The difference between finding your decorations damaged for your next celebration or discovering them exactly as you left them often comes down to how and where you store them. Many families learn this lesson the hard way.
You pull down boxes from the attic only to find broken ornaments, faded garlands, or decorations that smell musty. Self-storage offers a solution that goes beyond just finding space. It provides the controlled environment and security your precious holiday items deserve.
Let’s explore five ways to use proper storage to keep your seasonal treasures safe and ready for many holidays to come.
Choose the Right Self-Storage
When it comes to storing your holiday decorations, it’s important to choose the right self-storage unit:
- Consider the size of your decorations: If you have larger or bulkier items like Christmas trees or outdoor inflatables, make sure the unit is big enough to accommodate them.
- Security measures: Look for a storage facility with security features such as cameras, gated access, and individual unit locks to ensure your decorations are safe while in storage.
- Insurance options: While most storage facilities have insurance coverage for their units, it’s always a good idea to inquire about additional insurance options for your valuable holiday decorations.
Use Appropriate Containers
Those old cardboard boxes from your move five years ago aren’t doing your decorations any favors. Cardboard breaks down over time, especially in changing temperatures and humidity levels. It also provides no protection from rodents who might see it as nesting material.
Plastic containers with tight-fitting lids create a barrier against moisture, dust, and pests. Clear containers let you see what’s inside without opening them, saving time when you’re decorating next year. Different decorations need different containers:
- Ornaments need compartments or soft wrapping to prevent scratching
- Lights should be wound carefully and stored in containers that won’t crush the bulbs
- Garlands and wreaths need long containers or special hanging storage
- Fragile items require extra padding and smaller containers to prevent shifting
Climate Controlled Self Storage
Attics and basements experience extreme variations that can cause serious damage over time. Metal decorations can rust, fabrics can develop mold, and adhesives can fail.
Wood decorations expand and contract with temperature changes, leading to cracks and splits. Vintage decorations are especially vulnerable because older materials weren’t designed to withstand these conditions.
Even artificial decorations suffer when exposed to extreme temperatures, with plastics becoming brittle and colors fading. Climate-controlled self storage maintains steady temperature and humidity levels year-round.
Organize Storage Space
How you arrange your storage space affects both the condition of your decorations and how easily you can access them next year. Heavy containers on the bottom, lighter ones on top. Frequently used items near the front, specialty pieces toward the back.
Create pathways through your storage space so you can reach everything without moving multiple containers. Stack containers of the same size for stability, and avoid stacking too high where containers might fall and cause damage.
Inventory List
Creating a simple list of what you’ve stored might seem unnecessary now, but it becomes invaluable later. Write down what’s in each container and keep the list somewhere safe.
Your inventory doesn’t need to be complicated. A simple notebook or phone app works perfectly. Include container numbers or colors so you can match the list to the actual storage. Note any special handling instructions for fragile items.
This list also helps if you want to add new decorations throughout the year.