winter coat/pant/boots storage

[sprout]

For those of you who do not have ample closet space, have lots of kids in all different sizes, how do you store you winter garb?

I don't want to donate it because at some point in time, there will be someone eventually growing up into all of these winter outfits.

I am currently out of closet space to hang them.


so, I am thinking of hanging a rod in the attic to hang them on...but, I am worried about mice.

or, I am thinking of putting them in a large storage tote.

so, what do you do with yours?

[twoplustwo]

Well, I don't have multiple kids as in I only have 2, which is multiple, but not many times multiple. But gear often lasts more than a year. I do have dd get only neutral/boy stuff so it can be handed down. I get hand me downs for ds & sometimes buy ahead if there is a good clearance deal.

Large tote in the guest bedroom is where I store it. Or as I jokingly call the guest bedroom to anyone who stays overnight - they can sleep on the bed in my really big storage closet.

[sprout]

yeah, I am kind of out of that space too.

but, thank you for the helpful thoughts.

[Katigre]

Plastic storage bins or vacuum bags are your best options.

[esperanza]

I only have one, but his outgrown winter wear is stored in plastic totes in the basement.

[sprout]

I considered the storage bags. Will the coats fluff back up to normal once removed from the bag?

[sweetpeas]

We store out-of-season (or between sizes) stuff in Rubbermaid totes. The girls' closet has space to stack bins behind the rod, so that's where I store it.

I tried using the vacuum bags, inside of totes, so they were still stackable, a couple years ago, but I was storing them in an outside storage building and found that with temperature fluctuation (at least I assume that was the culprit) it broke the seal somehow, so they'd expand and pop the totes open. So I'm not a fan. If you're storing them in a climate controlled area it may be a non-issue.

[Aerynne]

I have a big heavy-duty shelf on the back wall of my garage. Then I have a bunch of storage totes. My categories are 0-5 coats, 6+ girl coats, 6+ boy coats, 0-5 snowpants and snowsuits, 6+ snow pants (I only buy black, so no need for girl and boy), Toddler Boots and Kid Boots (crosses over around size 11, give or take). I don't buy boots in every size- for all the time we spend in them I don't care if a kid wears boots a size or 2 too big- that helps them fit their thick socks in anyway. I also have a gloves, mittens, and hats box. When winter starts we get out what we need for the season and the mittens and hats go in a shoe organizer on the back of the coat closet door.

Here is my shelving (this is also for all my kids' clothes, which I keep when they are in between sizes. You might be able to see the labels if you zoom in)

[sprout]

that is awesome! Dh would flip out if I took up any more garage space though because we are totally cramped there too. But, I am wondering if I could do something similar in my attic. We have lots of space up there and it is really easy access for me. Thanks for the visual. It was quite helpful!

[sunflowermom]

These are great ideas. Erin, I love how you have your garage organized! Those shelves seem super handy.

[JoyGal]

We use plastic totes too. We get the extra-large size from Walmart for the kids and dh's stuff. For boots that have been used, they are put into another bin with open baking soda boxes. We had too many shoes/boots get ruined from mice too, so everything is covered tightly or in the house.

[mamaKristin]

plastic totes. I always wash everything, and put in a dryer sheet to keep things fresher.

That is, I did. Now all three of mine are in the same sizes And they all outgrow almost everything every year

[RiverRock]

I use plastic totes and I keep them in an attic space that has easy access (aka the Hobbit Hole). This last year I had extra room in a laundry room closet so pant/jacket combos that currently fit are hanging on hangers. Like Erin, I have started to only buy black snow pants so they pass down easily. Boots and extra coats and pants are in totes. I have smaller totes for gloves, mittens and scarves (one for kids, and another for me and dh).

[ReedleBeetle]

I would definitely stick with a plastic totes plan. We stored in cardboard boxes and suit cases growing up and had several things ruined from mice/leaking roof/roof patch seeping through the roof/etc. I like the way Erin sizes her plastic totes.