February, 2004
Source: Pioneer Press
So Many Boots, So Little Space
Winter has settled in and snow invites those young and young at heart to get out and play. Short of putting a mudroom addition on you house, quite a luxury if you live in an older home, how can you gracefully deal with the wet snow pants, sopping mittens and dripping boots that constantly adorn your doorway? With some creativity these seasonal challenges can be met without too much trouble.
Off the Floor
Boot trays are the best thing since sliced bread. They sure beat the old towel I’ve seen thrown down to catch incoming snow. These boot trays are like the “little black dress” of door mats as they are narrow enough to fit in most hallways with even the smallest ones holding three to four pair of wet boots and shoes. Yet they remain unobtrusive. The basic black plastic cleans easily and somehow the tray makes things look tidier. Set the boot tray close to the door mat so boots and shoes can be set right on the tray without wet footprints that require immediate wipe-up.
In wet snowy weather it is also a good idea to use a door mat with contours so the water won’t stay on the surface, along with a heavy rubber backing. This way there won’t be concern about ruining something you love. After the muddy spring season, put your colorful rug back in its place.
Off the Door
Is it a gender thing or does no one else’s husband think that a door knob is an extra hook for a coat too damp to be put away? When wet outdoor clothes come in, the closet isn’t the best place for them to drip dry. Perhaps the entrance way has hooks or pegs to hang coats over the boot tray that sits right below. Perhaps not.
Where there is a laundry room adjacent to the entry, or at least in striking distance, that’s the perfect place for drip drying.
If there is an attached garage adjacent to the back door, a row of pegs or hooks right beside the door but on the garage side is a great idea. All types of stackable racks and shelves are available to create a perfect storage area tailored to your needs. Where space is plentiful in this location, individual lockers or tall cubbies are another solution to the challenge of keeping hats, mittens, coats and even sports gear organized. In fact, this area can serve as a more than adequate quasi-mudroom where there is none, with the only downside being the cold. If clothes are really wet from outdoor play, you will probably want to dry them inside but storing them in the garage mudroom is no problem.
Where there is no alternative that allows for putting winter wonderland clothes out of sight, a coat tree can hold a load of damp clothes. Set it on a mat to catch the drips so that cleaning two surfaces isn’t necessary. After all, these ideas are really meant to be time-savers so you have time to do the things you want to do, like go play in the snow.