hogleaze Storage.

I really like the facility and I am very impressed with the setup you have.

I would recommend Hogleaze Storage to anyone thinking of storing their possessions

Amazing!

Using Hogleaze again

Delighted!

Excellent storage facilities

A great experience

A pleasure

Recommended secure storage

Thank you

Enjoyed the services

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