Organize Your Coats and Other Winter Wardrobe Items

As the colder weather approaches, it eventually becomes time to take your bulky winter coats and other winter wardrobe items out of storage. When this happens, many families struggle with how to store them in a convenient and yet space-efficient manner. Because these items are bulkier than summer clothing items, the result is often over-stuffed closets and a general lack of storage space. If it's time to make your seasonal wardrobe switch, here are a few ideas that can make the entire process easier and a lot less frustrating.

Organizing Coats

Deciding if you and your family members really need every single coat that you own is the first step towards getting your coat closet truly organized. Because coats are designed to wear well and last a long time, they have a tendency to accumulate over the years. If you have children, you might even have a collection of coats that are waiting for someone to "grow into them." The end result can be a totally stuffed coat closet.

Start by carefully assessing each family member's coats. If there are any coats that have become a bit worn, slightly out of style or outgrown, perhaps it's time to donate them to charity. There are plenty of people who cannot afford warm winter coats who would be truly thankful to have your older items. Once you've pared down your family's coat collection to what they really need, you'll be in a much better position to organize them efficiently.

Although everyone is different, it's common for one person to have a dressy coat, a heavy-duty coat for work-related tasks, and perhaps a few jackets of different weights for varying weather conditions. If some of these coats are only used in certain areas, it can be helpful to move them out of the hallway closet. For example, if you tend to only use your raincoat when taking the dog out into the backyard, hanging it on a hook in the mudroom or by the back door might be a more convenient option. In the case of dressy special-occasion coats, it might be better to store them in your spare bedroom closet if they aren't used frequently. The end result should be a coat closet that contains only the coats you use on a regular basis. Ideally, you should have enough rod space so that the coats are not crammed against each other. In the case of children's coats, it's sometimes better to hang them on peg racks in their bedrooms for easy access.

Organizing Hats, Gloves and Scarves

Hats, gloves and scarves are essential for cold winter weather, but they can often be quite challenging to organize efficiently. A shoe storage rack with fabric pockets that can be hung on the inside of your hallway closet door often works well for these items. You could assign a few pockets to each family member, making it easier for everyone to find their own items quickly. Storing the hat, scarf and pair of gloves you wear every day in your coat pockets can also be quite handy.

Dealing with Boots

Your family's boots are a special challenge, primarily because they are often wet, snowy or even muddy when entering the home. Use a boot rack inside the front door or in the mudroom to keep your winter footgear under control. Be sure to give wet boots plenty of space so that they have a chance to dry before you wear them again.