Storage for items: the wire mesh boxes on castors that fit under the bed (usually advertised as being for shoes or blankets) will hold an amazing number of tools and pots. Apt-dwelling friend keeps her potting soil (well wrapped in heavy plastic bags) under the bed, and trowels etc. in a shoe bag hung in the closet. Shoe bags will also hold garden gloves, seed packets, small pots, label items, jars of fertilizer, plant ties, skeeter repellant and so on. Hang the bag in a closet or hide behind the drapes. Any place that is hidden and has space can be used for storage: under the sofa, one side of a closet, at the back of a cabinet - just don't forget what you put where. There are many attractive boxes (or make your own) that can store stuff "in plain sight" - no one needs to know that that the stack of boxes is actually holding your garden stuff. While in college, DD used a cardboard drawered chest, put a slightly larger piece of plywood on top and covered with a pretty sheet - presto- instant bedside table; stored all the pots and seeds in the drawers.

I bought a cedar chest about 10 years ago, toy box style, at an unfinished furniture outlet and put a sealer on it. Makes great storage for pruners, potting soil, hand tools, slug bait, sprayers etc from Spring through late Fall on my deck...and seating which is a bonus. It does go into the basement about November to reappear in March - the things inside will draw moisture during our steady winter rain.

As for plant storage, I don't here in Z8. I lose geraniums about every five years or so, but they will usually winter just fine put up close to an outer wall or on my semi protected front porch. I have three wire 3-shelf carts I bought at different places (WalMart, Fred Meyer, one from a kitchen outlet)...These are all loaded with cuttings and perennial seedlings. Home Depot carries 55 gal. clear heavy plastic drum liners; a drum liner will slip over the entire cart to add a layer of protection during a hard freeze.