Convenient, affordable self storage keeps life organized at home, work, and school. It's the perfect solution for expanding tight spaces until it doesn't work. How do you maximize the room in your unit? How do you make everything fit? Try these packing tips for your Lombard, IL, storage unit from our storage pros.

10 Tips to Pack Like a Pro

Plan Ahead Online

The best storage facilities offer online calculators that let you size up different storage units. These handy digital tools make it easier to figure out exactly what you need.

Declutter Your Clutter

Be honest about what you really want to keep in storage. Don't just move clutter from your home base into your unit. Save that storage space for the important stuff.

Take Things Apart

If you can disassemble it, it will probably fit better in the unit. From bed frames to bikes, this is one of your best packing tips for large bulky items.

Invest in New Boxes

You won't find mold and bugs in new storage boxes. Fresh containers are strong enough to hold heavy loads and stack safely. Most self storage facilities sell a variety of sturdy boxes.

Fill Them Up

Maximize space in the unit by filling up boxes, sealing them with heavy tape, and labeling the contents. Tightly packing boxes gives them extra stacking strength.

Vacuum Bag Clothes

A climate-controlled storage unit protects clothing from mildew and bugs. Add another layer of safety while saving space too by using vacuum bags to compact clothing.

Stack Like a Pro

Maximize vertical space by building stacks of same-sized containers with heaviest boxes at the bottom. This tip also minimizes the risk of unit avalanches.

Bring in Shelving

Keep thinking vertically while you keep fragile things safe. Bring in wheeled shelving units or old bookshelves to extend secure floor-to-ceiling storage options.

Use Hidden Spaces

Some of the smartest packing tips are hiding in empty spaces. Store extra belongings in dresser drawers, under small tables and inside ovens and refrigerators.

Resist Plastic Bags

Plastic bags don't compact very well. They tear too easily and they trap moisture. They don't stack either, so keep them off your list of packing strategies.

Let Safeguard Help

Our teams know all about maximizing storage unit square footage. We're always happy to share ideas that make the most of your space. When you want a little help from self storage pros, you can depend on us here at Safeguard. Rent a unit today at our Lombard, IL, location or one of our other facilities!

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.

With 50% of all self storage customers being first time users one may ask how does air conditioned and heated storage make a difference? This is an important question, as many factors play into the decision to store in a climate controlled environment. Air conditioned and heated storage, simply put, makes a world of difference and here’s how: 

Elemental Protection – Standard, non-climate controlled storage units are usually found in buildings constructed of metal or tin. These building are generally susceptible to the elements as wind, rain and humidity find ways to penetrate the outer seams and openings. These types of buildings are also affected by major temperature swings as they tend to heat up rapidly during summer days and then cool down at night causing condensation. This moisture can cause warping of wood, yellowing of paper and mildew to grow on stored item.  During the winter months these buildings can become extremely cold causing stored goods to crack or chip. Temperature controlled storage units are designed to protect stored items from large temperature variations preventing moisture and mildew from forming which help items maintain their stored condition.

Sensitive Belongings – documents, photos, antiques, family heirlooms, and other valuables may not survive long term in regular outdoor storage. Choosing a climate controlled storage unit could save you from experiencing significant damage to weather sensitive items. 

Peace of Mind – Knowing that your items are stored in a climate controlled environment, protected from the elements just like your home or office will provide great comfort.  Air conditioned and heated storage units were designed so your items come out of storage in the same condition as when you put them in. What a concept!  

Making the right decision about self storage types is just as important as the decision to store. Making the wrong decision, in the long run, could cause more harm than good. To fully understand what self storage unit type and size is right for you, contact a storage professional today.

The Village of Lombard, Illinois experienced heavy rain and flooding last month accumulating up to six inches in some areas. While the sewage drains and pumps remained fully operational throughout the storm the quality design of our Lombard Storage Facility kept our building and property out of harm’s way.

At our facility in Lombard, 5.8” of rain was funneled from our roof, away from our storage building and deposited into drains around the perimeter of the property. The retention pond filled to capacity, but receded nicely the next morning.

Although the Village President had declared a state of emergency due to flooding of homes and businesses, our facility remained an island amid the rising water. All day our dedicated staff took calls from concerned customers worried about their stored belongings.

It was a pleasure to notify them that our facility was perfectly safe and dry. If you are considering storing your belongings, chose Safeguard Self Storage and discover why we say; don’t Just Store It, Safeguard It!

~Courtesy of Gil Beres