Every home needs one room dedicated to the fun of gaming. The space should accommodate your favorite playing table, video setup, or arcade cabinet with enough range for serious action. How can you make this gamer's fantasy real? Take a few measurements, move some things to nearby Chicago, IL storage units, and score the game room of your dreams.

Make Room for Fun and Games

There's nothing like playing your favorite game. It's even better when you compete in the comfort of your very own game cave carved out of the basement, den, or spare bedroom. The most important rule of game room conversion applies to space. You need plenty of it, and that means moving extra furniture into a nearby self storage facility. These guidelines can help you stake out gaming ground for your personal playing field.

1. Traditional Table Setups

Tables take up space, and you do too. As you measure a room for one of these traditional table setups, give yourself generous clearance for competition.

• Air Hockey: Standard air hockey tables need a minimum 7 feet by 8 feet of open space.
• Pool Tables: These classics work best in rooms measuring at least 18 feet by 14 feet.
• Foosball: Shoot for a playing space of 7 feet by 8 feet to accommodate the table, as well as the rods.

2. Classic Arcade Games

Too many pinball machines and arcade cabinets wind up in storage units because they're so heavy. Save yourself the heartbreak of parking a vintage game. Be sure you're setting up Tron Legacy and Pac-Man on solid flooring that can support 250 to 300 pounds of arcade fun.

3. Big Screen Video Gaming

Indulge in your love for this type of action with at least 32 inches of quality flat screen. Beyond finding an affordable TV, this game room setup is one of the easiest. Get comfortable with an old couch, upgrade the sound system, put in a mini-fridge, and you're ready for massively multiplayer first-person anything.

Glad to Do Our Part

We admire your drive to play hard and have fun. It's that kind of spirit that turns plain rooms into dream game rooms, and we're glad to do our part. With more than a dozen Safeguard locations across Chicago, IL, our self storage facilities always score high. When you need easy access, climate-control, and high-tech security, our modern units make sure you're a winner. Find your nearest Chicagoland facility:

• Arlington Heights, IL
• Beverly
• Bridgeview, IL
• Darien, IL
• Hermosa
• Lake View
• Palatine, IL
• South Loop
• Uptown
• West Rogers Park

You're ready to string lights and turn on the glow around your South Side home, so it's time to sort through those boxes of strands in self storage. Your Chicago, IL neighbors are headed for the roof too. Everyone in Beverly brightens up at the thought of putting up lights for the holidays, so make these smart tips part of your decorating scheme this year.

Stay on the Safe Side

You turn your home into a wonderland of dazzling lights every holiday season. You also make sure to play it safe, so review your list of precautions, and then check it twice.

• Give the ladder a solid safety check before you head up to the roof.
• Inspect light strands, extension cords, and plugs for any signs of wear.
• Clear plenty of safe working space by moving outdoor furnishings to your storage unit.
• Take a look around for power lines that can pose a danger while you're on the ladder.

Streamline the Job

DIY efficiency is one of your hallmarks, and that talent extends to handling holiday lights. As you retrieve the old ones from self storage and add new sparkle to your collection, streamline the job by keeping everything in working order.

• Test each strand for dead bulbs with a light tester.
• Tape measure all the lengths you plan on spanning including window frames and porch rails.
• Replace retired strings and garlands with energy-efficient LED lights.
• When the strands come down, coil them in large plastic buckets, or around egg cartons for easy storage in your unit.

Create a Holiday Showcase

Traditional lighting around the eaves is just the beginning. Extend that brilliant illumination with outdoor light tricks that turn your Beverly homestead into a holiday showcase.

• Welcome guests to the house with pretty pathway lights.
• Make shrubs shimmer with sparkling net lights.
• Dress up the post mount lantern with strands of twinkling stars.
• Brighten up your front porch with big glass jars filled with colorful lights.

We Wish You the Best

Don't forget to turn off those beautiful holiday lights before you go to bed. We want you and your Beverly neighbors to stay safe and preserve energy efficiency, especially this time of year. When everything finally comes down, we're ready for you with 15 Safeguard Self Storage Chicagoland locations. Safeguard Self Storage wishes you the best during this special season, and all year long.

Moms are always right: We should've been better about picking up our rooms, but it's never too late to become organized adults. If a tight bedroom puts the squeeze on your stuff, just combine our Chicago, IL self storage with these 10 super-smart hacks.

Your Bedroom, Organized

1. Expand Your Headboard: Replace the headboard with a floor-to-ceiling bookcase that matches your bed's width. This creates an airy, artistic space for storing and decorating.

2. Slide and Hide: Tell friends you borrowed this trick from Uptown's Chicago Magic Lounge. Slip roller trays under the bed, and make clutter disappear. Now you see it, now you don't.

3. Pegboard a Wall Turn this traditional garage storage system into a wall of space-saving wonder by painting it to match the room. Unleash its storage power with hooks, pegs, and shelves.

4. Hang Fruit Baskets Move these tiered metal contraptions from the kitchen to your bedroom, and repurpose their potential. Inexpensive hanging fruit baskets redefine overhead storage.

5. Fill Up Corners Create a cache for stuff by installing corner shelves from floor to ceiling. Congratulate yourself on converting wasted space into room accents with purpose.

6. Assign Double Duty Write the next Uptown blockbuster while you're sitting at the bedside table. Double the function of its limited tabletop by using it as a desk.

7. Stack for Self Storage Keep a stack of lidded plastic bins in the closet. Fill them up with things headed for storage, and make one easy trip to your unit when they're full.

8. Double-Rack Closets Arrange clothes rods as upper and lower storage. Hang your tops on the top rack and your bottoms on the lower rack.

9. Stash a Chest of Drawers Enlarge the closet by moving a clothes rod up 6 inches. Just fill in the space below with a roomy chest of drawers.

10. Roll With Cool Wheels Put a retro bar cart to work as portable storage around the bedroom. Check out local vintage flea markets for cool ideas on wheels.

[H3] We're Happy to Help

Now that you're organized, treat yourself to a stroll along Montrose Beach. Our Safeguard Self Storage facility is located less than a mile northwest on Sheridan Road, so stop by, and say hello to the Uptown Store Team. We're happy to help you finally get that room picked up with the best storage units in Chicago, IL.

Whether you're expanding the office, opening a new storefront, or launching an online startup, you need space to grow. Established brick and mortar giants like Walgreen’s and online innovators like Groupon thrive here in Chicago, IL. Affordable storage units help cultivate our strong commercial growth in so many smart ways. Here’s how self storage can help with your business’ growth.

You Have Room to Move Furniture

Why pass up a great deal on office furniture? With convenient self storage, you don't have to miss out on savings. When it's time to expand operations, you're ready to furnish extra office space with new desks and chairs. They’re just waiting to take their place in your rapidly developing business plans.

Bulk Supplies Hold Down Costs

Hold down the bottom line with bulk buying strategies. Everything from printing paper to cleaning supplies costs less at the big box store, and you have space to keep it all handy in your nearby storage unit. Buying bulk saves money and time that you can reinvest in growing your business.

Inventory Forecasts Stay Manageable

It's easier to increase upscale retail sales in Lincolnshire when you have plenty of available inventory at your storage facility. Quick access lets you stock according to your schedule, and you do it from a unit that costs a fraction of what you pay for showroom square footage.

Office Floor Space Stays Flexible

While building your business means adding new employees, business self storage gives you flexible floor space. Rearrange the workplace with those discounted desks and chairs stored off-site. Expand room for a growing staff without knocking down walls to expand existing office space.

You Always Have Options

With climate-controlled storage, you lease as little or as much square footage as you need. Drive-up units make heavy on- and off-loading easy, and all of our facilities in Chicago, IL handle customer package acceptance and deliveries. You can manage your account online so that it always fits your plans for growth. Whether you're staking out new territory inside the Loop or branching out in the suburbs, modern business storage expands your options for success.

We Back You All the Way

The sky doesn't have to be the limit when you're spreading your entrepreneurial wings in Chicagoland. You might not outgrow Boeing just yet, but you're perfectly positioned to make a lasting mark on Lake Michigan's shores. You can count on us here at Safeguard Self Storage to back you all the way, as we offer an array of business storage units in Chicago, IL.

If your home could grow along with your family, it would already take up half the block. A house filled with fun and love can also fill up with too much stuff and leave everyone feeling fenced in. Here in Chicago, IL, storage units are your key to opening up extra space and reclaiming your home.

Figuring It Out

The whole family needs room to breathe. Still, you wouldn't slow down if you could. The kids keep growing and outgrowing their toys and clothes. Your hobby is an e-commerce hit, leading you to stock inventory under the kitchen table. Dresser drawers serve as file cabinets for important papers. The garage doubles as self storage for the softball team's equipment. In the middle of all this, the kids are ready for separate rooms. Oh yeah, and everyone wants to adopt a puppy. Your family needs space.

Making It Work

You're in good company here in Chicagoland. Families all across the city from North Side to Lincoln Park expand their living space with affordable neighborhood storage units. You can make it work for you too.

• Secure important papers in a climate-controlled unit.
• Store extra furniture, and free up floor space at home.
• Save the kids' hand-me-down clothes and toys without cluttering closets.
• Rescue the garage by parking sports equipment in your unit.
• Hang seasonal decorations in storage for easy access year-round.

Enjoying the Benefits

If you haven't checked out the convenience of a storage unit lately, be prepared for pleasant surprises. Most facilities offer drive-up units, month-to-month leasing, and online account management. With extra storage, you’ll finally sort out stuff for garage sales and donations. The house will be easier to clean and the kids will have more room to play. Best of all, you have peace of mind knowing that your things are still nearby with 24/7 access.

Serving You with Room to Grow

How easy is it to reclaim space at the house? It's as easy as stopping by one of our Chicago, IL Safeguard Self Storage locations. We're at your service, with more than a dozen modern facilities across the area from Uptown to Des Plaines. When you store your things with us, your family always has room to grow. Find the facility that’s closest to you:

• South Loop: 1353 S. Wabash Ave
• West Rogers Park: 6014 N. California Ave.
• Uptown: 5026 N. Sheridan Rd.
• Lake View: 2757 N. Clybourn Ave.
• Beverly: 1909 W. 95^th
• Hermosa: 4534 W. North Ave.

That amazing boom you hear coming from South Loop is the sound of economic growth elevating the historic neighborhood's skyline. High profile high-rise projects are transforming the cityscape with extra space for living, entertaining, and doing business. Now's the time to make your move to this influential part of Chicago, IL, where self storage and skyscrapers serve you in tandem.

Dynamic Evolution and Growth

The old and the new have always coexisted in harmony here in Chicago's commercial center. Originally built as a U.S. Army fort in 1803, the dynamic business district's past was recognized by the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. As the seat of Cook County government, the Loop has evolved with its lovely architectural past intact. As the heart of our city's economy, it's growing every day with the promise of a very bright future.

Booming Residential Options

From the Marriott Marquis anchoring McCormick Square to a 22-story tower on Cermak, business in the Loop is booming and so are residential opportunities. Would you like to be a part of this exciting scene? You have these options and so many more:

• Essex on the Park boasting 479 units on Michigan Avenue
• A 26-story tower on Wabash Avenue opening with 320 apartments
• One Grant Park offering 729 rental units on South Indiana

It's all wide open, whether you're looking at SoMi, the Chicago River, or Lake Michigan. South Loop is the fastest growing place to live, work, and play in Chicagoland.

Self Storage Convenience

When relocation brings you here to the Loop, keep in mind it's an apartment-living lifestyle. These are just a few of the conveniences that storage units offer before and after you make the big move:

• Plenty of space for seasonal clothes and bedding
• Extra room for anything anytime
• Easy online account management 

Feeling Right at Home

Whether you set your sights across Grant Park or Monroe Harbor, this part of Chi-Town is the hottest place in Chicago, IL for planting new roots. We're in the middle of the action on Wabash Avenue ready to help you settle in with the best storage units in South Loop. It's our pleasure at Safeguard to welcome you and help you feel right at home.

On the first weekend of August, Second City backyard chefs liberate their favorite grilling gear. Storage units across Chicago fly open as frankfurter fans get ready to celebrate our delicious Hot Dog Festival. Here's a tasty overview of the annual event that inspires so much mouthwatering fun.

History Starts at the Museum

Our wonderful Chicago History Museum holds more than 22 million artifacts and documents that chronicle local and national history. Our irresistible Chicago hot dogs trace their flavorful heritage back to hearty locals braving the Depression. The institution and the meal are revered across the city, so it seemed natural four years ago to celebrate them both with an outdoor party at Lincoln Park. Since then, the Chicago Hot Dog Festival has continued to grow and benefit the Museum's ongoing good works.

Ketchup Stops at the Fries

An authentic Chicago-style hot dog wears a bright yellow mustard coat. Some friendly debates try to put ketchup on top of everything, but purists know better. That all-beef frank belongs in a poppy seed bun that looks like it’s been dragged through the garden. Chopped onion, sliced tomato, sport peppers, pickle spears and relish give it a gloriously overloaded profile. This is a dog that deserves the works, and it delivers a satisfying snap with every bite. It's an original, and most natives here in Chi-Town savor the traditions that keep it a culinary classic.

Cooking Options Go Both Ways

Do you keep an heirloom Dutch oven in self-storage? Does your perfectly cured grill winter in your storage unit? The Chicago hot dog prefers a slow simmer, but it's become accustomed to a smoky barbecue. Originally, this street-perfect dish was prepared ahead of time and kept warm in vendors' steam carts. Today, the delicious dog plumps up with a 5 to 7 minute hot bath or gloriously grills in about the same amount of time. Depending on your preference, either technique produces an entree that lives up to its history and goes down best when shared with friends.

We tip our forks to everyone who supports our Chicago History Museum and annual Chicago Hot Dog Festival. If you need a little extra space for organizing your own yummy celebration this year, check out Safeguard Self Storage options for Chicago, IL backyard chefs. We keep your grilling gear in great shape all year-round.

In mid-June, Chicago hosts the Green Music Fest, an environmentally conscious festival that features green vendors, food and biodiesel bicycles. You'll also discover Remix Chicago, a festival of repurposed crafts and eco-friendly workshops. However, you don't have to wait until these events to go green in Chicago, IL. In fact, you can get started right away and help protect the environment even in the big city. Safeguard Self Storage has all the tips on going green!

Make a Difference on World Environment Day

World Environment Day happens annually on June 5 and raises awareness for protecting the environment. It started in 1974 and has since gone global as more than 100 countries now celebrate this event. You don't have to join a flash mob or hand out pamphlets on the sidewalks to participate. No matter how small, you can do your part and still help the planet in a big way.

1. Reduce

Don't throw away unwanted tools, clothes, toys or other belongings. Instead, donate them to charity. You'll help others in need and reduce the amount of garbage in the landfills. Buying in bulk can also help reduce packaging and help you save money at the same time.

2. Reuse

Buy used items such as clothing, books and furniture at consignment shops and thrift stores. Used items are normally less expensive than new items and serve the same purpose. Repair your belongings instead of throwing them away. You can also borrow or rent items when you need them.

3. Recycle

You can recycle almost anything and help conserve natural resources such as wood and water. Recycling also reduces the amount of greenhouse emissions that occur when factories produce more goods. If you recycle your glass jars, plastic bottles and cardboard, you'll also reduce the amount of waste in the landfills.

Daily Tips for Going Green

• Turn the lights off when you leave a room.
• Don't leave the water running when you brush your teeth.
• Separate recyclable items from your trash bin.
• Unplug electronics when they're not in use.  

Go Green This June in Chicago

You can make room in your home by reducing the clutter and either donating the items to charity or hosting a yard sale. As you collect more items, you can use one of the many storage units available at Safeguard Self Storage to organize everything in one place. In the end, you will have helped people in need, reduced excess waste in the landfills and created more space in your home.

Finding the right time to sell your Chicago, IL house can be overwhelming. But, there are tons of potential benefits to downsizing and finding a new place to call home. All that equity is tempting, and the right move could save miles off your commute. Make this next transition the smoothest one yet with the right plan and the right self storage unit to help you get from showing to closing.

Declutter With Purpose 

Don't look at surplus stuff as something that you have to haul off. Declutter with purpose by giving to one of Chicago's charitable organizations. Your gently used items will be appreciated, and you can often use the donation as a tax write-off. If you need a little help funding downsizing plans, turn high-end clutter into cash at a consignment shop. Weekend garage sales and online auctions are also great venues for converting extra stuff into extra pocket change.

Stage to Sell

Imagine looking at a South Loop condo with an eye to making it your new home. You picture favorite color schemes at play and start arranging every room. The prospective space appeals to you because it's been staged. Apply this simple, effective sales strategy to your home by packing away personal items like photos and keepsakes. Clean the house from top to bottom, flood each room with natural light, and create an environment that lets prospective buyers paint their own interiors inside your beautifully staged home.

Downsize and Store

Downsizing and self storage are perfect partners. Use the extra space for things that you don't want to donate or sell. When you start staging, stash sentimental items in your storage unit. Organize belongings that you don’t need now for easy retrieval when you’re ready to move into your new Chicago home. Climate-controlled units keep everything from personal records to electronics in good shape while you finalize relocation plans. It’s easy to take advantage of self-storage benefits with online tools that let you choose the perfect space, manage lease options and take care of payments with 24/7 convenience.

From Northside Lincoln Park to historic Bridgeport, homeowners are enjoying the upsides of downsizing. When you want to back your plans with space that fits, we have just what you need. Safeguard Self Storage stands ready to help you make the move of a lifetime with convenient storage units all across Chicago and its suburbs.