The Chinese concept of Feng Shui is focused on achieving harmony in design and construction by utilizing natural principles that exploit various forms of energy in nature. It has been a staple of Chinese design for millennia and can be seen throughout Chinese homes and architecture both in China and in diaspora communities abroad. If you are interested in trying to incorporate Feng Shui principles into the look and feel of your own home, below are some tips to get you started. Declutter One of the easiest things to do to get started is to clear out clutter. Clutter is, perhaps, the number one enemy of Feng Shui and should be dealt with immediately. Anything that you don’t absolutely need,…

A bride’s wedding day is likely to be one of the most important and memorable events in her life. A big part of that day, and one of the fondest memories for many brides, is how stunning they looked in their wedding dress. A wedding dress is not only one of the centrepieces of the day, it’s also a pretty major investment for a lot of people and should be well looked after, not only after the ceremony, but more importantly, before. Below are some wedding dress storage tips that will help you keep your gown looking immaculate for when the big day arrives. Muslin garment bag These are fantastic options for storing your wedding dress before the big day…

Books are something we often collect after we read them. A good book can become part of who we are, which is why so many people are reluctant to give up the books that have meant the most to them – even if they are not first editions,or original prints, and can be easily bought at any major chain bookstore. When a book is an antique, however, the need to keep it in great condition increases. If you are a collector, or, perhaps, didn’t even know that you had antique books in your collection, below are some important storage tips to make sure that your books are always well protected. Avoid slipcases Many people swear by slipcases. These are containers…

One of the most important tips when looking into a home that you would like to flip is the location. Do people want to live there? Is it in a desirable neighbourhood? Is it close to amenities? These are all questions that you absolutely must ask yourself before attempting to flip a home for profit. Is it close to you? You are probably going to be working on this home daily during the months ahead, which means that it needs to be close to where you currently live and work, or this might quickly become a huge inconvenience for you. You must also factor in the cost of getting to and from your investment home, as well as the opportunity…

One of the most culturally universal events throughout North America is the garage sale. Garage sales are synonymous with both junk and hidden gems. Everyone has, at some time in their life, driven past a sign on a telephone pole for a garage sale, seen an advertisement in the local paper, or even attended one in person. If you have never thrown a garage sale before, or have tried and not gotten the results you were hoping for, below are some tips for throwing a successful one. Start by making the unemotional decisions One of the major risks of a garage sale is that you will get rid of something that you will later regret having sold. The best way…

One of the best things to happen in the world of wine, beer, and spirits is the popularization of home brewing. Even more, with home brewing, those with the skills and equipment can add their own personal tastes and preferences to the beer they drink and offer to friends and family, and even the public on a small scale. Brewing homemade beer, however, involves some pieces of equipment that come with special storage needs to ensure that they are always working correctly. If you are wondering about the best ways to properly store your brewing equipment when not in use, below are some tips to help you out. Invest in hooks and a peg board These storage options are especially…

In this day and age, we accumulate a significant amount of items. However, leading a truly happy, fulfilling life is about getting rid of the stuff that doesn’t add value, and maximizing the things that do. This concept of minimalism is often used in home decor. If you are trying to create that flawless, minimalist look in your home, below are the best decor tips and advice you can follow. Quality over quantity Just because you have fewer things in your home doesn’t mean that you have to compromise on style or quality. In fact, you should be incorporating items that are high quality. One of the best things about interior decorating for a minimalist home is that you can…

One of the most common items that people require storage for is a mattress. Many of us are constantly downsizing or upsizing our mattresses. A mattress may have simply become unnecessary for you and your family, but you may still want to keep it around just in case. If you are wondering about the best way to store your mattress, below are some tips that you may find useful: Avoid storing your mattress in your basement When trying to store a mattress, many people opt for a basement or below-ground storage areas. This is a recipe for disaster, because basements are humidity traps and a mattress can quickly become so damaged by mold and mildew that it is no longer…

Since time immemorial, people have been collecting things, whether because they are simply interested in the item being collected, or because they feel that the collectible in question will be worth more money than they originally paid for it. It is fun to look back on history and see how things have changed over the years, or marvel at the little time capsules you have collected. If you are a collector, or thinking about getting into collecting, below are 2017’s collectible trends and what to know about them. Furniture and Decor from the 1950’s and 60’s This trend has been going strong for a couple of years now and shows no sign of stopping. Whether people are collecting furniture from…

Self storage units are a great way to declutter your life and find temporary homes for things during a move or renovation. Storage pricing varies based on the amenities you are after (such as climate control or winter storage), as well as the size of the storage unit you require. One item that is particularly tricky to store is plants. If you are a gardener or a landscaper and you are thinking about placing some of your plants in self storage, below are some things that you need to know. Who Might Need a Self Storage Unit for Plants? People who need to put plants into a self storage unit are usually people who are moving or renovating and need…

Self storage units are a great way to free up some space in your home and office for the things that are most important to you. Millions of people around the world invest in self storage units to help them store everything from seasonal cars and recreational vehicles, to important personal documents, family heirlooms and seasonal clothing and decorations. Many people, however, don’t realize that certain items require climate controlled storage to ensure that they are fully protected. Below are four items that require a climate controlled storage unit. Appliances Appliances like refrigerators and ovens require climate controlled storage to ensure that their internal workings and moving parts don’t develop rust, which can damage mechanical parts and end up rendering…

If you have furniture in your home or office that you want to get out of your hair temporarily, you want to maintain it in good condition, so that you (or somebody) can get further use out of it in the future. If you are putting your furniture into a self storage unit, below are some tips on how to properly wrap and take care of it while it’s not in use. Clean Before You Wrap Before you place any furniture in storage, you have to clean it first. You should wipe down furniture with a clean cloth, and vacuum and/or shampoo the upholstery before it goes into storage. Any dirt that’s on your furniture when you place it into…

For people who are lucky enough to enjoy a recreational vehicle during the summer (or winter for that matter) you understand that owning a recreational vehicle is not without its chores. You don’t just put it into storage for the winter and then take it out, start it up and hit the road. The process of taking your RV out of short term storage is more involved. It requires some special know-how to ensure the vehicle is safe and ready for use. Below are four tips for taking your recreational vehicle out of storage. Consult the Owner’s Manual The owner’s manual is there for a reason: to teach you everything you need to know about safely and responsibly operating your…

Of all the industries that need a good self storage facility, perhaps none have a greater need than theatre and film. With all of the costumes, props, pulleys, curtains and other items necessary to put on complicated stage productions, theatre companies need space to store all of that stuff when it is not being used. If you are thinking about placing film or theatre items into storage, below are some tips for keeping them safe and secure while they are not in use. Packing and Preserving Costumes Costumes, like any expensive clothing, should be dry cleaned, put in garment bags that breathe, and stored in well-ventilated, professional quality wardrobe boxes. This is especially true for costumes that use natural textiles…

As much fun as owning a boat is, there are some upkeep and storage requirements that many boat owners wish they could simply do away with. Every time you put your boat away, or take it out for the summer, there is a list of things you have to do to make sure that you are not damaging the boat, and that it is safe to drive. If it’s that time of year again for you and the boat is coming out of your winter storage, below are some things to keep in mind when dewinterizing your boat. Check the Oil It is always a good idea to change the oil before you put a vehicle into storage, but if…