3 Creative Ways to Store Winter Gear

The essentials of winter – coats, hats, gloves, scarves and boots – can easily build up into a cluttered mess. No extra coat closets? No problem. Here are three chic, easy ways you can corral winter gear.

Paint Can Coat Hooks

Most people (especially decorating fanatics) have old paint cans lying around. To curb winter clutter at her home, design blogger Kirsten Grove of Simply Grove upcycles paint cans into wall-mounted storage cubbies. Or, get the same look by wall-mounting inexpensive metal garden buckets.

Kirsten placed the paint cans above a simple bench for extra hat, scarf and glove storage in her mudroom. Shoes can be placed beneath the bench, while a vintage basket holds extra clutter.

Everyone in the family can have fun putting away their winter gear with this idea: just assign each family member a can, and let them go to town fixing it up just the way they like it. Images courtesy of Kirsten Grove

Small Space Storage

At AphroChic, I live and work in an apartment with limited storage, so I’m always faced with the need for creative solutions. My search for a little winter storage room led me to the fireplace. A unused space beneath it became the perfect place to store seasonal items for me and my husband.

To try this idea in your home, measure the space and figure out what size bins you will need to fill the space. Visit a local department store or craft store to find storage bins and baskets in various sizes. Then, label your baskets. At our home, we like the idea of "His", "Hers" and "Ours" baskets so that we each have a designated place to store our winter goods but also have a place for mixed-use items. Using chalkboard tags and chalk is a great way to label each basket without making it permanent.

The final step: Fill your baskets with the items you’ll need daily for easy access. Mittens, scarves and even everyday boots can fit easily inside each storage basket. Styling by Jeanine Hays; photos by Jacquelyn Mason

Storage Fun For The Kids

Chante Lasco, the Art and Studio Editor for Easton Savvy knows how easy it is for little ones to lose those small hats and gloves after coming in from winter playtime. With an oatmeal box, felt and foam visors, she developed an artsy way for kids to have fun stowing their winter wears.

To create this storage tube at home, collect a few oatmeal containers to use as "bodies." Then, choose felt in your kids’ favorite colors and hot glue in on the inside and outside of the containers. Next, search your local dollar store for fun foam visors, like these adorable animal options. Affix the visors to the front of the container and store near the door. Your kids will love sticking their little hats and gloves into the mouths of their favorite animals! Images courtesy of Chante Lasco