12 Ways to Weather a Messy Winter
Here's What to do About Those Wet Coats and Muddy Boots
Each season is worthy of celebration. Spring brings a warming to the earth, the promise of renewal and beautiful flowers. Summer means schools out, pool time and trips to the beach. Fall is welcomed relief from summer's heat and is filled with vibrant color. Winter is warm sweaters, cozy fires and holiday celebrations. But winter comes with its challenges and messes. Here are some tips for dealing with it:
Even if you live where it rarely snows, a good pair of boots or Wellies is always a good idea for the really messy weather days.
Here's another great idea for dealing with messy boots: Place them in a tray atop gravel or rock. A rack above will work well for storing the shoes we wear on a daily basis.
Baskets are a great way to store winter gear. Place one near the door for each family member and they'll be no excuses for misplaced gloves and hats.
Baskets are a great way to store winter gear. Place one near the door for each family member and they'll be no excuses for misplaced gloves and hats.
If you want to stop the mess before it gets inside, consider a shoe/boot rack just outside the door your family uses most. A rack for hanging rain coats and umbrellas is another great idea for keeping winter messes at bay.
Slate flooring is uber practical. Its rough texture will lessen the chance of slips or falls from wet shoes, and the variations in the slate will work well to camouflage the dirt or mud that does sneak in.
If you have the space, include an ottoman or some type of seating in your entry. It will come in handy for pulling on boots and galoshes.
A tray kept by the door you most often use will offer a great place to place wet or muddy shoes and boots.
If you're able to incorporate a sink into your back entry or mudroom, all the better! It will give you a place to clean up messy shoes, not to mention the paws of our 4-footed friends.
An umbrella stand near the door will act as a reminder to grab one on the way out on those rainy, winter days. Plus, they just look great in a foyer or mudroom, don't they?
What about the friends and family who come calling via the front door? A patterned rug will work well for catching whatever gets tracked in, and the busy pattern will help hide a multitude of muddy sins.
A cedar chest will do double duty, providing both seating and storage for all that winter gear.
Here's an ingenious idea that combines a drying rack and coat rack. That could come in handy when you're looking for a place to hang those dripping rain coats and umbrellas (although I wouldn't want anything dripping on this adorable little nook).
What's your best advice for dealing with winter's worst? Would love to hear your floor and house saving tips!
What's your best advice for dealing with winter's worst? Would love to hear your floor and house saving tips!