It started with a few pumpkins. Then you bought the skeleton. Then the fog machine. Then a couple of tombstones. Then you found an inflatable on clearance in November and obviously couldn't leave it there. Fast-forward a few years and Halloween is no longer a holiday at your house. It's an inventory category. And we're not here to tell you to stop. If Halloween is your Super Bowl, self storage can give your skeletons, inflatables, tombstones, lights, costumes, props, and increasingly elaborate collection somewhere to live during the other 11 months of the year—without sacrificing your entire garage to the spooky season.
First of All, We're Not Judging
Some people put a pumpkin on the porch and call it decorated. Other people an entire cemetery, coordinated lighting, multiple inflatables, motion-activated props, and a neighborhood reputation to maintain.
If you're in the second group, we support you.
The only problem is that November eventually arrives, and suddenly all of those decorations need somewhere to go.
When Halloween Takes Over the Garage
Halloween decorations have a unique ability to take up considerably more space in storage than they appear to take up when they're spread across the yard.
- Skeletons
- Tombstones
- Inflatables
- Large outdoor props
- Pumpkins and jack-o'-lantern décor
- Wreaths and signs
- String lights
- Projectors and specialty lighting
- Fog machines
- Animatronic decorations
- Costumes
- Indoor decorations
- Yard stakes and signs
- Reusable trick-or-treat displays
- Storage totes full of smaller décor
A few seasons of adding to the collection can turn one garage shelf into an entire wall of orange-and-black bins.
Give the Props Somewhere to Live
Large Halloween props are often the biggest storage challenge. Oversized items, tombstones, witches, monsters, yard displays, and other bulky pieces don't exactly slide neatly onto a closet shelf.
When manufacturer instructions allow it, carefully disassemble larger decorations and keep all pieces together. Label hardware and smaller components so reassembly next October doesn't become its own horror story.
Organize Decorations by Zone
Instead of throwing everything into containers labeled 'Halloween,' organize your collection around how you actually decorate.
- Front porch
- Front yard
- Indoor décor
- Lights and electrical accessories
- Inflatables
- Cemetery and tombstone pieces
- Large props
- Costumes and accessories
- Tabletop decorations
- Party supplies and reusable displays
When next October arrives, you can pull decorations out one area at a time instead of opening every container looking for the pieces that belong on the porch.
Take Care of the Inflatables
Inflatables make a big impact in the yard, but they're much easier to store once properly packed.
Before putting them away, follow the manufacturer's cleaning and storage instructions and make sure the material is completely dry. Carefully fold or pack each inflatable and keep its accessories with it.
Untangle the Lights Before Future You Has To
There are few seasonal traditions less enjoyable than spending the first hour of decorating untangling a giant ball of lights.
Before storing lights, check them, remove damaged strands from your decorating inventory, and organize working sets so they aren't tangled together. Label them by location if you tend to use the same setup each year.
Don't Forget Costumes and Indoor Décor
Outdoor decorations may take up the most room, but indoor Halloween collections can grow just as quickly.
Costumes, wreaths, tabletop decorations, signs, artificial florals, themed linens, and specialty pieces should be clean and completely dry before being packed away. Use containers and packing materials appropriate for each item.
Create a Halloween Inventory
At some point, your Halloween collection may become large enough that you genuinely forget what you own.
That's how you end up buying another set of tombstones and discovering the nearly identical set you bought two years ago.
- Photograph large decorations
- Number or label storage containers
- Keep a list of what's inside each tote
- Record which pieces belong together
- Separate indoor and outdoor decorations
- Keep replacement parts and accessories with the correct item
- Note decorations that need repair before next season
- Update the inventory when you inevitably buy more
Make Next October Easier
Good seasonal storage isn't just about getting decorations out of your house. It's about making the next decorating season easier.
Keep the first decorations you normally put out accessible. Group items by decorating area. Label everything clearly. And when you discover a broken decoration while taking everything down, deal with it now instead of packing it away and being surprised by it next year.
But What About the Other Holidays?
A seasonal storage system doesn't have to stop with Halloween. Once spooky season is packed away, Thanksgiving and Christmas decorations are usually right behind it.
Rotating seasonal décor can help keep the items you're currently using accessible while decorations for the rest of the year stay organized until their turn comes around.
Maybe You Don't Have Too Many Decorations
We're not going to tell you that five skeletons is enough. That's not our decision to make.
Maybe the issue isn't that your Halloween collection has gotten out of hand. Maybe the issue is that your garage was never prepared for the level of commitment you bring to October.
Final Thoughts
If Halloween at your house requires multiple weekends of setup, several extension cords, an inventory spreadsheet, and at least one decoration taller than a member of your family, you've earned the right to call it a collection.
Modern Storage® can give your skeletons, inflatables, tombstones, lights, costumes, props, and other seasonal decorations a dedicated place during the other 11 months of the year—while giving your garage back to everything that isn't haunted.
Is self storage useful for Halloween decorations?
Yes. Halloween collections can include bulky, awkwardly shaped items that consume a lot of household space. Self storage can keep seasonal decorations together until you're ready to decorate again.
How should I organize Halloween decorations in storage?
Group decorations by type or where they're used. For example, keep outdoor props, inflatables, lights, indoor décor, costumes, and smaller accessories in separate labeled areas or containers.
How should I store Halloween inflatables?
Follow the manufacturer's instructions, make sure inflatables are clean and completely dry, and carefully fold or pack them to avoid unnecessary stress on the material.
Should I consider climate-controlled storage for Halloween decorations?
It may be worth considering for certain costumes, fabrics, electronics, specialty props, or other materials that can be sensitive to significant temperature and humidity changes. Climate-controlled storage provides a more consistent environment but does not guarantee against damage.
When should I start putting Halloween decorations into storage?
Once Halloween is over, take time to clean, dry, inspect, and organize decorations before packing them away. Doing it properly now can make decorating next year considerably easier.
Storage options, unit types, amenities, and access features vary by Modern Storage® facility. Customers should review their rental agreement and contact their facility with questions about specific decorations, props, or storage needs.