As we inch our way toward that hopeful, brighter season of lengthier days and warmer temps, it’s time to indulge in our seasonal hobbies and interests — and the spaces that allow those passions to bloom. 

Bringing the Outside in — and Creating a Space for Your Green Thumb to Flourish

Perhaps more than most folks, avid gardeners and blossoming plant parents understand the rewards of intentionally planting seeds, investing in caretaking, and watching gradual progression in real time. This can be said for our homes, too, and it feels more important than ever to make sure we’re truly using spaces in ways that are practical but also make us happy. (If the pandemic taught us anything, it’s that we’re no longer ready to compromise or stall on things that bring us joy.)

Whether your new hobby involves growing house plants or you have found joy during years of gardening, having a well-laid-out space to pursue your passions proves key. If feeling overwhelmed by how best to organize your supplies, we have good news for plant parents and gardeners. The design and organizational experts at California Closets can help you identify a space in your home and the appropriate storage to maximize your green thumb. By their nature, California Closets' products are non-porous and therefore clean up very well.

For many, the first step is investing in a potting bench that appeals to both indoor and outdoor gardeners. Choose your location wisely — whether situating the bench in a garage, utility room, pantry, kitchen nook, enclosed breezeway, or other unexpected space. For the love of the plants — and the tidiness of your home — consider important factors like good lighting, close-by water access, durable surfaces, and an easily wipeable floor.

Prioritize Storage for all Your Repotting Needs

Place your potting bench near a closet or shelving unit that can hold necessary items like potting soil, fertilizer, plant stakes, twine, and a composting bucket for green waste. Create a way to hang soil-touched tools that shouldn’t be fully put away, and keep a hand broom (with dustpan) within reach to clean up directly after you’ve gotten down and dirty.

If you’re planning to germinate plants from seed, factor in a place for grow lights. And depending on your gardening aims, also create sufficient room for root cutting, pruning, and perhaps the rearranging of terrariums and bonsai creations.

Return of Outdoor Adventures: Prepare Your Inside for the Outside

As the days get longer, it feels right to set up your garage spaces for spring by moving winter gear to the background and pulling forward the items that you enjoy throughout spring like landscape tools, sports equipment, and other outdoor gear. In addition to cleaning out and reassessing your springtime gear, consider where is best to store it all for easy access and use. Mounting horizontal tracking in your garage or mudroom from which you can hang bicycles, helmets, tennis rackets, frisbees, lacrosse sticks, lawn chairs, and other equipment truly signifies the return to outdoor life and a clutter-free pathway.

Another section might speak to your yardwork needs, ranging from rakes and blowers to ladders and extension cords. (Hanging baskets are always an aesthetically pleasing way to consolidate other miscellaneous goods that don’t have a proper home.) A spring cleaning, purging, and organizing of your tools and gear will allow you to make the most of the long, sunny days ahead.

As they too love and live in the Pacific Northwest, the folks at California Closets of Oregon are your partners in designing spaces for our PNW lifestyles. Should you need their assistance as you prep for the spring months ahead, California Closets of Oregon team members are ready and waiting to help create spaces that best support your seasonal interests. Our designers will dive right in once they assess the layout and spatial availability in your home — and understand how you’d most like to utilize certain areas. Manufactured in Tualatin and installed by Oregonians, California Closets is your local storage solution.

Call 503.885.8211 to set up a complimentary in-home consultation, visit us at www.calclosets.com, or stop into one of their local showrooms located in the Pearl in Portland, West Linn (exit 8 off of 205) and down in Bend on Newport Ave.