Organizing Your Seasonal Storage Space

I know that for myself and most of my clients Christmas décor takes up most of the seasonal storage area. For that reason, now is the perfect time to clean and organize that area.

My storage area is in my attic. I have helped clients with their holiday storage in attics, basements, garages, closets, and offsite storage facilities. It all works the same way.

Now you are bringing out the items from this storage space that you plan on using for this season. I’m lucky enough to have a spare bedroom where I can stage the boxes until everything is placed. Then I return the boxes to the storage area, so I have my spare room looking nice. At the end of the holiday, out come the boxes again and everything is put away.

While you have that empty spot in your storage space:

· Take time to sweep the area and knock down any cobwebs

· Look for any damage or infestations

· Arrange what is left in the storage space by seasons so that when you are looking for valentine

décor it is all in one spot

· Label all containers

While you are placing your Christmas décor in your home:

· Notice what you are no longer putting out and ask yourself why you are keeping it if you are not

using it

· Donate any decorations you are no longer using but are still in good condition

· Trash the decorations that are really looking sad

· Take pictures of the items that you don't want to put out but have a strong memory attached and

then let them go or put together a memory box that you can look at once a year

By the end of the season when everything is put back away, you will have a better idea of what you have and more room to easily access your decor.

Last year I ended up with a smaller tree than I usually have. Because of that I used fewer ornaments. I kept the others because I was not sure what the next year would be like. I have decided that I like the smaller tree so this year when I unbox my tree ornaments, I will donate some and toss others. There will probably be a small box that I will keep just for the memory.

If you want help or just some accountability in organizing a space in your home or working any other organizational plan either outside or inside your home, join Diane Quintana and me on our Clear Space For You clutter support group.

Jonda S. Beattie, Professional Organizer owner of Time Space Organization, and co-owner of Release, Repurpose, Reorganize. She is based in the Metro-Atlanta area. As presenter, award-winning author, as well as a retired special education teacher she uses her listening skills, problem solving skills, knowledge of different learning techniques, ADHD specialty, and paper management skills to help clients tackle the toughest organizational issues. Jonda does hands on organizing and virtual organizing. For more of Jonda’s tips connect with her on Facebook.