Almost every sport we play involves some type of special clothing, footwear or equipment. It’s hard to keep up with it all especially if you or your family all play different sports. Sports equipment takes up time, money and precious space in your home which some people might not be able to give up. That’s why it’s important to take your time to create a system for your sporty space organizing needs.
Organizing sports equipment can be tricky the variety of sizes and shapes such as balls, sticks, rackets, board, clubs, fishing rods and bikes. A popular place to store sports equipment is the garage. There are many storage systems available such as Elfa, Organize It and Store Wall that help keep everything in its place. For those who enjoy DIY projects, you can create a unique storage system for your sports equipment. Pinterest has many great examples that range from complete wall organizers to custom lockers.
If you have a Garage than that might be a simpler solution than finding space inside your home to organize sports equipment. If you don’t have a garage, it is not impossible. There are many tips and tricks you can adapt to keep your home organized and sports friendly. This system was created in a small awkward attic closet, with some adjustable shelves and command hooks!
Get a bin for each Sport and Person
While this might not be the biggest space saving tip, it is can really help keep track of each household members gear. Each sport is seasonal, chances are you don’t need the same gear all year around. By placing all the appropriate gear into a bin, it allows everything to be consolidated 
into one place, stored for the off season and ready to go when the season begins again. You do this with your seasonal clothes, so why not do it with your sports gear as well?
If you have been playing a certain sport for more than three years or seasons, buy the proper bag for the sport. It might cost you some money but having a place to put all the necessary equipment will save you time and space in your home.
24-Hour Rule
For your sanity and the scent of your home it’s best to follow the 24-hour rule when it comes to laundering any sports uniforms. While not everything needs to be laundered after every event, ensure your tackling laundry frequently so that they are washed, folded and put back into the sports bag within 24 hours of getting home from so you are ready to go the next time.
For convenience sake, sports bags can be stored on hooks or in cubicles in the laundry room or a mud room/near the door if space allows.
Adapt Organizers for Home Use
Many sport organizers are meant to be installed and used in the garage, but there are some that can be adapted to the home as well. The Rawlings Sports Organizer, is a great option for converting a closet. It comes with everything needed to set it up quickly in your home.
Create a Spectator Bag
Chances are if you aren’t going to be playing the sport then you will be the one watching your loved one and cheering them on. It is important that you are also taken care of at these events and we recommend creating and using a spectator bag. Your bag should contain a book (or form of entertainment, in case the practice is a little dull), a blanket or sweater, umbrella, laundry bag, snacks, a battery pack, a stadium seat (if needed) and some gum or mints. You can customize it however you prefer, but these are the common staples for your spectator bag.
Create a bag checklist
Checklists are an organized persons best friend. Creating a list on your phone, on the tag or in the pocket of your bag will guarantee that you have everything in your bag before you leave for a practice or event. It’s basically a bag inventory to check when you come back from events and before you leave for events.There are tons of examples, check them out for your specific needs.
It might look something like this:
It might sound like a mundane task but think back to the last time you forgot a crucial piece of equipment and take this small step to prevent that from ever happening again! Mom’s do this with their gear bags and it’s a great practice to adopt!
Keep your Car cleaned out
Keeping a trash bin in your car is a must if you have children, or a messy husband. You never truly realize how much garbage goes in your car until you keep a garbage can and empty it regularly. If your car really needs help, take a look at my In-Car Organizing guide.
While kids are at practice, take the first 15 or 20 minutes to tidy up your car and organize their backpacks. You can also take that time to go through your spectator bag and make note of anything that needs to be removed or added. Keep on top of this by making it a weekly habit, you don’t want your car to become a storage locker.
Organizing for sports isn’t always easy and often feels like a moving target with different sports for different seasons. Even the most seasoned soccer or hockey Mom’s lose their way from time to time but having a system in place will keep you on top of your game so that your child or loved one can enjoy playing theirs.