20 Great Storage Spots for Summer Gear

With summer fun comes a lot of stuff — surfboards, boogie boards, kayaks, bikes, beach balls and umbrellas, folding chairs, fishing poles, towels and more. It’s great to have the things you need close at hand; you just don’t want to be tripping over them! These 20 summer storage ideas cover both indoors and out, so whether you have a large garage or a small apartment, you should find a storage spot here that works for you.

Surfboards, Boogie Boards and Kayaks

1. Surfboard shed. If you are an avid surfer or kayaker and have the space, a freestanding board shed could be worth the investment. Having boards outdoors makes it easy to grab them and go, and they won’t take up valuable space in the garage.


2. Side-of-house board storage. If you have just one or two boards to store, a simple rack mounted to the side of your house could do the trick. If you’re worried about theft, use bike locks to secure your boards to the rack between sessions.


3. Under-the-porch storage. For quick, impromptu stowing, how about under the porch?


4. Wall-storage system. In the garage or shed, a wall-mounted system like the kind used for bikes and other gear can work well for surfboards, kayaks and paddles.


5. Overhead rack. If you have a canoe or kayak to store, consider hoisting it up to an overhead rack inside the garage or carport. Just be careful getting it down!


6. Surfboard wall rack. For a one-surfboard household, mounting it right in the living room can be handy, and the board can double as wall decor. Remember to rinse and dry your board well before hanging it over furniture and carpets.


Beach Gear and Toys

7. Equipment sheds. If you already have a screen or cover hiding your garbage cans, having another built to match can be a handy way to keep those beach chairs, balls and sand toys out of sight.


8. Slim-profile outdoor cabinet. If space is limited, a slender storage piece like the one shown here can be tucked in just about anywhere and still hold a surprising amount of gear. Keep the inside from becoming a jumbled heap by including shelves, baskets and bins.


9. Built-in storage benches. A long row of outdoor benches can be a major boon when it comes to storage. Flip up the lids and find a roomy area inside for stowing beach and sports gear plus extra outdoor cushions.


10. Freestanding storage bench. Even a single storage bench, indoors or out, can offer some much-needed hidden storage for frequently used items.


11. Under-the-porch storage cupboard. Have some extra room under the porch? Stop wasting that space and have it turned into a storage area, complete with latched doors.


12. Big baskets. Inside the house a few big, sturdy baskets tucked under a console table can keep piles of gear accessible but out of sight.


Bikes and Bulky Gear

13. Wall-mounted system. Use a combination of pieces to handle whatever you’ve got. Try baskets for corralling balls, high shelves for beach chairs and boogie boards, hooks for paddles and wetsuits, and racks for bikes.


14. Under-the-stair mounting system. Have an exposed area under the stairs? Add a few bike hooks or a surfboard rack, and stash your bulkiest gear there.


15. Behind a folding screen. In a small apartment with zero exterior storage, it can be tough to figure out where to put outdoor gear. A folding screen can help with camouflage — just tuck your bike rack and storage shelves in a corner behind it.



Fishing Poles

16. Wall-mounted storage. Have a blank wall in the garage or shed? Install a rod storage system — it takes up hardly any space and will keep your fishing rods neat and easy to locate.


17. Tall basket. If your only option for storing fishing rods is inside the house, a tall, narrow wire basket makes an attractive display.


Towels and Swimsuits

18. Wall hooks. For households that enjoy a lot of swimming, hooks for hanging wet towels and suits to dry on are summertime essentials. If you visit the beach a lot, consider putting hooks outside the house, too — letting towels dry outdoors will help the sand come off outside instead of inside your home.



19. Basket for fresh beach towels. If you’re using hooks to hang up wet, used towels, pick a nice, big basket to keep clean beach towels in.


20. Mudroom shelving. Mudroom shelves don’t need to be for jackets and school bags during the summer — clear them off to make room for colorful towels, beach bags and baskets for sunscreen and shades.

Tell us: Where do you keep your summer stuff so it’s accessible but out of the way?

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