Updated · 7 min read
Holiday Decoration Storage Ideas for Small Apartments: 9 Renter-Safe Buys for Closets and Under the Bed
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This guide is for renters in studios, one-bedrooms and dorms who love decorating for the holidays but have nowhere to put everything from January to November. Below are nine buys that pack ornaments, lights, wreaths and even an artificial tree into a closet or under your bed. None of them need drilling, and each one is chosen for the actual measurements of small-apartment storage.
1. Divided Ornament Storage Box
Tissue paper in a shoebox works until the bottom layer gets crushed. A divided ornament box gives every bauble its own cell, and the stacked trays stop the weight from piling onto the fragile ones. Fabric versions that hold 64 to 128 ornaments usually run about 6 to 10 inches tall, so they fit on a closet shelf or under most beds without risers. Look for zip lids and side handles so you can lift it out from a low spot without tipping it.
Best for: Glass and vintage ornaments you don't want to replace
Typical price: $18–$40
2. Artificial Tree Storage Bag (Duffel or Upright)
Most tree bags will not fit under a bed. A duffel bag for a 7.5-foot tree is often about 48 to 50 inches long and 15 to 20 inches tall, and standard bed clearance is closer to 7 to 12 inches. For a full-size tree, the closet floor or a back corner of the closet is the realistic spot. An upright rolling bag stores the tree mostly assembled and stands on a footprint of roughly 2 by 2 feet. If you have a 4- to 6-foot tree, a slim duffel can slide under a raised bed. Check the bag's listed dimensions against your space before you buy.
Best for: Getting the tree out of its falling-apart original box
Typical price: $20–$45 (duffel); $50–$120 (upright rolling)
3. Wreath Storage Bag
A wreath left on a shelf goes flat on one side by spring. A round, zippered wreath bag with a stiff side panel keeps its shape and stops pine needles and glitter from spreading through your closet. Measure your wreath first; common bag sizes are 24 and 30 inches. You can hang the bag on a sturdy closet hook or slide it flat under the bed if your clearance is at least 6 to 8 inches.
Best for: Real-looking faux wreaths and garland you want to reuse for years
Typical price: $12–$25 (often sold in two-packs)
4. Christmas Light Storage Reels
Tangled lights waste more time in December than anything else. Light reels let you wind each strand around a spool and drop the spools into a carry bag or bin. Plastic reels stack neatly. Flat cardboard or plastic wrap cards are thinner if your bin space is tight. Label each reel with its length and whether it's a working strand, so next year you won't have to test all of them.
Best for: Anyone with more than three strands of lights
Typical price: $15–$30 for a set with a bag
5. Low-Profile Under-Bed Storage Bins with Wheels
The space under your bed is the biggest storage area most renters don't use. Clear, lidded under-bed bins about 6 to 7 inches tall fit under most bed frames. Wheels make it easy to pull out a heavy box of decor without scraping the floor, which helps when you want your security deposit back. Get clear lids so you can see what's inside without opening every box. For more ways to use this space, see Hidden Storage Solutions for Studio Apartments: 9 Renter-Safe Buys That Hide the Clutter.
Best for: Tree skirts, stockings, table runners and boxed decor
Typical price: $25–$50 for a two-pack
6. Bed Risers
If your bed sits too low for any bin, risers are the cheapest renter-safe fix. Most add 3 to 8 inches of height and slip under the existing legs without tools. Check that the cup fits your bed leg's shape and diameter, and pick a set rated well above the combined weight of your bed, mattress and you. Some sets include outlets and USB ports, which is handy if your bed is also your couch.
Best for: Low platform beds and dorm beds with no clearance
Typical price: $20–$40
7. Vacuum Storage Bags for Holiday Textiles
Fabric decor takes up more room than it should. Vacuum bags shrink tree skirts, stockings, throw pillows, holiday bedding and faux-fur blankets to a fraction of their size. Don't vacuum-seal anything with fragile parts, or anything that needs to keep its shape, like velvet bows or wreaths. Bags that also work with a hand pump are useful if you don't own a vacuum with a hose.
Best for: Soft decor that eats up an entire bin
Typical price: $20–$35 for a multi-pack
8. Stackable Clear Latching Bins
Clear, latching bins stack two or three high on a closet shelf or floor. The latches keep dust and pests out of the attic-free storage most apartments have. Medium bins around 15 to 20 quarts are easier to lift down from a high shelf than one giant tote. Use one bin per category (lights, mantel decor, table decor) so you only pull out what you need.
Best for: Closet shelves and the floor under hanging clothes
Typical price: $10–$20 per bin
9. Under-Bed Gift Wrap Organizer
Wrapping paper rolls are too long for most closets and get crushed in bins. A flat, zippered under-bed gift wrap organizer holds 20 to 30 rolls, plus tape, ribbon and tags, in one pocket you slide out when you need it. Check the interior length against your longest rolls; most fit standard rolls of about 30 to 40 inches. If you'd rather use a door, a hanging organizer works too. Over the Door Storage Ideas for Small Apartments: Maximize Every Rental Inch covers the options.
Best for: Year-round gift wrapping, not just December
Typical price: $15–$30
How to choose
- Measure under-bed clearance first. Measure from the floor to the lowest point of the bed frame or slats, not to the mattress. Subtract half an inch so bins slide in easily. Under 6 inches, you need risers or flat bags.
- Measure your closet depth and shelf height. Many apartment closets are only about 24 inches deep. A 50-inch tree bag may need to stand on end or go behind your hanging clothes.
- Respect weight limits. Wire closet shelves in rentals often can't hold much. Keep heavy items like lights and boxed decor on the floor, and save shelves for light fabric and ornament boxes.
- Pick clear or labeled. Every container you have to open to identify costs you time in November. Use clear lids or a label on the end you'll actually see.
- Avoid adhesive hooks for heavy items. A wreath bag or garland can pull adhesive off painted walls and take paint with it. Use closet rods, over-door hooks or existing hardware.
- Store by room, not by type. One bin for the living room, one for the kitchen and so on makes decorating a 20-minute job. If space is very tight, plan where the tree goes before you shop. Studio Apartment Layout Ideas for 400 Sq Ft: 10 Smart Plans can help.
- Be careful with heat. Don't store candles, ornaments or lights near radiators, baseboard heaters or a hot laundry closet. Wax melts and plastic can warp.
FAQ
Where do you put a Christmas tree in a small apartment with no storage?
A full-size tree in a duffel bag usually fits on the closet floor, standing upright in a corner, or behind a couch. Under the bed generally works only for smaller trees or a raised bed. An upright rolling bag on a small footprint is the easiest option if you can spare a closet corner.
Is it OK to store ornaments in a hot or cold closet?
Room temperature is best. Extreme heat can melt glue and soften plastic, and humidity can damage paper and fabric ornaments. If your only storage is near an exterior wall or a water heater, use sealed latching bins and add silica gel packets.
How should I store Christmas lights so they don't tangle?
Wind each strand around a reel or a piece of stiff cardboard. Plug the ends together or tape them down, and label the length. Test strands before you pack them so you don't store broken ones for another year.