Before you clutter up the mudroom or misplace hats and gloves, hash out a storage plan. Discover the best ways to store winter clothing and gear, and stay organized throughout the seasons.
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What is the best way to store winter clothes?
From coats to boots and beyond, everyone needs a convenient space to store their winter gear. To make storage easy, place your winter storage space close to your home’s primary entrance. That way you’ll also decrease the chance of having to clean up messes on a regular basis.
Mudrooms are ideal for storing winter gear, but they’re not essential. Rather than designating a closet for winter gear, many home decor experts recommend storing winter items in an open space instead. In fact, you’ll want to allow for as much air circulation as possible, since natural airflow will help snow-covered gear dry off more quickly and minimize the risk of unpleasant odors. Try making functional storage space out of a spacious entryway or even a hallway.
Place easy-to-clean rugs on the floor leading from the door to the storage area, and you’ll make cleanup even easier.
Designate a Spot for winter attire
An open space creates ample storage space for the whole family. Start by designating an area for each member, and consider adding labels to help kids remember where their winter attire goes.
Wall hooks for winter coats
Next, add multiple wall hooks for hanging coats, jackets, scarves, and more. Install more heavy-duty hooks at a lower height for schoolbags, backpacks, and other heavy items. Designate a few hooks for each family member, and don’t forget to leave a few empty ones for friends and visitors.
Storage bins for hats & gloves
From there you can add a few easily accessible storage bins to hold winter essentials like hats and gloves. While rustic wicker baskets and colorful fabric bins look attractive, they’re not the easiest for kids to navigate. Store kids’ items in clear plastic bins that they can identify their winter gear easily, and place the bins at an easy-to-reach height for little hands.
Elevated shoe rack for winter boots and snow shoes
Whenever you can, opt for elevation rather than placing winter gear on the floor. Install a footwear platform to keep wet boots and shoes off the floor, add more hooks or bins if you find that winter items tend to end up on the ground. This winter storage option helps the space look tidy and makes periodic sweeping and mopping much easier.
Depending on the type of winter and snow gear your family tends to use, you’ll want to stock up on the appropriate storage components. If the kids typically spend several hours a day playing in the snow, for example, a simple raised platform for drying boots might not be enough. You might also want to consider a boot-drying rack to speed up the process and keep the house clean.
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Build Storage Racks for Sports Gear
If your family loves to ski, snowboard, snowshoe, or participate in other winter sports, you’ll need storage spaces designed accordingly. After all, coat hooks, platforms, and bins can only hold so much. Snow-covered winter sports gear can make a mess out of any indoor space, so plan on storing skis in a designated spot.
Next to the door, install a ski rack that holds the right number of skis, snowboards, or sleds for your family. The best advice in storing ski gear it to ensure the storage rack holds winter gear upright, allowing it to dry, and that it collects the water runoff, rather than pooling it on the floor.
If you have access to a garage or shed space, you can get even more creative with storing snowboards, skis, and sleds. Install hooks or knobs for skates and helmets, and add a substantial rack for skis and other oversized winter gear.
Swap Winter and Summer Clothes
Even with careful planning and storage space, it isn’t easy to keep seasonal gear on hand. While you want quick access to skis, coats, and sweaters in the winter, there’s no need to leave these items on display through the spring and summer.
You can make a seamless transition from season to season by investing in summer and winter clothing storage. Secure a local storage space, and swap out winter sports gear for beach-ready items as the seasons demand.
How do you store winter clothes in storage?
Be sure to clean winter clothing and sports gear thoroughly before placing it in storage and do the same for summer items. Make the most of a few functional winter clothing storage ideas, such as storing cold-weather gear in clear plastic bins to allow quick visual access. Label each bin so you won’t forget which hat or pair of skis belongs to whom when the next winter arrives.
Winter doesn’t have to turn your home into a haze of hats and coats. Use these storage ideas to keep your family organized throughout the winter, and you might just feel inspired to stick to your new storage plan through the spring and summer, too.