Author Archives: Hollywood Storage Center

Beneficial Hobbies from Self Storage Thousand Oaks

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Research shows that having a hobby can improve our overall well-being. That’s right! Hobbies that involve imagination, art, music, or something hands-on, not only benefit our mental and physical health they can also help us be even more productive at work.

That’s because all those hobbies require some amount of focus and brainpower. They give you the opportunity to try something new, and to spend more time on the things you enjoy. That’s why our self storage Thousand Oaks team is helping you discover our favorite healthy hobbies!

Play with Clay

No matter which material you choose to work with, sculpting gets you to think in three dimensions. With so much time spent on screens, this can be a great exercise for your brain!  We suggest starting with a medium such as clay.

This soft material is very forgiving because it can be molded and shaped any way you want to create something awesome. Try a class at Clay Studio + Gallery in Thousand Oaks or grab a bag of clay and some tools from Amazon. As a result, you’ll find that by working with organic materials, your stress will decrease, and your creativity and imagination will thrive!

woman sculpts clay

Grab Your Camera

Anyone can learn to be a great photographer. Start by taking a photo of the same object each day. What differences do you notice? Learning to look at the world from different angles can train you to be more perceptive. Plus, you’ll get to create awesome digital memories along the way. And if you feel especially proud of some of the images you take, try selling them on Shutterstock!

 

Work with Wood

Try building or carving something from wood! It doesn’t need to be complex. Just taking the time to think of a design and gather the right materials will get you to flex your noggin. For beginner projects, we love scavenging discarded wooden stumps. They make great side tables, Tic-Tac-Toe gameboard tops, bird feeders, or even stools to rest your feet!

Woman sands tree stump

Join a Sports League

Playing a sport you love, or trying one for the first time, helps burn off stress. This is especially true when you want to disconnect from a tough day. Why? Because sports can boost morale and motivate team-building both on and off the field. If you’re up for the challenge, check out our local recreation leagues, or start a Pickleball squad with your friends or co-workers!

Volunteer Your Time

We’re big on spending time in service of others. There are many ways to help without investing a massive amount of time. We like the idea of combining two hobbies: like to read? love animals? Then help at a local animal shelter and read aloud to lonely pets! Not only does volunteering make the community a better place, but it also promotes your own happiness and wellbeing too!

woman gives box of clothes 

We hope these ideas inspire you to spend more time on a hobby. Not only will it improve brain performance it will make you feel proud and fulfilled. What unique hobbies do you love? Let us know next time you stop by! And, if renting a storage unit can support you get started, we’d love to help. We offer the Lowest Price – Guaranteed on self storage Thousand Oaks.

Low-Cost Home Projects from Self Storage Thousand Oaks

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Man with drill woman with brush

Has the high cost of construction been keeping you from updating your home? We get it. Home makeovers can carry a hefty price tag, and the building materials shortage during the pandemic has made this statement even more true. But, if you ask us, there are plenty of smaller projects you can tackle that won’t break your bank or take months to complete. That’s why our self storage thousand oaks team is sharing five ways you can refresh your home in just one weekend!

Handle the Knobs

Okay, so you can’t afford a full kitchen renovation. An easy and more budget-friendly option is to update the cabinet hardware. It’s a great way to give the room a fresher look and feel.

Before you head to the hardware store, figure out what will complement the space. For kitchen cupboards, knobs work best, while handles are better for drawers. Then consider the style and finish of your cabinets.  Are they traditional, modern, or transitional? Stained or painted? Perhaps you want something that will make a statement, something with a little personality. We think KnobDeco is a fun place to start! Then it’s as simple as unscrewing the old knobs and replacing them with the new ones!

Wall of cabinet knobs

Powerwash the Property

Cleaning the grime that builds up on your driveway, patios, or fencing can make a big difference to your home’s curb appeal.

Because you’ll be dealing with large surfaces, consider a pressurized power washer. It’s a great option to blast away all that dirt in record time! If you don’t already own this tool, your local home improvement store can help with a rental. Once you get started, if you find that using hot water alone isn’t cutting it, try mixing it with good ‘ol Dawn dish soap. Dawn is non-toxic AND biodegradable, so it’s tough on grease but gentle with the environment!

Man with pressure washer

Perk up the Front Door

We can’t think of a better way to give your home a brand-new look than by simply painting the exterior of your front door.

It won’t take more than a quart of paint as long as it’s just one door that’s already primed with a similar shade. If you’re completely changing the color, priming is a must! Collect a few swatches of glossy paint (best for doors and trim) and tape them to the front door to get an idea of what might work best.

Then when you’re ready to get started, tape off the doorknob, trim, or anything else you don’t want coated. Grab a foam roller and cover the door completely. If you’re feeling a little extra, you can install new house numbers while you’re at it!

New paint on front door

Install Outdoor Lighting

Updating the outside of your home, and not being able to see it at night is a bummer! Warm, outdoor lighting is the perfect way to get your home noticed and to provide additional safety! A classic option is to add sconces to the porch. We prefer wall or barn lights to illuminate pathways and key features of your home. Alternatively, you can use solar deck lights to spruce up your fencing or highlight a beautiful tree or flowerbed with these LED metal spotlights.

Home landscape lights

Update Light Switch Plates

Over time, all those light switch plates become discolored, scratched, and sometimes even painted over. If your home is vintage, it’s possible there are even some that are mismatched. This small improvement can add to the beauty and design consistency of your home and give it an updated look for less than $100! Get started with some of these fun designs and styles!

Light switch plates

We hope this list of weekend projects inspires you to take advantage of a lazy afternoon and give your home the updates it deserves. Whether you want to enhance your yard, decorate the exterior, or simply freshen up some architectural elements, you can easily do this on a limited budget. What ideas do you have for your home? Stop by and let us know. And, when you’re in need of self storage Thousand Oaks has the Lowest Price – Guaranteed! With more than 50 sizes to accommodate your needs, we make storing the things you love, a snap!

Unusual Cleaning Hacks that Work from Newbury Park Storage

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When it comes to cleaning things around the house, we all tend to rely on standard commercial products, forgetting we may already have common household items in our home that can be turned into unconventional yet effective cleaning solutions. That’s why our Newbury Park Storage team is sharing some clever cleaning hacks to help make your home sparkle the easy way.

Baking Soda Superpowers

Unclog Your Smelly Drain

Are you sometimes greeted by unpleasant smells when you step into your kitchen or bathroom? Chances are that your sink drain is the culprit. Freshen it up and improve flow by first pouring boiling water down the drain. Next, pour a cup of baking soda followed by a cup of water mixed with a cup of vinegar. Cover with a drain plug and wait 5-10 minutes before adding boiling water down the drain again. Repeat this every month and say goodbye to smelly sinks!

Clean Your Hairbrushes

When was the last time you cleaned your hairbrushes and combs? Don’t feel bad, it’s not exactly at the top of our to-do list either. The good news is that it doesn’t need to be a hassle. Simply remove all the hair from your brush first, then dissolve 1 teaspoon of baking soda into a cup of warm water. Next, dip a toothbrush into the solution and brush the bristles to remove the dust and grime. Rinse and dry overnight.

Neutralize Odors Naturally

Get rid of odors in linen and clothing the natural way! Sprinkle baking soda directly onto dirty laundry or add ½ cup to the wash load. You can also pour a small amount into shoes, trash cans, anywhere that could use freshening. And if you’re out of laundry detergent, 1 cup of baking soda will replace soap in a snap for that fresh clean laundry smell.

Coca-Cola

End Toilet Bowl Gunk

Did you know that carbonated Cola is more acidic than lemon juice? That’s why it’s great for cleaning! For those hard-to-clean rings, pour a can of the popular drink into the toilet and mix it with the water. Leave the soda in the toilet bowl for at least one hour, or overnight for harder stains. Give the bowl a little scrub before flushing. It’s that simple!

Remove Kitchen Grease

Cleaning greasy stains from cookware can be a tough process. For stubborn spots, fill a large stockpot with plenty of Cola. Completely dunk the stained pot or pan into the stockpot. Place on the stove at low heat for about 30 minutes to an hour. Finally, use a scouring brush to scrub any residue away.

Lemon Wonders

Erase Butcher Block Stains

You can erase lighter stains such as coffee rings by first covering the stain in salt. Next, cut a lemon in half and squeeze some juice over the salt.  Take the cut side of the lemon to rub the salt and juice together to make a paste, then rub that paste into the stain. Let it sit overnight, then rinse with warm water.

Darker stains like red wine may require a little hydrogen peroxide diluted in one cup of water. Use a cotton ball to apply the solution and leave it overnight. Make sure to completely dry before applying mineral oil to keep the wood conditioned.

Freshen up a Stinky Garbage Container

Cleaning garbage pails is one of the best ways to get rid of odors. You can give containers a fresher scent by wiping off any spills or sticky bits first. Then rub lemon juice around the inside before rinsing with warm water.

Polish Chrome, Floors, and Furniture

Make your chrome shine by rubbing a lemon on those water spots and drying it off with a soft cloth. Microfiber works great. Then you can give it a polished look by applying a little car wax and buffing off once the wax gets cloudy!

You can also make your own polish by mixing olive oil and half a cup of lemon juice to shine wooden floors and furniture. The best part? That lovely citrus scent is the signature fragrance of the South of France!

 

Fabric Softener Fun

Clean and Deodorize Walls

Fabric softener can make a home feel like you’ve just finished a deep Spring cleaning! Start by grabbing a spray bottle and mixing a quarter cap of fabric softener with warm water. Spray on grubby doors, overlooked walls, and floorboards, then dry with a microfiber cloth. This solution has fantastic cleaning abilities! Your home will smell fresh and clean!

We love a good cleaning hack and hope you can save some time and elbow grease using these ideas. If you’ve got unusual tips to make items around the house sparkle, we’re excited to hear them! And, next time you’re in need of a clean storage unit, drop by to see us. Our Newbury Park Storage experts are here to help you seven days a week with the Lowest Price – Guaranteed!

 

Heartfelt Valentine’s Ideas from Self Storage Thousand Oaks

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Romantic Valentine picnic

The most valuable gifts don’t always come from a store. Gifts from the heart not only let someone know you’re thinking of them, but they also show the care and appreciation you feel.  And since there’s no better way to celebrate your love on Valentine’s Day than with something unique, we know you can’t wait to get started! Our team of self storage Thousand Oaks Cupids…err Experts rounded up some of their favorite ideas to create heartfelt Valentine gifts that are sure to brighten your significant other’s day.

Make a Video

Be your own content creator and shoot a video illustrating all the reasons why your person is awesome!  How cool is that? You get to write your own script, plan for props, and finally perform! You can be fun and playful, or loving and romantic. Or just mix them all up into one amazing top 10 list about your Valentine! And if you want to share your love with the world, just go ahead and post your flick on social media!

Go Paint Something

We love a good paint and sip, and here’s a great new take. Try painting pottery! At Color Me Mine there’s plenty of ceramics to choose from. Make a reservation for two, pick a piece for each other, and enjoy working on your special gifts together. After a week, you’ll get to pick up your glazed and fired works of art. And the best part? You’ll relive that special night each time you look at your creations.

Write a Book About Them

Well, more like a notebook, but hear us out.  Pick up your favorite stationery or small journal and write down all the things you love about the person you want to celebrate. Share special memories you had together, tell a funny story or include a poem. Add photos, stickers or even your own sketches to give your creation a scrapbook feel. Nothing is more unique than your own words! Need help getting started? Check out this awesome option from Amazon.

Do Something Out of the Ordinary

You don’t need to go far, just break your routine. Consider booking a room at a local hotel or AirBNB. Or plan to spend time together when you wouldn’t usually connect – maybe the afternoon or early evening. The options are endless! How about a picnic at a park, a short hike to a waterfall, or even horseback riding? We think Maliburiders offers a great way to enjoy a romantic afternoon for two!

Cook!

If you’re like us and put your heart into every meal you prepare, Valentine’s Day is your time to shine! Taking the time to plan, cook, and create the perfect meal shows how much you care. And why not prepare the whole feast together? You could go for the hundreds of cozy recipes online or try a virtual cooking class. Love a challenge? Making California Rolls at home can be a really fun thing to do with your favorite person.

Gifts from the heart show someone just how much they mean to you. And no matter what you decide to do, any act of appreciation is what really counts. We hope you’re inspired to create a unique Valentine for your significant other this year. If there’s a special activity you’d like to try at home but don’t have the space, our friendly self storage Thousand Oaks team is ready to help find the right price storage unit at the Lowest Price – Guaranteed!