How to Store Your Winter Gear & Be Spring Ready

The weather is starting to warm up (maybe?) and the air is fresh and sweet, snow is melting and our landscape is transforming into a wonder of green grass and blossoming flowers. We’re all getting ready for spring cleaning, but don’t forget to prepare your garage for spring too. It’s time for skis, snowboards, snowshoes, and heavy jackets to take a rest. Your garage is the perfect place to take your winter gear storage to the next level. No more seasonal sports gear stacked sadly in the corner, we’re all about making a functional storage space that is safe, stunning, and easy to navigate. 

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Winter can wreak havoc on your garage in more ways than one, it’s important to prepare your garage for the coming season not only so that it is cleaner and fresher, but also so that it is safe to move around in. Here are four steps our expert team has put together to help you prepare your garage for spring. Time to get organized!

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Step 1: Declutter

Are your winter hats and scarves stored haphazardly in a bin? What about your sports gear that might need a tune up or repair? One of the best ways to get started on your journey to improve garage storage is to simplify and declutter. It’s not uncommon for us to stuff boxes in our garages and just leave them there. 

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Many people look for ways to improve garage storage because it does end up being a catch-all space, with our cars suffering the consequences, being banished out to the driveway instead of being able to be parked inside. It’s always a good idea to declutter your home a few times annually, to ensure that you actually use all of the equipment, clothes, and winter gear you have on hand. 

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Once you’ve cleared out those old broken holiday decorations, too-small skis, or coats that are better off donated for another family to enjoy, you’ll have so much more space! Before you can improve garage storage systems, you need the space to do so, and decluttering is step #1 for better garage storage.

Step 2: Design a Plan

Ok…you’ve decluttered your space, cleared away all the junk, donated your winter gear that you don’t use anymore. The next step to getting your storage ready for spring is to make a plan about how you’re going to organize your garage. Many people find it helpful to make plans based on the things that they use. For instance, you may decide that one corner of your garage is the lawn equipment corner, one shelf is for your hand tools, that rack is for the bikes, and so on. 

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It’s a lot easier to improve garage storage if you have an idea of how you want to store your necessities. If you use something a lot, you’ll want it easy to find and easy to access. If you have something you don’t use as much, you can probably stand to have it tucked further out of the way.

• Large winter gear needs vertical storage: Many winter activities require large, awkwardly sized gear. If you own skis, poles, snowboards, ramps, even snow shovels, it's time to pack them up and store them vertically on slat walls, in large cabinets, and take advantage of other solutions that keep larger items off the ground and out of the way 
• Strong hooks for winter coats: whether on a slat wall or in a custom cabinet, add multiple hooks for hanging coats, jackets, scarves, and more. Install more heavy-duty hooks at a lower height for backpacks and other heavy items. You can even designate a few hooks for each family member…don’t forget to leave a few empty ones for friends and visitors.
• Storage bins for hats & gloves: Add a few easily accessible storage bins to hold winter essentials like hats and gloves. Store items in clear plastic or color coded bins that they can identify their winter gear easily, and place bins for your kids at an easy-to-reach height for little hands.
• Elevated shoe rack for winter boots: 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 storage option helps the space look tidy and makes periodic sweeping and mopping much easier.
• Custom garage cabinets for everything: Garage cabinets put clutter out of sight and out of mind. Custom cabinets give you efficient garage storage that meets your exact needs. As a result, you can make the most out of your garage’s square footage. 

Step 3: Label Everything

The last thing you want after you’ve organized everything so nicely and tucked it away in your storage systems is to then have to go sifting through bins when you need something because you can’t remember where it is. You can attach corresponding tags to boxes, drawers, closets, shelves, and other storage units. This way, you can find items without much fuss. However, for this to work optimally, ensure that each storage unit has the appropriate label and that you return items to the right storage units. Labels are your best friend when it comes to organizing and finding ways to improve garage storage. Sticking labels on bins to tell you what’s in each one will make finding the things you need when you need them so much easier. 

Step 4: Keep it Consistent

It’s all well and good to improve your garage storage in time for spring with custom systems and easy-to-read labels, but that only goes so far. If you don’t maintain your garage storage, you’ll find yourself with a mess again by next season. A key component of improving your garage storage is maintaining it once you’ve organized it all. Maintenance is key to keeping your garage nice, clean, and organized!

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Choosing Webfoot for your Storage Needs

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We believe in the functionality and value of our storage solutions, but you don’t have to take our word for it, we pride ourselves on our 18+ years of experience in the industry and top-rated customer service and communication. Experience a one-on-one design process with our professional Design Consultant to understand your usage and storage needs. Contact us to schedule today. 

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