This playground includes some extensions that I like to use. You can find examples here and actual implementation is under /Source folder. You can try them with cloning this repository.
/// OptionalExtensions
///
/// Unwraps and returns value of optional property.
/// Returns default value if property is nil.
///
/// let integerValue: Int? = nil
/// let unwrappedValue = integerValue.unwrappedValue(defaultValue: 1)
/// print(unwrappedValue)
/// // prints 1
///
/// let integerValue: Int? = 5
/// let unwrappedValue = integerValue.unwrappedValue(defaultValue: 1)
/// print(unwrappedValue)
/// // prints 5
func unwrappedValue(defaultValue: @autoclosure () -> Wrapped) -> Wrapped