Tips for Storing Halloween Decor

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There's only one reason I don't hate packing up Halloween. Carefully tucking away all my spooky treasures makes me excited about getting to unpack them again next year!

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And I have quite the collection of Halloween decor these days. I’m closing in on owning 10 18-gallon (or larger) storage totes full of Halloween decor and supplies for the Spooky Little Apartment and Halloweenie Roast. It’s kind of a lot, and as much as I try to limit what I buy (see my tips for creating – and sticking to – a Halloween budget) my collection always grows a little each year.

So how the heck do I store it all?

SLH reader Nicole asked that question recently, so today I’m sharing 8 tips for storing Halloween decor.

 

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Tip #1: Invest in storage totes

I really like these Sterilite totes* because they are affordable and durable. I’m totally that person who has to have everything the same so it stacks up neatly. (It’s a pain when you have three different kinds of totes, you stack them all up and they looked like they’ll topple over any second, isn’t it?)

Plus, it’s way easier to grab these and go instead of hauling around cardboard boxes, and in my experience cardboard is just an invitation for bugs to invade your goodies. (Ah, the joys of Texas living.)

 

Tip #2: Label your boxes

Last year I had a heck of a time finding some key decor items for Halloweenie Roast. I was digging through every single box looking for small items because I couldn’t remember which box they were stashed in.

And half of them weren’t labeled!

I solved that post-Halloween by not only re-organizing all my totes, but by adding some nice, clear labels using duct tape* and Sharpies* to every single one! Now I have a designated box for all my lights, another for my party supplies (cups, bowls, platters, etc.) and the rest has my general decor divided up – and clearly labeled!

Every single one got a duct tape label popped on it with a description of what was inside. This year when I was looking for my paper skeleton for the bathroom door, I knew exactly where to find him!

 

Tip #3: Place heavy items on the bottom, light items on top

This is a classic packing tip I usually forget. I recommend gathering up all of your decor first, then packing it away by placing heavy items on the bottom and lighter items on top.

When you’re packing, make sure you don’t overload one tote with all your heavy stuff so it’s impossible to carry. Distribute the weight evenly between boxes. (I just assume you’re crazy like me and have multiple boxes of Halloween decor.)

 

Tip #4: Group items based on where they’re displayed

This will make unpacking and decorating a breeze next year! Group all your living room items in one box, all your bedroom decor in another. I do this so I know all my party supplies is in one spot, all my lights are in another. I make decorating my apartment and my party prep a heck of a lot easier and less stressful.

Don’t need more than one box? Group your items together inside the box for quick and easy unpacking.

 

Tip #5: Reuse store packaging and shopping bags for packing

I buy many of my Halloween goodies at craft stores, so I end up with a lot of that nice blank newsprint packing paper*. I hang on to all of it so I can wrap up fragile and delicate items for storage. When everything is unpacked and on display, I stuff all my packaging back into my storage tote for safe keeping. (Or use it to wrap up home decor that my Halloween decor temporarily replaces.)

No paper? No problem – I also use shopping bags the same way by individually wrapping items and twisting the bags around for extra padding.

 

Tips #6: Utilize your decor for packing materials

I think this is one of the smartest tips on this list, if I do say so. I’ve acquired a LOT of Halloween hand towels over the years as well as a fair amount of spooky fabric*. Both are soft and provide padding and protection to my more delicate items, so I use both for wrapping up items for storage.

What can I say? I’m an Alton Brown disciple and enjoy a good multitasker!

 

Tip #7: Store your goodies in a climate controlled area

If you live in a more moderate climate – i.e. not the third rung of summertime hell that is Houston come March 1 – this might apply to you less. But take into consideration where you’re stashing your Halloween goodies for storing: garage attics where the summertime temps reach 120+ degrees are a great spot to melt all your Halloween candles, and garage attics where the winter temps reach well below freezing are a great spot to result in cracked totes. Find a spot somewhere in between the two. (Closest or extra bedrooms are ideal!)

For the time being, my parents allow me to store my Halloween totes in what used to be my bedroom at their home. However, they’ll be moving to another state to retire in the next few years, and I’ll be relocating my goodies to a climate controlled storage unit. (Living in an apartment building from the 1920s has its charms, but a plethora of storage space is not one of them…)

Don’t ruin all those Halloween treasures you’ve worked so hard to collect!

 

 

What’s your best tip for storing Halloween decor?

I’d love to hear it in the comments, along with what you think of my tips.

Counting down to next Halloween,

*Denotes affiliate links in post. When you click this link and make a subsequent purchase, you help keep Spooky Little Halloween going! See my disclaimer for details.

Miranda | Spooky Little Halloween

Miranda is the Houston-based writer, blogger, and Halloween lover behind Spooky Little Halloween, the blog celebrating October 31st all year long. Her favorite Halloween things include pumpkin guts, chocolate bars in her trick-or-treat pail, real haunted houses (including the one she lives in!), and historic cemeteries.

4 Comments

  1. Reply

    Norwegian Halloween

    January 16, 2018

    I pack my stuff exactly the same way!???????? Have about 18 boxes full right now ????????

  2. Reply

    Tracy

    November 7, 2019

    You have such wonderful ideas! Thank you for sharing them! I wish I would have known this stuff a long time ago!! :-)
    It has taken me many years, through much trial and error, to adopt many of the same ideas. The best and most important one you stated is to invest in totes. I always hated the thought of spending money on them. I would rather spend it on the actual Halloween décor itself. Who wouldn’t? But after things got broken, bent, and so on, I broke down and spent the money on them. BEST INVESTMENT EVER!
    I am so glad you mentioned using your Halloween fabrics and dishtowels and store packing/shopping bags to help wrap things while in storage. I also use my table cloths and some parts of costumes to wrap things. (I have a lot of capes. LOL)
    I tend to pack all similar things together when possible. Lights together, costumes/wigs/masks together, and so on. I purchased an under-the-bed tote as well. This helped with most of my flat wall décor and signs. I always hated how things would curl and bend before, no matter how well I thought I hadstored them.
    And label everything!!! It makes life so much easier the following year.
    The last thing I learned, is to just take my time while packing things away. The extra time and care is worth it.

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