Living in an area with distinct seasons often means that your closet sees a rotation of clothing items. During the warmer months, heavy winter jackets remain idle, while in the winter, swimsuits, summer dresses, and tank tops take center stage. Even in milder climates, certain seasonal pieces like ski jackets or beach cover-ups may sit untouched, monopolizing wardrobe space for the better part of the year. Unless you're fortunate enough to boast a spacious walk-in closet akin to a second bedroom, the practice of organizing clothes by season proves highly effective and indispensable for maintaining an orderly and efficient space. Additionally, it streamlines the process of selecting your daily attire. So, how can you best manage your seasonal clothing rotation? Discover these 11 creative seasonal clothing storage solutions to kickstart your closet reorganization journey today.
1. Streamline your wardrobe with the Marie Kondo method.
To begin, prioritize decluttering your wardrobe during significant seasonal transitions. It's a prime opportunity to assess your clothing and eliminate items you no longer wear or desire. It's a common realization that many of us own pieces that remain untouched. Surprisingly, a study from 2018 unveiled that the typical American had utilized a mere 18 percent of their clothing in the past year. Consider the valuable space you could reclaim by parting ways with the unused 82 percent!
A helpful guideline when initiating a clothing declutter is to part with anything that hasn't graced your body in a year, allowing it to find a new purpose elsewhere. Donate well-preserved items to charitable organizations, or, if you're watching your clothing budget closely, consider selling them online for cash or at local thrift shops for cash or store credit. For stained or torn pieces, you can contribute to sustainability efforts by recycling them, often earning discounts, at establishments such as H&M, Eileen Fisher, Levi's, and Columbia.
While the ideal choice is to donate or sell clothes you no longer want, there are instances where some items are in such dire condition—persistent stains, moth-eaten holes, deteriorating elastic—that they wouldn't appeal to anyone else. In such cases, they can be repurposed as cleaning rags, contributed to an animal shelter, or, as a last resort, disposed of in the trash.
After diligently sifting through your belongings and deciding what to let go of, you'll be better equipped to efficiently organize the remaining items and store your off-season clothing.
Here's a clever clothing purge trick: If you're struggling to decide what to keep, designate a separate hanger for all your "maybes" and place them at the back of your closet. Each time you wear an item from this section, rehang it in front of the special hanger. After three months, any clothing still on the "maybe" hanger can be considered for selling or donating.
2. Arrange your closet based on the seasons.
After simplifying your wardrobe, the process of categorizing your clothing by season becomes much more straightforward. Consider the various types of garments you possess and their intended purposes, then organize them based on the season and the activities they're suited for. Group items for winter activities, such as ski jackets, robust down coats, mittens, and hats. For summer attire, assemble sun hats, swimsuits, shorts, and sundresses. During this sorting process, be sure to inspect pockets, and identify items that require cleaning, dry-cleaning, or repairs.
3. Prior to storing your clothes, make sure to wash and prepare them by doing the laundry.
Prior to placing your clothes in storage, it's essential to clean them thoroughly to prevent the spread of odors between items. Take care of any stains before storing, as stains become more challenging to remove as they age. If certain stains are especially stubborn, consider adding those garments to your recycling pile.
4. Repair any clothing that's in need of fixing.
Ensure that you don't end up pulling out a warm wool cardigan on a chilly day only to realize that a button is missing. As you finish your organizing, you may have a stack of items that require some attention, such as buttons, zippers, or patches. If you're skilled with a needle, you can handle the repairs yourself. Otherwise, you can have these items fixed by a local seamstress or tailor before putting them in storage.
5. Select appropriate containers depending on the specific items you're storing and their intended storage location.
When it comes to storing seasonal clothing, your choice of containers should align with the type of clothing and where you plan to store it. Here are some popular options:
- Plastic Bins: Plastic bins are a practical choice due to their ease of handling, stackability, and their ability to keep moisture and bugs out. Clear bins allow easy visibility, but if they're exposed to sunlight, it's better to use dark-colored ones to prevent fading.
- Cardboard Boxes: Cardboard boxes are suitable for indoor storage, as they can attract insects and don't offer protection against moisture. Avoid using them in spaces like garages, unfinished basements, or attics. Delicate or woolen fabrics should not be stored in cardboard boxes.
- Fabric and Canvas Bins: Fabric or canvas bins are breathable and preferred by organization experts. While they are more expensive, they are an excellent choice for delicate fabrics such as silk or cashmere. They can also be an attractive option for closet storage, especially if you opt for stylish fabric boxes with clear windows for easy visibility.
The most favorable conditions for seasonal clothing storage involve maintaining a cool, dark, and dry environment. Depending on your climate, the attic or garage may not be the best choice due to extreme heat. If you're using a basement, ensure it's not prone to flooding or excess moisture. Since you'll need to access these clothes as each season comes around, they should be stored in an easily accessible spot. Additionally, regardless of your storage space, be it in your attic or an indoor storage unit, avoid placing your clothes behind piles of other items where they might become difficult to locate when needed. Here are a few convenient storage options for your off-season clothes:
- Store them in a guest room closet, preferably on a high shelf.
- Store them in your garage, attic, or basement (if they remain free from excessive heat or humidity), positioned on a rack near the front of your storage area.
- Under the bed is another popular spot, especially for homes with limited storage space. You can create more room by using bed risers and select from a variety of storage containers designed to fit under the bed, available at retailers like Walmart or Amazon.
Lastly, remember to label everything. You don't need a fancy labeling machine; a simple solution is using masking tape and a permanent marker. A useful tip is to label your containers on both the short and long sides, making it easy to identify their contents regardless of how they are stacked.
When the change of seasons arrives, and your off-season clothing becomes suitable again, it's time for the seasonal swap. First, prepare your current wardrobe for storage by decluttering, organizing, cleaning, and making any necessary repairs. This way, when you unpack your incoming season's clothing, you can simultaneously pack and store the items from the previous season. If you're using a PODS storage container, it's as simple as having the container delivered to your home, taking out the stored items, and replacing them with the clothing you won't need for the upcoming season. Additionally, remember to refresh any lavender or cedar sachets and replace any moisture absorbers that were in storage to maintain the freshness of your clothing.
Frequently Asked Questions About Storing Seasonal Clothing
Q: What's the best method for long-term clothing storage?
A: For extended clothing storage needs, renting a PODS storage container is an excellent option. PODS can deliver the container to your driveway, allowing you to load it at your own pace, making it ideal for the initial decluttering process. When you're ready, PODS will pick it up and transport it to a secure PODS Storage Center until you require it. This is especially valuable if you have other seasonal storage requirements, such as winter or summer sports gear, gardening tools, or equipment. Moving these items out of your home and into a PODS Storage Center frees up additional space in your home and garage for items you'll be using during the current season.
Q: Is it better to store clothes in plastic or cardboard?
A: Given the choice between plastic storage containers and cardboard boxes, plastic is the preferred option. Plastic containers are stackable, protect clothing from bugs and moisture, and come in various sizes and styles. However, they may take up more space. If storage space is limited, vacuum-sealed bags can be a better choice. For even more efficient use of space, consider storing vacuum-sealed bags inside plastic tubs.
Q: How can I store clothes to prevent long-term odors?
A: To prevent your clothing from developing unwanted odors during storage, consider the following steps:
- Clean and thoroughly dry your clothing and the storage container before packing.
- Include a moisture absorber with your clothing and ensure the storage container is properly sealed to keep moisture out.
- Use cedar or lavender sachets, or even dryer sheets, to add a pleasant fragrance to your clothing during storage.
- Store containers in a cool, dark, and dry location.
Properly storing your off-season clothes will simplify your everyday access to your closet and drawers. By sorting, organizing, and storing your clothing correctly, you'll be able to easily retrieve the items you need when each season arrives.