Garage It

• Park your childrens' sports equipment in lockers put up along your garage wall, instead of the floor or closet of their rooms inside the house. This change simplifies the process for loading or unloading gear into the car when you transport your child to a sports game. It can free-up needed space in his room, too. You don't have to purchase actual lockers, however. Make your own storage bin for holding hockey sticks, football shoulder pads and a helmet or other sport equipment. Nailing wood together into a boxed shape will do it. Adding a wooden lid keeps out dust and dirt.
  
  

Simplify It

• Constructing traditional lockers out of metal isn't the only route. Add an existing armoire to your entrance foyer for use as a storage locker for coats, hats and shoes. Remove the doors and drawer fronts for your mudroom armoire, to make it more obvious to your guests and children to remember to drop messy rain and snow clothing and shoe items -- and outdoor gear like umbrellas -- in the armoire, before entering your home.
  
  

Dress It Up

• Line a back wall with tall cabinets that match your home decor or accents, for use as storage lockers for toys and items accumulated in your entrance hall or play room. Add shorter, matching cabinets in front of the tall ones, several feet in front of them, creating a visual barrier and space for the items not put away. Your guests will only see a room that is neat and has furniture similar to the rest of the home, effectively hiding the clutter.
  
  

Roll It Away

• Make your home lockers transportable in a moment's notice by adding wheels to the bottom of storage bins. Load up inclement weather items in one bin, kid book bags in another. As the day progresses -- or the need -- move the bin needed at that time to the forefront of the room or nearest the entrance, replacing it with another later. You can roll the bin to other parts of the home, as needed, too, limiting the number of trips needed to carry items in the bin.