By Chris Casson Madden
I always enter the post-Labor Day period with feelings of both
wistfulness and anticipation; wistful that summer and all that
summer brings, is behind us, but at the same time anticipating the
quickened pace and excitement of the autumn season.
By Chris Casson Madden
I always enter the post-Labor Day period with feelings of both wistfulness and anticipation; wistful that summer and all that summer brings, is behind us, but at the same time anticipating the quickened pace and excitement of the autumn season.
And, as someone who thrives on organizing my house and my things, I actually embrace the challenges of putting away and storing all the paraphernalia of summer. Now, if you’re like me, the stuff of summer has been accumulating over the years. I’m an inveterate buyer of lawn chairs, wicker tables and antiques for the garden.
And, of course, my garden, with all the wonderful tools and knick-knacks required to maintain it – the rakes, spades, clippers, hoes, hoses, wheelbarrow, pots and mower – need to be attended to. So, too, do the real toys of summer; the bikes, helmets, in-line skates, lacrosse sticks, tennis rackets, basketballs, baseballs, gloves and bats, golf bags and shoes. Did I forget something?
This year the vast accumulation of stuff to be stored seems overwhelming. Fortunately, I love the challenge of organizing the equipment of summer living, and I have found some wonderful stores and catalogs with great stuff to help. But if shopping isn’t the first thing you would do to get organized, go looking about the house in search of storage solutions.
For example, gather all the sports equipment and store it in bushel baskets. Likewise, put all your picnic gear in one or two coolers that will fit neatly on a shelf in the basement or garage. If you’re really clever, develop a pulley system to raise and lower a shelf in your garage to store things out of the way and to take advantage of a high-ceiling garage. If you have a canoe or kayak, you could use that craft for storage and then raise or lower it from your garage rafters.
No matter what you invest in or whatever ingenious way you manage to solve your storage dilemma, keep in mind these tips before you store, and your summer gear will be ready when the days get longer and warmer next spring:
n Ease of access: If the thought of crawling up into the attic with picnic gear and lawn furniture makes the task difficult and somewhat daunting, find someplace else to store the stuff. Maybe it is time you invest in some shelving in the basement, crawl space or in your garage. Or consider building a storage shed behind your home.
n Dry storage: Make sure your storage area is dry and ventilated and that you wrap items appropriately. Tight plastic wrap can be deadly for things that need to breathe or might attract mildew. Lawn furniture cushions, for example, should be thoroughly dry before storing and then placed loosely in a nylon bag or plastic storage bin to keep them dust-free. It may be necessary to run a dehumidifier in your storage area until the air is colder and dryer in the winter.
n Edit: Donate or throw away before you store. If your children have outgrown their skates or ski boots and they are still in good condition, you can find a charity that will accept them. Also, don’t store items that need repair or replacement. If you have a lawn chair that needs new webbing, replace it now or throw it out.
n Label: Store like items together to help keep your storage system logical and always, always label. Divide and conquer your storage by separating the sporting equipment from the garden tools and keeping all picnic items separate from the life preservers, wet suits and pool toys. Once stuff is wrapped, packed or ready for the shelves, label it, even if you can see the contents. Marriages have been saved by very clear labeling such as, “Picnic Items Only,” or “Baseball, Tennis and Basketballs.”
n Protected storage: If you don’t have indoor storage for all your garden furniture, stack where possible and invest in specially made heavy-duty plastic covers. Keep the furniture in a protected or obscured area of the garden or deck.
n Clean first: Make sure all your equipment is clean and maintained before storing. Mud or dirt can cause rust, mildew or deterioration if not removed before storing. Clean your furniture and equipment and then cover it to keep it dust free. In addition to protection, a clean storage strategy will insure that summer can begin as soon as you get your belongings out of storage.
And finally, if the idea of finding storage for all your gear is exhausting, fear not; there is another option: rent a space.
However you decide to deal with the stuff of summer, you will feel better once it is attended to. You will have given yourself a precious gift – peace of mind, just one less thing to worry about this winter.
Chris Casson Madden is a designer and best-selling author. Her latest book, “Haven: Finding the Keys to Your Personal Decorating Style,” was recently published by Clarkson Potter. She can be reached at cm*****@*********ia.com
