An evening chill is in the air and fall is approaching. Even as you’re enjoying the final lazy, hazy days of summer you begin to think ahead to the task of storing away summer’s paraphernalia.What’s the best way to protect the patio furniture and barbecue grill?Where is all this pool stuff going to go and how do I best winterize my pool?The magnitude of the task depends on your lifestyle and what part of the country you live in. How much needs to be stored and how severe the weather is in the coming months are primary considerations for storage solutions.
Outdoor furniture
Patio furniture is a big part of summer and can be a big investment as well. Protecting it year to year is important. Outdoor furniture could be plastic, wood, wrought iron, wicker or a combination of styles, often with fabric or canvas cushions, hangings and umbrellas. The best way to protect your furniture is inside storage such as a garage or shed to combat moisture and insects.
- Be sure that all furniture is clean and dry before you store it
- A thin coat of car wax will protect aluminum or plastic pieces
- A coating of paste wax will keep wicker furniture from drying out
- Remove rust from any metal pieces and spray with a silicone sealant
- Fabric pieces such as cushions and umbrellas should be thoroughly cleaned and dried and covered with protective plastic or fabric bags for added protection. Dryer sheets or cloves in the bags will deter musty smells and bugs. Avoid the fright of opening the umbrella next spring and having spiders fall out!
- If your barbecue grill is stored indoors, disconnect the gas tank and store the tank outside for safety reasons.
If your furniture remains outside, you can still take protective measures to keep it in good shape.
- Use heavy-duty covers designed specifically for different types of outdoor furniture. Covers for tables, chairs, stacking chairs or small tables, umbrellas, fire pits and barbecues are available from many sources.
- Secure covers with tie downs and weights (flower pots or bricks) to avoid them blowing off.
- “Tenting” the covers with a flower pot underneath will provide a watershed for flat surfaces so rain doesn’t collect in puddles.
- Storage benches and deck boxes come in various sizes to accommodate smaller items like cushions and prevent moisture and insect damage.
Pool accessories
Pool accessories should be sorted, cleaned and dried before storage. Discard any worn towels or damaged toys, blow-up rings and floats that won’t be usable next year.
- Storage benches and deck boxes provide protective outside storage
- Place towels into plastic bags with dryer sheets or cloves to keep fresh
- Garage wall storage with hooks and shelves can keep pool toys and accessories up off the floor
- An outdoor shed can hold furniture, pool accessories and lots more
Sports equipment
Equipment such as bicycles, skateboards and scooters may or may not need to be put away, depending on the weather. If these items need storage, a garage or shed provides the best protection.
- Wall hooks or bike racks in the garage or shed will free up floor space
- Clean and lubricate all equipment to avoid rust
- If left outside, a sheltered area with protective covers will suffice
Garden/yard implements
As with the sports equipment, you need to store whatever will not be used in the coming months. Gardening implements available for spring and summer use can now be cleaned and put away.
- Rakes, shovels, trowels and other equipment can be hung on peg board in the garage or shed
- Lawn mower should be cleaned and covered to protect from moisture
- An outside potting bench can be protected with a heavy-duty plastic cover
- Turn empty pots upside down to avoid collecting water/snow
- Fertilizers, weed killer, insecticides, etc. should be stored to maintain potency
Summer wardrobes
Unless your closet is large enough to accommodate everything you wear all year long, you’ll need some storage options as the seasons change. But switching out seasonal clothing doesn’t have to be difficult. (If you also change bed linens and decorative pillows, these same options apply.)
- Use storage bins or boxes to alternate winter and summer clothes storage
- Move off-season bins to the top of your closet, keeping in-season clothes readily available
- To avoid mildew and damage from food and stains, only store clean and dry items
- Designate a “seasonal closet” for all family members to use for alternating seasonal wardrobes (coats, jackets, scarves and gloves in for summer and out for winter)
- Under bed storage is a good way to safely store seasonal items and clothing in individual rooms
- Rolling racks with garment bags to protect clothing and linens can be used in the garage, basement or attic if in-house space doesn’t permit storage
If you want to maximize your storage needs all year long, Closets by Design can help you design solutions for every room in your house. And don’t overlook the garage; designing for specific storage will expand the space beyond your wildest dreams!Go online at www.closetsbydesign.com or call 1-888-500-9215 today to find a designer near you. Our free, in-home consultation will show you how to get the absolute most storage out of your living space.
