17 Clever Winter Gear Organization Ideas

At a Glance: 17 Clever Winter Gear Organization Ideas

• Transition from deep storage bins to visible, vertical systems like curtain rods or clothespin hangers so you won't have to dig for winter gear.
• Utilize DIY wooden boot racks or modified ottomans with drip trays to keep melting snow and mud off your floors.
• Low-mounted hooks and labeled baskets in closets allow children to manage their own gear which significantly help reduce parent cleanup time.
• Winter storage solutions range from 5-minute scarf ladders to 5-hour mudroom benches and only require affordable materials like scrap wood, wire baskets, and paint cans.

Snow is falling and our family’s winter gear is piling up. These clever winter gear organization ideas are lifesavers indeed!

In this article:

1. Protect Your Winter Gear and Have a Mess-Free Home with These DIY Solutions
   1. DIY Winter Gear Organizer
   2. DIY Rustic Wall Mount Storage Bin
   3. DIY Shelf and Bench
   4. DIY Snowboard Rack
   5. Clothespin Hats and Gloves Hanger
   6. Shoe Holder Organizer
   7. Curtain Rod Winter Gear Organizer
   8. Kids Winter Gear Closet
   9. Paint Can Organizer
   10. Bench Boot Storage
   11. Narrow Built-In Mudroom
   12. Simple DIY Coat Rack and Mitten Holder
   13. DIY Dressed-Up Snow Clothing Rack
   14. DIY Hat Display
   15. Wire Basket Wall Organizer
   16. DIY Wooden Boot Rack
   17. DIY Scarf Storage

Best Winter Gear Storage Ideas Perfect for This Season

Protect Your Winter Gear and Have a Mess-Free Home with These DIY Solutions

I’m not particularly happy about the winter gear mess my family creates. Every year, I’d usually use big wicker baskets to organize our winter outdoor gear; one basket for mittens, one basket for the hats, and so on.

This storage solution worked great after we use the winter gear. However, when it’s time to look for something, the kids have to dig through the pile and I end up picking up the entire mess again.

This year, I’m done with that and I want to share with you these clever organization ideas to help us all divert an impending winter gear disaster in the home.

1. DIY Winter Gear Organizer

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Leftover wood, baskets, and hooks are what you’ll need to make this amazing winter storage solution. Put all the kids' snow gear here so the kids don’t have to dig through the closet just to find their mittens or scarves.

Time: 1.5 – 2 Hours
Materials: Leftover wood, baskets, hooks, screws, drill

Steps:

1. Measure and cut your leftover wood to create a backing board (about 24 inches wide by 36 inches tall works well).
2. Sand any rough edges until the wood's smooth to touch.
3. Mark where you want your hooks on the lower half of the board using a pencil.
4. Screw the hooks into place using a drill or screwdriver.
5. Position your baskets on the upper half of the board and mark their placement.
6. Attach the baskets using screws or mounting brackets.
7. Find wall studs using a stud finder, then mount the entire board to your entryway wall with heavy-duty screws.
8. Hang scarves and light jackets on the hooks, and toss snow gear into the baskets.

2. DIY Rustic Wall Mount Storage Bin

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Having a storage bin near the front or back door is always a good idea. It saves you the trouble of running up the stairs just to get a pair of socks.

But more than this, it’s a great storage solution, as you can store winter gear here without dragging snow and dirt inside your home.

Time: 2 – 3 Hours
Materials: Wood planks, wood glue, screws, sandpaper, wood stain, mounting brackets

Steps:

1. Cut your wood planks to two side pieces (12 inches tall), a back piece (18 inches wide), and a bottom piece (18 inches wide).
2. Apply wood glue to the edges and connect the pieces to form a box shape.
3. Secure each corner with screws for extra strength.
4. Sand the entire bin until smooth and wipe off dust using a damp cloth.
5. Apply your chosen wood stain with a brush and follow the grain. Let it dry completely.
6. Attach mounting brackets to the back of the bin.
7. Mount the bin to your wall at a height kids can reach approximately 2-3 feet from the floor).
8. Use the mounted bin for wet socks or small winter accessories.

3. DIY Shelf and Bench

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Every home should have a mudroom. It’s very useful especially during wintertime when you need to store tons of winter gear for you and the kids.

It’s the perfect place to store used winter coats and wet and muddy footwear. On the other hand, if you don’t have a mudroom yet, this easy DIY shelf and bench will do wonders for your winter gear storage situation.

Time: 4 – 5 Hours
Materials: Live-edge wood boards, black metal grid panel, mounting hardware, white adhesive labels, screws

Steps:

1. Locate wall studs and mark where you want your metal grid panel.
2. Mount the black metal grid securely to the wall using heavy-duty screws.
3. Decide on shelf heights and space them 12-16 inches apart.
4. Rest your live-edge wooden shelves on the grid supports at different levels.
5. Secure each shelf in place by screwing through the grid into the wood.
6. Write names or boot types on white adhesive labels.
7. Stick the labels on the shelf edges to show where each pair of boots belongs.
8. Line up your snow boots and rain boots on the lower shelves.

4. DIY Snowboard Rack

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You may love snowboarding, but if you don’t have space to store your sports winter gear, you’re practically inviting clutter into your home.

For organizing purposes, or better yet, for safety purposes as well, make this DIY snowboard rack and keep the mess at bay.

5. Clothespin Hats and Gloves Hanger

I really like this winter gear organization idea. Not only can I organize my kids’ hats and gloves; it can also air dry them after use!

Time: 20 Minutes
Materials: Sturdy wire or clothesline, 12-15 wooden clothespins, wall hooks

Steps:

1. Screw two wall hooks into your wall about 3-4 feet apart.
2. Cut your wire to length and leave a few extra inches on each end.
3. Tie or loop one end of the wire around the first hook.
4. Pull the wire tight and secure it to the second hook.
5. Clip clothespins along the entire length of the wire and space them a few inches apart.
6. Hang wet hats and gloves from the clothespins to air dry.

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6. Shoe Holder Organizer

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Often, the best solutions are the simplest. This plastic shoe holder is probably the most versatile storage solution I’ve ever seen.

It can store practically anything, from jewelry to my kids’ little toys. It’s simple and very effective.

7. Curtain Rod Winter Gear Organizer

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Who knew this simple winter gear storage hack would make your life a whole lot easier this winter?

All you need is a curtain rod and some curtain rod clips to hang those used scarves, mittens, and beanies. No more picking up the mess off of the floor!

8. Kids Winter Gear Closet

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This coat closet was actually transformed into a kid’s winter storage center. Not only is this super accessible for the kiddos, but it will also teach the kids where to grab and put back the winter gear they use, which actually helps you with the cleanup too!

Time: 1 Hour
Materials: Low-mounted hooks (4-6), small bins or baskets, labels

Steps:

1. Empty the bottom half of a coat closet.
2. Measure 3 feet from the floor (about shoulder height for most kids).
3. Mark spots for hooks every 8-10 inches along the wall.
4. Follow the marks and screw the hooks into the wall.
5. Place bins or baskets on the closet floor directly below the hooks.
6. Add labels to bins for shoes, mittens, and hats.
7. Show your kids which hook and bin are theirs.

9. Paint Can Organizer

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Don’t throw away those paint cans yet; they can be your stylish and ultra-functional winter gear organizers right at the entryway of your home! This DIY paint organizer can actually store your scarves, mittens, hats, and even your light coats.

RELATED: How To Winterize Your Home This Season

10. Bench Boot Storage

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La-la-love this! I’ve already made this DIY bench boot storage at home with our old ottoman. Similar to drip trays, this boot storage will help keep the snow and mud away from the floors.

But what sets this apart from the usual drip tray is that you can actually close the bench and hide unsightly winter footwear. Plus, you can sit on it too while pulling on your booties!

Time: 1 – 2 Hours
Materials: Old ottoman or wooden bench with removable top, plastic drip tray, tools to modify if needed

Steps:

1. Choose an ottoman or bench that has storage space inside or remove the seat cushion.
2. Measure the inside dimensions of the ottoman or bench.
3. Find a plastic drip tray that fits inside.
4. Place the tray at the bottom of the storage area.
5. Store your family's boots upright inside the ottoman.
6. Close the lid to hide muddy boots and melting snow.
7. Wipe out the drip tray weekly to prevent mildew.

11. Narrow Built-In Mudroom

I want to share this with you because it’s an excellent way to organize or layout your mudroom (if you have one). As you can see, there’s space for all the winter gear, even the schoolbags, and earmuffs.

Sometimes, even if we have space, it’s difficult to organize efficiently. Hopefully, this will be an inspiration to you.

12. Simple DIY Coat Rack and Mitten Holder

This DIY Coat Rack and Mitten Holder are one of the simplest ways to store and dry mittens, hats, or scarves. It’s a year-round storage solution.

I can’t believe I haven’t come across this organization idea before! I think it looks great in the hallway, my kids’ bedrooms, or even the laundry room (for those missing socks).

13. DIY Dressed-Up Snow Clothing Rack

You don’t need to hide your winter coats after use. The truth is, your coat closet will be better used for storing snow shovels this winter.

Hang your coats on this upcycled clothing rack. Decorate a little for that added rustic appeal in your entryway.

Time: 30 Minutes
Materials: Freestanding clothing rack, optional rustic decorations (burlap ribbon, pinecones, twine)

Steps:

1. Assemble your freestanding clothing rack according to the package directions.
2. Position it in your entryway where it won't block traffic.
3. Hang heavy winter coats on the rack to save closet space.
4. Wrap burlap ribbon around the top bar for a rustic touch (optional).
5. Tie pinecones to the corners with twine for seasonal decoration (optional).

14. DIY Hat Display

If you have a collection of beautiful beanie hats, I'm sure you'll dedicate some time to recreate this wonderful DIY for them. Now you have a way to proudly display your collection and at the same time, making them pretty much accessible when you needed them.

15. Wire Basket Wall Organizer

Setting up a wire basket in your entryway's wall for each member of your family is a perfect way to keep this busy spot clean and organized. And with hats, coats, and other winter necessities near the door, leaving the house will be a breeze without the need for last-minute searches.

Time: 30 Minutes
Materials: 3-4 wire baskets, white peg rail or mounting strips, screws

Steps:

1. Attach your white peg rail vertically to the wall.
2. Hang wire baskets on the pegs at different heights (one per family member).
3. Make sure the bottom basket is low enough for kids to reach.
4. Toss mittens and hats into each person's basket.
5. Hang one mitten on the outside of the basket for quick access when rushing out.

16. DIY Wooden Boot Rack

Keeping your winter boots organized has never been this picturesque! This DIY wooden boot rack is very simple in design, yet provides solutions to common winter problems: maintaining dry floors, space-saving, and keeping critters out.

Time: 2 Hours
Materials: Wooden base board (18×24 inches), wooden dowels (12 inches long, ¾ inch diameter), drill with spade bit, sandpaper

Steps:

1. Sand your wooden baseboard until smooth.
2. Measure and mark spots for dowels in two rows and put them about 4 inches apart.
3. Use a spade bit to drill holes about 1 inch deep at each mark.
4. Squeeze wood glue into each hole.
5. Insert dowels into the holes and press firmly.
6. Let the glue dry completely (about 24 hours).
7. Turn the boots upside down and slide them onto the dowels to drain water and air out.

17. DIY Scarf Storage

Use your collection of lovely scarves as decor and add some cheer to keep the winter blues at bay. Simply wrap each scarf on the ladder wrung. When the seasons change, store your heavy scarves and use the same ladder to display other accessories for this season.

Time: 5 Minutes
Materials: Decorative wooden or metal ladder

Steps:

1. Lean a decorative ladder against your entryway wall at a slight angle.
2. Drape one scarf over each rung, starting from the bottom.
3. Arrange scarves by color or pattern for visual appeal.
4. Switch to lighter scarves when spring arrives.

Make a hat or scarf from a sweater without having to sew or knit! Check out the tutorial from Idunn Goddess here:

Did you have fun going through these winter gear organization ideas? I truly hope you find the storage solution for you and your family. Let’s enjoy the winter snow without the stress of cleaning up!

Sound off in the comments section below if you have other organization ideas to share. We're excited to hear about them!

Winter Gear Organization FAQs

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Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on January 24, 2017, and has been updated in February 2026 for quality and relevancy.