Home and Dry: How to Stow Your Brolly and Save Your Floors
If rainy days always get you down, adopt one of these smart – and dry – ideas for keeping umbrellas at the ready
Hate that drip, drip, drip when you come in from the rain? All sorts of upright containers make handy drop-off points for wet umbrellas and are great ways to deliver a decorative and functional boost to your entry – from flower pots, champagne buckets, wine barrels and vases to boxes and old boots. Put one of these ideas into action before the next cloudburst to come out on top.
Put it in a can
Bric-a-brac and antiques shops do a thriving business in battered pre-loved milk urns for good reason – with bumps and scrapes from the days when milk deliveries came straight from the dairy to the door, they exude character. Give one pride of place in the hallway as an umbrella drop zone.
TIP: It’s not easy to waterproof these cans from the inside and if they are well-loved they may not be totally watertight. A shallow leak catcher such as a round metal tray would do the trick without being too obvious.
Bric-a-brac and antiques shops do a thriving business in battered pre-loved milk urns for good reason – with bumps and scrapes from the days when milk deliveries came straight from the dairy to the door, they exude character. Give one pride of place in the hallway as an umbrella drop zone.
TIP: It’s not easy to waterproof these cans from the inside and if they are well-loved they may not be totally watertight. A shallow leak catcher such as a round metal tray would do the trick without being too obvious.
Go to boot camp
Gumboots have become fashion accessories, and are now available in an upbeat array of bright florals, dots and spots, animal prints and checks. Why not put them to work to hold an umbrella or two?
TIPS: Long, heavier boots work better, as lighter ones may topple over. Fill a plastic bag loosely with sand and fit it into the boot to give it more stability.
Cut a thick foam rubber inner sole for the inside of the boot. These can be removed and dried for re-use if they get a thorough soaking.
Gumboots have become fashion accessories, and are now available in an upbeat array of bright florals, dots and spots, animal prints and checks. Why not put them to work to hold an umbrella or two?
TIPS: Long, heavier boots work better, as lighter ones may topple over. Fill a plastic bag loosely with sand and fit it into the boot to give it more stability.
Cut a thick foam rubber inner sole for the inside of the boot. These can be removed and dried for re-use if they get a thorough soaking.
Show off colours with glass
Chase away the rainy day blues and complement your entry decor with a bouquet of umbrellas in a rainbow of colours. Display them in a tall, clear container, such as this glass vase, so the colours are visible.
Chase away the rainy day blues and complement your entry decor with a bouquet of umbrellas in a rainbow of colours. Display them in a tall, clear container, such as this glass vase, so the colours are visible.
A tall floor-to-ceiling mirror in a small entryway gives the impression of space. Reflect an assortment of your prettiest umbrellas to increase visual depth.
Look around your house
Something as everyday as a waste paper basket can do the job of holding umbrellas. A wire mesh bun with a solid base has good ventilation and umbrellas will dry quickly.
Something as everyday as a waste paper basket can do the job of holding umbrellas. A wire mesh bun with a solid base has good ventilation and umbrellas will dry quickly.
Plant an umbrella
Planters of all shapes and sizes make handy umbrella holders. Dark lacquered cane looks good with wooden handled umbrellas. Choose one with feet that elevate it a few centimetres to avoid condensation marks spoiling your floor.
TIP: Position your umbrella holder within a few steps of the door, if possible, so you can dump the drips fast.
Planters of all shapes and sizes make handy umbrella holders. Dark lacquered cane looks good with wooden handled umbrellas. Choose one with feet that elevate it a few centimetres to avoid condensation marks spoiling your floor.
TIP: Position your umbrella holder within a few steps of the door, if possible, so you can dump the drips fast.
This entrance area has all the essentials for a convenient landing pad.
Create a beautiful statement
A combination coat, hat and umbrella rack is a compact addition to an entry hall. These were once rather dreery-looking Victorian cane affairs, but have been revived in fun colours and designs. This willowy specimen sits elegantly against damask wallpaper.
A combination coat, hat and umbrella rack is a compact addition to an entry hall. These were once rather dreery-looking Victorian cane affairs, but have been revived in fun colours and designs. This willowy specimen sits elegantly against damask wallpaper.
Multi-purpose your stand
Umbrella stands are handy display points for a variety of treasures, such as vintage golf clubs, tennis racquets and oars, or a striking dried arrangement. This handsome planter holds a collection of old walking sticks. Tuck your umbrellas in there too.
Umbrella stands are handy display points for a variety of treasures, such as vintage golf clubs, tennis racquets and oars, or a striking dried arrangement. This handsome planter holds a collection of old walking sticks. Tuck your umbrellas in there too.
Go around the back
Mud rooms are not a common feature of Australian homes, but the idea is being adopted in wet season rural areas, such as the Southern Highlands of NSW. Why not keep an umbrella receptacle at both the front and back doors, one for ‘best’ and one for the business end of the house?
Mud rooms are not a common feature of Australian homes, but the idea is being adopted in wet season rural areas, such as the Southern Highlands of NSW. Why not keep an umbrella receptacle at both the front and back doors, one for ‘best’ and one for the business end of the house?
Take it outside
If you listen to the rhythm of the falling rain quite regularly, a receptacle for wet brollies under cover outside the front door keeps puddles out of the house and off any rugs in your entry.
If you listen to the rhythm of the falling rain quite regularly, a receptacle for wet brollies under cover outside the front door keeps puddles out of the house and off any rugs in your entry.
Footnote
I just couldn’t resist this one. A giant silver foot poised on tiptoe could be a wry reference to the grisly Victorian era custom of keeping umbrellas in preserved elephant feet, trophies from Colonial hunting safaris. I guess the shoe is on the other foot.
TELL US
How do you house your umbrellas in the wet and the dry? Share your ideas in the comments section.
MORE
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I just couldn’t resist this one. A giant silver foot poised on tiptoe could be a wry reference to the grisly Victorian era custom of keeping umbrellas in preserved elephant feet, trophies from Colonial hunting safaris. I guess the shoe is on the other foot.
TELL US
How do you house your umbrellas in the wet and the dry? Share your ideas in the comments section.
MORE
Designs for Living: Entrances Set Up to Serve You
Heaven-Sent Entries: 12 Ways to Make Your Home More Welcoming
Transform Your Home’s Entrance from Daggy to Dazzling in Just One Week
Weathered zinc French laundry tubs have many uses and pop up as flower pots, clothes baskets and side tables. Their powdery silver-gray patina looks lovely with polished timber floors.
TIP: Put a large plastic pot plant saucer in the base, as old tubs sometimes have rust pinholes and leaky seams. A felt pad underneath prevents scratch damage to polished floors.