seasonal storage

As a new year begins, it’s a good time to look ahead for ways to make your life better. For instance, how can you improve your family’s storage situation without overwhelming yourself? Take it month by month with our seasonal guide!

Winter

Kick off the new year (and wrap up the old one) by taking care of indoor organization projects.

December: Put away holiday decorations. Be thoughtful of how you store them so that it will be easier to get festive next year. Carefully wrap fragile ornaments. Roll strands of lights around a spool to avoid tangling them. Stow everything together so you’re not hunting for boxes when it’s time to start decking the halls.

January: Clear out catchall rooms, like a spare bedroom, the basement or the attic. Pick a day when the weather is bad so you won’t mind staying inside.

February: Go through your winter clothing and coats. If you have any items that are outgrown or no longer suit your style, donate them now so that others can wear them this season. Toss out damaged clothing.

Spring

The days are longer and the skies are brighter. It’s the perfect season to freshen up your home.

March: Start spring cleaning. Follow our guide to tackle the most common problem areas.

Bonus idea: Swap your winter wardrobe for lighter clothing.

April: Shred old paperwork, including tax forms. The IRS says you generally only need to keep old tax returns for three years. Confirm with your accountant or state tax department before shredding.

May: Straighten up the garage. Before the weather gets too hot, make room for summer sports equipment and hobby implements, like gardening tools or woodworking tools.

Summer

Close the chapter on the school year and get the family ready for a fun-filled season.

June: Donate unused school supplies and sort through school papers. Now that studying is done until the fall, file away sentimental items like art projects or poems and throw out old tests and worksheets. Clean out backpacks and schoolbags and decide which school supplies to keep and which to donate.

July: Adjust the kids’ closets. As your little ones grow, their needs change. If you have a ShelfTrack system, look at reconfiguring it to hold longer dresses or fewer onesies and more separates.

August: Assess sports equipment and organize them in the garage or mudroom. Before fall’s extracurricular activities begin, ensure balls are inflated, rackets don’t need to be restrung and helmets still fit. Then, give them all a designated area for easy access.

Fall

As you adapt to new routines or just settle back into your old ones, take some time to make sure your hardest working rooms can serve you best.

September: Redo the laundry room. Look at refreshing the space or giving it a complete makeover, depending on your needs and budget.

An ideal laundry setup includes hang space, shelves, door and drawers. Pictured: SuiteSymphony in Graphite Gray.

October: Clear out the pantry. The holidays are coming before you know it, so make space now for baking and cooking essentials.

November: Get ready for overnight guests. Replenish any toiletries in the bathroom and wash linens.

By breaking down your organizational projects into monthly to-dos, you’ll accomplish your goals by the end of the year with minimal stress.