16 Tips For Staying Organized While Storing Seasonal Decor

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Part of the excitement of the holidays is pulling out bins of decorations. What's not exciting is putting them away when the holidays are over. By the time you've eaten your last Christmas cookie and sung your last carol, it's tempting to toss everything in a box and shove it somewhere. You might regret that decision next year, though, when you're stuck digging through storage areas to find your decor only to be met with a tangle of garland, lights, and ornaments. 

This year, take charge of your organizational strategy. Not only will future you be thankful, but you'll also protect your favorite holiday decor items by packing properly. That starts with choosing the right containers — hard plastic containers with secure lids that stack neatly are ideal. Inside those containers, using dividers and specialty storage options helps protect the individual items. On the outside, use clear labeling and arrange the containers in a logical order that makes them easy to access. It's also a good idea to declutter your holiday decor before you decorate. With these tips and more, you'll be ready to tackle post-holiday organization.

If you're tired of seeing holiday decor, you want to pack your decorations quickly. Avoid that temptation — decluttering, cleaning, and sorting first is worthwhile. That way, you're left with only the items you want next year. Sorting them using a system that makes sense to you allows you to pack them away well and find exactly what you need next year, saving you time.

As you do your post-holiday home decluttering, get rid of items that no longer fit your home. Then, decide which sorting and organizational method makes sense to you. For some people, sorting by decoration type is ideal — use separate bins for ornaments, wreaths, garland, lights, wall decor, and tabletop decor. If you put decorations throughout the house, you might put all of the decor for a room in its own bin. Once you have the piles separated, you can choose storage containers that fit each group.

Why is the stored item you need always in the most inconvenient spot? Shoving bins on the most accessible shelf makes sense, but it doesn't prepare you for the next time you decorate. Rearranging the containers so that the first one you'll need is the most accessible can help reduce frustration down the road. That way, when you go to decorate for Easter, you don't have to move Thanksgiving and Christmas bins out of the way.

When you put the latest holiday decor away, reassess what other holidays you have decorations for. Pull out the bins for holidays that will come up first. Then put the current holiday items on the shelf in the highest, furthest back, or otherwise most difficult to reach positions. The final bins that you put in storage that are the most easily accessible should be the next holiday. You can also organize within the holiday — if you always put the tree up first, arrange the tree, ornaments, and lights in the most accessible spot.

Sure, you can store holiday items in the containers they come in, but they're not always the most protective. And, they're often bulky and won't stack well. Another popular option is using some of those random cardboard boxes that always accumulate around the house, but they deteriorate over time and could allow moisture to damage your decorations. Rodents can also chew through cardboard easily, which could also lead to damage. 

Plastic storage tubs with airtight lids are ideal for all types of holiday decor. They offer better protection against pests, rodents, and moisture. Plus, the sturdy structure protects fragile ornaments, unlike cardboard, which could bend and allow items inside to break. Since plastic containers typically have built-in handles, they're also easier to lift and carry to and from the storage area. Of course, plastic can break and crack, so handle the containers with care and make sure you don't overload them, but the construction typically includes reinforcement in key areas to help the bins hold up through the years.

Clear plastic bins for your holiday decor are often preferred because of the increased visibility. Even if you label the outside of your containers, it's difficult to list everything that's inside. By the time the holiday rolls around again, you likely won't remember what you packed in each container. Clear plastic lets you take a peek inside each bin without pulling it off the shelf and opening the lid. It can make identifying the box you need much easier the next time you decorate. 

If you don't have any clear bins, consider grabbing some for your holiday ornaments. Keep in mind that the clear plastic won't protect the contents from sun damage, which could fade or deteriorate the decorations over time, so store the clear bins in a spot away from direct sunlight. Some people prefer opaque containers to minimize visual clutter, but the clear bins will ultimately make finding what you're looking for that much easier.

Regardless of whether you choose clear or opaque bins, if you want to maximize storage space in a small home, making sure the bins stack well helps. This is particularly helpful if you're stacking the items on the floor or on tall or deep shelves. You want the piles to be sturdy, which is difficult to do if you have a variety of sizes and shapes or containers that aren't very durable. It also wastes space to have a few large bins on the bottom with smaller bins on top — you'll have gaps between the piles when this happens. 

To make sure the containers stack well, make sure they are the same size and shape, even if they aren't the same type or brand of bins. The lids and bottoms may be slightly different, but you can still put them on top of one another and minimize wasted space. When stacking bins, put the heaviest and sturdiest bins on the bottom to create a stable base. 

Storage space can be tight, especially if you have a small house. But scattering holiday items around in different storage areas is a sure way to lose track of your favorite decorations. The next thing you know, you're setting up your tree and can't find the lights, tree topper, skirt, or half of the ornaments. Placing all of your holiday decor in one room in a designated area ensures that your collection stays together. 

Start by assessing the options for your holiday decorations. It's common for holiday decor to be among the items you store in your attic, garage, or basement, but you might also put them in a guest bedroom, storage closet, or other storage spaces. Look for a spot with ample space for all of the holiday decor containers. Wherever you choose, make sure the space is sealed well to protect the items from water, pests, and other sources of damage. 

Part of effective organization is being able to find the exact bin you need quickly, which is why you want a good labeling system. You can use traditional labels, a label maker, or even a piece of masking tape to write on. Or, you can go high tech with it: Using QR codes to label your storage boxes is one of several technology tricks that help keep your home organized. Instead of having a lengthy list of items on the outside of the container, simply put one of the QR labels on it. Then, scan the QR code to see exactly what's inside. You can create a much more detailed inventory list with this method than you would by writing a list on a label.

Products like SmartLabels make it easy to set up your labeling and inventory system. These systems typically use apps, where you can create and update inventory lists for different bins. They may include other features, such as search functions or exporting a PDF inventory list. When creating your inventory list, be as detailed as possible to help you find what you need.

The location and number of labels used on your holiday bins can affect how well the labeling system works. No matter how sticky a label is, it could come off while in storage or from being handled. There's also the situation of bins being put on the shelf in different directions. If you only put one label on the bin, it's possible that it will come off or won't be visible. You might find yourself pulling several bins on the shelf to search for the label, which takes time and effort. 

Labeling all sides of the bin, along with the lid, means you can always spot the QR code or list of contents. You'll also have backup labels if one peels off the container. If that feels like overkill, label at least two sides and the top of your container. Putting the labels in the same spot on each container creates consistency and trains you to look in a specific spot when you're looking for the label.

If you've ever tried to untangle a strand of lights, you know how time-consuming and frustrating it is — we'd rather toss them and start over with new lights. Garland and other string-like decor elements can be just as much of a nightmare if they aren't stored properly. Wrapping them around something snugly keeps the strands from intertwining and becoming a big clump. You'll save yourself a lot of time next year, and you'll keep the decor items in better condition with less risk of them getting damaged.

Dazzle Bright light storage holders and similar items are designed specifically for this purpose, but you don't have to buy a special product. Cut a large rectangle of cardboard, and wrap the string around it, cutting a small notch in each end to edge the ends of the cord into. An empty wrapping paper roll also works. If you prefer to hang up your lights for storage, wrap them around a plastic hanger with the little notches built in to hold the strand ends.

Large storage bins make good use of space and hold a large number of holiday decor items. However, one large, open compartment makes it more difficult to keep items organized and separated. The decorations are likely to shift when you pick up and carry the bin, which can cause items to break or get tangled. You might also lose smaller items in a large container. Adding dividers helps keep everything in its place, which minimizes damage and makes it easier to find what you need. For example, when storing your Christmas ornaments, dividers keep fragile baubles from bumping into one another.

Ornament storage options sometimes come with dividers and cardboard platforms to create several smaller sections, but you can make your own dividers of any size to fit your containers perfectly. You'll need sturdy cardboard or foamboard — one piece cut to the length and one cut to the width of the storage container. Then, you'll cut a slit part of the way up on both pieces where they meet, and align those slits so they fit inside one another. Small items, like plastic cups or egg cartons, can secure smaller items. Or, grab smaller storage bins to place inside a larger container to keep items separated.

For the most part, using standard plastic storage bins that are similarly sized is ideal. However, you may want some specialty storage containers for certain items, including your ornaments, tree, and wreath. The containers are designed to protect the specific Christmas item and often offer convenient features that make them easier to handle. They can be good substitutes for the original packaging.

To best organize and store your holiday wreaths, choose a container designed for the task with plenty of space so the shape doesn't get skewed — wreath holders, like this URBUNDY heavy-duty wreath storage bag, are often round and made from waterproof material. Some options are hard-sided to protect from crushing. When it comes to the tree, rolling waterproof bags are often more convenient to move than the cardboard boxes they come in. Ornament chests are also useful, as they usually offer multiple levels with included dividers.

When lack of storage space is an issue, you can practically double your storage space using vacuum bags for holiday linens. These special storage bags suck extra air out to compress the contents, saving storage room. They also seal tightly to protect the contents. If you have fabric or soft items that you don't want to be compressed, you can use regular garment bags to hold items. Then, you can hang the garment bag up in the storage area. 

Vacuum bags, like these GONGSHI storage bags, come in a range of sizes and are simple to use. Some even come with hand pumps, so you can use them anywhere. Use them for items, like tree skirts, stockings, table linens, pillows, and throw blankets, that normally take up a lot of storage space. If you have multiple vacuum bags, place them all in a larger tote box to keep them together. 

If you love to decorate for the holidays, you probably also love to add to your collection. Who can resist more ornaments or outdoor decorations? Even if you're on a budget, you can reuse thrift store finds for breathtaking Christmas tree decor. But all of those gorgeous decor pieces need space, so plan for that when organizing. That way, you won't have to rethink your entire organizational system.

Buying extra storage totes that are the same size as your current holiday storage is a good start. When you expand, you can grab from the stockpile. QR code labels also offer flexibility, since you can adjust what's on the list for each container as you adjust what you're storing. You might also want to limit how much you pack in each tote — instead of combining wall, mantel, and tabletop decor into one box, give them each a separate one, even if there's extra space. That way, you can put new items for each of those areas into the same tote without completely rearranging.

Another way you can prepare to expand your holiday decor collection is by using modular shelving systems. Modular storage is easy to change and add onto, with several parts that fit together well. Examples include units with adjustable shelves or a mix of enclosed cabinets and open shelving, all from the same line. Leaving room for growth in your shelving allows you to keep all of your holiday items together, even as your collection grows.

The type of storage you use depends largely on the location and the items you're storing. Metal shelving with adjustable shelves works well for the garage. You can also expand to ceiling-mounted garage storage units if you run out of space for freestanding shelves. Hooks added to walls can accommodate hanging storage, like garment bags or wreath storage with handles. Assess the storage area and plan for the future to leave enough shelf space for expansion.

Labels and clear plastic storage bins can help you find what you need, but color-coding can speed up the process even more. That's especially true when you have collections of decor for different holidays. By designating a specific color of container or lid for each holiday, you can scan the shelf quickly to narrow down what you need. From there, you can find the specific bin for that particular holiday. Color-coding the labels on the bins can also help.

Stores often sell plastic bins that coordinate with the holidays — red and green for Christmas or orange and black for Halloween. That makes it easy to color-code, but you can also choose your own color-coding system. It's easiest to choose colors that relate to the holiday. You can also choose clear containers with different lid colors if you want to stick with the transparent tote tip. If you buy new storage containers for certain holidays, stick with the color system.

Buying a whole new set of storage containers might not be in the budget, especially right after Christmas. But if it is, having all of the same type of storage containers for all of your holiday decor can make life easier. Not only do you guarantee the bins will stack well together, but you also get a clean, coordinated look in your storage area. That might not matter as much if it's tucked away in the attic or basement, but you might prepare a more consistent look if you store items in the garage or another area where guests might see them. 

Assess how much holiday stuff you have to determine how many bins you'll need. Consider how you'll group the items to determine the best size of storage containers, since they come in so many different options. If you decide to buy a new set of containers for your holiday decor, there are many creative ways to repurpose storage totes for new uses, so they don't go to waste.