Another year of Halloween has come to an end, but what to do with all those giant hanging skulls, spooky signs, costumes and other decorative items?
It’s tempting to just cram everything into a few boxes and bags, but fast forward to next October and beyond, and you’ll probably wish you’d spent a few hours carefully packing and sorting everything.
We asked professional organizers and experts to give you their best tips on how to preserve Halloween decorations so your favorite items stay intact until next year.
Stackable boxes may not seem like the prettiest items, but they’ll be your best friend when it comes to small Halloween decorations—think table settings, napkins, mini ghosts, faux pumpkins, and tea lights.
We turned to Eliana Coca, owner of EC House Cleaning, for some professional advice. “For Halloween decorations, I recommend using clear plastic containers that you can stack on top of each other,” she said. “Not only do these containers protect your decorations from dust and damage, but they also allow you to see what’s inside without opening them, making them easy to access.”
While you’re taking your jewelry off and putting it away, Eliana recommends keeping similar items together.
Group similar items, such as lamps, inflatables, and small decorative items, and label each box accordingly. This method will save time and hassle when setting up or taking down decorations, and will ensure that everything stays in its place.
You can use Amazon’s best-selling label maker or write out a list of the box’s contents by hand and attach it to the box using Amazon’s plastic envelope to make it easier to find what you’ll need next year.
These lightweight, portable, and stackable boxes are ideal for storing larger items like tablecloths, candlesticks, and lanterns. The white lid allows you to write on it with a permanent marker or label it for easy viewing. The lid closes tightly and securely, keeping items clean and dry even when stored in the basement, attic, or garage.
The best thing about these clear containers is that they come with wheels, making them easy to move around, which is important when you can fit up to 200 quarts in each one. They are also stackable, so if floor storage is at a premium, you can make the most of your vertical space.
These clear plastic storage boxes are perfect for storing napkins, table decorations, and small decorative items. They are stackable, which is a big plus, and they feature a pull-out handle for easy opening without having to disassemble them. The boxes are lined with silicone mats and will not move once installed.
Vacuum bags are best for larger, softer items that take up a lot of space. Avoid using hard items or items with metal clips or zippers, as they can tear the vacuum bag.
For those who love dressing up for the spooky season and want to save their costumes for next year, storing your costumes properly will keep them in tip-top condition, and the basement isn’t always the ideal place for clothes.
“If you have delicate fabric decorations, like fabric pumpkins or costumes, consider vacuum packing them (we like the Amazon Basics Ziplock Vacuum Compression Storage Bags with Hand Pump),” advises Sven Wang, a certified professional organizer and CEO of Clafbebe.
“This reduces exposure to dust and moisture while saving space. Just make sure you set your vacuum cleaner to a gentle setting to avoid damaging delicate parts.”
If vacuum packing isn’t your thing, another option is to put things in bags, suggests home organization expert Tina Priestley, owner and CEO of Ready, Set, REFRESH. “For things like tablecloths or clothing, fold them neatly and store them in breathable cotton bags to prevent mildew.”
If you have multiple items of clothing that need to be stored, the Wovilon Storage Bins from Walmart, made from heavy cotton, are a good choice.
If you have the space and prefer to hang your clothes, consider using garment bags. You can use a moth-proof fragrance sold on Amazon or a moth-proof garment bag, also sold on Amazon. Moths eat through fabrics and can easily sit on the back of your clothes for up to a year, causing a lot of damage!
This garment bag, made from 100% linen, features an easy-to-open zipper, making it ideal for storing spooky costumes. It can be placed on hangers and in closets of any size, and if you don’t have enough space at home, you can hang it on a rod in the garage or basement.
We’ve all been there: unpacking the colorful lights we collected on our last getaway, and even though we remember to store them neatly, they’re now a mess and a stressful experience.
“Halloween lights always get tangled if they are not stored properly. One trick I recommend is to cut a small piece of disposable cardboard, carefully wrap it around the lights, and then place them in a box,” said Ryan Fitzgerald, owner of Raleigh Realty.
With another holiday string light season just around the corner, we scoured the internet and found this amazing storage organizer designed specifically for lights.
This clear container is not an ordinary box; it holds five spools inside and can hold up to 625 feet of mini light strips or 375 feet of C7 type light strips. You can use it for all kinds of festive occasions, including birthdays and Christmas. The lids flip up for easy access and are stackable.
Fragile Halloween items require special storage, as do glass, ceramics, and other fragile items, which are often the most expensive of our decorations.
“For fragile items like ceramic pumpkins or glass ornaments, I recommend using a special storage box with dividers (like the HOMZ Medium Clear Plastic Storage Box with Removable Dividers from Target, 31 Quart) or filling it with bubble wrap or fabric,” says Eliana. “In my experience, these extra precautions prevent items from breaking, even when the storage boxes are stacked on top of each other, thereby preserving the lifespan and quality of your decorative items.”
If you have more time, consider packing each item individually. This will take more time, but if your decor is complex, it may be worth it.
Jonathan Ayala, interior designer and general manager of Hudson Condos, says, “Acid-free tissue paper—American Greetings white tissue paper is a great value—is ideal for wrapping fragile items like ceramic pumpkins and glass lanterns, as it protects them from discoloration and damage. For maximum protection of your dumpster, always place heavy items at the bottom of the bin and light, fragile items on top.”
For larger items like wall-crawling spiders, witches, ghosts and skeletons, you’ll need more storage space. Sven explains: “If you’re using your Halloween props outdoors, store them in boxes with UV-protective lids. Even if they’re stored elsewhere, they can fade when exposed to sunlight in a garage (a tidy garage is a great place to store them) or attic, so UV protection will keep the colours vibrant.”
Another problem with large items like skeletons is that they can become bent and damaged during storage.
Sven adds, “For items that are prone to tipping or bending, like foam tombstones or skulls, use pool floats (like Amazon’s 52-Inch Floating Foam Pipes) or pipe insulation as cushioning inside the storage box. This can prevent heavy ornaments from shifting and cracking, ensuring everything stays in one piece.”
If you don’t want to make your own Halloween wreath, buying an artificial wreath is a great option for fall decorating. There are many beautiful wreaths in all sizes, but how do you preserve them until next year?
“Don’t put your wreath in a box,” says Andrey Gursky, interior designer and founder of Mr. Glazier. “You can hang wreaths on dowels, large nails, or door hooks to avoid contact, reduce tangling, and keep them from losing their shape.”
If you have space in your garage, you can hang them there, or if you want to store them somewhere dust-free, consider placing them in a flat box like the Sterilite 74-Quart Ultra Clear Locking Underbed Wreath Box with Lid from Target, which lets you easily place two wreaths side by side.
You can also place them in an Amazon wreath storage bag and nail them to the rafters in your attic or basement wall. This will prevent them from being crushed by heavy objects and will also make good use of the vertical space.
While it may take some time at first, you will reap the rewards because if you master the rules of home organization, your Halloween storage will go smoothly, but the key is labeling everything.
There are many ways to do this, but the best advice comes from Ryan Fitzgerald: “Make a detailed list of all your jewelry so you can always check your inventory. Pro tip: Instead of keeping a paper list that’s easy to lose, make a digital list on your phone, laptop, or tablet.”
Jonathan agrees, adding, “Boxes with themed or holiday labels not only help you use specific sets, but also make it easier to remove items without too much fuss. Chalkboard or dry erase labels can also be an easy way to update boxes if you want to give them a fancier look.”
This labeling machine supports both continuous and fixed-length label tapes and is suitable for a wide range of applications. It is lightweight and portable, and prints smoothly and quickly. In addition, it provides a variety of label styles, including a variety of patterns, fonts, and borders, which are convenient for you to change according to each product.
If you want a stylish retro label, try these labels that fit right onto the edge of your storage container and allow you to write the contents of each container on the label. If you want to change the item, just insert another tag.
For those of you who love tech creativity, these smart QR code labels will completely change your warehouse labeling system. You can download the companion app and use it to scan each label, which then adds a photo, name, and description of the contents to each box, as well as telling you where the box is. Plus, there are four colors to choose from.
With over 20 years of experience, Eliana has mastered the art of transforming a space into a sanctuary. Her dedication to her clients goes beyond cleaning. She creates an environment where families can live happily and businesses can thrive.
Sven Wang, a certified professional organizer and CEO of Clafbebe, has over 16 years of leadership experience in the baby products industry. Under his leadership, Clafbebe has grown into a trusted OEM partner for global brands.
Tina, founder of Ready, Set, REFRESH!, began her home organization and design business during the pandemic and founded Our Inspiration. Combining exquisite craftsmanship, sustainability, and a commitment to customer satisfaction, Tina is passionate about creating comfortable, clutter-free spaces and helping clients organize, remodel, and update their homes.
Ryan Fitzgerald is a seasoned real estate agent and owner of Raleigh Realty. He is an expert in real estate, interior design, and home staging. He was named one of REALTOR Magazine’s “30 Under 30 Realtors” and is a regular contributor to Forbes and U.S. News & World Report.
Jonathan Ayala, interior designer, is the CEO of Hudson Condos, an experienced real estate marketing company that provides buyers and sellers of beautiful homes with all the information they need, directly and without any hidden agenda.
Andrey Gursky is a visionary leader in the architectural glass industry with over a decade of experience building Mr. Glazier into a respected brand.
There is absolutely no problem in keeping your Halloween decorations safe and sound for the whole next year. All you need is a little time and some tips on storing all sorts of decorative items: from skulls to glass pumpkins, we have you covered!
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Sophie has been working as an interior designer and journalist for over 20 years, during which time she has worked for several major interiors magazines, both as a staff writer and freelancer. In addition to her work as a news editor at independent magazine 91, she trained as a florist and in 2019 founded Flowers Inside My Head, a company that carefully curates beautiful floral arrangements for modern weddings and events. She also writes about interior design for Homes & Gardens magazine and is known for her keen eye for interior beauty.