Totes & Tidings
By Stefani Langone of Sterilite Corporation
The holiday season is upon us, and it will come complete with decorating, cooking, gift wrap, and eventually, that inevitable post-celebration clean-up. If you’re like many homeowners, you may already be dreading the annual shuffle: packing away fall décor and making space for winter or holiday decorations. But with some planning and the right storage strategy—for instance, a 27 Gal. Industrial Tote—you can make that shift much easier.
Why Seasonal Storage Matters
Autumn décor adds warmth and charm, but once the leaves fall and Halloween ends, winter and holiday decorations take center stage. Without a good storage system, seasonal items can pile up, get lost, damaged, or make your storage areas messy and hard to navigate. Proper seasonal storage helps avoid this by keeping items safe, organized, and easy to retrieve—which means less stress when the next season arrives.
What to Store Now (And Why Large Totes Help)
A deep 27 Gallon bin is ideal for bulky or awkwardly shaped items: fall wreaths, outdoor pumpkins, oversized candles, seasonal table linens, or holiday lights. It also works well for winter gear, outdoor decorations, or wrapping supplies. Large storage bins offer enough room for items you only use once or twice a year. Their design—such as recessed lids—helps with stacking, which maximizes vertical space in garages, basements, closets, or attics.
Smart Practices for Storing Décor
Before you pack, do a quick declutter and get rid of broken, faded, or unused items. Meaning, toss the décor you didn’t love this year since it’s unlikely to make next year’s cut. Reducing your inventory now means fewer bins, less clutter, and easier organization.
When packing, group items by season or holiday, or by room. For instance, pack all fall table settings together; store outdoor lights in one bin; group Christmas ornaments in a separate container. Always label each bin clearly with its contents—using season, room, or type of décor—so you know exactly what’s inside without opening every box.
Fragile items—glass ornaments, ceramic decorations, wreaths with delicate parts—deserve special care. Wrap them in bubble wrap, tissue, or soft fabric, and consider placing them upright or in dividers to prevent breakage.
Choose the Right Storage Spot
Where you store your bins matters. Choose a place that stays relatively cool, dry, and stable—such as a closet, basement shelf, garage rack, or attic space with good ventilation. Avoid damp corners, direct sunlight, or places with extreme temperature swings, which can damage décor, fabrics, or even holiday lights over time. If possible, use shelving or vertical storage to stack bins safely and make the most of the space you have.
Make Next Year’s Decorating Easier
With décor sorted, packed, and stored thoughtfully, decorating next season becomes less of a scramble. You’ll know exactly where your items are, everything will be organized by holiday or room, and fragile pieces will be safe and intact. No more digging through unmarked boxes or buying duplicates because you forgot what you already had—just smooth, stress‑free seasonal transitions.
Final Thoughts
Fall and holiday storage doesn’t have to be chaotic or cluttered. With a proper plan—declutter first, group and label, pack thoughtfully, choose the right storage location—you can keep your seasonal décor safe, organized, and ready for next year. A large storage tote can be a great centerpiece of that plan, but smart storage practices make the real difference. A little effort now means easier clean-up and decorating later.
