Founded in 1890, Hansen Bros. Moving & Storage the parent company of Portabox has successfully weathered many history-changing events including the Great Seattle Fire, WWI, the Spanish Flu of 1918, the Great Depression, WWII, the 2008 recession, and 9/11 among many other public crises. We are taking the current COVID-19 threat very seriously and will promptly adhere to any and all directives from local, state and federal government officials. Hansen Bros. and Portabox have been categorized as an essential industry business (moving & relocation) within the current mandate established by Washington State Governor Jay Inslee.

As essential services, we will maintain normal operations until such time as either company management determines we must close our offices or we are directed to do so by a governmental authority. We are taking extensive precautionary measures including the adoption of all CDC guidelines and the establishment of our own policies intended to minimize health risks for all customers, employees, contractors, vendors, and community stakeholders. We are proud to be able to support the needs of our customers during this crucial time but are prepared to quickly change course as required.

Stay safe together with Hansen Bros. and Portabox

The COVID-19 crisis is fluid and there are many uncertainties and factors outside of our control that may, with little or no advance notice, impact our delivery of moving & storage services. Please be aware the current crisis could potentially result in small inconveniences such as a delayed project start time or significant inconveniences such as the complete rescheduling of services.

Although there are many unknowns to be navigated, you can be certain that Hansen Bros. and Portabox will be timely and transparent in our communications regarding servicing your moving & storage needs, and our professional relocation consultants will work diligently to offer creative solutions in the event your project is impacted by the current health crisis.

Steps We're Taking:

  • Company-wide Implementation of all precautionary measures recommended by the Center for Disease Control (CDC).
  • Office staff and crews are being monitored daily for symptoms and/or known exposure by management and asked to go home, contact their healthcare provider, and self-quarantine as directed. Staff that experience symptoms and/or aware of exposure when not at work have been directed to stay home and notify their supervisor.
  • Office staff and crews are receiving daily briefings on precautionary measures and have been directed to follow them on and off the job.
  • Office staff and crews are being instructed to maintain appropriate “social distance” of 6 feet minimum between one another, customers, and all other people.
  • Office staff and crews are being provided with appropriate hand sanitizer and surface disinfecting supplies. They have been directed to disinfect truck cabs and moving equipment between each move to the best of their ability. These supplies will continue to be replenished as we are able, based on availability from retailers.
  • We are limiting visitation to our branch offices. If you wish to purchase moving boxes or supplies, please simply call in your order and we will happily deliver to your vehicle outside.

We are all in this together.  The team at Hansen Bros. and Portabox is proud to continue offering our services in accordance with the necessary precautions outlined above. We are here to make the process of storing belongings seamless & safe for you.

Tips for making your house appear bigger during summer

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Smaller homes are notorious for how hard they are to decorate. Well, at least without making them feel cluttered or placing the majority of your items in Kenmore self storage. Or, without excessive remodeling, for that matter. However, with limited space comes a lot of compromising. You’ll probably have to ditch some items in favor of others. But, on the bright side – not as much as you may think. The keynote here is making your house appear bigger during summer. And appearances can be deceiving – which you’ll use to your advantage any chance you get. You’ll trick your eye and your brain into thinking that the space they perceive is much larger than it is. All of it with just a bit of light, color, and inventory manipulation.

A light grey living room with mountain view.
Making your house appear bigger during summer is all about manipulating lighting and colors.

#1 – Declutter

Most people don’t use half of the items they have at home. Granted, some of these items fulfill their role as decoration. But the rest – they only serve to take up precious space. They become the clutter you trip upon, that limits your storage room and makes your place look smaller. So, the first thing you should do is free up that space. And the best way to do it through systematic decluttering. It is, by far, the fastest, cheapest, and most effective way of making your house appear bigger during summer.

Of course, you shouldn’t throw away all that excess. The most important thing is that clutter is out of the way. Through the thorough revision of inventory, you’ll find a whole lot of items that don’t, and never will serve any purpose. You can sell these items to boost your budget, either online or through a yard sale. What doesn’t sell you can always donate to local charities, or give away. Only then you should throw away the rest.

Once you get rid of useless stuff, you’ll be left with things you’ll actually use. These items should go in portable Woodinville self storage. That way, you can access them when the need arises and they won’t take up useful space in your home. The best thing here is: the items you sell can easily pay for a few months of storage. Therefore, it’s safe to say there are no negative sides to decluttering.

#2 – A bit of home staging goes a long way…

Not bumping into things at any turn makes your place more functional. But, it also makes it feel larger! As we said, it’s not about the actual size of your house. It’s the perception of space making your house appear bigger during summer. So, after you finish decluttering, have Seattle movers get your stuff to the storage and restage the furniture. This will not only make your place appear larger – but brand-new, too.

… and so does a minor remodel

A bright beige room overlooking a city.
The more natural light – the bigger your room will look.

You can make your house appear larger, increase the livability, and gain some extra storage space – with a single piece of furniture. Floor-to-ceiling shelves are an excellent addition to any room of the house. Also, they’re cheap, easy to assemble or even make from scratch DIY-style. But, aside from providing ample storage, they have a welcome side effect. They draw the gaze upward, thus making the ceiling appear higher. On the flip side, wall-to-wall shelves have a similar impact, making the room appear wider. So, it’s only a matter of your preference and possibilities.

#3 – The Sun is your greatest ally in making your house appear larger during summer

You probably already know about the positive impact of natural lighting in homes. It boosts the mood, wards off depression, and has a whole bunch of other benefits. But, did you know that it also makes any space appear larger? That’s right – the more sunshine, the better the effect. So, choose light and airy material for your drapes. Or, better yet – ditch them altogether! Place them in Seattle mini storage while decluttering, and leave them there until the fall. To quote the immortal Galt MacDermot: “Let the sunshine in!”

#4 – Remove rugs and carpets

Although rugs and carpets feel great on your feet, they also make the room look smaller. The exact opposite of what you’re trying to achieve. So, consider giving them the same treatment you do to drapes. Removing large floor coverings makes space look more open and, thus, larger. It also makes furniture pieces stand out, yet appears smaller than they are. However, if you’re a person who cannot imagine living without rugs, don’t despair. You don’t have to ditch them altogether. Instead, opt for small and simple, minimalistic pieces. These won’t hog the attention and will give the place additional “oomph.”

#5 – Add mirrors

Small mirrors on the white wall.
Well-placed mirrors brighten up the place and create the illusion of space.

When it comes to home decoration, mirrors are more than just a vanity element. Once again, making your house appear larger during summer is all about manipulating light. And nothing does that better than a mirror! First, it reflects light, thus adding even more brightness to your room. Second, it creates a sense of “openness”, much like an additional window. Lastly, it reflects the view, thus tricking the brain into thinking there’s a lot more space. So, consider placing mirrors strategically around your house.

#6 – Brighten it up

If your home is ready for a new coat of paint – that’s ideal! You can use this opportunity to refresh your walls and, at the same time, make them feel larger. That said, the choice of color will play a significant role here. White is the most popular choice and the one that provides the best effect. However, it can also feel a bit bland and sterile. So, it’s better to go with some light, but neutral variants. Light grey, beige, greige (the combination of the previous two), taupe, and blue are all excellent choices. These colors emphasize natural lighting, brighten up space, and are easy on the eye. So, they hit all the right spots.

Don’t be afraid to experiment

As you can see, making your house appear bigger during summer doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive. It only takes a bit of brainstorming and the right approach, and the results will show. So, don’t be afraid to experiment with colors, alternative light sources, or even furniture placement. After all, it’s all about your perception of space and, more than that, about the comfort you’re feeling.

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Locations Served

LYNNWOOD PORTABOX

2902B Lincoln Way Lynnwood, WA, 98087

SEATTLE PORTABOX

10750 Aurora Ave N Suite B Seattle, WA 98133

NEWCASTLE PORTABOX

6868 Coal Creek Pkwy SE Newcastle, WA 98059

BOISE PORTABOX

103 N Curtis Road Boise, ID, 83706