Colder weather means it’s time to break out the boots and heavy knits, but that sometimes leaves your summer accessories with nowhere to go. A custom storage system lets you easily handle the switch.

Now that we’re finally seeing true cold weather in the DC area, you might be reassessing your seasonal wardrobe. But this shift means more than just breaking out sweaters and denims (although that’s definitely my favorite part).

Cold-weather accessories tend to be bulkier than their summertime counterparts, so many of my clients start looking for ways to store off-season shoes and purses this time of year. It’s a particular concern for clients in Tenleytown, where homes tend to be a bit smaller than those in surrounding areas. If you live in Tenleytown, or in any other DC neighborhood where square footage can be limited, a few creative storage options will help reclaim your closet.

Use Your Upper Wall Space

Space close to the ceiling is often great for seasonal accessories—you won’t need to access these items every week, but you probably still want them nearby in case the weather changes unexpectedly. I’d suggest a closet design that includes several inches of clearance between the top of your storage unit and the ceiling. This provides a surprising amount of extra storage for:

• Shoes. Sandals or anything with a cork bottom can be shifted here until next season. If you’ve got a large collection, try to keep pairs categorized by style (flats, wedges, pumps, sandals, and so on).

• Hats. Since you’ll probably need space for warmer wool hats, store baseball caps, straw hats, and bucket hats up top as well. Just make sure to leave enough clearance that you don’t crush any delicate pieces.

• Purses. I absolutely have “summer” purses—these are usually lighter in color (think pastels or bright tones) or else made from a material that screams warm weather, like straw or bamboo. These don’t need to be cluttering your shelves or purse hooks for the next six months.

Install Deeper Drawers

Accessory drawers are typically a little shallower than regular drawers, making it easy for you to see (and organize) small items. But if you’re planning ahead for off-season accessory storage, having a couple of deeper drawers makes sense. These give you space to store entire categories of items together.

If you’ve got a large collection of sunglasses, for instance, you might already own stackable sunglass holders. These can be placed on top of each other in the same drawer—along with any original sunglass cases that you want to keep, plus maintenance items like cleaners and microfiber wipes. This trick also works for other small items, like summer clutches and wallets.

Strategically Store Your Scarves

We often use scarves as fashion accessories, so I’d suggest folding down your lighter pieces and tucking them into a designated drawer as well.

Unlike other accessories, though, scarves usually do just fine in a drawer box of regular depth. I’d suggest keeping them in the same bank of drawers as the rest of your folded clothes. This makes them easy to grab if you want an extra layer during the day. Weather in our area can be unpredictable (which we’ve definitely seen this fall), so it makes sense keep them handy.

Wondering what to do with your in-season scarves? I’d recommend adding one or two slide-out scarf racks for them. Since you’re more likely to grab one of these pieces on your way out the door, having them hanging makes it easier for you to quickly peruse all of your options—and, once the weather shifts, you can cycle in your lighter scarves once more.

With all of your summer accessories stashed away, you’ll have plenty of space to give your fall and winter items their moment in the spotlight. Schedule a free design consultation, and we’ll help you make your closet shine. And if your walk-in is feeling a little bare now that everything has a home? It’s a great excuse to head up Wisconsin Avenue to do some shopping. I hear the Saks Jandel’s sale is fabulous.