How To Store Your Apartment Christmas Decor

When the new year comes around and the holiday season ends, taking down your holiday décor can be a chore. Putting everything away can be even more difficult when you live in an apartment with limited space. Thankfully, the apartment living experts at HILLS are here to share holiday storage tips to help you save […]

SW By Sara Woods on December 6, 2023

Colorful ornaments, garland, lights, and other Christmas decorations stored in a cardboard box

Tips for Holiday Decoration Storage

1. Invest in efficient storage containers.

The first step toward efficient Christmas décor storage is purchasing storage containers. We recommend using plastic or cloth containers, which can be reused for several years, rather than cardboard boxes, which don’t hold up as long.

An essential part of choosing storage containers for seasonal storage is selecting the right sizes for the items you plan on storing. For Christmas tree ornaments and other fragile items, choose a wide, short container. That way, the ornaments don’t have room to jostle around and break. For ornament storage, you can also try a container with a divider grid that holds each ornament in place. For non-fragile items, choose larger containers that can fit a lot of items.

2. Try under-bed storage to save space

If you simply don’t have room in your closets for all your Christmas decorations, consider under-bed storage containers, which you can keep until you need them again. Worried about guests seeing the storage containers under your bed? Try using a bed skirt to conceal them. Or If your apartment includes a den, it can double as a seasonal storage zone in the off-months. Here are some other creative ways to use your apartment den when the holidays are over.

3. Wrap fragile items carefully.

This tip may be obvious, but a quick reminder doesn’t hurt: Be careful with fragile items! Nothing can put a damper on holiday spirit like pulling out your family’s one-of-a-kind decorations and discovering they’ve shattered or chipped.

The key to packing fragile items is eliminating extra space in the containers or boxes you use. When glassware or other delicate items have space to rattle around in boxes, they’re much more likely to break. Fill the space in boxes with cushioning from packing materials, like packing peanuts or packing pillows, or use crumpled newspaper for a more sustainable option.

4. Use vertical space in closets.

Are you using all the space in your closets? Probably not. Most of the time, we forget to use all the vertical space available to us. Try installing shelving or cube organizers in your closets so you can really take advantage of every inch of closet space you have. Once the garlands and ornaments are packed away, it’s the perfect chance to refresh your everyday look. Explore these 9 expert interior decorating styles for ideas that carry your space through the new year.

Find Apartments With Spacious Closets With HILLS

When you live in an apartment with tiny closets, apartment Christmas décor storage is especially hard. By choosing a modern apartment with large closets, like those offered by HILLS, you’ll easily fit seasonal decorations in your apartment.

If you’re tired of living in apartments with no space for storage, turn to HILLS for your next apartment home. You’ll find our luxury apartment communities in Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio, with each offering upscale amenities and features. Since each of our communities offers a variety of floor plans, finding an apartment with enough square footage for your needs is simple. If the floor plan you love still doesn’t have enough storage for you, we also offer storage and garage options at all of our locations. Reserving one of these amenities can serve as some additional storage space.

To get started, select one of our many apartment communities and schedule a tour. Our community pages also provide contact information so you can ask any additional questions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What size storage bins are best for apartment Christmas decor?

For apartments, clear plastic bins in the 20 to 30 quart range are usually the sweet spot. They’re large enough to hold strands of lights, ornaments, and garland, but small enough to slide under a bed, fit in a closet, or stack in a den. Use shallow bins (around 6 inches deep) for fragile ornaments and a taller bin (around 18 inches) for tree skirts, stockings, and wreaths. Stick to one consistent bin size when you can. Uniform bins stack more cleanly and waste less space.

How should I store fragile ornaments in a small apartment?

The safest option is a divided ornament box with cardboard or foam inserts that keep each piece separated. If you don’t want to buy a specialty container, you can repurpose egg cartons for small ornaments, wrap larger pieces individually in tissue paper or bubble wrap, and nestle them in a sturdy bin. Always store fragile items on top of heavier decor, never underneath, and label the bin “fragile” so you remember next year.

Do apartment storage spaces have climate concerns I should worry about?

es. Garages, balconies, and unconditioned storage units can swing between hot and humid in summer and freezing in winter, which damages candles, artificial trees, electronics, and delicate ornaments over time. Whenever possible, store decor inside your apartment, such as under a bed, in a closet, or in a den, where the temperature stays consistent. If you have to use an outdoor or shared storage area, prioritize keeping fragile and electronic items indoors.

How do I store a Christmas tree in a small apartment?

For artificial trees, a dedicated tree storage bag with handles is the most space-efficient option and protects the branches from getting crushed. Disassemble the tree into its sections, tuck the lights and any pre-attached decor into the bag with it, and slide the bag flat under a bed, behind a couch, or upright in a closet corner. For real trees, simply recycle through your city’s tree pickup or drop-off program once the season ends.