Five Simple Storage Tips for an Easier Holiday Season Next Year

October invites a little playfulness into our homes. Pumpkins find their way onto porches, fall wreathes hang in doorways, and familiar decorations slowly make their way out of storage. Whether you enjoy a few seasonal touches or a house full of ghosts and witches, these details can become part of the way your family marks the end of the year.

But bringing everything out has a tendency to show where we could have done better while putting it all away. A missing cord... broken decorations... searching through bin after bin before finding that one thing we're looking for...

Small frustrations like these are easy to dismiss as just "part of it" yet they often point to a storage system that could support us better. And why not put a little intention into the process if it means less stress and more JOY for years to come?

As you set up your decorations, consider how you wish you found them... how you'd love to find them next holiday season. A mindful takedown can make room for a calmer home now and an easier start next year. This Instagram post shares five tips on how to begin, but we figured we'd elaborate here!

1. Label your bins so you know what's inside

If you have to open every container to find your pumpkin candle holders, your labels may need a little more detail. A useful label tells you what you can expect before you lift the lid. “Halloween: porch decorations” or “Halloween: spiders and cobwebs” offers more guidance than “Holiday.” Choose descriptions that make sense to you and anyone else who helps decorate.

Place labels where you can see them once the bins are stored. If a container holds several types of decorations, add a short contents list. Taking a moment to label everything during takedown will save you from that tedious searching next year.

It also makes putting things away easier! When everything has a clear home, you take the guesswork out of process.

2. Sort decorations into categories that work for you

Before packing, sort "like" with "like." Witch decorations can share a bin, spiders and cobwebs can share another. Depending on how much you have, you might also want to separate indoor decorations from the pieces you use outside.

You can also think about how you decorate. Do you start with the front porch, then move indoors? Do you arrange one area at a time? Your categories can follow that rhythm, allowing you to bring out what you need without unpacking your entire collection.

Check that decorations are clean and dry before storing them, especially anything that has been outdoors! Remember to protect fragile pieces and keep accessories with the items they belong to.

Once you've sorted your collection, you'll have a better idea of your labeling system and whether you need additional storage bins.

3. Let go of the “maybe next year” clutter



Holiday decorations can carry memories, making them tough to get rid of. Maybe they remind us of a child’s favorite Halloween, a home we once lived in, or a tradition that has changed over time. While some things are definitely worth holding on to, we're willing to bet there might be a few things that are causing more stress than holiday spririt... that's what we're looking for here.

As you put this season away, notice what stayed in the bins. Did you leave it there because you ran out of time, or because you no longer wanted to display it? Does each piece still bring joy, hold meaning, or have a place in the way you celebrate today? The things that do are worth keeping. The rest can go! Trust us, you'll feel so much more excited to decorate when it's all your absolute favorites.

Remember, just because you don't need it anymore doesn't mean it belongs in the trash. Give your gently used decorations a second life by donating them to someone who can enjoy them. Home Again clients can feel good knowing the items they’re ready to release have the opportunity to make a difference in someone else’s home through our donation coordination service and nonprofit partnerships.

4. Store and stack with care

Once everything is packed, take a look at the space where your bins will live. Can you reach them comfortably? Can you grab what you need without everything falling?

Sturdy shelving or risers can help create more ease and flow in your space. Choose storage supports designed for the weight they will hold, keep heavier bins low, and avoid tall, unstable stacks.

Stack Halloween decorations together, Fall & Thanksgiving together, Christmas, and so on...and remember to keep labels visible! Make sure the bins with decor you use first are accessible, storing the final touches in the back.

A useful storage area lets you find what you need, easily. So next year, reaching for a bin doesn't end in an avalanche!

5. Save the small stuff for last

The little things often have a way of getting lost. Hooks, extra cords, and those special extra batteries for your candles may not be the most exciting part of decorating, but having them when you need them might be the difference between the big reveal and another trip to the hardware store.



Gather these essentials into a clearly labeled “open first” bin. Wind cords neatly and keep small items contained so you can see what you have.

Keep this bin accessible when you put everything away so that next year, you can start with the supplies you need instead of interrupting your decorating to search for them!

From left, two before and two after photos from a Home Again Organizing garage and holiday takedown project.

Looking to take a little off your plate this holiday season?

Home Again Organizing offers a holiday takedown service. We'd love to help create decor storage systems that work for you, so you can make space for what really matters this season. One less thing cluttering your mind could mean countless memories made in it's place. Schedule a FREE consultation to learn more!