Calling all outdoor enthusiasts! We are so lucky to live on the coast of beautiful British Columbia. The opportunities for outdoor activities in Vancouver and Victoria are endless!
We’ve got everything from hiking the Grouse Grind to biking Cypress Mountain, sailing in Oak Bay, cycling the Pacific Marine Circle Route, or kayaking through Deep Cove. This also means that if you enjoy outdoor activities, you probably have ALLLLLL the gear that goes with it!
Studies have shown that fresh air and outdoor activities benefit our health. Getting outside and enjoying nature releases muscle tension, reduces cortisol levels (that nasty little stress hormone), and can lower your heart rate and blood pressure. So the last thing you want to do after coming home from a phenomenal day spent in nature feeling relaxed and rejuvenated is to send your blood pressure and stress levels through the roof by opening your garage door and trying to figure out where to put your gear!
Decluttering Outdoor Gear
I know, I know, we say this ALL THE TIME. Decluttering is the KEY to successful organizing, which is why it is always step number one. When you put your mind to organizing an area of your home or certain elements, you must declutter first.
Gather all your outdoor gear together to see what you have. Determine what is used often, sometimes, or never. If you have duplicates, cut the number by half. If the items are in good shape, consider bringing them to an outdoor consignment shop like Play It Again Sports, Sports Junkies, or Cheapskates in Vancouver or Play It Again Westshore or Grove Outdoors in Victoria. You can also list items for sale on Facebook Marketplace.
Once you’ve pared down your gear, it’s time to organize! To make it easy, group all items by activity.
Bins and Totes and Bags, Oh My!
These three items are essential for organizing and storing outdoor gear. Various-sized bins and totes will keep your items tidy and organized and will make it easy to grab and go when you’re heading out.
Ziplock freezer bags and vacuum storage bags are great space-savers for less frequently used items.
Camping Gear Organization
As mentioned above, bins will be the best way to store your camping gear. Organizing items into categories, such as bedding, cleaning items, cooking utensils, etc and proper labelling are key here. When you’re ready to hit the road for an impromptu camping trip, grab the bins you need, load them up and head out!
Biking Gear Organization
Depending on your space, a gravity bike rack, vertical storage rack, or garage wall racks are all fantastic options for keeping your bikes up and out of your way. Helmets, biking shoes, gloves and other gear are best stored in a mesh bin (so they can air out) or hanging on a peg board.
Hiking Gear Organization
Your hiking gear storage needs will depend on how serious of a hiker you are and the amount of gear you have. If you’re an occasional Sunday morning hiker with only shoes, a small pack and a jacket to store your closet may be space enough. But if hiking is your life, and you have all the
gear to go along with it, you may want to invest in a wardrobe organizer similar to the IKEA Boaxal wardrobe. Packs and hiking poles can easily be hung using carabiners from the rod, while your smaller gear, such as socks, gloves, hats and toques, can be stored in the bins.
Beach Gear Organization
Remember when you could go to the beach with one small bag, a towel, a bottle of water and a book? If you’ve got children, then you probably know that this is no longer the case… A trip to the beach for the day can sometimes feel like you’re packing for a week-long trip! Chairs, umbrellas, a beach blanket, a cooler bag for ALL the snacks, toys, swimming masks, floaties, goggles, etc, plus a wagon to haul it all to the beach can quickly overwhelm anyone!
Staying organized will be crucial to summertime fun and stress-free trips to the beach. During the offseason, clean and dry all beach gear and store it all in a labelled bin/tote. Beach chairs, umbrellas and foldable wagons can be hung from garage walls with handy hooks.
During beach season (and during our almost regular heat waves), you can keep all items organized inside your wagon, taking out just the towels and cooler to clean/switch out so you’re ready for your next adventure!
Large Item Storage
SUPs, kayaks, and skis can be challenging to store, but they don’t have to be. A lot of the items mentioned above are great solutions for these items as well, such as the overhead garage shelving, heavy-duty wire shelves (for the heavier items) or wall hooks.
Battery Powered Items
Always remove the batteries before storing your battery-powered items, such as lights, two-way radios, etc. This will not only extend the life of the item but will also prevent the batteries from leaking and becoming corroded. Keep the batteries in a container inside the bin with the items, and always have a fresh pack of batteries. If you use rechargeables, keep them at the top of the bins so you can easily charge them before heading out on your adventure!
Make Use of Your Space
A heavy-duty storage rack, such as this one from Costco, will be your best investment if you’ve got the space. Overhead storage racks are game-changers for garages, using the wasted overhead space.
For even smaller spaces, you can get really creative! Check out this post by Backcountry Emily showcasing her brilliant gear storage wall, featuring shelving, drawers, a pegboard, and closet rods.
Call In Backup
Still struggling to visualize how and where you can store all of your outdoor gear? Call in a professional organizer! We have years of experience, knowledge and expertise to help you! We can help you transform ANY space, no matter the size, into the most practical storage area.
Stop struggling, and let us help you bring harmony to your home. Contact us today for a free consultation to find out how we can help you enjoy your favourite outdoor activities in Vancouver and Victoria without the stress!
