Camping chairs are essential for creating a comfortable outdoor experience while camping, tailgating, or spending time in your backyard. However, their bulky size can make storage a challenge, especially if space is limited in your garage. Properly storing camping chairs keeps them organized, protected, and readily accessible for your next adventure.
Should you store camping chairs in a garage?
Storing camping chairs in a garage can be a good option if you have the space. Garages provide protection from the elements like rain, snow, and UV rays that can damage camping gear over time. However, garages can also be damp, allowing mold and mildew to grow. Here are some factors to consider when deciding whether to store camping chairs in your garage:
- Available space – Make sure you have enough room in your garage to neatly store the chairs. They should not be crammed or piled on top of other items.
- Ventilation – Look for ways to increase airflow, such as opening windows or garage doors when weather permits. Dehumidifiers can help prevent mold and mildew.
- Protection – Storing chairs in a garage keeps them safely hidden and prevents theft. Consider locking access doors or using storage containers.
- Convenience – Camping chairs stored in the garage are easily loaded into vehicles for camping trips or moved to other locations like your patio.
- Harsh weather – If you live in areas with long winters or very hot summers, storing chairs in the garage protects them from extreme cold, heat, snow, and ice.
If your garage has enough dry, ventilated space, storing folding camping chairs inside can be an ideal solution. Make sure to take preventative measures against moisture, pests, and damage.
How to organize camping chairs in a garage
Once you decide to store camping chairs in the garage, organization is key to keeping the space functional and equipment protected. Follow these tips to neatly arrange camping chairs:
Categorize by chair type
Group together chairs of the same type, size, and function. For example, keep all lightweight backpacking chairs together separately from the heavier steel-frame models. Cluster your rocking camp chairs and stools separately from the low-to-the-ground models.
Utilize vertical storage
Install shelving units or slatwall panels to the garage walls to store folded chairs upright. This keeps them off the floor and saves a lot of floor space. Shelves should be deep enough to prevent tipping.
Use hanging storage
Hang folded camping chairs from the ceiling or rafters using gear lofts, straps, carabiners, or hooks. This completely frees up floor space for other items.
Invest in storage containers
Plastic storage totes or mesh bags keep camping chairs protected from moisture, dirt, and pests. They prevent damage and tangling of loose chairs. Label containers clearly.
Place on utility shelves
Utility shelves and wire racks keep chairs neat and visible. Ensure shelves have raised lips or constraints to prevent chairs sliding off. Only stack if shelves are very sturdy.
Use closet storage
Stand folded camping chairs upright inside an unused closet or coat closet. Install clasps or ties to prevent tipping. This keeps chairs contained in a small footprint.
Take advantage of wall space
Install wall-mounted holders or vertical brackets to neatly store folded chairs. Attach a restraint like a bungee cord to secure chairs in place on the brackets.
Add mobility
Use wheeled platforms, portable caddies, or utility carts to corral camping chairs and make moving them in and out of the garage easier.
How to protect camping chairs in a garage
Garages often have conditions like moisture, dust, bugs, and rodents that can damage gear. Use these tips to protect chairs when stored in the garage:
- Cleaning – Wipe down chairs to remove dirt, grime, and debris before storage. Start fresh each season.
- Covers – Use breathable chair covers to protect from dust and overspray from lawn chemicals or automotive products.
- Padding – Place soft blankets or moving pads between stored chairs to prevent scratches and dents.
- Lubrication – Apply lubricant to chair joints and mechanisms to prevent rusting.
- Sealed containers – Plastic totes or sealed bags protect chairs from humidity and pests.
- Insect control – Use cedar blocks or natural repellents to deter ants, spiders, and scorpions from hiding in chairs.
- Rodent deterrents – Eliminate food sources and use traps or repellents to keep mice from nesting in chairs.
- Dehumidifier – A portable dehumidifier prevents mold/mildew and rust from high humidity.
- Air circulation – Encourage airflow around stored chairs by spacing them apart and opening garage doors when possible.
Taking appropriate precautions allows you to safely store camping chairs in the garage without damage. Monitor their condition and make adjustments if you notice rust, mold, or other problems developing.
How to organize a garage for camping chair storage
Storing camping chairs successfully requires an organized garage space. Make room for your gear by:
Purging unnecessary items
Get rid of clutter, trash, broken equipment, and items you no longer need. Donating, selling, or recycling these frees up valuable garage space.
Using shelf dividers
Install wire shelf dividers or storage bins to separate categories of items on shelving units. This prevents a jumbled mess and makes locating camping gear easier.
Adding overhead storage
Install racks above the garage door or ceiling-mounted racks to store infrequently used items up and out of the way. Use for holiday decorations, old sports gear, etc.
Using vertical space
Floor space fills up quickly, so utilize walls, doors, and rafters. Hang tools, bikes, ladders, and camping chairs overhead to keep the floor clear.
Keeping surfaces clean
Free up shelf and floor space by packing away loose objects into plastic bins. Maintain organized workbenches and utility sinks.
Using multipurpose furniture
Opt for storage solutions like workbenches with drawers and cabinets or rolling cabinets to hold both tools and camping supplies.
Adding an auxiliary shed
Once you’ve maximized the garage, add a storage shed to handle overflow items like off-season recreational gear.
Maintaining a label system
Use colored tags, shelf labels, or chalkboard paint to clearly identify where different camping items belong for easy reorganization.
Invest time into developing an orderly, efficient system for the garage that suits your storage needs. This creates the ideal conditions for storing camping chairs alongside your other belongings.
Tips for fitting camping chairs into tight garage spaces
For those working with very limited garage space, you can still find ways to store camping chairs neatly by:
- Hanging foldable chairs from hooks, rafters, or specially installed racks on the ceiling to maximize vertical real estate.
- Stacking the chairs in a folded, upright position in narrow floor spaces between other items like shelving units or the wall.
- Looking for awkward, often overlooked spaces like on top of workbenches, along staircases, or hung on the back of doors.
- Storing the chairs inside other objects with available space inside like large plastic deck storage boxes or trash cans.
- Sliding slender camping chairs into small gaps between parked vehicles that are too narrow for bulkier objects.
- Investing in collapsible camping chairs that fold down smaller if your current chairs are too bulky for the space.
- Moving and consolidating shelving units or other large items to create a dedicated camping furniture area.
- Parking one vehicle outside to clear space indoors for camping gear during the off-season.
Don’t overlook even the smallest undefined spaces when looking for solutions. With creativity and determination, you can make almost any garage work.
Best storage methods for specific camping chair types
Certain styles of camping chairs have unique shapes, weights, and folding mechanisms that make some storage methods preferable over others:
Padded folding chairs
These lightweight, collapsible chairs with padded seats and backs are best stored:
- Folded upright in mesh bags hung from garage ceiling hooks
- Stacked neatly in plastic storage bins on shelves
- Secured side-by-side on vertical wall-mounted brackets
- Tucked tightly into narrow floor spaces against the wall
Camping rocking chairs
The curved rocker base and wider seat of rocking camp chairs work well:
- Folded flat and slid under workbenches or shelving units
- Placed carefully onto shelving, secured front-to-back with straps to prevent tipping
- Packed inside large plastic deck bins with other gear
- Hung from the ceiling securely using ratchet straps
Camping stools/ottomans
These short portable seats with folding tripod legs are easily stored by:
- Standing upright inside shelf cubbies, held in place with cord straps
- Sliding under work tables or benches
- Stacking in columns like end tables, no more than 3-4 high
- Nestling tightly into plastic milk crates
Quad camping chairs
With four seating positions, these spacious chairs require:
- Hanging folded flat against a wall, at least 18 inches off the floor
- Storing in an upright, folded position and secured by bungee cords
- Placing on the floor and covering with a heavy tarp
- Leaning against the wall to conserve floor space
Choose storage locations wisely based on the size, weight, and foldability of your particular chair models.
Creative camping chair storage ideas for garages
To maximize every inch of storage real estate in your garage, get creative with these unique spots to stash folded camping chairs:
- Between studs along a wall, held in place with elastic cords
- Inside plastic drain pipes hung horizontally from the rafters
- On an overhead kayak rack designed for boats on their sides
- Stacked neatly within rolling shop cabinet drawers
- Behind interior garage access doors
- Under empty open shelves of unused metal bakers racks
- Within an inflatable pool float or inner tube hung from the ceiling
- Suspended from above within the coils of a garage door spring
- Inside a rolled up area rug stood vertically in a corner
- Slid into open ceiling trusses in the rafters above
Don’t limit yourself to just traditional shelves and racks. Garages offer all sorts of unexpected nooks perfect for tucking away folded camping chairs!
Mistakes to avoid when storing camping chairs in the garage
While garages can be ideal storage places, there are some pitfalls you’ll want to avoid:
- Leaving chairs exposed – Don’t just set chairs loosely on the garage floor. This leads to damage from people tripping over them or driving over them.
- Overstacking – Chair frames and joints can bend or warp if piled too high, especially the lightweight portable models.
- Not cleaning beforehand – Food, dirt, and grime left on chairs will attract unwanted garage pests over time.
- Exceeding weight limits – Make sure brackets, shelves, and overhead storage can handle the combined weight of the chairs.
- Blocking access – Don’t block doorways or pathways with chair storage. This creates safety hazards.
- Disorganization – Chairs tossed randomly about the garage become easy to trip over and impossible to find.
- Moisture exposure – Avoid setting chairs directly on damp garage floors. Raise them up with pallets or shelves.
- Improper hanging – Suspended chairs can fall and cause injury if not properly secured.
Remaining mindful of these potential mistakes will ensure your camping chairs stay in good condition and don’t cause problems within the garage space.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are garages too humid to store camping chairs?
Garages can become humid, especially in summer, which can lead to mold/mildew growth on chairs. Use dehumidifiers, increase airflow, and keep chairs in breathable storage bags or containers. Avoid concrete floors.
Will folding chairs get damaged in unheated garages?
During very cold winters, plastic chair joints and fabrics may become more brittle and susceptible to cracking when folded and unfolded. Store them fully opened and allow to warm gradually before use.
Where is the best place to store chairs in a garage?
The optimal spots are on shelves at least several inches off the floor, or vertically hung from walls, rafters, or storage hooks. Keep chairs folded and inside protective bags/bins.
How can I stop mice from damaging camping chairs in the garage?
Don’t store food inside chairs. Use natural repellents. Tightly sealing chairs inside plastic bins helps protect them from mice. Traps also remove mice before they can cause damage.
Should you cover camping chairs while stored in the garage?
Breathable chair covers can protect from dust and overspray chemicals inside garages. But take care that moisture doesn’t become trapped inside to cause mold. Assess your specific garage conditions.
Summary
Storing camping chairs in your garage can be a smart solution if you take the proper steps for organization and protection. Categorize the chairs by type, utilize vertical and overhead storage options, and keep the chairs neat and dust-free. Avoid common mistakes like over-stacking, blocking access, and ignoring humidity concerns. Get creative with solutions to maximize even tricky tight spaces. Spending a little time setting up an efficient system makes grabbing your camping chairs for weekends away quick and easy!
