Keepsake Storage Ideas

Preservation, For The Sake of Keepsakes.

At our first event Rachel Rosenthal, superstar organizer and perennial favorite, walked attendees how to sort through sentimental clutter (find her decision tree here). A lot of head nodding followed, with many audible “I need to get rid of __________”s. If you’re wondering about how shared an experience this is, you need not look any further than two recent reality shows, Home Again with The Fords and Legacy List with Matt Paxton. Many of us are forced by moving or loss to deal with our keepsakes (and our family’s). But we’ve been thinking about the things that do make it through our filters—could we get more creative about preserving them? After all, you are one hundred percent not enjoying that thing sealed up in a box, hidden from the light of day. Here are some ways to let them shine.

Archive children’s art

Yes, we know you have a mini-Matisse in your midst, but do try to pick those meant for the museum walls. One of Rachel’s golden rules: If you have several of something, keep the best. Beyond framing a few (obvi), perhaps you might like a coffee table book of the artiste’s work? Rachel likes Artkive, who will digitize the pieces and put them into a book. (No curator necessary.)

Preserve older photographs

First, frame the ones you want to see (we find Framebridge super easy). We know that pictures won’t fare well in a box, so get rid of any that are ruined or damaged. If you can’t identify who is in the photos, they should certainly go in the trash. One of Rachel’s favorite solutions for keepers is Legacy Box, who will digitize it all (a great solution for families where more than one sibling would like to lay claim to the photos). 

Baby those baby things

First, it is important here to distinguish between sentimental things and heirlooms, and think about whether some of your things could be useful to new parents. If we’re talking heirloom territory, like a christening gown you would like to pass down, make sure you have it properly cleaned and stored (your dry cleaner can handle this for you). If you have a receiving blanket or baby blanket, get creative. Maybe have it made into a pillow or another item—Rachel has even seen items morph into stuffed bears. Wondering why you are keeping something? That’s writing on the wall. Don’t pass the decision down to others.

Find new life for fine china

Rachel will just come out and say it: Your kids don’t want it. And, if you are picturing yourself on “Antique Roadshow,” she is also going to burst your bubble: Very little is worth what you think it might be. You might see if you could have a place setting framed. You might take pieces like bowls and use them to house keys or as dresser catchalls. If you have monogrammed silver, see if you can’t work some pieces into your everyday use.

Pass on paper items

Rachel makes this one simple—when it comes to cards, letters and concert tickets, frame them, digitize them or as Elsa says, let it go.

Tackle your t-shirts

Drawer full of sartorial souvenirs from races, concerts and events?Assuming you don’t actually wear them (but like us, you can’t bear to part with them), think about having them made into a quilt from a service like Memory Stitch.