Organizing Holiday Décor Before It Takes Over Your Home
The holidays can bring warmth and joy — and also boxes of tangled lights, mystery ornaments, and décor that somehow multiplies every year. Taking time to organize your holiday décor before you start decorating will save hours, prevent frustration, and make packing up in January effortless.
Why organizing before decorating matters
Most people start decorating by opening every bin at once. The result: chaos. You end up rediscovering broken ornaments, half-used candles, and décor you forgot you owned — all while trying to make your space festive. Spending a few hours organizing first helps you decorate intentionally and keeps your home from feeling like a holiday explosion.
Step 1: Gather and assess
Pull all holiday bins and boxes into one area — the garage, basement, or living room floor. Group by type (tree décor, mantel décor, lights, linens, candles, outdoor items).
Before you open everything, take inventory. Do you actually love and use all of it? Are there items that never make it out of the box? Make piles for:
Keep: you use it every year and it brings you joy.
Repair: worth fixing before you decorate.
Donate or sell: still in good condition but not your style.
Recycle or toss: damaged lights, dried garlands, or broken ornaments.
This edit prevents clutter from reentering your space.
Step 2: Check storage quality
Holiday décor often lives in garages or basements, where temperature changes can cause damage. As you sort, make sure your storage protects what you love.
Upgrade from cardboard boxes to plastic bins with lids — moisture-resistant and stackable.
Add labels like “Tree Ornaments” or “Outdoor Décor – Porch.” Clear bins make visual identification easier.
Store delicate items in smaller containers within a larger bin, wrapped in tissue or fabric scraps.
Wrap lights around cardboard pieces or reusable reels to prevent tangles.
If you find you’re overrun with bins, consider using color-coded lids (red/green for Christmas, blue/silver for winter, white for neutral décor) to make next year’s setup faster.
Step 3: Plan your decorating zones
Instead of scattering décor throughout the house, think in zones: entryway, living room, dining table, and outdoor. Decide which spaces truly need décor and which are better left simple.
By planning zones, you avoid the “everything everywhere” look and create calm, intentional holiday vignettes. You’ll also know exactly how much décor you need for each area — which helps prevent impulse buying.
Step 4: Create a decorating toolkit
Keep the essentials together so you’re not hunting for scissors or hooks mid-decorating. Fill a small caddy with:
Ornament hooks and twist ties
Command strips or clips
Scissors and tape
Spare bulbs or fuses
Extension cords
A lint roller or handheld vacuum for glitter and pine needles
After the season, this same kit doubles as your tear-down toolkit.
Step 5: Donate or responsibly dispose of extras
If you’re parting with décor, donate early in the season when thrift stores can still resell items. In Denver, try:
ARC Thrift Stores or Goodwill of Colorado for general décor.
Habitat for Humanity ReStore for artificial trees and wreaths.
Denver Rescue Mission for gently used household and seasonal items.
If string lights no longer work, recycle them — Cherry Creek Recycling Drop-Off accepts holiday lights, or you can mail them to HolidayLEDS.com’s light recycling program.
Step 6: Take photos as you decorate
Once your décor is arranged, snap a few photos. It’s the easiest reference for next year — where the tree goes, which garland fits the banister, how you layered the mantel. Print one copy and tape it inside your décor bin for quick setup next season.
Step 7: Enjoy your home (without the clutter)
A well-organized décor system makes decorating less stressful and more joyful. You’ll know where everything is, what you love, and what you can skip. Plus, when January arrives, packing up will be half the work.
Feeling overwhelmed by holiday clutter before the season even starts? Strategic Spaces can help. We organize holiday décor, storage systems, and home flow so your space feels festive — not chaotic.
Book your consultation today and start the season with clarity and calm.
