5 Genius Holiday Decoration Storage Tips to Save Time and Reduce Stress Next Year

As Thanksgiving approaches, many of us find ourselves swapping out pumpkins and autumn leaves for twinkling lights and festive garlands. It’s an exciting time, but it can also get messy and overwhelming if you’re not careful about how you pack up your fall decorations and unpack your holiday decor. The good news? With a little planning now, you can save yourself a lot of time and hassle when it comes time to decorate next year. These five genius holiday decoration storage tips will help you stay organized, make decorating more efficient, and reduce holiday stress. Let’s dive in!

1. Store Your Holiday Decorations in Bins According to the Room They'll Be Set Up In

This simple but highly effective tip is a game-changer! By grouping decorations by the room they belong to—like all the living room decor in one bin and the kitchen decor in another—you’ll know exactly where everything goes when it’s time to decorate next year. Not only does this save you the frustration of digging through random bins, but it also allows you to decorate one room at a time if you’re pressed for time.

I recently had the wonderful honor of sharing this tip in the Redfin article “Fall Holiday Decoration Storage Tips From the Experts” — Click HERE to check out the article for even more expert advice.

2. Pack Your Storage Bins the Way You’ll Unpack Them Next Year

Think ahead when packing! If there’s a decoration you know you’ll want to set up first—like a wreath for your front door or lights for your tree—pack those items last. This way, they’ll be on top when you open the bin. This simple trick saves you from having to unpack everything just to get to that one crucial piece. It’s a little extra thought now that makes next year’s decorating a breeze.

3. Make Labels Large Enough to See from a Distance

Let’s face it: nobody wants to pull out a step stool just to squint at tiny labels on a storage bin. Make life easier by printing large, easy-to-read labels. My suggestion? Print your labels in landscape format on full sheets of paper, ensuring they’re big enough to see even if your bins are stored up high. Clear, visible labels will save you time and prevent frustration when you’re searching for the right bin.

4. Use Sheet Protectors for Your Labels

Labels get dirty and damaged over time, especially when stored in basements, attics, or garages. Slide your labels into plastic sheet protectors before attaching them to your bins. Not only will this keep them clean and readable, but it also makes it super simple to switch labels out if you decide to reorganize or change your decorating style in the future. A small investment in sheet protectors now will pay off with long-term organization.

5. Take Photos of Your Decor Set-Up

Have you ever forgotten exactly how you arranged your decorations the previous year? Taking photos of your completed setup in each room can be a huge help for next year. Store these pictures digitally or print them out and place them in the corresponding storage bins. This ensures that you’ll remember exactly how to recreate the look you love. It also comes in handy when you want to delegate the decorating to other family members and want to make sure that they set things up the way you did previous year.

Taking a little extra time now to organize your holiday decorations can save you hours of frustration and stress next year. With these five tips, you’ll have a streamlined system that not only makes decorating easier but also keeps your storage area neat and tidy. Whether you’re dealing with a small collection or a house full of festive decor, these strategies can really help you stay ahead of the chaos.

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