From baseball games to soccer practice, getting the kids to the field on time keeps you on the run. Make it easier to organize your home team here in Palatine, IL by putting nearby storage units into play. This guide offers tips for streamlining your busy schedule as you keep the kids on track.

Get In and Out In a Hurry

As a soccer mom or dad, you know how hard it is to round up kids and equipment. With the clock ticking down, everybody combs through crowded closets and digs around in the garage.

Self storage cuts down on clutter at the house, and it makes grabbing the right gear for the right game much easier. These simple storage hacks quickly convert your unit into the ultimate in-and-out sports storage solution.

• Load Up Laundry Baskets – These mini storage units are lightweight and easy to load in the car. Their latticed sides give you a clear view of balls and gloves.
• Stuff Duffel Bags – Stash heavy gear in canvas duffel bags. Luggage tags make great labels, and the bags' sturdy handles let you keep a firm grip on equipment coming and going.
• Wheel In Shelving – Wheeled shelving units let you rearrange floor plans according to the season. The portable storage also gives you front, back, and side access to stacked baskets and bags.
• Repurpose Old Bookshelves – You may already have several of these storage solutions in your unit. Turn them into cubbies for small sports gear.

Divide, Conquer, and Suspend Space

Save time by dividing the unit into designated game zones. This strategy lets you and the kids quickly sort and retrieve gear. You can also assign a specific area to each child so that everyone has their own equipment stash.

Increase your efficiency score by keeping things off the floor with hanging shoe racks and sporty backpacks. Personalize these storage solutions with colors and name tags and suspend them on your wheeled shelving. Be sure to hang things within easy reach for your littlest athletes.

You Always Win With Self Storage

Keeping the kids' sporting equipment organized and ready to go is so much easier when you keep self storage in the game. We make it a slam dunk with climate-controlled storage here in Palatine, IL and all across Cook County. Rent a unit today and let Safeguard put your home team on the winning track.

When the busy season winds down, you need to park equipment and supplies. Your construction business doesn't fit in the garage anymore, and you're still working on several offseason jobs. Solve these space and access problems with affordable self storage in Lyons, IL and throughout the Chicago metropolitan area.

Slow Down and Take Stock 

Now is the time to put downtime to good use. As the schedule eases up, scout different types of storage units in your area. Small units work for tool and supply storage, while drive-up units are great for unloading heavy equipment.

You can lease secure facility parking for company trucks, vans, and forklifts. Everything stays centrally located, and you don't have to worry about theft or vandalism back at the job site. When you're between projects, tools and equipment are always in one place for inventory, inspection, and repair.

Organize and Stock Up 

A climate-controlled storage unit keeps tools and equipment insulated from freezing Chicago weather. It also keeps you comfortable as you organize everything for quick access. Labeled plastic bins make it easier to retrieve multiple toolsets, while wood pallets and shelves keep supplies within easy reach. 

Take advantage of offseason pricing on some of those supplies. Save money now with bulk buying strategies that put you ahead of the next quarter's budget. You have plenty of room in an affordable storage unit that leases for a fraction of the cost of warehouse space. 

Relax and Enjoy Self Storage Benefits 

Saving money always counts, but self storage also adds value to your construction business and gives you a competitive edge. 

• Tools and equipment stay in top condition and ready to go.
• High-tech, on-site security systems give you peace of mind.
• You don't have to schedule around equipment pick-up from multiple locations, as it’s all in one place.
• You can order supplies and have them delivered to your storage facility.
• Online tools like account management and our unit size calculator save valuable time.
• Flexible leasing options let you expand and downsize according to the season.

Build Your Success Year-Round

Every offseason is an opportunity to catch your breath and make plans for the future. As your construction company continues to build on its success, let Safeguard help expand your capabilities. With accessible storage units in Lyons, IL and locations all across Chicagoland, we're uniquely positioned to help your business grow year round.

Crisp, cool breezes fill you with inspiration. Autumn leaves in Waterfall Glen fire up your imagination. You're ready to celebrate fall by decorating the house inside and out. It's time to explore all the creative opportunities tucked away in your Darien, IL self storage facility. 

Decorate With Nature's Palette 

The beautiful colors of fall are just outside your door. Scoop up those brilliant hues by gathering maple, elm, and hawthorn leaves. Pair your autumn foliage with pretty green apples for crafting centerpieces. 

Imagine the colorful possibilities in planters and urns stashed in your storage unit. These springtime containers are perfect for potting fall flowers. Fill yours with Chicago-friendly flora like cranberry bushes and ornamental kale. 

Celebrate Autumn Inside 

Make the house inviting with clever DIY fall decorating ideas. You don't have to break your budget at the hobby store to handcraft these homemade fall flourishes. 

• Line a carved-out pumpkin with foil, and turn it into an autumn planter filled with mums.
• Decorate fragrant oranges by adorning them in patterns made with whole cloves.
• Warm up the bedroom with fuzzy throws and plaid coverlets retrieved from self storage.

Embrace the Season Outside 

As you step out to greet each day, the cool change in seasons is truly inspiring. Embrace fall on your front porch with these simple decorating projects. 

• Drape railings with sisal rope garlands of dried broom corn and Indian corn.
• Brighten up the porch with piles of blue Lakota, white ghost, and orange pumpkins.
• Spell out your personal welcome to autumn on a rustic, thrift-store blackboard.

Double Up on Thrifty Decorating 

Stretch your craft budget around the calendar by making affordable storage units a part of fall decorating strategies. Self storage gives you plenty of room to stash extras from one season to the next. 

When it's time to take down fall decorations, stow them away in your storage unit. When it's time to get ready for the next holiday, bring the basics home, and update them to suit the season. Whether you call it recycling or repurposing, it's a thrifty way to celebrate all year long. 

Enjoy a Storage Unit for Every Season 

Here in Chicagoland, we all welcome the transition from summer to fall. Enjoy this time of year knowing you have access to the best storage units in Darien, IL. Enjoy it even more knowing Safeguard keeps your favorite decorating supplies ready for every season, and we're here for you year-round.

He deserves something special this year, but it seems like he already has everything he wants, and you can only hope for a wish list. This Father's Day, give him a gift he can enjoy that doesn't crowd closets or fill up the garage. Make it easy and affordable by surprising your dad with self storage, here in Naperville, IL.

Give His Hobbies a Home

When his woodworking talents outsize the garage, dad needs extra space for tools and supplies. And after flying a model aircraft at Prairie Forest field, he needs a place to park his RC planes. Nearby storage units give dad's hobbies a home away from home. This gift for dad can double as a gift for mom, making the house less cluttered.

Organize Fishing Gear

Save him from fumbling through fishing rods shoved in a closet. The next time dad heads up to Mud Lake, he can swing by his storage unit and pick out the gear he needs. With a new home for fishing equipment, it can easily be organized in a way that makes sense, helping your dad land his favorite catch.

Clear Out the Garage

Make the day really special by volunteering a little time and muscle. Work with your dad to reclaim the garage. Round up all the stuff that crowds out his parking space, box it up, and move it to his new off-site storage spot. He'll be grateful for a roof overhead of his precious car.

Carve Out a Man Cave

Let dad stake a claim on the spare room as a private man cave. All he needs is a storage unit for stashing stuff that's in the way. You can lend a hand with this one, too. Help him clear out old clutter and carve out a new hideaway – he may he even let you enjoy the new space.

Help Him Launch a Home Business

Storage units are ideal for business storage, so encourage the entrepreneur in your dad. Gift him with space that can launch his ideas in time for the next Last Fling's business expo. With extra room for inventory and equipment, he can finally start his own startup.

Self Storage Benefits

You can't wrap up a unit and present it to him at the breakfast table, but you can give him a Father's Day card with his new storage unit access fob and a few notes about the benefits of storage:

• A choice of sizes and leasing arrangements
• Climate-controlled units, drive-in loading area and on-site security features such as:
  • Computer controlled access
  • Unit door alarms
  • Digital video recording
  • High-quality disk or cylinder locks
• Online account management 24/7

Let him know that this space is his to use as he pleases – whether it's for a hobby or a man cave, dad could use a little more room.

Say Thanks with Storage

When you surprise your dad with his own storage unit, you really are giving him a gift that keeps on giving. We can help with Safeguard locations across the Naperville, IL area. Make this Father's Day one he will always remember with storage and a smile.

The wine tasting was wonderful, and the parade was perfect. Lilac Time came to a lovely close, but beautiful Lilacia Park always stays open. The serene setting inspires year-round fun and energizes home gardeners. Supplies emerge from storage units across Lombard, IL as we head into another season for cultivating blossoms in our backyards. 

Summertime Plans at Lilacia

There are many ways to enjoy the flowers in our park, including a stroll back through its history. Did you know the original lilacs here were cuttings brought over from France? Learn more about the park’s miniature great outdoors at the Helen Plumb Library just to the south, and then put these ideas on your list of things to do at Lilacia:

• Tweet, pin and share pictures of your favorite blooms
• Commemorate special events with outdoor photo shoots
• Have a family reunion around the picnic tables
• Plan an outdoor summer wedding right here in Lilacia 

Gardening Inspiration and Tips

As the park's lilacs give way to summertime blossoms, take inspiration from the hard-working folks who keep Lilacia's 8.5 acres looking so beautiful. Simple strategies like pinching back flowers help promote well-balanced growth. If you remove blooms before they fade, you can prevent them from setting seed and slowing down production. Give container plants plenty of water to weather our Illinois summer, and consider nurturing hardy annuals like geraniums, begonias, impatiens, and marigolds. 

Storage Strategies for Green Thumbs

Home gardeners and storage units are natural partners in this part of Illinois. Climate-controlled self storage helps you take care of equipment and supplies. It's a great way to: 

• Protect bagged fertilizer from summer rains off Lake Michigan
• Stack extra flower pots and containers for easy access
• Keep gardening equipment from taking over the garage

Smart organizing strategies free up your green thumb for bringing out the best in your garden. Plant your seeds just right, and they might rival the beauties featured on next year's Lilac Heritage Tour. 

Always Here for You

We're lucky to have such a unique green space here in the heart of our village. Lilacia Park is our own little getaway, so enjoy its special tranquility all summer long. Enjoy your home garden too, and keep the tilling easy with Lombard, IL self storage, located a few miles east of the park. Just like Lilacia, our Safeguard facility on St. Charles Road is always open and here for you year-round.

All your daydreams about the daily double come true on May 5. It's Opening Day at Arlington International Racecourse, and the ponies are off and running. Odds are good you'll find equestrian inspiration at the historic track in Arlington Heights, IL. With self storage just down the road, you can assemble your own gear for local horseback adventures.

A Special Day at the Races

Opening Day at Arlington Park has been a Cook County spring tradition since 1927 when 20,000 race fans officially christened the track as a winner. The park returns that love every year with Opening Day festivities.

• Live entertainment options spotlight fan-favorite DJs on the Miller Life Band Stage.
• Try your luck by entering to win one of 10 season passes or two super-surprise packages.
• Enjoy a free pass to Opening Day by printing your general admission ticket online.

Whether you reserve box seats, indulge in a luxury suite, or just lean on the rails, you don't want to miss the action that makes this day at the races so special.

Your Turn in the Saddle

At the end of Opening Day, turn the excitement of thoroughbreds thundering around the track into a horseback riding hobby right here in Arlington Heights. Area stables offer everything from beginners' classes to competition riding. Once you're comfortable in the saddle, nearby storage units serve as convenient tack rooms for staging trail rides through Cook County's beautiful forest preserves.

Harnessing Your Riding Habit

Arlington Park facilities can stable more than 2,000 horses, but you can harness the riding habit with climate-controlled self storage that holds all the tack and gear you need. Store your gear properly to keep it in better condition.

• Turn wheeled clothes racks into hanging storage for bits, girths and helmets.
• Rest saddles on stands tall enough to keep stirrups off the floor.
• Keep saddle blankets fresh in lidded plastic bins.
• Stash leather cleaning supplies in handy hanging shoe storage systems.

With a secure storage unit, you're always ready to hit the trail, and you always have a home for your gear when it's time to ride into the sunset.

The Best Across the Board

You can follow the action at Arlington Park all season and still find time to explore our great urban outdoors on horseback. When you need space to keep your gear in shape, we have you covered from track to trails. Count on Safeguard across the board for the best storage units in Arlington Heights, IL.

As an active member of the military, you know better than most how to pack up and move in a hurry. You also know how to make the most out of tight quarters, especially at our nation's largest Navy training station in Addison, IL. We're proud to serve our country’s heroes with our nearby Safeguard Self Storage facilities.

Storage Units for Home and Deployment

When you share living and working spaces with 23,000 other people, you understand the value of staying organized. It's always nice to have extra space for everything from working gear to seasonal clothes. The same goes for when you're looking at deployment. You can start packing and finalizing plans, without worrying about how or where to park your belongings while you’re away serving our country. 

Strategic Tips for Military Self Storage

 Because your job keeps you on the move, you know your way around storage facilities. To get the most of your storage space, take these tips into consideration:

• Protect your belongings from Chicago's freezing winters and sizzling summers in a temperature-controlled unit. This type of storage also helps you comfortably weather the seasons as you move things in and out. 
• Use our handy online Space Estimator to figure out how much square footage you need. It does the math to help you choose the right unit size for your storage needs. 
• Share facility information and access codes with a trusted friend or family member. They can take care of anything that might come up while you're away on deployment.
• Don't use the same boxes over and over. Cardboard eventually wears out, gets moldy or invites insect invasions. Treat yourself to fresh storage boxes every few years.
• Keep personal items, bedding and important documents at the front of your unit for quick, easy access. Operate on the principle that last in is last out, and always leave clear paths between stacks. 

Amenity Packed, Convenient and Affordable

 With three convenient locations south of the base, our modern facilities feature a wide selection of storage units. We offer affordable space, from just a few boxes to bikes, boats and cars. Trust your belongings to our high-tech, digitally recorded video and individually alarmed units, and have the flexibility to manage your account online – anytime, anywhere.

Backup You Can Count On

Whether you're calling the base home for now or positioning for future deployment, our Safeguard teams are always here to back you up. Stop by, and visit with our friendly staff at the Palatine, Darien or Addison, IL self-storage facilities. You have plenty to take care of, so count on us to help make your job a little bit easier.

Illinois is the fifth most populous state in the U.S., with more than 12 million citizens calling this state home. Chicago is their largest city and is home to more than 2.7 million people, over 70 community areas and the only boot camp for the U.S. Navy: The Great Lakes Training Center. Needless to say, the population of this “Windy City” fluctuates; people flock to this city, and military populations can find themselves uprooted at a moment’s notice. When military orders threaten to relocate you and your family, utilizing self storage lockers in nearby Des Plaines, Illinois can assist you in a variety of ways. Safeguard Self Storage has more than ten self storage locations throughout Illinois and the Chicagoland area. Let’s explore why Chicago Self Storage Bins are a valuable solution for military moves.

Reasons Service Members and Their Families Need Storage Space

Military service members and their families can find themselves moving to a different state at a moment’s notice, or preparing for an impending deployment. Check out the following reasons – and ways – military families use storage lockers.

• Permanent Change of Station. Getting yourself and your family organized for relocation can be hectic, especially since you might not have much notice. Pack your belongings and store them for move out day, so they don’t crowd up the home you’re still trying to live in. That way, when you’re ready to travel to your new duty station, you can pack up at the self storage facility and be on your way.
• Temporary Additional Duty. Temporary duty assignments refer to an assignment at a location other than your permanent duty station. These may last days or months in duration. Use storage lockers to keep valuables secure while you aren’t at your place of residence.
• Deployment. If you’re leaving a family stateside while you deploy, self storage can come in handy for a number of reasons. Your significant other may decide to return to their family and their home state for the duration, and packing up belongings in a storage unit can be an easy way to make that transition. If you’re single, clearing out your barracks, apartment or home may be necessary to allow another person to move in or sublet.
• Discharge. Leaving the military lifestyle can be an exciting change for some service members, but moving to a new home or even state can be stressful. Use self storage to make the transition between homes – and to civilian life – much easier.

Self Storage Tips for Members of the Armed Forces

Follow some basic self storage tips to ensure that your belongings are safe and secure – no matter where you are.

• Pack bulky items such as furniture in the back of the storage unit and along the walls.
• Use pallets to keep items off of concrete floors. This provides better airflow and ensure that items aren’t damaged by moisture.
• Place heavier items at the bottom.
• Leave a path so you can easily access items needed more often.
• Organize the storage unit by room or item type.
• Draw a diagram of the storage locker so you can locate your belongings easily when you return. (And don’t forget to label the boxes.)
• Invest in a secure lock with a short padlock to keep it safe from bolt cutters. Disc or cylinder locks are a popular choice.
• Choose a storage facility with the security amenities to provide peace of mind and one that offers month to month leases so you only pay for the time you need.

Why Choose Safeguard Self Storage

When choosing a storage facility, safety and security of belongings should be a major priority. At Safeguard Self Storage, our storage units have top-of-the-line security features. The Des Plaines, Illinois storage facility includes computer controlled access, digital video recording, individual door alarms and a facility-wide intercom system. Additionally, climate controlled units are available, which are essential for protecting sensitive belongings in long-term storage. These facilities also include other perks such as drive-in loading areas to protect you and your goods from the elements, flat beds carts and dollies to make moving your items in or out a snap and online payments or auto payment plans which make paying for your storage unit easy while you’re away.

These features – and countless others – make Safeguard Self Storage the ideal storage option for military member and their families. Explore our storage facilities in Illinois to find one that fits your needs.

If you need inspiration for a home-based business, consider Doris Christopher. The Pampered Chef got its start in her basement back in 1980, and the global company's headquarters are still located just west of North Swift Road. Are you thinking about following those famous footsteps? Start up your strategies for home-based success with smart Addison personal storage solutions.

Start With Room to Expand

From inventory and business files to tools and working space, a growing home business quickly takes over the house. Stuffing your entrepreneur's spirit into a corner of the den doesn't leave room to expand. Imagine adding floor space dedicated to everything that fits your business plan. With versatile Addison storage unit rental options, you can develop expansion strategies as you need them. If you run across a great deal on essential materials, stock up your self storage shelves. Park seasonal equipment, protect business records or set up your own distribution center.

Keep Costs Low and Security High

One of the biggest advantages of home business self storage is that it helps balance the books every month. Savings add up when you don't have to deduct utility bills, general maintenance or the price of commercial floor space. Factor in unit door alarms, on-site digital recording, and you have a security packed, cost-effective alternative to converting your home into a warehouse. Safeguard Self Storage facilities offer many storage options and excellent move-in specials. Overhead stays low, so it's easier to save those hard-earned dollars and invest them back into your business.

Stay Flexible Close to Home

Running a successful home-based business brings out your best juggling skills. Slow spells keep inventory on the shelves, but you have to be ready for sales to pick up. When bulk deals roll around on materials or equipment, you can't pass up money-saving opportunities. Adapting to a changing business environment is vital to building a home-based company's success. The commercial benefits of nearby Addison personal storage give you the same competitive edge as larger operations. You control overhead and stay flexible regardless of the market.

With all of Chicagoland just to the west, it's hard to resist the call of opportunity. Whether you're ready to conquer online commerce from the kitchen or start up a home-based contracting business, always remember that you're the most valuable asset in your company. Count on Safeguard Self Storage to help with affordable Addison storage unit rental strategies designed for home business success.

If you're looking for a way to honor Read Across America Day that happened in the beginning of March, you should consider hosting a book drive. Whether you'd like to collect books for a specific organization or plan to donate them to a variety as needed, it's a great deal of fun and much easier than you probably think. That's especially true if you use Arlington Heights self storage as a staging ground. After all, there's only so much room in your home, and you will probably need to store the books before you can disburse them. With this in mind, the first step to hosting a book drive should be investigating Palatine storage facilities and renting a unit that suits your needs.

Start Publicizing Your Book Drive Now

The more people who participate in your book drive, the more books you will collect. It pays to start publicizing your event as early as possible. Thanks to the Internet, this is easier to do than ever. Social media in particular is a big help. You will need to find a place to hold your book drive, and it should be relatively close to the Arlington Heights, IL storage lockers you've rented for convenience. In fact, by renting a unit with plenty of space, you can even accept donations well after the event is over.

Keep Your Books Safe

After running a successful book drive, you'll need to bring the books to the Arlington Heights self storage unit you have selected. Pack them into fairly small cardboard boxes so they are easier to manage, but sort them into categories first so they will be easier to disperse later. Climate controlled Palatine storage facilities are ideal because books are susceptible to moisture, heat, humidity and other elements. While arranging boxes in Arlington Heights, IL storage lockers, make a path for easy access later, and avoid stacking boxes too high – shoulder height is best.

By following these steps, the books you collect during your drive will stay in tip-top shape, and you will be able to donate the fruits of your labor from when the time is right. Safeguard Self Storage has locations throughout Illinois, which feature climate control storage units, drive-in loading areas and top notch security devices such as computer controlled access, unit door alarms and digital video recording. Contact Safeguard Self Storage to find a neighborhood storage unit to make your book drive base.