5 Holiday Decor Storage Mistakes You’re Probably Making

The best time to plant a tree? 20 years ago. The 2nd best time? Today.

The best time to organize your storage bins and avoid mistakes? 20 years ago? Okay, wait no. 

The best time to organize your storage bins is AS YOU GO so you avoid holiday storage mistakes.

So before you wreak havoc on your bins in the name of fall decor,  let’s talk about some common mistakes that can make next year’s decorating a total nightmare.

Storage Mistake #1: Tossing Everything in Random Bins

You know the feeling you just want to get it all put away. So, you start throwing all your pumpkins, garlands, and ornaments into any bin you can find. The problem is that next fall, you’ll be digging through a jumbled mess of autumn and Christmas decor, trying to find what you need.

The fix? Store items by holiday (e.g., one bin for Halloween, one for Thanksgiving, one for Christmas) and by type (e.g., all wreaths together, all garlands together). This simple step saves you from a massive scavenger hunt later.

Storage Mistake #2: Forgetting Labels or Leaving Old Labels On

You’re a busy person, so you skip labeling the bins entirely. Or, you get a new bin and just leave the old “Christmas Lights” label on it, even though it’s now full of your Halloween decorations. When next year rolls around, you won’t remember what’s inside, and you’ll end up opening every single bin to find what you’re looking for.

The fix? Always label your bins with a clear and specific description of what’s inside. Use a label maker, a large permanent marker, or even just a piece of tape. Be specific: “Fall Pillows & Garland” is much more helpful than “Fall Stuff.”

Storage Mistake #3: Ignoring Those Under-the-Bed Spaces

Sure, you have some great storage bins, but you’re not using all the space you have available. You forget about the hidden storage under your bed or in other less obvious spots.

The fix? Consider using under-the-bed storage containers for flatter items like wreaths, garlands, and even some lights. These spaces are perfect for things that don’t need to be in a bulky bin and keep them out of the way until you need them again.

Storage Mistake #4: Not Taking Reference Photos

You put so much effort into making your holiday displays perfect. You spent hours arranging the mantel, the entryway, and the dining table. But by the time next year comes around, you can’t remember how you did it all.

The fix? Before you pack up, take a few reference photos of your decorated spaces. Snap pictures of your mantel, your front porch, and any other displays you love. Store these photos in a dedicated folder on your phone or computer, or even print them out and tape them to the inside of your storage bins. It will save you so much time and frustration next year.

Storage Mistake #5: Waiting Until You’re Exhausted to Start Organizing

You had a busy holiday season and now you’re feeling a little tired. You put off packing up the decorations until you’re completely drained. You don’t have the energy to organize, so you resort to mistakes 1, 2, and 4 all over again.

The fix? Don’t wait until the last minute. Tackle your holiday storage in small, manageable chunks. Dedicate 20-30 minutes a day to one type of decor or one room. Or, break it down by a specific task, like labeling all your bins first. This makes the process less overwhelming and ensures you can do a better job of organizing for the future.

Fall Decor I love here

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