How to Organize Long-Term Storage in 8 Easy Steps
Use this search feature to quickly find the information you’re looking for.
How to Organize Your Long-Term Storage in 8 Easy Steps.
This method is designed to simplify long-term storage at home whether you have an attic, a loft in a garage or boxes stacked against the walls of the basement.
You can even track boxes stored in various closets this way.
You'll need sturdy boxes or plastic bins a permanent marker, and paper and pen to make a storage map and list.
1 Divide your stuff into categories.
These would include items such as dishes, holiday decor, kids' clothes and
important paperwork.
2 Put the items into boxes your storage boxes or bins.
Each category requires separate boxes or bins.
For example, you might have three dishes for boxes, four holiday boxes, five kids' clothes boxes, and two paperwork boxes.
3 Label each box by category.
Label the categories Dishes, Holidays, Kids' Clothes, etc., on five sides in large letters with a permanent marker.
(That's every side except the bottom.) Then assign each box in each category a number. For example, Dishes 1, Dishes 2, Holiday 1, Holiday 2.
4 Divide your storage space into as many parts as you have categories.
You don't have to actually divide them physically, just imagine your attic divided into four parts, for example.
5 Assign one area of the room for each category.
For example, holiday decoration go in the southeast corner of the basement, Kid's Clothes in the northeast corner.
6 On your paper, organize and sketch your storage area.
Assign each of your categories an area of the room, and label them.
7 On the same page list each box (Dishes 1, Holiday 1) and its contents.
(Christmas tree lights, holiday dishes, etc.) If you add more boxes to a category, you can just add a number (Holiday 5, Holiday 6).
8 Note on your list how many boxes you have in each category.
That way, when you retrieve things, you'll know if you have them all.
Now, when you want to find a special holiday decoration, all you have to do is consult your list (it's in Holiday 4) and your map. (Holiday is near the southeast corner of the basement.)
And so can your family!
Bathrooms: Creating a Home for Everything
Streamline Your Laundry Room
Return to Get Organized
If you find this website useful, please consider helping with its production with a donation of $10. To say 'thank you' for your generosity, we will give you the info packed e-book for parents considering a family pet – and those who already have one – “Taming the Family Zoo”. Your link to this info-packed, 27-page e-book will be sent to you with your donation receipt.

|