Storing your seasonal decor is a chore. From organizing to packing to finding efficient storage solutions, the process for storing your seasonal decor is daunting. However, with a few easy tips and tricks, you can check this task off your to-do list in no time. These few simple methods can save you tons of time packing and create efficient organization solutions that will bring simplicity to your storage area.
Store like items together
When packing, do future you a favor and make sure all the items are easy to find by storing like items together. Pick categories that make the most sense for your belongings. To get you started, consider separating your decor into the groups below.
By season
Create separate storage totes or designated areas for each season. This means that spring, summer, fall, and winter all get their own distinct places within your storage space.
Since interior decor also changes with the holidays, follow an iteration of this plan and sort everything by festivity. Keep spring holidays together, like St. Patrick’s Day and Easter, and organize your Thanksgiving and Halloween pieces in another bin or in a separate area.
By material
If you have a plethora of amazing decor, keeping all of your summer pieces in one place might make it difficult to find that one tablecloth or throw pillow cover you’re looking for. In this instance, consider sorting items by function, keeping all lights, linens, outdoor pieces, and glasses stored together.
This is also the best method for storing delicate items. Keeping porcelain teacups with heavy Christmas lights is a recipe for disaster. Take the time and care to securely wrap items and store breakables away from heavy objects that could cause damage. Labeling is crucial here too, so make sure any easily breakable items are clearly marked “fragile.”
Label all bins and totes
We mentioned it before but it’s worth emphasizing: label everything. Be specific in your labels too and write the season as well as the specific contents. For example, if you’re storing Christmas lights, you might write “winter, Christmas, lights.” This will not only help you know which season and holiday the items are for, but it will also tell you exactly what’s inside, saving you time from opening each box or bin to figure out what’s within. It may also help to invest in transparent bins so you can see the contents without needing to open each box.
For breakables, be sure to label the container with the word “fragile” so that anyone looking to move the box around knows that there are delicate objects inside. It’s also a good idea to keep all labeled bins and totes facing out so that you can easily spot the items you’re looking for. If you can’t see the label when your items are in storage, your packing system isn’t as effective as it could be.
Be intentional about packing and unpacking
The most important tip for cleverly storing your seasonal decor items is to be intentional about it. Take the time to accurately label each box and take care when wrapping and storing fragile pieces. Before you begin packing, take stock of all your items and even write them down if you need to. Being able to see all your belongings will help you decide on the best categorization method.
As you store your boxes, keep heavy items towards the bottom so they are easier to lift. Then, stack fragile items on top and pad them with tissue or linens to prevent them from knocking against each other.
Don’t forget that maintenance is also key. As you open and unpack seasonal decor, try to remain organized and tidy. Don’t unpack or repack items in a rush, as this could ruin your organizational system. Slow down and really take care to unpack items carefully, decorate your home, and place the prior season’s decor in the bins where they belong.
Staying neat and tidy is a big part of ensuring that you are making the best use of your storage space. With these tips, you will no longer find yourself stacking and unstacking dozens of boxes while looking for the Fourth of July table settings and outdoor games. If you take your time, organize thoughtfully, and label everything, you can make decorating between seasons easier than ever.
