Coat Storage Solutions That You'll Love

As winter continues week after week, one undeniable truth announces itself: it has taken a lot of coats, hats, scarves, gloves, and boots to keep your family warm. While some of us are blessed with large, perfectly located coat closets or mudrooms, most are not. Luckily, a few easy organizing techniques paired with a host of smart, good looking storage solutions will go a long way towards preventing your winter gear from taking on a life of its own.

Organizing Tips for Coat Closets

1. Remove all non-winter items. Sunglasses, bubbles, swim gear, sidewalk chalk and other fun warm weather playthings should be boxed and stored in the basement, the garage, or the top of another, less central closet. You will be surprised at how much space you will find and how quickly this task can be done.

2. Clear out winter items that your children have outgrown or that you have not worn these past two seasons. Then, donate them to a local social service organization, like the Anixter Center [http://www.anixter.org], that distributes coats to adults and children in need throughout the season. (Visit ZealousGood.com to find other non-profits that are currently collecting coats.)

2. Use the door. Over-the-door organizers, like these by Studio 3B, offer a space-saving way of storing keys, gloves, and other winter accessories.

3. Add an extra tier of hanging space with a double hang closet rod. Hang kids’ coats on the lower bar for easy access. When warm months return and you need the space to store other gear, the extra rod can easily be taken down and kept elsewhere.

When There is No Coat Closet

1. Free standing wardrobes and armoires are great solutions for conquering coat clutter.

2. Locker-style entryway cabinets combine open and closed storage for easy access. Each section of Pottery Barn’s modular Wade Entryway System  features hooks, cubbies, and drawers. Dedicate one section to each member of your family. Martha Stewart Living offers more creative ideas for using lockers to store kid’s items.

3. Coat racks and hooks are the quickest way to store winter gear. The Niles Double Coat Rack by Ballard Designs is a sturdy, elegant option that includes shelves at the top and bottom for bins or shoes. The iconic Eames Hang-It-All offers a practical way to add a bit of whimsy to your entryway.

4. Get your children into the habit of putting away their own winter items by placing hooks and bins low enough for them to reach.

Finally, sit back and enjoy the fruits of your labors: a lovely coat closet that makes living your life a bit easier.