Category Archives: Organizing Tips

Freshen up your Fridge from Self Storage Thousand Oaks

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There’s something deeply satisfying about opening the door of a picture-perfect fridge filled with nicely stacked and labeled containers. However, keeping a neat and orderly refrigerator can be challenging for busy families. That’s why our self storage Thousand Oaks team is sharing simple organization tips to keep your fridge tidy and the food inside fresh.

The Basics

The first step in keeping your refrigerator organized is to have a dedicated place for essential items. Second, avoid stuffing your fridge full. While bulk-buying may seem like a smart money-saving option, packing too much on the shelves prevents the cold air from circulating and can lead to spoilage. Third, not all refrigerators are made equal. Depending on the age, older models such as side-by-side styles may not offer as many shelving options as high-tech newer ones or French door types do. These differences will change how you manage food zones.

Beverages

Temperature matters, especially for milk. You can prolong your milk’s life by storing it toward the bottom of the fridge where the air is typically the coldest. Then, simply keep other beverages like juice, sports drinks, or drink boxes near the milk. Soda cans are one of the few items we’ve found that use less space when stored in a stackable can dispenser. Keep it on the top shelf to take advantage of stable cool air. Wine bottles and liquor can be laid gently on their sides. Use refrigerator mats to prevent bottles from rolling around.

Eggs

If you’re putting eggs in the refrigerator door, remember this zone’s temperature varies the most with all that opening and closing. Like milk, you want to put eggs in a constantly cold area – like the bottom center.

Leave your eggs in their original carton of recycled cardboard rather than storing them in another bin. Cardboard egg boxes supply better protection than most solid foam or plastic containers. And did you know that those cartons prevent the eggs from absorbing strong odors and flavors from other foods?

Additionally, eggs will last for about three weeks from the Sell By date if stored properly. When we buy fresh eggs, we like to write the BEST BY date (3 weeks from Sell By) on the carton before we put it in the fridge.

Meat & Cheese

If you have a newer fridge, it likely has a special drawer just for deli items. We like to take them out of their original packaging and put them into clear bags labeled with a date and the product’s name. It’s a lot easier to grab something when you can see it, know what it is, and how long it’s good for.

Raw meat should always be separated from other food and placed on a lower shelf in a bowl or drawer to capture liquids.

Don’t have a dedicated drawer? No problem. Just place the items in a lower area of the fridge to maintain freshness. If your fridge is older and has enough depth between shelves, try adding these shallow storage drawers which are great options to increase space.

Condiments

These are mostly responsible for a disorganized fridge. Consider grouping them by category. For example, items like ketchup, mustard, and barbeque sauce can remain together while syrup, honey, and jam are in another group. Then, store these items on the refrigerator door shelves. If you save take-out packets of sauces, consider reusing the small Yoplait Oui yogurt glass pots to hold them. Also, consider transferring those half-empty salad dressing and sauce bottles into smaller glass containers. Reusing glass bottles or mason jars is a great way to store liquids, and significantly increase space.

Fruit & Vegetables

When produce is clean and ready to go, it’s much easier to consume and less likely to go bad. Always clean produce with a good rinse and dry before storing. We love green bags to extend shelf life, but paper-towel-lined glass containers work great as well. Just make sure to keep all the fresh produce away from meat and seafood. This alone helps your harvest last longer. Finally, keep in mind that not every fruit, vegetable, or herb belongs in the fridge. If you’re not sure, a quick question to your grocer or Google should help.

Leftovers

Now that condiments have moved to the door shelves, and we’re using the middle and lower areas of the fridge for dairy and meat, let’s talk top shelf. Because of its stable temperature, this part of the fridge is ideal for leftovers, prepared meals, and drinks. We love reusable silicon bags. Not only are they clear so you’ll always know what’s inside, but they’re eco-friendly, and many can stand up!

We hope these simple organization tips help you maximize refrigerator space. Doing so will help keep the inside tidier and the food fresher longer. And, if you’re also planning to organize your home or garage this year and need extra room, our friendly self storage Thousand Oaks team is ready to help! We’re available every day of the week from 8:30 am to 6 pm to offer you the Lowest Price – Guaranteed!

6 Functional Garage Updates From Newbury Park Storage

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Garages were designed to provide space for parking. But they’re also known to function as a utility room, workshop, equipment storage area, and more. If you’re like us, you might be neglecting that bonanza of a space! In order to take full advantage of your garage, our Newbury Park storage team curated 6 simple, low-cost updates that can add some much-needed useability.

Tackling the Garage:

Free up floor space!

Garage interiors often become a catchall zone, leaving the floor in a chaotic mess! We know it can be overwhelming to get started, so we recommend working with a small section at a time. Take inventory of everything that has accumulated, sorting items by category to help you determine how they should be put away. Then, when you’re done, blow out any remaining floor debris and marvel at the impact a clean floor can make!

Fix a cracked concrete floor

It shouldn’t be a surprise that concrete slabs crack over time. Small existing veins aren’t exactly something to lose sleep over. But, if those tiny imperfections become deep pits or grow larger, then it’s time to fill them. Head to your local hardware store and locate the concrete resurfacing section. Fill the cracks with mortar or use a self-leveling sealer and in just one weekend your damaged garage floor is near-new again!

Create organizational zones

Set a dedicated area for sorted items that will stay in the garage. Our favorite kind of organizer is a Slatwall panel. They give walls a clean, textured look without having to paint and leave your floor and ceiling areas clear. Add hooks, brackets, and multiple compartment bins, and you’ve got a clear, visual zone for all things utility. We adore these fun options from Amazon.

Insulate your garage door

Warm weather and extra appliances can increase temperatures in your garage. Alternatively, a chilly day or two will also move the needle in the opposite direction. That means you lose energy and still pay for it. Yuck! Reduce energy loss by filling in all those gaps to the outside. Especially if your space has windows. Then, move to insulate the garage door. We like options such as reflective insulation. These thin, rigid panels work well for doors that open and close a lot.

Install new lighting

Unless a light goes bad, we rarely think about illuminating the garage. But, depending on how you use your space, there are great ways to make improvements. For example, updating bulbs to LED will improve efficiency and lower energy bills. We’ve even tried LED strip tape lighting around the perimeter and under the steps. It provides the extra visibility you need so it’s easier to find your way around! For our DIY friends, we recommend task lighting. These fixtures are specially designed to direct light for detailed projects.

Add some tech!

Adding smart measures to your space can certainly increase convenience and boost safety. Garage door openers now include features like monitoring alerts, alarms, and support to open or close doors. The best part? Control can be operated through Alexa, Google Assistant, or Siri.  Smart lights are another techy choice that can be controlled through a smartphone. We love how easy it is to dim, lighten, or even schedule lights to turn on or off.

Improving the functionality of your garage doesn’t mean you have to take on a big project or spend a lot of money. With some simple, affordable updates you can become the garage genius you’ve always known you are. And, if you’re ready to move all those items off the floor and away from your home, we can offer a Place for the Things You Love. Whether you need a lot or a little storage room, at Newbury Park Storage we’re proud to offer 50+ unit sizes.

Affordable Pantry Hacks from Newbury Park Storage

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No matter what size your pantry is, it could always use some great space-saving items to maintain organization. Rather than investing in expensive bins and baskets, our Newbury Park storage experts suggest reusing everyday items. Check out these five budget-friendly solutions to keep that pantry tidy!

Five Budget-Friendly Pantry Hacks

Repurpose Glass Jars

On the hunt to save money when buying glass jars? Consider saving those empty spaghetti sauce containers! We take the labels off, give them a good wash and place them in the pantry. They’re great for storing dried beans or even chocolate chips! Tip: We love them as drinking glasses, too!

Turn Wine Crates into Mobile Bins

Considering all the wine lovers in the Conejo Valley, you’re sure to have a few wine crates lying around. If not, any wooden crate will do. Then, head to a local hardware store and grab some caster wheels. Install to the bottom of the crate, then fill with bulky, heavy items such as canned goods. As a result, you’ve got a rolling crate that can utilize floor space and push/pull with ease.

Got Lids?

We love saving all those little Yoplait Oui Yogurt glass cups. They’re fun to reuse for homemade desserts, candles, or even a succulent pot. At the same time, our minds were blown when we learned that Yoplait sells special plastic lids for those cups! Now you’ve got the perfect covered container to store small amounts of pantry supplies.

Give Old Office Supplies a Second Chance

Before you toss those old magazine holders, consider taking them for another spin. One of our favorites is to lay them on their side to hold all the empty reusable water bottles. On the other hand, simply stand them up for the perfect place to store root vegetables.  Tip: Make sure onions and potatoes aren’t co-mingling!

Reuse Coffee Containers

Using Heavy-duty plastic coffee containers is a great option for quick and easy storage. Notably, many have built-in handles with tight-fitting lids, making them perfect for the pantry. Freshen them up with a pop of paint or wrap them in fancy paper. Chalkboard paint is another fun option that reduces the need for paper labels!

We hope this list inspires your next pantry project with a few quick, space-saving ideas to help maintain organization on a budget. And, if you’re also making an effort to clean out your home and garage this year and need extra storage, our friendly Newbury Park storage consultants are ready to help! We’re available every day from 8:30 am to 6 pm to offer you the Lowest-Price Guaranteed!





Back to School Organization – Tips from your Self Storage Deals Experts

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At Hollywood Storage Center in Thousand Oaks, it feels like Summer just started and yet store aisles that were once full of sunscreen and swimming gear are now stocked with pencils, notebooks, and folders.

Getting a new school year off to a fresh start may include new supplies but keeping materials clean and organized may not be a child’s favorite routine! Our Self Storage Deals Experts found some easy-to-implement solutions that are bound to help kids thrive throughout the school year and in life!

6 Ideas to Get You Started:

  1. Backpacks – It’s helpful for everyone if these are the right size, cleaned out regularly, and easy to locate. Try creating a specific spot, so it’s easy to grab (or drop) and go. Hint: coat racks or wall hangers work well and can look great too!
  2. Labels – Beginning the year with everything labeled helps minimize confusion among friends in class. Using distinctive colors, fonts, and other personalized designs will make it easy for kids to spot their items, and it’s fun too!
  3. Homework Space – Take a look at your student’s homework area and set it up for success. For example, consider going vertical! Peg boards are perfect for keeping needed items just a short reach away. For smaller spaces, consider a moveable cart that can turn any area into a schoolwork zone. Don’t forget to get the kids involved too! Let their personal sense of style shine!

4. Family Calendar – Regular check-ins to update the calendar will help you and the littles avoid schedule conflicts.  Apps are easy to share and are mobile, but a chalkboard, whiteboard, or even a homemade calendar hanging in the house may work just as well and grab everyone’s attention.

5. Storage System – It seems like each year more and more important papers and projects make their way home from school. Get your little van Gogh or Einstein involved to help sort and categorize, then decide where each type of item goes. Be creative! A large pizza box could be the perfect place to keep art projects, or you might even want to store some of these treasures digitally! We love this idea from the Keepy app. Bonus: You can always hold onto the originals in a secure climate-controlled storage unit right here at Hollywood Storage!  

6. Pinterest – There are so many great ways to help kids establish positive organizational habits. Pinterest boards are perfect for inspiration. Here’s one we found from The Modern Nest that’s filled with tips on everything from lockers to lunch.

When it comes to starting a new grade, small organizational solutions support a positive school year for children. And when you’re starting fresh with a remodel or reorganization of your home, our Thousand Oaks self-storage deals experts are here to help. With 50+ storage unit sizes, we’ve got a Place for the Things You Love at the Lowest Price-Guaranteed.