You do not have to live with a messy compact Dubai apartment to enjoy the benefits of having live-in storage. To maximize your usable living area for more storage, the best thing you can do is develop a 3-part habit of: being careful about what you keep; using the best way to hold on to your stuff and taking out-of-season items and putting them in a more permanent place.
You can create open spaces, easy-to-maintain spaces, as well as tidy spaces in a small apartment, whether you live in a studio apartment in JVC, a one-bedroom apartment in Dubai Marina, or an expanding family apartment in Al Barsha. The 3-Part Guide to Small Storage in Dubai is a compilation of great suggestions to help you de-clutter your apartment. This will also include when to remove your stuff entirely and store it at an off-site storage location.
None of these suggestions will cost you money for renovations or new furniture. They are all good habits or systems that all renters or owners of smaller apartments in Dubai can use to their advantage immediately.
Why Small Homes in Dubai Run Out of Space
There are a few things that make living in a small apartment in Dubai unique. Most apartments are created for efficient use of space versus extensive closets, balconies are not capable for reliably keeping things in above 45 degrees Celsius, and many people in Dubai lead a transient lifestyle where they are collecting seasonal items, special gifts, and equipment at a rapid pace, far faster than they can rid themselves of the same.
The accumulation of additional items, such as twice-yearly vacation luggage, seasonal clothing for trips back home, and boxes from a prior move, will fill up a neat flat in no time. [Get Free Quotation]
The first step toward resolving most space issues is to understand that there are not enough square metres of space c/w use and what is permitted to occupy this space.
Start by Decluttering, Not Reorganising
Unfortunately, most individuals fall into the trap of going out and buying boxes and shelving first; therefore, the first thing to do is reduce what you have. You can begin to acquire space efficiency by decluttering and separating the items that belong in your everyday space from those that do not.
Once you have separated things into piles to keep, donate, and store somewhere else (off-site), you can add additional resources for storage rental units.
When It Makes Sense to Store Items Off-Site
Once you run out of space in your little home, forcing everything in might make it look claustrophobic and rather stressful. Off-site storage can be a clever answer to anything you want to keep that you don't need day in and day out-your spare furniture, seasonal decorations, sports and traveling equipment, stock or documents for your business, and belongings during a move or renovation.
Moving these items off premises does not diminish your ability to access the items. SafeStorage Dubai, a storage unit service, will pick up your items from your location, provide secure, secure storage facilities, and deliver them back to you whenever you want them.
Instead of your apartment or balcony damaging your valuables due to the extreme heat of Dubai during the summer months by warping wood or leather, cracking furniture, or damaging electronics, the items will be protected by a secure storage unit. Your apartment will be able to breathe, and your items will remain safe.
Storage Support for Small-Home Living
When individuals choose to utilize their small home more efficiently, the following services listed meet most of the common small-space living needs of the majority of individuals.
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Seasonal and Overflow Storage
All of your winter clothing, holiday decorations, luggage and rarely used miscellaneous items should be stored off-site and rotated back into your home only as you need them to open up wardrobe and cupboard space in your home!
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Furniture and Appliance Storage
When furniture storage, appliances, and other large items, consider storing them at a facility and not overcrowding the small apartment, because once you have moved or finished with your renovations, you can retrieve your large items.
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Door-to-Door Pickup and Delivery
No need for an unnecessary van rental or commercial moving company. Your belongings are collected directly from your address, and delivery is easily arranged for retrieval upon request, the best possible solution when you need both space and time. [Here More Information]
About the Author
Aisha Rahman is a Dubai-based home organizing expert who has been actively helping apartment dwellers and young families across the UAE create a calmer and more functional living space for an impressive 8 years now. She has arranged 100s of smaller homes from studios to family flats and provides practical literature to help everyday people achieve space-saving limits in their homes.
What Our Customers Say
“Our one-bedroom in JVC always felt packed, especially with all our travel and winter gear taking up the wardrobes. We decluttered and moved the seasonal storage into SafeStorage, suddenly the flat seemed twice as large. The collection process was totally effortless and it's never been easier to retrieve our stuff when heading out of Dubai. A completely new feeling in our flat." — Sara Khalid, Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC)
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How can I maximize storage space in a small Dubai apartment?
Start by decluttering your space to have extra room. After this, you can make use of vertical storage (Utilize walls), use multi-purpose furniture and use both under your bed and above your door to create additional storage. Seasonal items or items that you rarely use should be taken off-site so that there is lots of room in your day-to-day living space.
2. What is the first thing to do to make more room at home?
Decluttering, not reorganising. By cutting back on what you own, you'll immediately create additional space at home; it also helps make everything else that requires additional storage work effectively. You will want to make three separate groups from the pile you have created from the larger pile, which was created by collecting things that are going to be kept, donated, and stored outside of the home.
3. What type of items should be stored off premises?
Anything you are not using regularly but wish to keep - seasonal clothes, holiday decorations, luggage, excess furniture, sporting goods, business inventory and records are good examples of this type of item.
4. Is it okay to store things on my balcony in Dubai?
If you have items, you should never leave something outside on a balcony due to the possibility of the rising above 45 degrees Celsius; the wood, leather, electronic and fabric items will become damaged.
5. Do I need to buy expensive furniture to save space?
You do not need to buy anything new. Most of the time, you will be able to find the solution to your space-related issues with the right habits and inexpensive tools, such as baskets, tension rods, stackable boxes, or labeling your items; just repurpose what you already own and don't purchase additional items.
6. How does off-site storage work with SafeStorage Dubai?
The staff over at SafeStorage Dubai will come and collect all of your things from your home, store them securely in a secure storage facility and return them to you whenever you would like them back. No trucks, no moving companies.
7. Are stored items protected from Dubai's heat and humidity?
Yes, with secure storage units for storing items, there will always be a consistent, cool humidity, ensuring no sensitive items are affected by warping, cracking or moisture damage year-round.
8. Can I get my stored items back easily?
You will have no trouble getting your items back! Just call in and request your items and they will be returned to you, as well as being a practical way to make it easy to get back your seasonal furnishings.
9. Which areas of Dubai do you serve?
We cover neighbourhoods across the city, including Business Bay, Dubai Marina, JLT, JVC, Jumeirah, Downtown, Al Quoz, Al Barsha, Deira, Bur Dubai, Mirdif, Silicon Oasis, Motor City, and Dubai South. If your area is not listed, contact us — we likely serve it too.
10. How do I get started?
The first step to using SafeStorage is to make a list of items you want to remove from your residence. Then, you need to request a free quote for your storage. Once your quote is authorised, SafeStorage will schedule a pick-up of your items. To get more information, please call the number listed or visit the website located at www.safestorage.ae.
Final Thoughts
If you have a small apartment or house in Dubai, there is nothing like making your home feel like a big, less-crowded home — it only takes a system that is clean, rather than just more square meters.
You can do this by decluttering, maximizing vertical space with the use of storage furniture, leaving surfaces clear of undue clutter, and moving out of your everyday use area into off-site storage for things that will only be used every so often.
If your apartment is at capacity, don’t worry, SafeStorage has the answer you need. Our secure storage, combined with our door-to-door pickup service, makes reclaiming space from your apartment easy. Start with one room this weekend, and let the rest follow. [Here More Information]