Holiday Shopping in Philadelphia: Things to Keep in Mind

It's time to dash into the excitement of another wonderful Yuletide season. Every year, Philly gifts us with incredible shopping opportunities. As you make plans for stuffing stockings, remember these four awesome things about holiday shopping in Philadelphia, PA.

1. Philly-Centric Favorites Are Classics

Our favorite Philly shopping traditions are true retail classics. The players may change, but the holiday magic always stays the same in these venerable venues. 

  • Love Park's Christmas Village: Immerse yourself in the Old World charm of one of the city's best outdoor markets.
  • Rittenhouse Row's Holiday Fashion Crawl: Shop with upscale swagger, and mingle with local fashionistas.
  • Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market: Connect with local crafters, artists, designers, and even confectionaries.

2. Acres of Retail Offer Everything

Get all of your holiday shopping done under one brightly decorated roof and still have time to visit with Santa. It's fun to join the holiday crowds at Philly's merriest malls. 

  • Shops at Liberty Place: This dome-topped landmark is home to more than 60 shops and lots of festive events.
  • Macy's Center City: Fulfill your retail dreams surrounded by city history and stunning architecture.
  • King of Prussia Mall: Conquer your gift list while browsing 400 fabulous stores north of downtown.

3. Artisan Shopping Always Rocks

Venture beyond boutiques on a quest for the unique. Explore these indie outlets for one-of-a-kind gifts, and discover holiday shopping that really channels your originality. 

  • Midtown Village: Indulge your love for everything vintage in the incredible shops on Antique Row.
  • Reading Terminal Market: Take care of your gift list and your grocery list at the country's oldest farmers market.
  • South Philly Handmade Brigade: Cool rules in this warehouse dedicated to handcrafted originals.

4. Self Storage Wraps It All Up 

Self storage is the perfect place to hide packages. Gift boxes, ribbons, and bows don't clutter closets. Set up a small table, and you even have a staging area for wrapping presents like a real Secret Santa. Storage units belong on everyone's holiday shopping list, and they're great for staying organized year-round too.

We're Here With Holiday Cheer 

If you shop until you merrily drop, we understand. When you need space for tinsel, toys, and tree stands, we can help. With several Safeguard locations in Philadelphia, PA, we're here for you with plenty of storage units and lots of holiday cheer.

How to Make Space for Your Family This Thanksgiving

How much table space can one family share with a Thanksgiving turkey? Will everyone fit under the same roof? Take charge of the holidays this year by making sure you have room to spare. Even the smallest home in Hollis, NY can handle Turkey Day festivities with a little help from nearby self storage.

Start Planning Early 

It's a family celebration, so let family help with the planning. Ask for firm RSVPs, and use that headcount to figure out how much space and food you'll need. Follow up with a request to check storage units for extras like chairs, plates, and serving dishes. If they can bring it, you can scratch it off your must-find list. 

Give Everyone Room

Get ready for a full house by reorganizing the home front. Guests need to hang up coats, so clear clutter out of closets. Give everyone room to mingle by moving small furniture pieces to self storage. Expand your space with a climate-controlled unit that holds everything while you hold down the fort.

Make Space in the Kitchen

Inventory kitchen essentials like pots, pans, and serving dishes. If you don't plan on using it, move it to a lower cabinet. Use spaces below countertops as temporary storage units so that you can easily reach the things you really need. This frees up room in upper cabinets for extra plates and glassware too.

Share Smiles at the Table

Let family enjoy being together without talking over the Thanksgiving turkey. Set up a self-service buffet for your main course and sides. Turn this same space-saving idea into a separate beverage station, and be sure to keep dining table decorations low-profile. You want everyone to see and share holiday smiles and conversations.

Get Ahead of Next Year 

Swap out the small furniture you temporarily moved to storage with Thanksgiving pots, pans, and dishes. Box up Turkey Day decorations, tablecloths, and placemats, and give them a climate-controlled home away from home. Congratulate yourself for getting ahead of next year. It's time to indulge in a holiday break with a well-deserved nap. 

Share a Storage a Tradition 

Once you make storage units a part of Thanksgiving, it's hard to imagine celebrating without them. You can share all that spare square footage, too. From Hollis, NY to our other locations around the New York City metro, Safeguard has space for everything from everyone on your guest list. Make shared self storage your family's newest and roomiest holiday tradition.

After the Breakup, How to Transition Back to Single Living

You know you're not alone. Almost everyone deals with a breakup sooner or later. You may still feel alone, but that's okay. Now, you can start transitioning back to the glorious independence of a single life. It's actually a very good place to be in Hialeah, FL. Here’s how self storage can help you get there.

Conquer Your Space 

If you're staying in the old place, make it all yours. If you're moving out, make the unfamiliar comfortable with old stuff. Wherever you settle, conquer your space with strategies for a fresh start. 

  • Look for nearby storage units, and lease extra room just for you.
  • Rearrange everything from furniture to kitchen cabinets.
  • As you reorganize, dedicated a few minutes each day to decluttering.
  • Use your unit for stashing items destined for donation or a garage sale.
  • Deep clean where you've never cleaned before even if the place is new.

Celebrate Your Clean Slate

Congratulate yourself on turning a blank canvas into a new life. Step back, and enjoy it. Don't let sentimental attachments get in the way. If you're still hanging onto things you bought with the ex, move them to self storage. 

Every inch of space belongs to you now. Take up both sides of the closet and the bed. Fill up shelves with new things bought just for the new place. Ask friends to raid their storage units for leftover breakup belongings. Pool everything together, donate it all to local organizations, and throw a party celebrating everyone's clean slates.

Embrace Your Independence 

Almost everyone feels down after a breakup, but that feeling will pass. You're ready to bounce back and make a new life that's entirely yours. With several self storage facilities across Miami including our Hialeah, FL location, Safeguard salutes your new independence. Embrace it because – with the help of storage – you know you're going to love it.

Self Storage: Construction Companies' Offseason Space Solution

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.

Be Ready for Your Next Trip to the Beach with Self Storage

From quiet North Beach to the busy boardwalk along Miami Beach, you can have fun in the sun every day. It doesn't get much better than year-round access to surf and sand, but it can be a lot easier. Imagine making your trips to the beach a breeze with self storage here at our Allapattah facility in Miami, FL. 

Get Your Gear Organized 

Storage units and inexpensive metal shelving are great partners for organizing beach gear. You can even move in old bookcases or an extra dresser from home. Use these storage solutions for swimsuits, water shoes, and beach towels. 

Stash small items together in favorite beach bags stored in lidded containers. Wood pallets are great for elevating big beach must-haves like chairs and umbrellas off the floor. 

Use a folding table in the unit to temporarily stack things as you get organized between trips to the beach. Make sure it stays clutter-free so that it's always available as you come and go. 

Keep Everything Dry Year-Round 

Our tropical climate can be hard on beach gear stored in the garage. Protect your collection of surfside necessities in climate-controlled self storage with these humidity-busting tips. 

  • Always make sure things are completely dry before storing.
  • Don't keep clothes in plastic bags or cover large items with plastic sheets.
  • Don't position shelving directly against unit walls.
  • Leave plenty of room between stacks for air circulation.
  • Place moisture absorbers in corners and silica gel packets in with clothes.

Hit the Beach With Benefits 

If you need a little motivation for getting things organized, just think about these cool benefits that come with keeping your beach gear in self storage. 

  • You don't have to rummage around the house rounding things up.
  • You aren't using closets, drawers, and the garage as storage for beach gear.
  • It's impossible to forget something because everything is in one place.
  • Our storage facility provides handy carts for moving belongings in and out.
  • Most storage units have plenty of room for beach gear with extra space to spare.

We Take Care of You with the Best 

Here at Safeguard, we enjoy making your life easier at the beach and back at the house. We take care of your best belongings with the best storage units in Allapattah and the greater Miami, FL area. You can always count on our friendly teams at all our convenient Safeguard Self Storage facilities across South Florida.

Lock In on Your Walk-In: Using a Closet for More Than Clothing

You're so good at organizing that your walk-in closet has room to spare. Why fill up that space with seasonal clothes and boxed belongings? Park those extras in self storage here in Elmsford, NY, and convert your walk-in into something special. Try one of these six closet-expanding ideas. 

Unique Ways to Use a Closet

1. Set Up a Sports Locker 

Lock in on extra walk-in space by making it your at-home sports locker. Divide overhead shelves into cubicles for organizing your gear. Keep jogging essentials ready to run by converting extra bookshelves into closet storage. 

2. Create a Craft Room 

Round up crafting supplies, and corral them in the walk-in. Set up your work area with a small table and chair just inside the door. Keep craft necessities within easy reach with hanging bag shoe organizers. 

3. Give the Kids a Playroom 

Put a bright, non-slip rug on the floor and drawer bins in the corner. Add a kid-sized table and chair set and a blackboard on the back of the closet door. Have fun knowing how much the kids enjoy their new playroom. 

4. Make Space for Wine Tasting 

Most walk-ins stay cool enough for storing wine, so become a stay-at-home sommelier. Set up a bar with built-in wine racks to hold your favorites and overhead tracks for hanging stemmed glasses. Upgrade your wine room's atmosphere by installing floor-to-ceiling mirrors behind the bar. 

5. Relax With a Reading Nook 

Turn that spare walk-in space into your very own reading nook. All you need are a few wall-mounted bookshelves and comfy bench seating with plenty of pillows. Brighten up your private library with battery-powered LED lighting. 

6. Add an Extra Laundry Room 

If your home's plumbing runs behind a closet wall, tap the system, and hook up a washing machine. Don't try to install a washer and dryer by yourself. Hire a licensed plumber and electrician to make the connections. That's all it takes to convert extra closet space into an extra laundry room. 

The Storage Units You Need 

We know you never waste space, so get creative with our ideas for locking in on your walk-in's potential. Our Safeguard teams are always happy to help make life at home a little easier and a lot roomier. We're at your service with the best storage units in Elmsford, NY and other self storage facilities across the New York metropolitan area.

How to Sort Through Your Cluttered Bathroom Cabinets

If you think you're the only one in Lombard, IL who could fill an entire storage unit with bathroom clutter, you're not alone. It's a common problem, but it's easy to solve by taking advantage of space at home and in self storage. Just take it one step at a time.

Get Ready to Save Space

Well-organized bathroom storage sets you free to enjoy that extra cup of coffee in the morning. Start by pulling everything out of drawers and cabinets. If you haven't used it in a year or it's expired, throw it away.

Use a microfiber cloth to dust cabinet and drawer interiors. Step back, and take a good look. Your bathroom is now ready for a space-saving makeover.

Create Extra Counter Space

Use a cake stand to elevate vanity necessities and create extra counter space just underneath. Fill pretty glass jars with everyday unbreakables like cotton balls and makeup brushes, and put them on a turning tray. The jars become small storage spots that you can spin through as needed.

Divide and Conquer Drawers

Rule bathroom drawers by dividing spaces with interlocking tray organizers. These smart storage solutions snap into all kinds of configurations. Silverware trays and repurposed party dip trays also work well as inexpensive drawer dividers.

Lighten Up Under the Sink

Illuminate space under the sink with adhesive under-cabinet lights placed where they're easy to reach. Take advantage of the newly bright area with tiered wire basket units. Look for models that slide in and out like drawers.

Double Medicine Cabinet Space

Double stacking space inside the medicine cabinet with small, acrylic risers. Put the inside of the cabinet door to use with stick-on pods in different heights and widths. Mount a magnetic knife strip inside the door with a picture hanging strip, and use it to hold things like nail care tools and bobby pins.

Take Advantage of Organizing Tools

You probably have more bathroom decluttering power than you realize. Use these potential organizing treasures to open up space:

  • Stackable wicker baskets
  • Spare wall shelving
  • Extra kitchen spice racks
  • Standing magazine organizers

We Always Have Extra Room

Enjoy organizing your bathroom, and don't worry about running out of space. We have plenty to spare with our Lombard, IL storage units and 14 other Safeguard Self Storage locations across Chicago and the suburbs. When you need extra room in any room, you can always count on us for convenient self storage.

Home Inventory 101: Making Note of Everything You Own

Making an inventory of everything you own can actually be more fun than you’d think. Think of all the rooms in your Miami Shores, FL home as small storage spaces filled with your belongings, helping you re-examine your space in the process. Thus, this is a project with several positive purposes. It might seem like a big job, but you can do it.

Why This is a Great Idea

Whether you own or rent, it's always smart to protect your things with insurance. Homeowners and renters policies outline specific coverage, but a current inventory makes filing any type of damage claim much easier.

Taking inventory also streamlines home organizing. As you work, note different things you want to move into self storage. Use your storage unit to hold extra furniture or spare clothes for donation. Include potential garage sale items that can put a little cash back in your pocket.

How to Inventory Your Home

  • Take on this project with a flexible plan. If one approach doesn't work, don't get discouraged. There are several efficient ways to inventory the contents of your home.
  • Tackle one room at a time. Start with the big stuff like furniture, move on to smaller belongings, and finish up with the contents of closets and drawers.
  • Focus on one category at a time. Inventory one thing at a time throughout the house. It can be clothes, furniture, electronics, jewelry or art work.
  • Take pictures and videos. Use your smartphone to document and organize inventory details with photos and videos. Let the files serve as digital storage that preserves permanent records of your things.
  • Use a home inventory app. These smart apps work like spreadsheets. You can enter itemized information including descriptions, serial numbers, and estimated values.

Easy Home Inventory Tips

As you work out a strategy for your home inventory project, these tips keep things on track.

  • Don't plan on finishing everything in just a few days.
  • Download a printable home inventory checklist.
  • Stay motivated by tracking your progress with notebook entries
  • Save printed copies of the final inventory for access when you need it.

Your Greater Miami Storage Specialists

When friends and family want to know how you did it, share our home inventory ideas. When they ask about the best storage units in Miami Shores, FL, point them in our direction. We're always ready to serve as your self storage specialists at 14 Safeguard locations across the greater Miami area.

Self Storage Is Growing in Popularity: Why It's Time You Join In

If you haven't checked out our new storage facility here in Allapattah, FL lately, you're in for a pleasant surprise. Now's the time to join in and enjoy expanding your personal and business space. Find out for yourself how self storage is gaining new momentum with these four benefits. 

1. Self Storage Is Good for Your Home 

You can keep things stacked up in closets. You can shove stuff into the garage. But eventually, you’ll realize it's just not working. Storage units are good for your home because they: 

  • Keep seasonal clothes and bedding out of the way.
  • Help organize sporting gear, hobby supplies, and holiday decorations.
  • Hold your stuff when you remodel, relocate, or downsize.
  • Create extra space away from home for just about anything.

2. It's Good for Your Business Too 

Off-site business storage comes with all kinds of benefits that make it easier to get things done. Whether you're a small startup or an established company, business storage works for you with these money-saving perks. 

  • Inventory has plenty of off-site space for expansion.
  • You always have room for bargain equipment buys.
  • Unit space costs a fraction of the price of commercial square footage.

3. A Storage Unit Is a Great Value 

A convenient storage unit is easy on any budget, but it also offers value in a surprising number of ways. Add up the benefits and cost savings, and combine those positives with these storage extras. 

  • You can manage your account online 24/7.
  • Different unit sizes fit all needs.
  • Flexible leasing options fit all budgets.
  • Stored belongings are always easy to access.

4. The Amenities Are Impressive 

Gone are the days of endless garage-style doors, dark hallways and stuffy units. The best storage facilities cater to your needs with an impressive array of customer-pleasing amenities including: 

  • On-site retail access to moving and packing supplies.
  • Well-lit, climate-controlled storage units.
  • Keypad entry and facility-wide digital security cameras.
  • Drive-up units and covered loading area.
  • Knowledgeable storage solution specialists on-site.

We’ll Serve You with the Best 

If you haven't made the move yet, it's time to join folks all across the area. Drop by our Safeguard Self Storage facility in Allapattah FL, or check out our locations in Hialeah North EastMiami Shores, and the Miami Design District. We're ready to serve you with the best storage solutions in Miami-Dade County.

Get More Value Out of Storage with Our “Choose Your Special” Feature

When searching for a storage unit, we understand that you want the best value. That’s why, at Safeguard Self Storage, we offer special discounts for many of our units. Recently, we launched a new feature on our website that gives you more flexibility in the special that’s best for you – and more opportunities for savings.

How Our Specials Work

We understand that everyone’s storage needs are different. You may want self storage for a short period of time to help you with a move, or perhaps you’re looking for something longer-term to hold on to things you don’t have room for at home. To fit your situation, we offer three different specials for three different lengths of time:

  • Free First Month’s Rent
  • 50% Off 2 Months’ Rent
  • 20% Off 6 Months’ Rent

Because we want you to have the best storage experience right from the start, you can choose to have the first month's rent while storing with us free for select storage units. With discounts beyond the first month, you also get the option of a lower overall cost – and greater total savings – if you need to store with us longer. Our contracts are month-to-month, so you don't need to make any time period commitment to activate a special.

Note: Discounts for any unused periods are unearned and therefore non-refundable.

“Choose Your Special” Online Option Now Available

With a recent update to our website, you can now “Choose Your Special” online anytime, anywhere. It’s built right into our unit descriptions, so you’re easily able to see what discounts are available and select the one you’d prefer. This new feature helps as you do the following:

  • Look at our unit offerings: We specifically highlight the units for which we offer specials. This lets you easily scan the specials alongside other unit features and sizes. This makes comparing unit options easier than ever.
  • Select your special: Check the box of the special you’d like – it’s that simple. We automatically account for the pricing change in our system when you make your online reservation.

Get the Best Deal on Self Storage with Safeguard

If you’re looking to get the most out of self storage, look no further than Safeguard Self Storage. Our new special-selection feature lets you take full advantage of the deals we have to offer. Simply check the box to activate the special of your choosing. You no longer need to rely on discount schedules, sales reps, or special limitations. For convenient savings and even more convenient storage, reserve a storage unit with us today!